KPU library hosts end-of-semester events for studying

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The Kwantlen Polytechnic University library will be hosting two on-campus events for students to study and de-stress. 

“Long Night Against Procrastination” (LNAP) is returning to KPU since the university first hosted it in March. One is taking place on Nov. 23 from 5:30 to 11:00 pm at the Surrey campus, and the other on Nov. 28 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Richmond campus. It will feature a variety of activities, workshops, information booths, and academic support from librarians and Learning Centre tutors.

“The reason why we wanted to do it again is we do recognize the need for students to build community, and this type of event … gives them a chance to connect with other students who are in the same mindset as them,” says Kelsey Chaban, student engagement and community outreach librarian.

“Especially, [since] it’s such a busy and hard time of the semester when you’re preparing for all those final things.”

Both LNAP events will have video and board games, colouring, button making, gift card and prize basket giveaways, library trivia in addition to research and citation help.

Kwantlen Student Association’s disability and peer support groups, as well as KPU’s international and academic integrity services will have tables at the event. There will also be free refreshments for students along with a newly introduced popcorn machine.

The Richmond event, which will be in the campus library, will have a bonus offsite candle-making workshop from the Wilson School of Design’s “Mindful Campus” initiative from 12:00 to 2:00 pm in WSD4900.

Surrey’s LNAP will be on the first floor of the library and feature therapy dogs from St. Johns Ambulance.

“The therapy dogs were very, very popular, and I’m sure they will be again,” says Melissa Smith, a student success librarian at KPU. 

“But then I noticed in the spring, some students really wanted a quiet place to come work, maybe colour, and de-stress. Whereas others wanted to be at a group table, play games, laugh loudly and talk with each other, so I think having a different variety of games was helpful for the different wants and needs of the students attending.”

The idea behind the library’s LNAP events is to host them once in the spring and fall semesters when it is “crunch time” for students working on assignments, Smith says.

Smith also says LNAP will take up more space in the Surrey library than last time to allow for separation between quiet and collaborative areas.

More than 200 people attended the last event at the Surrey campus, and some students asked if it could be offered at Richmond campus as well.

“Surrey can be a bit of a commute depending on where the students are coming from, so I think it’s great to have it in two different places,” Smith says.

“With Richmond, we are doing it a bit earlier in the day because we heard feedback from students and other people who’ve hosted events that the afternoon is a core time on [the] Richmond campus, so we’re hoping more students will be able to attend.”

LNAP started at a German university in 2010 for students to receive after-hours study help. The events are now held in universities and colleges around the world.

“One of the primary points of ‘Long Nights Against Procrastination’ is to provide that safe space to be motivated and get to recharge in your studies,” Chaban says.

“But we also want to emphasize the importance of your own mental health, energy, and [keeping] yourself energized.”

Beyond LNAP, the KPU Surrey library will be open 24/7 from Dec. 4 to 14 for students during the exam period.

For more information about LNAP events, visit https://libguides.kpu.ca/LNAP.