The Dugan Library will collaborate with Newman University faculty, support services staff and student tutors next week to offer academic assistance to students for one night in one place.
“Triumph Over Procrastination” will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 24 in the Dugan Library. Refreshments will be available at the event. According to Assistant Librarian Jeanette Parker, students will begin at a check-in table where Director of Library Services Steve Hammersky will determine where students needs aid and then send them to the appropriate person for help.
“It’s an event designed to bring different people from across campus that are available all the time to provide aid to students who are struggling with papers to one place at one time,” Parker said. “We want students to get familiar with the resources and the people who are around that can help them succeed.”
The event, although hosted by the library, is facilitated by Newman faculty, staff and students. Director of Academic Resource Center Case Bell will be available to help students. In addition, Assistant Professor of English Susan Crane-Laracuente, Ph.D. and Michelle Ast will be representing the English Department. Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Jane Weilert, Ed.D. and Amelia Hopper will represent Nursing. Newman alumna Erin Weber will represent History. Student tutors Hibba Ullah, Rachael Adducci and Khoi Nguyen will also be on-site assisting students. Although these individuals come from specific departments and backgrounds, Parker said they will all be present to help with any kind of writing need.
“There won’t be any math tutors available,” she said. “Last semester, we found the majority of students needed help writing, editing and researching for papers. But we’re happy to help wherever we can.”
Parker said the library is still experimenting with new ideas, including timeframe. Last semester was the first time the library hosted an event aimed at procrastination (“Long Night Against Procrastination”). She said she heard of the idea last summer at a library conference and worked with former Director of Academic Resource Center Bo Bonner to make it happen.
“We’re still experimenting with what works best,” Parker said. “Some students thought we should do it the week before finals, but we felt that defeats the purpose of the event. We want students to start early so they don’t feel so rushed. But, we’re still experimenting and we love feedback. We still have ideas we haven’t pulled yet.”
Parker said she hopes the event will help students recognize the academic assistance and resources that are available on campus all the time.
“The main purpose is to help students, which I feel like is our overriding goal in the library,” she said. “Even for students who feel confident in their abilities, all the way down to those that aren’t quite sure what they’re doing. It’s just an opportunity to have somebody else look at their papers. It’s really something that everybody can make use of. It’s a chance to see how much our faculty and staff want them to succeed and how much help is available to them all the time, not just on this one evening.”
Parker said she also hopes the event will shed light on her and Hammersky’s purpose in the library.
“Steve and I are here to help them locate resources and help them understand how to make better use of the databases,” she said. “We have training in how to help students research. That’s what we do. We’re not going to make fun of anyone or make them feel bad. We’re just happy to help. I don’t know if everyone recognizes that we are a service profession and we exist to help students. We’re not just the mean, evil guardians of the books. This information becomes more complex and there’s more and more of it. We’re here to help locate that.”
Parker said the library will also be open 24 hours a day during finals week again this semester. The library will open at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 8 and close at midnight on Wednesday, May 11. The library will resume normal operation hours Thursday, May 12 and Friday, May 13.
