Lily Todorinova and Rose Barbalace describe some of the activities the New Brunswick Libraries’ Undergraduate Experience Team have undertaken in recent months or have planned for the summer.
#ClubAlex
The Libraries partnered with Student Affairs once again to bring Club Alex back to Alexander Library during Senior Days. This much-anticipated annual event, which sold out within minutes, saw hundreds of graduating seniors and their guests descend upon the library-turned-nightclub on the day following the conclusion of finals. Alexander was transformed with all the trappings one would expect of an actual club: mood lighting and pipe and drape walls helped set the tone in the reference room—which featured a DJ, dance floor, and bar—and an R&B lounge was installed on the ground floor for those who preferred a more intimate atmosphere. A photo booth allowed partygoers to capture the excitement of the evening, and a massive Pac-Man-themed light show was projected onto the atrium walls to the delight of all in attendance. The buzz on social media was considerable, with many students expressing their gratitude and enthusiasm—and perhaps even more alumni wishing that they had had the chance to party at the library when they were still at Rutgers! Club Alex is a great opportunity for us to create an impression of the Libraries that will last in students’ minds well beyond graduation, and we are grateful to be a partner in this event each year.
Aresty Undergraduate Research
The Summer Science Program of the Aresty Research Center offers sophomores an intensive research experience with a dedicated faculty adviser, as well summer housing and a $3000 stipend. This year, students are working on a diversity of fascinating topics, from cancer prevention, to wearable devices and impact on dietary behaviors, to cataloging emission lines from simulated galaxies. Recognizing the importance of information literacy to the success of these students, the Center has recently reached out to Lily Todorinova, Undergraduate Experience Librarian, to lead several research sessions for the students. With the help of Laura Palumbo, Chemistry & Physics Librarian and Science Data Specialist, we will hold several active learning-based workshops for the 60 or so students in the program, which will focus on finding, evaluating, and using scholarly sources. We are excited to support these students and help them navigate the wealth of academic research resources available to them.
-Lily Todorinova
Undergraduate Experience Team Exam Week Stressbuster Report
Students relax with therapy dogs in the lobby of Douglass Library during Spring 2016 Stressbusters.
During the spring semester exam period (May 2 – May 11) the New Brunswick libraries hosted over 22 stressbuster events and activities, engaging with hundreds of students. New this semester we expanded our stressbuster activities to the Art Library, Math/Physics Library, and Chang Science Library each offering snacks and bottled water. The students expressed their thanks and appreciation as they waited patiently in line for their cookie or coffee. The pet therapy sessions were also extremely popular with many students staying nearly the whole hour with their favorite dog.
Here are some of the highlights of items distributed during finals week:
- 1480 bottles of water
- 1000 ear plugs
- 768 cookies
- 675 sandwiches
- 500 cups of coffee
- 480 granola bars
- 388 bags of chips
- 160 packs of fruit snacks
- 126 packages of cookies
- 20 gallons of iced tea
- 20 gallons of lemonade
- 7 pet therapy sessions
- 5 lbs. of chocolate
- brunch at the Library of Science and Medicine serving coffee, orange juice, bagels, croissants, muffins, and pound cake. (Tried something new, students loved it!)
- hundreds of coloring pages, stickers, stamps, and other craft supplies offered at two de-stress stations.
Special thanks to Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, RU Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club, Creature Comfort Pet Therapy, Jimmy John’s, New Brunswick Libraries Administration, and Rutgers Health, Outreach, Promotion and Education for sponsoring these events.
-Rose Barbalace
