Wednesday was a considerably water-centric day. Rain drenched LSU, flooding some areas and leaving students soaked on their journey from class to class. 

As the rain inundated campus, another water activity was considerably less wet.

The LSU Library had “mini watercolors” for students’ midday. This event, the first of the spring semester, served as a way to welcome students back and involve them with the library. 

The room was full of students studying, enjoying themselves and escaping the rain. The watercolor tables sat at the entrance next to some wet puddles—remnants of students’ rainy trek through campus. 

Larissa Elliot was one of the two research instruction librarians in charge of the event. Elliot and her colleague, Elizabeth Allen, are part of the Library Events and Programming Committee. 

“Today [the event] seems fitting because of the weather, which is kind of funny it worked out that way,” Elliot said. ”Like, do you want to use more water today?” 

As students walked through the library, librarians and a table full of possibilities greeted them. Some students drew shapes and smiles; others drew scenes from nature; and one student brought her personal watercolors and painted a yellow bird. Another student brought out rulers and pencils for precise geometric painting.  

The day was fun and peaceful. One student pulled out his phone and began to play classical music for the table as everyone painted away. 

Kaylin Val, a junior psychology junior, said, “I planned my entire day around this.” Val started water coloring near the end of high school, but she usually doesn’t find time for it anymore. So, the watercolor event was a great time for her to break her pallet out and paint. 

“It’s kind of a fun, easy craft to give people a little break from the hard stuff… it gives you a chance to take a break, relax, do a fun activity that’s low stakes,” Elliot said.

Allen echoed that sentiment. “It’s very relaxing… you’re not being graded for it. The semester has been a little crazy getting started, so it’s just a way to calm down, take a minute.” 

Elliot said, “We like to call these Pro-Craft-stations.”

The goal, according to Allen, is to remind people “to slow down, that it’s okay. Your grades aren’t going to suffer if you take ten minutes to come doodle for a little bit.” She mentioned the last time the library did watercolors, it ended up creating an art wall afterward. 

The “library is more than a place where you can study… wanting to draw people in, this is a welcoming, comforting space for you,” Allen said.

Both librarians agree the library is for everyone, and their hope is to teach others that the library has so much potential and space for community. 

The event was a small moment for the LSU community to come and enjoy themselves. Students were asking for advice and commentary, and people were teaching each other new techniques and styles of painting. 

While watercolor painting at the library was a new experience for some students, others found it familiar. Either way, they all shared a similar sense of enjoyment. 

The library has more events coming up soon. It will join the East Baton Rouge Library in a video game event on Jan. 30 and host DIY Valentine’s Day cards on Feb. 6. The library also offers academic events, including the “Dust Off Those Research Skills!” workshop on Jan. 30.