A library that never sleeps is not merely a logistical facility but an ethical, intellectual, and democratic necessity.
From my very first year at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), I have struggled to find a space where I can study without external disturbances — a challenge I believe many students share. The dormitories are generally overcrowded, student messes are often noisy, especially in shared rooms, and renting a private space imposes a financial burden that is difficult for someone from a lower-middle-class family to bear. Despite my persistent search for an uninterrupted space for reading and reflection, I found no viable solution within the existing academic infrastructure.
Like most university libraries in Bangladesh, ours operates within rigid office hours, closing by 10 PM, and remains inaccessible for a significant portion of the year. This structural limitation is not just an inconvenience; it is an intellectual constraint that stifles the potential of thousands of students. The absence of a 24/7 library is not merely a logistical challenge but a symptom of deeper systemic issues within our academic and policy frameworks. It is time to challenge this norm and advocate for libraries that never sleep.
The Structural Problem: Libraries as Bureaucratic Spaces
Libraries in Bangladesh function more like administrative offices than dynamic academic spaces. Their operational hours align with conventional work schedules rather than the diverse learning patterns of students. While universities in countries like the US, UK, and Singapore offer 24/7 library facilities, Bangladeshi universities often continue to treat libraries as secondary entities, failing to recognize their crucial role in knowledge production and dissemination. The situation is even worse in public libraries, which could otherwise serve as accessible spaces for students beyond university campuses.
Beyond mere accessibility, the limited operational hours of libraries reflect a deeper failure of our education system to adapt to the evolving needs of students. Universities should not be structured like government offices but rather as vibrant centers of learning that support academic engagement at all hours. The rigid schedule assumes that learning happens only within designated times, ignoring the fact that intellectual pursuits do not conform to a nine-to-five routine. In many cases, the lack of access disproportionately affects marginalized students who do not have private study spaces at home, further widening the gap between privileged and underprivileged learners.
A library that never sleeps is not just a building that remains open at night — it is a powerful statement about our academic priorities, our commitment to intellectual growth, and our vision for an inclusive education system. While a single initiative like this may not transform our society overnight, it is a crucial step toward fostering a culture of knowledge production and deep inquiry. Bangladesh must move beyond treating libraries as administrative spaces and recognize them as essential academic resources. The question is not whether we can afford a 24/7 library system but whether we can afford to suppress the intellectual potential of an entire generation by refusing to provide it.
A Pragmatic First Step: Implementing 24/7 Libraries Gradually
Given Bangladesh’s socioeconomic reality, expecting every university to immediately launch a 24/7 library may seem unrealistic. However, a phased approach can make this initiative feasible. At least one 24/7 library should be introduced in each division — starting with Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet — to assess its effectiveness and demand. Similarly, prominent public universities such as the University of Dhaka and Rajshahi University could take the lead by extending their library hours. This step is not just about convenience but also about competitiveness. In a globalized academic landscape, Bangladeshi students must compete with peers from institutions where resources are available around the clock. If we aspire to build world-class universities, we must start by providing world-class academic infrastructure. A well-functioning 24/7 library is a fundamental necessity, not an extravagant demand.
Beyond Access: The Symbolic Meaning of a 24/7 Library
The significance of a 24/7 library extends beyond simply providing a physical space; it represents a commitment to fostering an academic culture that upholds intellectual freedom, deep inquiry, and collaborative learning. A library that never sleeps serves as a powerful symbol of a nation’s dedication to education, extending beyond the confines of formal classroom hours and reinforcing the idea that learning is a continuous process. It also plays a crucial role in democratizing knowledge, ensuring that access to educational resources is not limited to those with private study spaces but is available to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Moreover, such a facility acknowledges the diverse learning patterns of students. Not everyone is most productive during traditional daytime hours — some thrive in the quiet of the night, while others have obligations, such as part-time jobs, that prevent them from utilizing daytime study spaces. A flexible academic environment recognizes and accommodates these varying needs, creating a more inclusive and equitable learning experience.
A 24/7 library should also be more than just a space for silent reading; it should be a hub for collective learning. There should be designated areas for group discussions, academic debates, and collaborative research. Learning is not just about individual reading; it thrives in interaction. Such a space would encourage students to challenge ideas, refine arguments, and engage in critical discourse. This interactive intellectual environment aligns with the very essence of academic growth, transforming the library from a passive repository of books into an active center of knowledge production and exchange.
