Neighbor News
Exam Cram at the Reading Public Library
After-hour space for RMHS students to study for midterm exams.
Press Release
To: Reading Chronicle
From: Susan L. Beauregard and Renee Smith, Young Adult Librarians
781-944-0840
Re: Exam Cram
Date: 1/31/17
For Immediate Release
Find out what's happening in Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Midterms have come and gone for the Reading Memorial High School students and they are on to a new term. Preparing for those exams is where the Reading Public Library comes in! The Library offered “Exam Cram” which was a two-night pilot program providing students in grades 9 through 12 an after-hour exam space. On Tuesday, January 17 and Wednesday, January 18, the library remained open until 11:00pm for students to have a safe, comfortable space to study for their exams individually or in groups. It was a fantastic success!
Renee Smith and Susan L. Beauregard, Young Adult Librarians at the Library were the brains behind this pilot program. They offered students a variety of beverages and lots and lots of snacks. Besides feeding their bellies, the Librarians provided stress-relieving activities, coloring books, school supplies and therapy animals. Both nights the event was visited by Jack Pawkins, a therapy guinea pig owned by Rhonda Jackson of Reading, who allowed students to pet his silky coat while he made adorable squeaking sounds. The first evening, the students were treated to a visit by licensed therapy dog, Butters, owned by our own staff member, Allison Sloan. The second night brought a visit by an adorable little Schnoodle by the name of Bentley. Bentley’s owner, Scott Selig, displayed the wonderful flips and rolls Bentley was trained to do (for treats, of course).
Jackie Lermond, a RMHS senior who attended both evenings, stated what an “awesome” event this was for the library to offer. She also said that “it was a nice place to study with friends” and there were “great relaxing activities.”
We received many heartfelt thanks from students for this terrific opportunity. Due to the success of this event, we hope to try it again during final exams in June. Despite the late hours and the piles of food provided, this program was a golden opportunity for us to attract high school students to the library and in the process, hopefully creating lifelong library users.
Please note: Photos from the event are attached. Thank you. Susan Beauregard
