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Halloween is a perfect time to dim the lights, curl up under a cozy blanket, and watch your favorite spooky movie. But why do we love frightening films so much? While seemingly paradoxical, being scared under the right circumstances not only can be fun but also can have psychological benefits.

Research shows that part of the appeal of horror is in the thrill of fear itself. The suspense and unexpected twists provide an immersive experience that can be exhilarating. Fright can trigger our fight or flight response, causing a release of adrenaline and neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine that results in heightened sensations, a surge of energy, and an elevation in mood. Key to this enjoyment, though, is that this occurs in a safe, controlled environment where people know there is no actual threat.

Scary films also offer a safe way to confront anxieties and fears. This can then help when a real danger arises. A 2020 study found that horror film fans exhibited less psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic than those who never watched such films. The researchers hypothesized that horror film watchers learned from their experiences how to understand their bodies’ reactions to frightening situations and how to regulate their emotions. Thus they were able to apply what they learned when faced with a real risk.  

Finally, watching frightening movies with others can have the benefit of helping create greater connections between people. Being vulnerable together can provide a greater sense of intimacy. Likewise, bonding can occur over surviving the same frightening experience. Research suggests that such bonding is linked to oxytocin, which can be released in frightening situations. This hormone facilitates feelings of closeness and affinity among the group.

Still scary films are not for everyone. The same reaction to fear that results in a heightened mood for some may bring about anxiety and panic in others. This can be particularly true of highly empathetic people.

If you are one that enjoys a frightening film, we invite you to check the films in our Wilkie Classic Film Collection, several of which are available in the display on the main floor of the Library by the elevator. We also have DVD players for loan at the Library Services Desk. Finally, let us know what your favorite scary movie on the white board at the entrance at the library. Then grab your popcorn and let the scares begin. Happy Halloween!

Established in 2007, by Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) in partnership with the student community, Open Access Week is an annual, global event that brings together researchers, educators, librarians, and academic and scholarly institutions to advocate for unrestricted access to knowledge. By removing financial and logistical barriers, like paywalls and subscription fees, open access empowers individuals worldwide to access and utilize valuable knowledge. This leads to greater innovation, collaboration, and progress across various fields, from science and technology to arts and humanities.

But what is open access? SPARC defines it as the “free, immediate, online availability of research articles combined with the rights to use these articles fully in the digital environment.” This can have huge benefits. Open access allows new ideas to be dispersed more quickly and widely, allowing anyone to access and use research results. This, in turn, expands the impact of the research, serving as an impetus for new research and knowledge and allowing for greater collaboration.

This year’s Open Access Week theme is, “Community over Commercialization.” The goal of this theme is to encourage “a candid conversation about which approaches to open scholarship prioritize the best interests of the public and the academic community—and which do not.” Specifically, the hope is to focus on the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science that calls for an end to “inequitable extraction of profit from publicly funded scientific activities” and support for “non-commercial publishing models and collaborative publishing models with no article processing charges.”

Open access has the potential to democratize the world of research. When knowledge is freely accessible, it empowers individuals, regardless of their background or location, to participate in the global conversation surrounding critical issues. By advocating for making this knowledge freely available, Open Access Week reinforces the belief that education and research should be a universal right, not a privilege.

You can check out our open access databases here: ArXiv.org, BioMed Central , DOAJ - Directory of Open Access Journals, OAIster, Open Humanities Press, PLOS Biology, and Social Science Research Network.

For this week’s blog on Brain Health Awareness Week, we welcome guest writer, Todd McDonough, Counseling Center Intern. In addition to the great events discussed below, be sure to visit the book display on the Library’s fourth floor.

On October 10 the World Health Organization celebrated World Mental Health Day. Its purpose was “to raise awareness of brain health issues and to mobilize efforts in support of brain health” (World Health Organization). One way that we can show our support for brain health is by making it a priority in our own lives. I know what you’re thinking, “That’s easier said than done.” As a busy college student, trying to find time for self-care can be daunting, and at times, seemingly impossible. However, setting aside time to care for your wellbeing can actually increase your energy and productivity (Hall, 2020). You can think of it this way, just as a car needs both a gas and a brake pedal to get to its destination without crashing, our lives need a balance between forward driven labor and energy conserving rest in order to sustain our progress and avoid burnout.

