With spring term finals approaching and the MCAT looming over the horizon, the need for a somewhat vacant, quiet, and accessible library has become even more pressing. As a commuter, traveling to campus on days on the weekend or on days that I am off would be incredibly irrational and time-consuming, as the train ride one-way consumes an hour of my time. As for libraries near me, those that are within a relatively manageable driving distance only open at noon on weekdays, operate for only five hours or so on Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. And, yes, I also considered the option of finding a suitable library within a nearby hospital; most hospitals nearby, however, if they had previously housed a library, chose to demolish the library and use the newly-vacated area for additional building space/potential expansion opportunities.

            Who would have thought that finding an accessible, convenient library would be so difficult? In grade school and high school, I had foolishly assumed that libraries served a single purpose: to house books that may be of potential use/benefit. Now, however, I realize that while I do need the books that the library loans, I need the shelter and solace of a library even more so.

            Due to the current economic times, however, and the recent news of several library closures, the odds of government officials extending existent libraries’ current hours are slim to none.

            In short, nowadays, few options remain for those that seek the peace and quiet of a library.