Education doesn’t stop at 11PM—our library access shouldn’t either.

Photo by Russell McNeil licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

The Issue

VIU Administrators have restricted library access from 11pm to 7am, quietly citing security concerns. However, before early May 2024, the VIU Library was open 24/7, providing us, students, with uninterrupted access to essential academic resources. The data does not support this drastic cut, and it creates significant challenges for those of us who rely on the library for quiet, safe, and accessible study spaces. This decision disproportionately affects those with work or family commitments, limiting our ability to succeed in our studies.

The university library is a space for students seeking quiet study areas, reliable WiFi, and essential resources. Cutting its hours creates a direct barrier to student success. This decision undermines the university’s academic mission and fails to support the students it serves.

The decision to reduce library hours directly contradicts the goals of the We Matter Here campaign, which advocates for equitable access and the long-term sustainability of the services and resources students rely on to succeed.

Learn more about the We Matter Here campaign

What We Know

  • Many of us balance work, family responsibilities, and coursework, making late-night study spaces essential. With limited late-night study options in Nanaimo, reducing library hours does not meet our needs. Students who rely on the library late at night are the ones who need it most—we are the students with the least access to quiet, safe spaces. Restricting access doesn’t just reduce hours; it takes away a crucial resource that many of us depend on for academic success.

  • VIU made this decision without asking us, the students who rely on the library the most. This is part of a pattern—major decisions that impact our lives are made without our input. The Students’ Union Executive were actively pushing for the return of 24/7 library access, yet weren’t even informed when the university quietly cut the hours back from midnight to 11pm. If VIU truly values student success, they need to start listening to us.

  •  VIU Admin have shared that the reason for reducing library hours is directly related to student safety, however, the data does not indicate a significant safety risk. Since 2021, there have been only seven reported incidents during unstaffed hours—less than two per year. A 2023 student survey also found that 95% of students felt safe in the library and zero students said they felt unsafe, contradicting claims that these changes are necessary.

  • While citing safety concerns as the reason for cutting library hours, President Deb Saucier is planning an office move—into the library—after already having moved offices last year, with the cost rumoured to be $1 million. No matter the cost—Her move should not be funded by us.

    And rather than investing in student-centered security solutions, the administration chose to limit student access to the library, meanwhile spending an unnecessary $900,000 on security and communications in response to the Palestine Solidarity Encampment. Another example of misallocation of resources.