The Kent State University Libraries will host Student Appreciation day on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to thank students for their support and celebrate students’ successes. This year’s theme is “Why I Heart My Library.”

Jasmine Jefferson, subject librarian and assistant professor at University Libraries, said there would be a raffle for a $100 gift card to the Kent State University Bookstore at each library around campus and a grand prize raffle for a $400 gift card.

At the University Library, “Rocky the Squirrel,” the library mascot, will visit from 10 a.m. to noon, Jefferson said in an email interview. Refreshments will be served from noon to 3 p.m., and popcorn also will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. Therapy dogs will stop by at 1 p.m.

“We always have pet therapy dogs come visit us (at the University Library), and that is a huge draw for students,” said Hilary Kennedy, manager of the Student Multimedia Studio (SMS). “So it’s great that it will be part of the event.”

There will be speech bubbles where students can write their response to why they like the library, as well as a photo booth in the SMS, Kennedy said. Students can get their pictures taken, which will be posted on the SMS Facebook page.

Kennedy said there will also be 3-D printer and pen demos, which will allow students to learn more about what the SMS has to offer and to try out the resources.

“It is really important for the SMS to be part of these types of events because we exist solely for students,” Kennedy said. “So these are great ways to thank the students that utilize the SMS.”

The Performing Arts Library will host its third Student Appreciation Day with light refreshments and snacks available, said Joe Clark, head of the Performing Arts Library and assistant professor for University Libraries.

“It is a day for the libraries to say ‘Thanks students for doing all the work you do, and we are here to support you,’ ” Clark said. “It happens before midterms, so it gets people in the mode of studying.”

Clark said this event gets people in the library, so the students can see what they have to offer and answer any questions students might have.

“This would be a good day for students to explore the different branches and enter the raffle at each location,” Clark said.

The Fashion Library will also participate in Student Appreciation Day.

“It was part of an effort, from the Main Library, to acknowledge all the students and give them a general reason to come to all the libraries and to know they are appreciated,” Edith Serkownek, associate professor for the University Libraries and a Fashion Librarian, said when asked about this event.

Along with the gift card raffle and refreshments, there will be small giveaways at the Fashion Library such as bags, coffee mugs, cups and other items, Serkownek said.

The Architecture Library plans to host its second Student Appreciation Day.

Marsha Cole, architecture librarian and assistant professor for University Libraries, said she encourages students to come by, have some refreshments, look around and explore the library.

“Last year, it (Student Appreciation Day) was beneficial because there were some students who said, they had no idea this library (Architecture Library) was up here,” Cole said.

Edith Scarletto, head of the Map Library, said that the Map Library will host this event as well and will offer snacks, beverages and some of their materials on display for students to check out.

Along with the general raffle, the Map Library will have handouts explaining their services, giveaways and Flashperks will be available, Scarletto said. Anyone who stops by gets a gift.

Contact Nick Boone at [email protected].