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Loving Librarianship: Collaborating with Campus Support Departments to Create Engaging Book Themed Library Programs

Megan Palmer, M.L.I.S. (she/her)

Reference and Instruction Librarian

Milne Library, SUNY Oneonta

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Session Outline

  • Background of book themed library programs at SUNY Oneonta
  • Collaborators on campus
  • Different iterations:
    • For the Love of Books
    • Fall into Focus: Craft Your Dream Semester
    • Fall in Love with Reading
  • Feedback and reflection from past events
  • Lessons learned and event evolution
  • Integrating care and compassion into library programs
  • Conclusions and Q&A

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Background of Book Themed Programming at SUNY Oneonta

  • Collaborating with the Counselling Center on campus for finals week programming
  • Their Outreach Specialist reached out with an idea for a tiny book craft event
  • Timeline and theme aligned well with Valentine’s Day
  • We planned and hosted our first For the Love of Books event in the spring semester of 2025

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Collaborators

  • Counseling Center
  • Office of Student Care and Wellbeing
  • Office of Student Experience
  • Milne Library

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Book Themed Programming

For the Love of Books (Spring 2025) –

Mini 3D TBR Lists

Fall into Focus (Early Fall 2025) –

Vision Boarding on Bullet Journals

Fall in Love with Reading (Late Fall 2025) –

Mini 3D TBR Lists

For the Love of Books (Spring 2026) –

Book Page Paper Roses

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For the Love of Books (Spring 2025)

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For the Love of Books, Blind Date with a Book (Spring 2025)

Please use this QR code for a blog post on our Blind Date with a Book Display.

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Fall into Focus: Craft Your Dream Semester (Fall 2025)

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Fall in Love with Reading �(Fall 2025)

Please use this QR code for a blog post on our Fall in Love with Reading Event.

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For the Love of Books (Spring 2026)

Please use this QR code for a blog post on our For the Love of Books Event.

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For the Love of Books, Blind Date with a Book (Spring 2026)

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Feedback and Reflections from Events

  • Very positive feedback from students, librarians, colleagues, staff, and collaborators
  • At the end of each event, we are talking about planning the next
  • Attendees connect with each other and talk about their love of books
  • Creates a fun and energetic atmosphere in the library encouraging students to stay a while
  • Excitement to engage with library materials

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Lessons Learned and Event Evolution

  • Including more offices and collaborators
  • Leaning into the BookTok and crafter-noon vibes
  • Use of recycled materials for crafts
  • Timing of these programs augment our finals week programming nicely
  • Finding a theme to run with is fun and creative, makes programming feel consistent, and creates positive association
  • Creative advertising leading to increased attendance
  • Requiring registration while also being ready for students to drop by
  • Organization, clear instructions, and timing are critical

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Integrating Care and Compassion into Library Programs

  • Collaborating with campus support departments for programming
  • Providing materials and a space where students feel welcomed and encouraged to engage
  • Integrating a love of reading into my engagement with students through these programs
  • All contributing to a sense of community and belonging at SUNY Oneonta!

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Any Questions?

Please email me at megan.palmer@oneonta.edu!