UF students kicked off De-Stress Fest in West by taking a rest.
Nap Day was the first of a weeklong series of events for students, including a Super Smash Bros. tournament sponsored by Gator Gaming, free yoga classes and visits from therapy puppies.
Samantha Duboff, a 19-year-old UF accounting freshman, said the events were something she might check out.
“I think the therapy puppies sound the most interesting,” she said.
For Nap Day, about 50 tired students caught some z’s Monday night in the first-ever designated nap room in Library West.
Michele Lesure, the night and weekends circulation coordinator for the library, said the room was stocked with sleeping mats from the Outfitter, cots and 50 travel pillows handmade by the librarians. The mood was set with the sounds of rain. Hot and iced tea — as well as ear plugs — were available for students.
“They work so hard, and we see them struggling in the library,” Lesure said. “I’m eternally impressed by how great the students are and how hard they work.”
The event was funded through two library funds and staffed by volunteers from the library ambassadors group. The event is unlikely to be repeated for liability reasons, Lesure said.
A version of this story ran on page 1 on 11/20/2013 under the headline "Library West gives sleepy UF students space to nap it out"