UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries, through its LibWell Initiative and sensory rooms pilot program, has received national recognition from the American Library Association (ALA) in its State of America’s Libraries 2024 report.
Issued annually by ALA during National Library Week, the report informs the public about important trends and prominent issues facing American libraries today.
“Having our relatively new LibWell Initiative and sensory rooms pilot program highlighted by the American Library Association in its annual report offers validation for our employees’ innovative thinking and drive for providing excellent service to our University community. However, it speaks even more to their empathy and motivation for supporting students’ needs far beyond standard academic support,” said Rebecca Miller Waltz, associate dean for learning and engagement. “At Penn State, we know our University Libraries colleagues are amazing and create innovative programs and resources for our library users, but it’s a delight to know that our ALA library colleagues across North America and beyond will be reminded of that, too.”
The University Libraries LibWell Initiative and Sensory Rooms were noted in the report’s “Year of Innovation” section, which outlined accessible spaces created across the nation’s libraries, and quoted Reference and Instruction Librarian Brett Spencer from Berks Thun Library at Penn State Berks.
Created to help advance the wholistic well-being of all Penn State students, the University Libraries’ LibWell Initiative harnesses donor funds and the Libraries’ collective expertise to host spaces, kits and programming that assist students with their learning potential and future life success. When Spencer proposed adding sensory rooms to support the needs of neurodivergent Penn State students, LibWell volunteers quickly agreed to assist with funding, resource development and general help.
A resulting University Libraries pilot program launched in 2023 successfully added library sensory rooms, spaces and mobile kits with supportive equipment for students at three Penn State campuses.
“We are thrilled that the LibWell Initiative — and the development of our various sensory room spaces throughout the commonwealth — have been recognized,” said Megan Gilpin, education program specialist for Libraries Learning Services and head of the LibWell group. “It has been our goal from the beginning to put in place resources and programs that help students acquire positive well-being behaviors to support their academic achievement goals. We look forward to continuing and expanding this work in the future.”
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, encompassing academic, public, school and special libraries. Its website states its mission is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”
Penn State University Libraries places a high priority on inclusion and empathy among its foundational values and supports Penn State’s presidential vision and goals, such as enhancing student success through a focus on student mental health and well-being and fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.