It is the calm before the storm at the Owen D. Young (ODY) Library. Final exams and final presentations, group projects, and other academic work that makes students stressed: all that takes place right here at the heart of St. Lawrence University’s (SLU) campus. The library staff prepares for this “rush” of students by accommodating these students’ needs at the time as well as making sure that the facility runs smoothly.
“Minimizing stress is the goal,” says René Thatcher, the director of services and outreach at the Information Technology (IT) section of SLU. They go about doing this in partnership with the Thelomathesian Society to provide snacks and other refreshments for students. The library is a “hub for students to do work but at the same time interact with people if they want to,” Thatcher said.
“Another way that we relieve stress from students is that we turn off billing for public printing, because some students might be worried that they are running out of money,” Steve Millington, the ODY Service Desk manager, stated. Millington mentioned that they do not inform students about this change, as they do not want students to excessively print large quantities of paper that is not for academic use.
“The library is very proactive,” Paul Doty, the University Archivist, said. “All of the librarians have meetings in which the staff address concerns of students as well as for the library itself. Our main focus in the library is helping students that are walking in to find the resources they need in order to accomplish whatever assignments they need to get done with good quality.” Doty also mentioned that the library numbers are relatively consistent until the end of the year, when it becomes busy.
SLU student David Bonny frequents the library throughout the semester, especially towards the final weeks. “The library is just a great place of isolation to do work. I feel very productive in there, and I can focus on my schoolwork,” Bonny stated. He also likes the fact there are many study spaces available for him to do his work.
Finals week is a very difficult time, for not just students, but staff members as well. The library tries to still operate in a smooth manner even in this chaotic period of time.