On Friday, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus became an unexpected source of commotion, as the sounds of screaming filled the air. This was not a cause for concern, but rather a unique stress-relief initiative for students.
In an effort to help students cope with academic pressures as the semester’s end approaches, UNL Libraries organized a primal scream event. This was part of a broader celebration marking significant anniversaries for the libraries, including 80 years for Love Library South and 50 years for Love Library North.
Before the screams began, students had the chance to unwind with various activities at the LoveFest on the Lawn, as explained by Joan Barnes, a communications librarian. The festivities included reading sessions, food, games, and even a ping pong table, a nod to the library’s history as a former Army Cadet Corps facility. Additionally, a discussion on artificial intelligence was held, showing the library’s commitment to both tradition and innovation.
“It’s always a little bit about the past, about how we’re serving the university right now, and what we can do for the future to continue to support the researchers and students on campus,” Barnes remarked.
The primal scream event served as the grand finale for the year-long celebration, offering a moment for students, faculty, and staff to release tension. “It’s not typical of a library to have screaming,” Barnes noted. “We’re usually thought of as a quiet place where people are studying and contemplating. We thought this was against brand, but it was a good way to be against the brand.”
Halima Moore, a master’s student in architecture, expressed her satisfaction with the event. “I wouldn’t say I feel lighter, but I do feel relieved,” she shared. “I’m glad a lot of people needed to scream because I’ve been screaming since eight in the morning, and it was good to make sure the community felt that.”
Elizabeth Pernicek, also pursuing a master’s degree in architecture, found the event unexpectedly therapeutic. “I didn’t realize I needed to release some stress,” Pernicek admitted. “That wasn’t just like going on a walk or something. Sometimes you just need to scream it out.”
The event provided a much-needed outlet for those participating, proving that sometimes a loud, collective scream is just what’s needed to unwind. “Go Big Red,” Pernicek encouraged. “Scream it out if you need to.”
