Library News
2026 Spring Graduates – Library Student Employees
We would like to congratulate all of our graduating senior student employees. Spring 2026 is one of the largest class of graduates we have had in a long time. We thank you for your hard work for the University Libraries. We will miss you all very much! Zach Jackson...
Kevin Garcia Bautista earns a Master of Arts in Media, Technology and Learning Design
Congratulations to Kevin Garcia Bautista in Resource and Acquisitions for earning a Master of Arts in Media, Technology and Learning Design from the Reich College of Education. We are proud of your accomplishments, Kevin!
Kevin Freeman and Jimena Vergara Sanz collaborate on class project
In 2023, Industrial Design faculty member Jimena Vergara Sanz approached Kevin Freeman about borrowing a 3D scanner from the library for use in her coursework. While the scanner could not be loaned out, Freeman immediately offered to handle the scanning in-house. This...
Finals Fest Recap
The University Libraries hosted Library Finals Fest April 27 – May 5, 2026 to help our students destress and take time to have fun during finals week. The Libraries offered over 40 events at our 3 campus libraries and hosted well over 200 students who eagerly awaited...
Russell Paige named Student Employee Supervisor of the Year
Please join us in congratulating Russell Paige for being selected as the 2026-2027 Supervisor of the Year by the Office of Student Employment. Russell supervises 12 students during the evening and night shifts for the Access and Public Services division. Russell...
2026-2027 Library Student Employee Scholarship Awards
The University Libraries awarded 31 scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year. The selection committee, consisting of Diana Beasley, Kelly Burkett, Martha Marking, Scott Rice and Lynn Patterson, Ex Officio, reported a record number of excellent applications. The...
Dianna Johnson Retires June 1
After almost 39 years, Dianna Johnson will retire from the University Libraries. Her retirement date is June 1st. Her work with interlibrary loan and document delivery has ensured faculty and students are able to acquire the books, articles, primary sources, scores,...
Student Library Advisory Board Spring 2026
The Student Library Advisory Board had another successful semester. Working closely with Dean Sue Polanka, Librarian Breanne Crumpton, and Executive Assistant to the Dean, Kelly Burkett, the group tackled and completed many successful projects. The group continued...
Preserving Stories, Empowering Students: The Impact of the Oral History Program
Every story matters—and thanks to donor support, the Digital Initiatives and Special Collections Oral History Program is ensuring that the voices of our region and university community are preserved for generations to come. Over the past year, the program has...
ADM Showcase VIP reception on Saturday, April 25
The University Libraries and the College of Fine and Applied Arts welcomed Council members, friends and donors to the second annual Apparel Design and Merchandising Showcase VIP reception on Saturday, April 25. The event debuted last year as a collaborative effort...
National Library Week Recap
This year's National Library Week theme is "Find Your Joy" with Mychal Threets as Honorary Chair. There are so many incredible and fun ways of enjoying the library, and we're excited to share some of what we did with the students, faculty, and staff next week. The...
Development Officer Tracey Ford Retires May 1
Tracey Ford, Director of Development for the University Libraries, retired effective May 1 after 35 years of dedicated service. Tracey helped raised money for the Belk Library and Information Commons, the Children's Literature Symposium and student scholarships....
Creative Collaboration Expo Showcases Student, Faculty Partnerships at Belk Library
New event highlights innovation, design and hands-on learning across disciplines BOONE, N.C. — April 16, 2026 — The University Libraries hosted the Creative Collaboration Expo on the fourth floor of Belk Library, highlighting a year of partnerships among students,...
Music Library Ticket Check out for Once Upon a Mattress
The University Libraries sponsored a ticket check out for the Once Upon a Mattress Presented by the Hayes School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance held in Valborg Theater April 16 and 17. All App State students had the option to "check out" up to 2...
Second Story Media 24-hour Create-A-Thon with the University Libraries
Dean Sue Polanka and Lynn Patterson partnered with Second Story Media for their annual 24-hour Create-A-Thon event, bringing together creative student talent and institutional vision to produce professional marketing materials. Create-A-Thon is a national 24-hour...
Adelia Daly hired as a Digitization Technician
We are excited to announce that Adelia Daly will be the new Digitization Technician in the Digital Initiatives & Special Collections Division! In this role, Adelia will be responsible for performing digital imaging and analog-to-digital audio/video conversion for...
Makerspace featured in The Appalachian – 4/6/2026
The University Libraries Makerspace was featured in an article in The Appalachian promoting mental health and wellness. Congratulations on the feature!
Curator, Dr. Emily Kader Presents on Objects of Watauga County History
Recently, Special Collections Dr. Emily Kader, Anne Belk Professor for Distinctive Collections, Curator of the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection, was invited to give a public presentation at the Watauga County Public Library, hosted by the Digital Watauga Project and...
Bill Pillow and Jason Wolfe Complete Cataloging Instruction
Bill Pillow and Jason Wolfe recently earned a certificate of completion for a Library Juice Academy class entitled Introduction to Cataloging. Library Juice Academy offers a range of online professional development courses for librarians, archivists, and other staff,...
Second Rhinehart Room Open House
On Monday, March 2nd, Special Collections held our second Rhinehart Rare Book Room Open House. Click to read the story originally posted in the Special Collections News blog.