On October 18-25, Loras College will be celebrating Brain Health Awareness Week. This is an opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff to raise awareness of brain health issues and make caring for the well-being of ourselves and others a priority. Here are just some of the events that you are invited to participate in during this week:

• Party on the MARC Lawn: (October 20, 2-4pm): An opportunity to connect with the Loras community and explore ways of improving our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. Connect with different organizations such as LULAC, Art Club, Hidden Opponent, LEAF, Boxing Club, the Library, and more. Prizes and food will also be available.
• Brain Health Screening (October 25, 1-3pm, Counseling Center, ACC 473): Drop in and meet individually with a Loras counselor for a free and confidential 10-minute brain health screening. Similar to a physical wellness check, this brief mental wellness check will help you assess and gain insight into your mental well-being.
• UNWIND (Beginning October 23, Mondays 4-4:30pm & Wednesdays 3-3:30pm, Interfaith Prayer Space, ACC 5th floor): Drop-in mindfulness sessions to destress. A short mindfulness practice followed by a thoughtful prompt to carry through your week. No experience and no commitment necessary. Come any time!
• Other information and activities (October 18-25, ACC Concourse): Swing by the concourse at any time during the week to discover more information related to brain health awareness week and see if you can find your way through the winding brain health labyrinth!

We hope that you will join us in supporting and prioritizing brain health. We look forward to connecting you with new and helpful ways to nurture your well-being and the well-being of all those in our Loras Community.

The days are growing shorter, the temperatures dropping, and there is a lovely crispness to the air. The green leaves of summer are transforming into vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows and soon they will float to the ground leaving only bare branches. As we leave summer behind, autumn invites take in the beauty of the changing seasons.

Fall is a time of cozy comforts and simple pleasures. We trade in our summer shorts for warm sweaters, scarves, and flannel shirts. We pick apples, carve pumpkins, and enjoy warm bowls of soup. We light candles, read books, and sip hot drinks. During walks in the woods, we enjoy the smell of the fallen leaves as golden sunlight filters through the trees. Fall is a time to slow down and enjoy each moment.

It is a time of serenity and reflection, showing us that change is inevitable. As nature prepares for a season of rest and dormancy, it reminds us of the cyclical nature of life. It is a time to reflect on the past year, remembering our achievements and areas of growth. It is a time to evaluate our life’s journey, set new goals, and express gratitude for the gifts of life.

Autumn also invites us to rediscover our sense of playfulness, whether it’s raking up a huge pile of leaves and leaping into them or getting lost in a corn maze. Even crunching leaves underfoot during a leisurely walk, we can’t help but feel a bit like a kid again. Autumn seems to inspire a sense of wonder and whimsy, reminding us that no matter our age, there's always room for a little playfulness in our lives. In that spirit, please check out our autumn display of children’s books on the first floor.

Homecoming celebrations originated in the United States in the beginning of the nineteenth century. Several universities, namely, University of Missouri, Baylor, Southwestern, and Northern Illinois, all claim to have started the tradition. At Loras, Homecoming dates at least as far back as 1940, the first time it is mentioned in the college yearbook.

The original idea of homecoming was to invite alumni back to campus for a weekend of festivities centered around a football game. In addition to the football game, homecoming events at Loras historically included parades, bonfires, and the Loras-Clarke homecoming dance, which continued even after Loras became co-ed in 1971.

Homecoming celebrations are not just about football, dances, and parades though. When at their best, they are celebrations of community. For many, college becomes a second home, and for others it may even feel more like home than the place where they grew up. For these students their campus is the place they belong.

College is not just about learning and gaining knowledge, but also about connecting with others. These connections are essential. Research shows that students who feel they belong get better grades and have better overall wellness than those who do not. But belonging is not something that can be attained on one’s own, but rather is a gift offered by members of a community to one another. Belonging happens when a community makes a person feel welcome and that their presence matters.

The alumni who will return to campus found that sense of belonging at Loras. They are coming home. Many of our first-year students may still be looking to belong. Homecoming can serve as a bridge between generations of students and alumni. Current students will have a chance to meet and interact with graduates who once walked the same campus. Perhaps in these connections students can see their future and realize that they belong to a large Loras community.

To learn more about Loras history and see the yearbooks of those alumni who will be celebrating a reunion this year, check out our book display and the Archives display on the main floor of the library.