To create a supportive environment for students as they return to classes following the mass shooting at MSU, the MSU Libraries is hosting several community-based events throughout the week. Events include therapy dog visits, arts and crafts, as well as regular academic events like the Virtual Reality lab.
While the library regularly hosts crafting pop ups in its Makerspace labs, MSU is planning an increased amount this week, outreach librarian Holly Flynn said.
Several Berkey Hall and MSU Union classes and activities have been relocated to the library, which has further encouraged the addition of extra events, Flynn said.
Additionally, the library will be holding therapy dog visits in the South Lobby from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We really just wanted to create a welcoming, happy space for students coming back to campus,” Flynn said. “Give them a little study break for a few minutes here and there.”
Craft activities will be held in the Makerspace Flex Space Classroom every day this week. On Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. students can decorate upcycled notebooks printed and binded in the library from scrap paper.
A perler beads activity will be available on Wednesday and Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.. On Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m., the classroom will feature a watercolor painting event. All Make and Sustain craft activities are free and open to all.
Other regularly scheduled activities include a book design workshop using MS Word on Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Red Cedar Instruction Room. Students can register for the workshop here.
The library‘s Virtual Reality lab will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, The lab is in the DSL VR Room, located on the West second floor. On Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the second floor Digital Scholarship Lab, students can check out the Anatomage Table, which is the only fully segmented real human 3D anatomy platform.
On Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., the library will host a Multimedia Writing Center in the DSL Project Room J, located on the West second floor. Finally, a virtual demonstration of the Mendeley citation management program, reference manager and online library will be held on Friday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.. Students can register here.
