Pizza. Board games. Mural art. Tropical smoothies.
Summer fun has arrived at the Allstate Library!
The students in our Public Safety programs work hard–and we respect that. That’s why Book ‘Em, the Allstate Library Club, wants to reward your hard work by hosting relaxing activities in the library this summer. For more information, check out our list of upcoming events, mark your calendars, and get ready to have some fun!
Pizza and Game Night:
Thursday, April 28th, 4:30-6pm
Take a study break! Join us in the library for pizza, drinks, and your favorite board games–including Battleship, Taboo, Scrabble, Jenga, and more. It’s a great way to connect with your fellow students and get to know faculty and staff at the campus. Stay for the whole event, or drop by for a slice of mozzarella goodness.
Color in the Library:
Tuesday, May 3rd, 5pm
Come de-stress in the library’s newly updated Chill Zone! Relax with our selection of brand-new coloring books and art supplies, or help us color our new wallpaper murals. (We’ll have cookies, chips, and drinks to help you feel extra inspired.)
As Katy Simpson explained in her recent blog post, creating art can be a great way to 
reduce stress. That’s partly why adult coloring books have become such a huge hit. “The practice [of coloring] generates wellness, quietness and also stimulates brain areas related to motor skills, the senses and creativity,” says Elena Santos in an article for HuffPost. Some art therapists and studies indicate that coloring mandala designs are especially helpful for reducing stress–which is why the library has purchased a mural-size mandala for you to color whenever you feel a little overwhelmed.
Optional: Feel free to bring your own coloring books from home so you can trade pages with other students. If you’d like us to display some of your artwork (sketches, watercolors, or a finished coloring book page you are particularly proud of) please give it to us in advance and we will feature it in a gallery at this event.
Therapy Dogs (and smoothies!):
Thursday, May 12th, 5pm
When we invited Therapy Dogs International to the library last month, it was one of our most popular events– especially because we included refreshing drinks from Tropical Smoothie. Back by popular demand, the dogs (and smoothies) will be here on May 12th from 5-6pm. Petting a dog can lower your blood pressure and elevate your feel-good hormones, so be sure to give yourself a study break and spend some time with these adorable four-legged “therapists.”
You may be noticing that many of our upcoming activities are focused on stress-relief. Why is it so important to take time to de-stress? According to the National Institute of Justice, “law enforcement officers usually do not speak up about how stress affects their lives.” Yet police work is considered one of the top 10 most stressful jobs in America. If you are one of our Public Safety students, we hope that you will take time to care for yourself both physically and emotionally–starting here, in the academy. Connecting with other students at game nights, coloring, and visiting with therapy dogs can help you relax in the midst of a rigorous training program.
Cards for Soldiers:
Thursday, June 2nd, 12-7pm 
Many of the students in our Public Safety program are veterans, and we are continually grateful for their service. We would love for you to join us on June 2nd as we make cards for soldiers recovering in hospitals and honor their service. Food and drinks will be provided at 5pm, along with a special military trivia session.
If you’re interested in helping us plan our next events, please drop by the Book ‘Em meeting on Thursday, May 5th, at 5pm. Enjoy light refreshments, find out what the library club is all about, and tell us what events you’d like us to host next. We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, contact Emily Young at 727-341-4486 or Young.Emily@spcollege.edu.