UvA: ‘There are just enough places to study’
Last week, students complained that the University Library and the Library Learning Centre on the Roeterseilandcampus were too crowded. The UvA counters there is ‘just enough’ places to study.
On Saturday, Folia was at the Library Learning Center in building H at the Roeterseilandcampus of the UvA to witness a line of students waiting to secure a place to study. ‘It’s always like this before exams,’ a student said. ‘It’s insane. If you get here at 09:15 you’ve got no chance.’
In recent years, study locations have been very busy, the UvA admits. Especially during the weekends before exams start. There are about 2.500 places available across the University Library at the Singel (805 places), building H at the Roeterseilandcampus (1,054 places) and at Science Park (585 places). ‘The University Library may have been full, but there were still places at the other locations. There are just enough places to study’
The UvA will continue, however, to look for extra space. ‘In June we want to open the first floor of building A at the Roeterseilandcampus.’ But not every building is suitable and comfortable to study, it says. ‘A library works best. And there are costs: for surveillance, climate control. We are looking for opportunities.’
As an additional measure in the interim, lecture halls in building E at the Roeterseiland will be opened during busy weekends. It will also be possible to study in the Wibauthuis of the University of Applied Sciences (HvA).
