Not Your Average PARC, Not Your Average Rangers
By Tara Weling
(Originally Published April 25, 2025)
The Performing Arts Resource Center, or PARC for short, is a student space located on the third floor of the Performing Arts Building, a short walk away from Commons. Much like the Hauser Library, you can check out or use its resources on-site for both coursework and personal projects. As you enter the glass doors, you arrive in a large room with shelves of performing arts-themed books, CDs, and multimedia resources to the right. Low-lying tables near the front of the room display coloring pages and pencils, providing visitors some respite from studying. To your left are several tables where students frequently sit to study, complete with computers, headphones, and charging cables. Comfortable couches and an acoustic guitar stand next to a record player, which makes the area a friendly, welcoming place to sit and chat with your friends. Although the PARC previously had an electric guitar as well, it was stolen last year. They continue to stock high-end pedals, amps, and a Bolsa Bass guitar, which can be checked out for three days. For those preferring more privacy, the PARC also has three rooms in the back fitted with keyboards and audiovisual equipment, where students can practice their instruments, make music, or just sit and work in a quiet environment.
The PARC has previously toyed with the idea of carrying other instruments, but Performing Arts Librarian Caleah James explained that Instructional Technologist Joe Janiga said that they have chosen not to do so “due to the delicate nature of stringed instruments, the inherent problems with soldering joints, the instrument jacks, string replacement, neck truing, potentiometer crackles of the tone and volume knobs and probably more.” The main reason they had the guitars in the first place was a surplus of funds due to the pandemic. According to James, the interim Performing Arts Librarian had to purchase items quickly and was unable to consult Janiga, who would have concluded to not buy the guitars due to the time and skill set required to maintain their functionality.
The PARC is primarily occupied by students, however, one might occasionally see a professor or staff member using the color printers located around the corner. As for the general atmosphere, the resident student employee usually plays their choice of music in the background, although they appear to be open to suggestions or negotiations, if called for. Such extreme action shouldn’t be necessary: during the Quest’s brief visits, the music ranged from soft jazz to bossa nova to light EDM. Anyone who needs assistance with finding resources or using equipment can head towards the help desk, complete with posters advertising events, contact cards for PARC staff, pieces of stationery, as well as bowls of candy and stickers.
To play on the acronym, the students who work at the PARC behind this desk are affectionately termed PARC Rangers. They are responsible for checking out “music scores, plays, performing arts media, equipment, games, and more,” as specified by the website. Given that 12 out of 13 rangers were graduating this year, applications for the 2025-26 academic year will likely be open soon. According to their old job description on Handshake, rangers generally work 5–10 hours in-person a week. They assist users with navigating the library’s large and diverse collection, which sometimes includes learning about unusual software and hardware, like a ghost hunting kit that the PARC acquired in 2022. There are currently 13 student staff members, supervised by James and Janiga, who cover daytime, evening and weekend shifts throughout the semester. Janiga primarily handles technology repair, recording studio usage, as well as digital and acoustic instruments. On the other hand, James is the main supervisor and works with the library collections. Applicants are evaluated based on their experience, knowledge and demonstrated interest in customer service, as well as their organizational skills and punctuality.
The Quest reached out to longtime PARC ranger Eden Kalaj-Rice ‘25 about their experience. “I have worked at the PARC for three years now. I really enjoyed my time here, I think it’s a very chill job. You get to play music while you work, which is pretty nice. You get to learn about a lot of different audio equipment which is lovely. And if you don’t have anything else to do, you’re able to do work,” said Kalaj-Rice. Fellow PARC ranger Ella Crotty ‘25 mentioned that she wanted students to be aware that they have good quality microphones available for check out, adding that the PARC was “also just a nice study space.” Kalaj-Rice added, “We have Nintendo Switches, CDs you can rent out, and tripods amongst other things. It’s a really lovely space. You don’t have to be quiet in the PARC, which I think people don’t realize when they want to find a group study room in the library but they’re all taken. We have a recording studio too.”
The Quest asked the present PARC rangers about the plushie in the corner wearing a name tag that declared his name to be “Jimothy.” In response, Crotty said that the reindeer was the PARC’s mascot. She mentioned that Jimothy used to have a wall mural, although neither ranger present was aware of his origin story or background. Perhaps a future article can investigate the origin of this mystery mammal.
Interested students can access updated hours, search their library, or book one of the three smaller rooms from the PARC website (https://library.reed.edu/parc/). A list of available software can be found online (https://library.reed.edu/parc/software.html) although their suggestion box is always available near the entrance.
Message from Caleah James
The PARC is a special place. A mostly student-run area that is part library, part gathering zone, the PARC houses a wealth of performing arts related resources that anyone can use. From the comfy sofa to the record player, the PARC invites participation and community. We welcome collaborators, homework doers, and folks who just want to chill. Come play some music, use the recording studio, or utilize our music and design software.
This year, all but one of the Rangers are graduating and I would like to honor them with a brief shout out! Congratulations to: Anna Spollen, Sal Wallin, Asta Rossi, Arianne Lin, Ella Crotty, Sofia Roberson, Juniper White, Yik Yin Cheuk, Lina Gaylord, Ava Burge, Eden Kalaj-Rice and Beth Beaver. I am immensely proud to have been your supervisor and friend over the past year/years. I have seen you all grow in confidence and ability and I see you really enjoy yourselves at work and take pride in running the PARC. I wish you all the best and I look forward to seeing what your next chapters have in store.