THIBODAUX, La. — It’s finals time, and to-do lists around campus are bursting at the seams. Having a limited amount of time to get everything done is stressful, so the library has some events to help students cope.
As part of Destress Fest, the Ellender Memorial Library will be hosting Take a Paws from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at the library’s side lawn, and Yoga @ the Library from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday Dec. 13 in the multipurpose room.
“One of our top priorities is to help students succeed,” said Elizabeth Batte, library director. “Whether that be providing space for them to study or offering special programming like yoga and Take a Paws, we want to help all Colonels succeed.”
For Take a Paws, the Library partners with Hope for Animals, a non-profit that rescues and fosters animals until adoption. The event will feature dogs and puppies on the library lawn for attendees to play with.
“This event will help students by providing a break from finals with an activity that is fun and beneficial to their stress management,” said Brandy Burbante, cataloging librarian. “A representative from University Counseling Services will be there to provide education on pet therapy.”
Students from the Pre-Vet Club are also volunteering to help care for the dogs while they are on campus and mingle with attendees.
For Yoga @ the Library, trainers from the Harold J. Callais Memorial Recreation Center will help students find a more calm mental space while in the Multipurpose Room on the third floor. Please bring your own mats.
“I think having a session of Yoga in the library can potentially give them another opportunity to relax or destress,” said Dr. Rob Stephens, research and instruction librarian and outreach coordinator. “They can literally study, walk into the next room and do yoga, and then go back and study again.”
Outside of these events, the Library also has other resources to help with finals. The librarians and staff are always available to assist students with research, finding resources, navigating databases, printing, renting technology, and more. During the week of finals, the library will extend its hours to stay open until 1 a.m., Dec. 13-15. Students can use the third floor as a quiet space to study for finals or book a study room on the second floor to work as a group.
“Students should not overlook the opportunity to meet with a librarian for a research consultation,” said Dr. Stephens. “It’s an amazing way to get help with finding research, picking a topic, citing sources, and so much more.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 3, 2021
CONTACT: Rob Stephens, Research and Instruction Librarian/Outreach Coordinator, rob.stephens@nicholls.edu or 985-448-4633
