by Kara Reedy—
The Gardner-Harvey Library has held several events over the course of this month, many of which were focused on the eerie aspects of October. In honor of the spookiness of the season, the librarians decided to hold a small party for students and community members to take time to celebrate Halloween. The library often encourages students to take some time for themselves to recuperate after the stress inflicted by studying. Librarians John Burke and Jessie Long regularly organize events such as this to allow participants to take time for themselves instead of their work, which can be all-consuming for many. They decided to take a creative approach to last Friday’s event. Those attending were allowed to decorate pumpkins and watch scary movies, all in the name of the season.
The pumpkin painting station provided participants with the opportunity to stretch their creative legs. Attendees had the option of decorating a real or artificial pumpkin. Alongside a colorful spread of paints, there was also the option of carving into the smaller-sized pumpkins. Many students and community members went all-out with their designs, simply enjoying a bit of free time before the slow creep toward the end of the semester begins in the month of November. Events like this can be beneficial for students who feel overwhelmed by their studies. It is essential for students to take some time to unwind a little bit, which is precisely why the Gardner-Harvey Library put the event together.
The library also provided an array of scary movies for participants to enjoy. Familiar films were available to spectators, such as The Babadook, It, A Quiet Place, and the first three Scream movies. Although it is doubtful that horror movies could be considered “relaxing,” taking time out to decompress and just watch a fun movie is healthy in and of itself. October—ever the ominous and haunting month—has become synonymous with what is undeniably frightening. Still, this time of year affords numerous opportunities for some innocent fun. The mixture of pumpkin decorating and watching horror movies perfectly encapsulates the duality of Halloween.
Snacks were supplied during the event, including goody bags filled with candy and popcorn to indulge in alongside the films. The gathering took place around and inside the Gardner-Harvey Lounge, which is located on the top floor of the library. Several students from across the campus came and went, enjoying the many provisions of the affair. Attendees painted and accessorized their pumpkins, kicked back, and watched one of the horror movies, and at the same time, had a chance to put themselves first. It can be easy to forget that we need time to relax, especially on the cusp of finals. Engaging in events like the one held last Friday serves as a reminder that we need to take a breather every now and then. We are moving through the Fall semester at lightning speed now. However, it is still crucial for our well-being to have a little fun, even if that is decorating a pumpkin or watching a movie.
For additional information or events regarding the Gardner-Harvey Library, please contact the following:
- John Burke: [email protected]
- Jessie Long: [email protected]