From the Stacks: Reimagining the Libraries into a hub of student engagement

By Jane Wildermuth, University Librarian

Over the past academic year, University Libraries’ staff focused on making Dunbar Library a hub of engagement for students. Recognizing the importance of fostering a sense of belonging, a variety of activities designed to engage students, teach new skills, build relationships, and provide opportunities for fun were introduced.

The Libraries launched several new initiatives to attract students during the 2024 Fall Semester. The semester kicked off with the annual game night, co-hosted with the Table-Top Club, welcoming students with board games and a prize raffle. A new series of events called “crafternoons” was introduced where students were invited to learn new crafts, including cupcake decorating for Halloween, card making on Valentine’s Day, and knitting, complete with starter kits to take home.

Additionally, families were welcomed to the Dunbar Library on Family Weekend, offering pumpkin carving, bingo, a movie, and tours of the Archives to learn about Wright State’s history. This event was co-hosted by the Division of Student Affairs.

Another collaboration was with the University Activities Board for a fun-filled Bingo Night. A new Book Chat series for students to discuss their favorite books was also introduced.

In November, the Libraries welcomed Dunbar Café, a full-service coffee bar. Responding to students’ requests, the Café provides coffee and snacks, offering a convenient way to refuel while studying.

More exciting changes are underway at Dunbar Library. The first phase includes upgrades to the Special Collections and Archives, featuring improvements to the preservation environment and new furnishings—made possible through generous contributions from private and business donors, the State of Ohio, the Friends of the Libraries, and the National Aviation Heritage Alliance. Once these upgrades are complete, the focus will shift to additional improvements throughout the library, including enhanced study spaces and new entry doors.

In June 2025, the University Libraries, along with all OhioLINK libraries, migrated to a new cloud-based library system. This modern platform will enhance library user experiences and services, improve efficiencies for day-to-day operations, and streamline collaboration with other consortia libraries. The system includes an online catalog that provides access to library resources, including e-books and e-journals, articles, physical books, media, and more. It also controls day-to-day library operations such as checking out materials, cataloging, and acquisitions.

Through these initiatives, University Libraries continue to reimagine what can be done for the Wright State campus. The vision is to become a more dynamic and engaging space, dedicated to enriching the students’ experience and supporting academic success.

This article was originally published in the 2025 issue of the Wright State Magazine. Read more stories at wright.edu/magazine.