Jessica Fisher, Staff Writer
What is missing on our campus? For my answer I’m not suggesting some big construction project, but instead an update to technological infrastructure that could prove to be a huge payoff for students.
Kennesaw State University is still mostly a commuter school. Some of these commuters may not have internet access or even computers at home. I know that for the duration of my time at Georgia Highlands College I did not have internet at home, and this semester I spent almost two months without my laptop. This meant, in both cases, relying on my school’s library. Unfortunately after spending all day in class, attending and tending to extracurricular business and working I would often find myself pressed for time, as the library closes at midnight.
My original idea was broad – a twenty-four hour library.
This idea may be too risky, or too costly. The point has been raised that if not staffed, books may be stolen from the library.
KSU students work as well as have families. They may work part or full-time or have more than one job. They may work days or they may work nights. The point is that as one of the largest university’s in the state of Georgia, it makes sense for KSU to lead by example on this issue.
Instead, what would work better for KSU would be a twenty-four hour Information Commons. The Information Commons on the first floor of the library allows for students to connect to computers – Macs or PCs, it gives them access to printing and stapling, and it is separated from the university’s actual library and book collection.
Not only would a 24-hour Information Commons be great for commuters, it would be great for students living on campus at well. The renovation would keep late-nighters from disturbing their room- or apartment-mates. Plus, let’s face it, 11 p.m. quiet time is not always the case for college students. Even a quiet night of Netflix can keep another roommate from being able to study. And while one roommate may be an early riser, another may be a night owl. Midnight just may not always be enough.
The University of Texas at Arlington keeps its central library open continuously from Sunday morning to Friday night.
UTA is joined by a the crème de la crème of Georgia universities: Emory, Georgia Southern, UGA, Georgia Tech and Georgia Regents.
The way to make this secure without keeping twenty-four hour staff would be to install swipe-in technology that would allow students to swipe-in to the library using their student IDs.
Additionally security could be provided by occasional security sweeps performed by the Department of Public Safety and or the University police, who already have twenty-four hour staffing.
A 24-hour Information Commons may not be the ‘sexiest’ renovation to make for or to the university. It certainly is nowhere near as sexy as a recreational center or a football team, but it could prove to be highly beneficial and a sign of good faith to the ever diverse community. KSU’s student body.
