The stars of last year’s National Library Week at OSU Institute of Technology don’t care about books or research. They can’t even read a word, but they love the library.
Several dogs and their owners from the pet therapy organization Karing K9s visited the OSUIT Library last year as part of Library Week and are coming back for this year’s event.
“This was by far the highlight of National Library Week last year, said Jenny Duncan, OSUIT Library director.
National Library Week is April 13 through 18 and the OSUIT Library will offer patrons something fun to do every day during the week including board games, puzzles, brain teasers and refreshments in addition to a visit from Karing K9s and the 10th annual Poets Live Poetry Reading.
The primary goals of Library Week are to celebrate the role of the library, to highlight some of OSUIT’s library services, and to provide students with some fun activities during pre-finals week.
“It’s a great way for all students to come in and see what our library has to offer, particularly for those who’ve never been in our library,” said archivist Beth Kieffer.“It’s also a really fun way to help them de-stress before finals week, not just with therapy dogs, but with puzzles, games and other fun activities too.”
The Poets Live Poetry Reading, now a decade long tradition at OSUIT’s Library Week, gives students, faculty and staff the opportunity to express a side of themselves that other’s may not always get to see on campus.
“The OSUIT faculty have always been very supportive and it’s good to provide this type of programming that’s normally held on a more traditional liberal arts college campus,” Duncan said. “April is National Poetry Month and with National Library Week always being the third week in April, the two have always gone hand-in-hand.”
The Poets Live Poetry Reading is at 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday April 15 in the ONG Lounge in the Student Union. Ten poets are selected to read original or previously published material. Those participating will also receive a $15 gift certificate to the OSUIT Bookstore.
Duncan said there are still a few openings left for the poetry reading and the deadline to enter is Friday April 10.
“We’ll also need spectators, so I encourage all OSUIT faculty, staff and students to come and listen to what these wonderful poets have to offer,” Duncan said.
Those looking to relieve a little stress and get a dose of cuteness at the same time can come visit the therapy dogs on Thursday April 16 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., in the Library.
Last year was the first time the OSUIT Library offered the Karing K9s as part of Library Week and it was one of most popular events.
Kieffer said not only are the dogs adorable and sweet but petting an animal has been proven to lower blood pressure, anxiety, and stress.
“There were so many people that loved petting and playing with the dogs and it really brought everyone who was there together. We also noticed a lot of people striking up easy conversations with others they might have never talked to before just because they had a love of dogs in common,” Kieffer said. “A lot of our students can’t have a dog because they are living in dorms or apartments or are far away from their own dog so it was a great comfort for a lot of them. It was a really fun time.”
National Library Week at the OSUIT Library
Monday April 13: Guess the number of M&Ms in a jar. The closest entry wins the jar of candy.
Tuesday April 14: Learn About the Library crossword puzzle. All correct entries enter a drawing to win a $50 OSUIT Bookstore gift certificate.
Wednesday April 15: 10th Annual Poets Live Poetry Reading at 2:30 p.m., in the ONG Lounge at the Student Union. The 10 poets selected to read will receive a $15 OSUIT Bookstore gift certificate.
Thursday April 16: Eliminate pre-finals tress with therapy dogs from Karing K9s. Three therapy dogs will be available in the Library from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Friday April 17: Guess the number of print books in the OSUIT Library collection. The closest entry will win a $25 OSUIT Bookstore gift certificate.
Daily activities including board games, puzzles and chess begin at 8 a.m., refreshments are at 1 p.m., and prizes are awarded at 3 p.m.