Fraser Hall Library hosting stress-buster event
Finals season is a stressful time that all students must face. Luckily, Fraser Hall Library is hosting events and activities from May 12-18 to help combat exam stresses with food and activities.
Events and Digital Collections Librarian Tracy Paradis explained via email that, “The staff at the library are always looking for ways to support students, as it is central to our purpose. The events selected for our stress-busters have changed but it’s always about providing support during a particularly stressful time for students. We want to establish and maintain a connection with students.”
Paradis, though central in the planning, does not do the event alone. She gave credit to the committee for planning: Dan Ross, Head of Access Services; Alana Nuth, Head of Collection Management; Donna Hanna, Collection Management clerk; Patty Hoffman, Interlibrary Loan clerk; Charlie Shields, student; Sol Rivera, student; and herself. With such a wide variety of people working on the event, it serves as a wide representation to encourage students to impact those decisions.
When it comes to programming in the past, Paradis noted that, “We started doing programming for finals week about 10 years ago and I would expect that we will continue doing it for as long as it is appreciated by the students and there is a finals week. We have expanded our program this semester with the addition of the breakfast menu and we will have to see if students receive it well or not. If we get some good feedback and students ask for more, we will expand and grow with more responses, so hopefully, more students will complete the survey!”
There are various events taking place for the event:
“Food is always a big hit when it comes to programming,” Paradis said. “This semester we will be having a breakfast grab n’ go, snacks, flavor-your-own lemonade & iced tea, and the ever-popular pizza! Michele, the Therapy Dog will be joining us during finals and there will also be coloring, puzzles, [and games].”
This event is meant for students and includes various opportunities for student feedback, however, recommendations are always encouraged. Paradis stressed that: “The main thing that we take into consideration is the feedback that we receive from students via the assessment that accompanies the activities. Additionally, we look at the exam schedule, the season, our budget, and our past experiences in running the program.”
When asked about the five-year plan and whether an expansion of the event was planned, Paradis explained that much of that depends on Milne’s completion and student opinion in the future.
Overall, Paradis and others involved in the committee have taken various steps to call for students to destress, eat some food and do some activities with friends. Of course, if students wish to get involved in the future or even have suggestions for the next semester they are always welcome to contact Tracy Paradis at paradis@geneseo.edu.
Paradis finished by saying: “Please join us in Fraser Hall to grab a snack, have a creative and fun time in addition to getting the informational materials that you need! Stress-busters [are] important because it is a way of supporting students during a stressful time. We feel that the library is unique in its ability to perform this service. Make sure to plan ahead—future you will thank past you for [attending]! Drink lots of water; get some good sleep! Take care of yourself.”