Integrating Technology: Learning from Western Models
Many libraries in Western countries operate efficiently without requiring constant human supervision, and Bangladesh can adopt similar technological solutions to manage security and logistics for 24/7 libraries. Implementing automated entry systems with student ID-based access controls can help mitigate security concerns while ensuring that only authorized users can enter. Self-checkout and return machines can reduce the need for full-time staff during nighttime hours, making round-the-clock operations more feasible.
Additionally, integrating digital resources such as e-books, digital journals, and online discussion forums can complement physical spaces, creating a hybrid knowledge ecosystem that enhances accessibility and learning opportunities beyond traditional library walls. The integration of technology is not just a matter of efficiency — it is a necessity for modern academic institutions. Many students today rely on digital resources as much as they do on physical books. A technologically enhanced 24/7 library could serve as a dynamic knowledge hub that combines the best of both digital and traditional learning experiences, ensuring students have unrestricted access to resources regardless of location or time.
Theoretical Perspective: Education as Liberation
The necessity of a 24/7 library can be better understood through key educational theories, particularly those of Paulo Freire, Walter Feinberg, and John Dewey. Freire’s concept of critical pedagogy challenges the traditional one-way transmission of knowledge, emphasizing that education should be an interactive process where students critically engage with ideas rather than passively receiving information. A 24/7 library aligns with this vision by allowing students to learn at their own pace, explore diverse materials, and develop independent thought beyond rigid curricula.
Similarly, Feinberg’s perspective on educational democracy reinforces the idea that education should be a public good, accessible to all rather than restricted by institutional structures. A library that remains open at all hours extends educational accessibility, dismantling barriers that often privilege certain groups over others. Dewey’s philosophy of experiential learning further supports the need for such a space, as he argued that education should be rooted in experience, inquiry, and continuous engagement rather than confined to fixed schedules. A 24/7 library embodies this idea by fostering an environment where students can think, discuss, and collaborate freely, creating a more dynamic and inclusive intellectual culture.
Challenging the ‘Radical’ Narrative
Some may argue that pushing for 24/7 libraries in Bangladesh is a radical educational demand. But is it really? The right to education is a constitutional guarantee, and access to a conducive study environment should be part of this right. This is not a luxury but a necessity. Public and university libraries exist to serve students and researchers, not to function as bureaucratic entities with rigid office hours. If universities claim to prioritize academic excellence, they must provide the necessary infrastructure to support it.
A library that never sleeps is not just a building that remains open at night — it is a powerful statement about our academic priorities, our commitment to intellectual growth, and our vision for an inclusive education system. While a single initiative like this may not transform our society overnight, it is a crucial step toward fostering a culture of knowledge production and deep inquiry. Bangladesh must move beyond treating libraries as administrative spaces and recognize them as essential academic resources. The question is not whether we can afford a 24/7 library system but whether we can afford to suppress the intellectual potential of an entire generation by refusing to provide it.
Conclusion
A library that never sleeps is not merely a logistical facility — it is an ethical, intellectual, and democratic necessity. In a country where educational inequality persists, and intellectual culture often struggles under the weight of rigid systems, a 24/7 library stands as a symbol of progress, inclusion, and commitment to learning without boundaries. It responds not only to the immediate needs of students seeking a place to study but also to the deeper call for an educational system that values critical thought, collective inquiry, and equal opportunity.
Bangladesh has the talent and aspiration to be a knowledge-driven society. What it needs now is the vision and courage to invest in infrastructures that support that goal. Creating 24/7 libraries will not solve all structural problems overnight, but it is a meaningful, necessary, and achievable step toward building a more equitable and enlightened academic culture. The demand is not radical — it is rational, rooted in both the lived realities of students and proven global practices.
Reference
Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and education. Macmillan.
Feinberg, W. (1998). Common schools/uncommon identities: National unity and cultural difference. Yale University Press.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed (M. B. Ramos, Trans.). Continuum.
Image credit: “Mobile library in Dhaka” by Kritzolina, licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
