Resulting from an undergraduate student's proposal, the Z. Smith Reynolds Library has opened a space for students to rest and refresh between classes. As new undergraduate housing built on Wake Forest's campus has expanded on the north end, far from where the majority of undergraduate classrooms are located, students were unable to get all the way back to their assigned housing in between classes to take a quick nap or rest, and sought a space in the library that could be dedicated to this need. Library leadership carefully considered the costs in both finances and space, and balanced them against the benefits in well-being to our students. Dubbed the ZieSta Room (highlighting the Z. S. and R. that are the initials of the library) the space contains reclining chairs, dimmed lighting, and lockers with usb ports installed where students can secure their belongings, and recharge their devices, while they also recharge. The room was an instant and surprising success with the students, and had stories published in both the Winston-Salem Journal (the local newspaper) and on Inside HigherEd.
Interests: Public Services, Transforming Libraries
Library Type: Academic, Student, Undergraduate