King’s College, Cambridge students stage sit-in protest in library after “inadequate” service
The students are lobbying the library to remain open 24-hours as it was pre-pandemic
On Tuesday evening (30/11) King’s college students staged a sit-in protest at King’s College’s library. In a document seen by The Tab, protesters stated that this action was in response to the “inadequate” library service this term.
The students outline in their letter that from the 22nd of November, access to the library was restricted to 9am-5pm on weekdays and closed on weekends. Although restrictions were originally imposed before term started, they were later eased before being reimposed.
They continued that the cold temperatures in the library, due to ventilation requirements as a result of Covid, have created an accessibility issue for disabled students, and that they do not believe access to the library should be “treated as a privilege, nor used as a punishment”.
Further to this, attention is drawn to the importance of the library for accessing physical copies of books and articles, given the lack of working Wi-Fi that is still ongoing at the College.
Protestors have also listed several demands in the letter, including that neither participants nor the rest of the college community “suffer consequences” for the protest, as well as requesting 24-hour access is resumed in the library, the temperature is monitored (e.g., through the purchase of heaters), the library must not return to the booking system, decisions surrounding the library access must first be approved by college council and KCSU and that “access to the library must not be weaponised by the college.”
The protest is “peaceful”, and protestors will adhere strictly to all guidance, other than remaining within the library past 5pm. Instead, they will remain in the library “assuming 24-hour access for the foreseeable future” (until “they’ve finished studying”), or until their demands are met.
This comes after students previously sent an open letter at the beginning of term, also seen by The Tab, expressing “profound disappointment”. This asked the library to remain open for 24 hours and on weekends, alongside clarifying aspects of the booking system. The letter gained 80 signatures, but protestors have since found the librarian’s response to be “inadequate.”
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for King’s College said: “We acknowledge that the decision to close the Library during evenings and weekends has caused widespread disappointment, particularly at a time when students and staff have been experiencing disruption to their WiFi connection in College.
“We are actively engaging with student representatives with the intention to reinstate longer opening hours in the Library, in conditions that are suitable for study, while balancing our responsibilities towards maintaining a Covid-safe environment.”
Daisy O'Connor
James Hyde
Five reasons why Medwards is the best college at Cambridge University
Jessica SpearmanThere’s more to us than ‘that one on the hill’
‘Students were not being used as pawns’: The key take-aways from the UCU open meeting
Eleanor LewisThe fight back against casual, insecure working conditions continues
Double trouble: The twin experience at university
Sophie TallonA reflection on the university experience as a twin
Fitz Winter Ball is giving May Balls a run for their money
Esther KnowlesWith Tinchy Stryder headlining, Fitz Winter Ball is the ‘Number 1’ event happening in Michaelmas
Lucy Barber
Leah Whiting
How to matricu-slay: A reflection on my matriculation at Cambridge University
Tally ArundellIts official! I’ve entered the depths of hell…I mean Cambridge
Cambridge University’s King’s College covered in orange paint in Just Stop Oil protest
The demonstration is one of a series of attacks on UK universities such as Manchester and University College London
Seven things I’ve learnt as a Cambridge Fresher
April O'NeillIn the words of Danny Dyer – what have I got meself into?
University of Cambridge is nothing without its students
We need to give ourselves more credit; University of Cambridge is nothing without us
Sandi Toksvig appointed Qantabrigian Bye-Fellow at Christ’s College
Sightings of former bake-off star around Cambridge explained
Six things I learnt about Cambridge when visiting other universities
The Cambridge quirks become so obvious!
From freebies to societies, how to make the most of Cambridge’s Freshers’ Fair
Lisa Hana DelaneyGoing once is never enough
Student activists arrested for Schlumberger protest
OCRA and XR activists were apprehended by police
Five things you might not realise about living in Cambridge year round
Moving every item across main site makes life worth living
Your guide to surviving Cambridge Freshers’ Week
Freya JohnThe excuse ‘I’m just a silly fresh’ will be your best friend
anotherstephen
Co-star romances and age-gap relationships: All of Paul Hollywood’s biggest controversies
Lydia Spencer-ElliottHe’s back handing out handshakes on another series of The Great British Bake Off
Boo! These are officially the most haunted UK unis in 2023, based on ghost sightings
Emily SmithThere have been 59 ghost sightings at one UK uni
MAFS gossip column: Jordan responds to fight scandal and cast knew each other before the show?!
Hayley SoenThe drama really never ends!
Tour buses and family dramas: A brief history of One Direction’s run-ins with the law
Liam Payne has just had his driver’s license suspended
‘You’re scared to step outside’: Two women share their stories of being stalked at uni
This doesn’t only happen to celebrities like Holly Willoughby
Another one! People spot a further editing error in MAFS questioning a staged dinner
Nothing is sacred anymore
Um, the video of Georges squatting has been revealed and you absolutely have to watch it
Ellie RingGive this man all the baguettes
Attention pickpocket! The uni cities where you’re most likely to have your phone stolen
I’m switching back to a Nokia brick after this
Meet Lauren Sintes: The 27-year-old model joining the cast of Made in Chelsea
Of course she’s well connected with most of the cast
Rugby boys and the cleaning rota: Just 19 uni things that are none of my business
The hygiene rating of my fave kebab shop has nothing to do with me!
From secret hookups to cheating: All the biggest bombshells from the Love Is Blind reunion
I’m in shock at all of these
Why do posh people sleep with all their mates? A very serious investigation
The Made in Chelsea mayhem has gone on long enough
‘You’ve made a c*** of yourself’: Shona shares off-screen chat that saw Brad axed from MAFS
‘Bradley said he was behaving like a caged animal’
MAFS UK star Chanita Stephenson calls out the current cast for being a ‘bit too wild!’
She thinks they’re on the show ‘for fun’ and are not ‘focusing on their marriages’
‘Go f**k yourself’: Luke calls out ‘snake’ in MAFS cast who ‘sold’ story of him having a fight
It was revealed today Luke has been removed from the show following a physical fight