Spring 2015 – #UWProud

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For the final exam period in the spring semester of 2015, College Library decided to focus on the positive and emphasize all of the ways the University of Wisconsin goes beyond expectations to truly excel in realms as varied as research, health, athletics, and the arts. During finals week, the library focused on a different area of achievement each day.

However, before homing in on the specific, we wanted to discover what the people who use the library are proud of in general. So, College Library installed a large white board and encouraged visitors to write down their thoughts on a Post It® and affix it to the board for everyone to see. Also on the first day of finals events, the library celebrated its Pride in the Arts by encouraging people to find their inner Picasso and to decorate the library with successful coloring pages.

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Campus partners once again supported the library’s efforts to support students during this stressful time by providing sustenance and emotional support. On Friday, May 8, the library was Proud of Innovation and the fuel that makes it happen with the Open Book Café and the Memorial Union providing free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate from 7pm to 2am. On Saturday, May 9, the UW-Madison Libraries created postcards for patrons to write messages to family and friends. The libraries were so Proud of Community that they even paid the postage for postcards to be mailed both nationally and internationally.

On Sunday, College Library celebrated UW-Madison’s appearance in the NCAA Final Four with table-top basketball games that provided distraction and a chance to feel the thrill of victory. University Health Services (UHS) showed their support for students with a variety of healthy snacks on Monday, May 11. With organic tangerines and bananas, along with nuts, raisins, and granola, no one visiting the library left undernourished.

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Tuesday brought the return of a favorite, the service canines of Dogs on Call, with over a dozen furry friends on hand to give kisses and cuddles. The week concluded with some crafty projects including button-making (to show how we are Proud of Engagement) and mortar board (or tote bag) decorating in honor of UW Grads/Alumni.

Throughout the week, slides on the large monitor in “the living room” of the library rotated images embodying the various themes. From the world-record Rice Krispie treat to the women’s hockey team, there is no doubt that UW-Madison has much to be proud of. This was confirmed with a visit by Bucky Badger who cheered on those studying in the library – dancing with some and joining others for a quick cram session.

As always, College Library is delighted to work with so many campus partners to make finals a little less panic-filled and this semester Dean Lori Berquam deserves special recognition for ordering sixty pizzas for students in the library on Monday, May 11. We can’t thank you enough!

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