The Saint
SSC launches library campaign
Andrea Nemes
THE STUDENTS Representative Council has launched a student-led campaign aiming to demonstrate student views on the redevelopment of the library.
The library was designed in the 1970s for 3,000 students. However, more than 7,000 students are now stretching library resources. The original redevelopment of the library was first discussed in 2005 where the goal was a limited redevelopment of Level 2. Since then, plans have evolved to entail a complete redevelopment of the entire library.
According to Georgina Rannard, Director of Representation, the campaign has arisen out of student frustration at the apparent deadlock in progress on the library redevelopment and aims to demonstrate the strength of student support for library redevelopment to the Principal. The goal is to have Principal Richardson champion the cause of library redevelopment to the University Court.
As part of the campaign, class reps have been standing outside of the library asking students to write letters to the principal explaining why the library is no longer suitable for students and asking her to support the cause of library redevelopment.
English class rep, Melissa Tyler, is one of the organizers of the campaign. She hopes to get students involved by helping them understand what the redevelopment will mean for them.
She said the class reps will present a condensed version of students views on the library to the redevelopment team. Tyler believes that students have a lot of power here and they have the possibility of making a huge difference. However, this can only happen if students step up and let us know what they want.
Georgina Rannard said that students have responded well to the campaign. Among the letter writers are international students drawing comparisons between library resources here and at home, while others are honours students stating that they love St Andrews, but would not consider postgraduate study here because of the poor facilities.
Rannard stressed the risk of not moving forward with the project. Students from all faculties dont consider the library to match up to the universitys promise of excellence, and this can only deteriorate the longer the University stalls.
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