Students at the University of Warwick are almost literally burning the midnight oil, they have persuaded the University to keep its library open for reference and private study from 9.30pm to midnight each weekday night during term. This development shows just how much modem student life has become extremely competitive and academic driven.

This new development places the University of Warwick's Library in the top five academic libraries in the UK in terms of opening hours. The Library also has the longest opening hours in term of any of the twenty major libraries which form the Consortium of University Research Libraries (CURL). Typically, CURL libraries are open for less than 80 hours each week while the Warwick Library is open for 95 hours per week, approximately 20% longer than others in this group. Warwick's opening hours during the vacation also tend to exceed those of other major research libraries.

The extended opening hours are a direct response to the needs of many users. Last year the Library undertook a detailed survey of the views of 962 students to find out in what way Library facilities could be improved. Almost all those questioned put extended opening hours among their top five priorities.

Some of the student reactions placed on the library's bulletin board include :-