Library exhibit uplifts new students

The transition to a new academic year can be stressful for students, especially new students. The staff of University Libraries hopes to alleviate some of that stress with the LIFT Exhibit, currently on display in the exhibition space on the atrium level of Mary Idema Pew Library.

The exhibit encourages students to share short phrases about themselves and explore their similarities and differences with other students by writing about what comforts, motivates, energizes and worries them. The short phrases are displayed on colorful kite-shaped cards that hang from the ceiling of the exhibition space.

“This year, we are using kites as a metaphor for the college experience," said Erin Fisher, library program manager. “We liked the idea of going up and off on your own, knowing that is a risk and journey with lots of twists and turns, which we thought was indicative of starting school.”

Every year, staff members create an exhibit with the purpose of engaging new students in the library and its programs. This year, they hope to create an experience that relates to the way students are feeling at the start of the year, Fisher said.

“We saw this as a good opportunity to introduce students to library spaces and to show them that we see them and that we support them in a way that felt relevant for this time of year,” Fisher said.

The exhibit was developed by Fisher, Ashley Rosener, Jennifer Torreano, Emily Frigo and Leigh Rupinski, with help from several students. LIFT will be on display until September 23.

-- written by Madison Barnes, student writer