Immersed in novels and English essays, students cycle on the exercise bikes in the library in a blend of movement and school during the Flex periods. Building off the novel ideas of newly instated Co-Librarian KatieAnn Prescott, the school library added Read and Ride exercise bikes to their space on Friday, Sept. 12, inviting students and faculty to view their library in a new light and find novel purposes for the space. 

The aim of the new addition is to help students and staff unwind and distress. Though libraries are typically viewed as solely a sacred and quiet location to read, the librarians hope that this change will encourage students to utilize the library as a resource to wind down.

“I think part of it is to focus on stress relief, wellness, [and] trying to find balance in things, so that was part of our goal. [The bikes are] encouraging people to take breaks and to have a healthy lifestyle,” Co-Librarian Lauren Kluck said.

New to Westwood, Ms. Prescott is determined to alter the way that students see and use the library. By hosting events such as the KPop Demon Hunters sing-along and Zombie Apocalypse Breakout Challenge, she aims for students to see the library as more than just a book warehouse. After Ms. Prescott received the Read and Ride bikes through a grant with The Education Foundation at her previous campus, she witnessed their positive impact and believed it would benefit students and faculty at Westwood. The activity fund secured support for the bikes.

“The reason why I wanted to purchase them is because I felt like it was going to bring different types of kids into the library. The library is for everybody,” Ms. Prescott said. “Kids are constantly worried about their grades, worried about what is happening tomorrow, [and] worried about college applications, so the bike is an opportunity to destress and think about something else besides school.”

More than students, this unique add-on opens the door for faculty members to utilize the library as well, giving them a change of scenery and a space to socialize with other teachers.

“We really want to give back to the Westwood community and support teachers as much as possible,” Ms. Prescott said. “[At] the library, especially here at Westwood, books are just a small part of what we do on a daily basis. For us, it is about experiences. We want our students to come in and experience things that they wouldn’t normally experience in a library.”

The Read and Ride bikes offer new and unique ways to be productive, exercising the body and mind. Students can make use of this new addition while working on their school work or relinquishing their energy or emotion.

“I like that it gives you something to do instead of just sitting still,” Kailani Park ‘29 said. “You’re moving your body while working on something. It helps you focus a bit better.”

These bikes were the first new large addition to the library, but they certainly were not the last. Multiple times a week, the librarians host events meant to attract students with prizes and follow trends. Whether they are hosting the first annual Student Bake-off or bringing in career guest speakers, the librarians continue to implement engaging events, making the library a space for everyone.

“The library is a place for learning, not just for books [but] about finding and using information and learning new things,” Ms. Kluck said. “We are trying to find all sorts of different ways to do that in a variety of ways.”