The Rice Library will hold a new type of event this semester.

In order to help students cope with the stress of finals, the library’s Publicity Outreach and Marketing Committee decided to create a new event during finals week.

“We’re going to do a series of activities called ‘Unplug and Unwind,’” said Joanne Artz, assistant director of library services, “The major idea behind it is just to help people who are stressed out about finals de-stress for a little while.”

Stress-free activities such as coloring books, crayons and puzzle books will be provided by the library staff to help ease the tense atmosphere that final exams usually create.

“We’re going to put rolls of paper on the walls and provide crayons so people can write messages,” said Artz, “We see people that get kind of stressed, so we’re providing these things so people can sort of revert for a while.”

Behind the idea of unplugging and unwinding is instructional services librarian Nicole Tekulve. Tekulve acknowledges the stress final exams bring, and hopes her idea will help students.

“Finals are our busiest time of year,” Tekulve said, “We see more students during these weeks than we do any other time of the year.”

In addition to the activities offered, Archie the Eagle will walk around the library and hand out candy canes to students on Dec. 6, and Dec. 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Along with Archie will be the Director of the Library, Marna Hostetler.

“This is the first time that we’re trying these new ideas, so we’re definitely going to be watching and see how students respond to them,” Tekulve said, “If it goes well, we’ll definitely do it again next semester and next year too.”