The recent changes to the Kiewit Fitness Center’s hours — now extended to midnight during the week — prompted me to think of other ways Creighton could improve its facilities to be more accessible for students. What came to mind was the hours of the library. In comparison to other universities and their library’s hours, Creighton is not up to par.

Creighton’s library should have 24-hour access during the week, with some restrictions. Understandably, the first argument against this would be the need for someone to work the late shifts — not exactly the desirable shifts, but necessary. Unlike other universities, students staff the front desk of Creighton’s residence halls. Finding students to work the late-night shifts at the library could be an option, or another alternative would be to have a public safety officer operate the desk. Having the entire library open could be difficult, but I would argue that if nothing else, at least the first floor should remain open because of the computer, printer and reserve-shelf access.

I’m optimistic that this could work because many other Jesuit institutions have 24-hour library access during the week, making this a relevant issue for Creighton. It is understood that Creighton values academics, so it makes sense for it to make its resources convenient for student access.

It’s important to say that college students stay up late, so a university’s buildings and resources should accommodate the lifestyle of a college student. Some may argue that this encourages procrastination and an unhealthy student, but if you have ever wandered into Skutt after midnight, or even into the library commons, there are scads of people there proving that people would take advantage of a 24-hour library. Yes, the commons are 24-hour but there is limited seating and it is noisy. Having a quiet study environment available would be beneficial for all students.

Having such limited hours for a library disrupts a student studying. Creighton tries to accommodate students during finals and midterm week by being open until 2 a.m., but students study late at all times of the academic year. There are other stressful times of the year jam-packed with papers, presentations and projects, and having the library available as a study environment is helpful for students.

If nothing else, studying late into the night is a special part of the college experience. This might be a romantic ideal of college but why not embrace it? We’ve all heard of or been that person studying for that test late into the night. There’s something special about the solidarity with fellow sleep-deprived students in the library — it’s like unspoken encouragement. Hey, I’m here late. You’re here late. Let’s show this paper who’s boss.

Come on Creighton — get with it. Let me spend my nights in the library. Let me study among the shelves and shelves of dusty books — it’s a part of the college experience.