ABERDEEN, S.D. – Five Northern State University students participated in an Alternative Spring Break trip to Louisiana in March to volunteer in libraries and elementary schools. The trip reflected the university's focus on providing practical experiential learning opportunities for students.

During their week of volunteer work, students participated in initiatives such as surveying patrons of different branches of the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library system about their desires for library space usage. The students also worked with library outreach efforts by helping with a program to provide free fiction books to third graders in at-risk elementary schools.

"Leading an Alternative Spring Break with NSU students was such a rewarding experience," said Lynn Klundt, an NSU reference librarian who was one of the faculty chaperones for the trip. "I got a chance to get to know some amazing people, see a part of the country I've visited, and help out those in need."

Alternative Spring Break programs are designed to immerse students in service, leadership, and cultural learning. Northern State University has a proud history of providing these trip opportunities and will continue to emphasize service travel in the future.