On Tuesday there will be the opportunity to “explore” Dalton State College’s Derrell C. Roberts Library “in a fun and relaxed manner, minus any ‘research anxiety,'” said Melissa Whitesell, Dalton State’s executive director of library services and sponsored programs.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. students, faculty, staff and guests can learn about the resources and services provided by the library, advising center and the Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia.
Typically held during the first week of classes for each semester (spring semester classes start back on Monday), the open house will also allow students to “connect with individual staff members, leading to increased engagement at Dalton State,” said Whitesell.
Whitesell said each open house contains a certain theming.
“We tie that to games or activities,” she said. “This year, the theme is ‘Teaming Up for Your Success.’ Staff for each of the centers housed in the library (wear) team jerseys.”
Whitesell said other engaging offerings will be available.
“We offer games such as giant Jenga, table tennis, indoor golf and cornhole,” Whitesell said. “Guests can make and take items found at various craft stations. An interactive bingo game directs students to the centers and resources in the building, and there are plenty of door prizes and free food.”
Among the free food will be fresh-baked cookies, while door prizes include the opoortunity to win restaurant gift cards.
“(At) this past fall(‘s open house), we gave away 100 water bottles within the first hour,” said Whitesell. “A total of 469 campus members attended.”
Looking forward to similar or greater attendance this year, Whitesell said the ultimate goal is for “our campus members to think of the library as the heart of the campus and one of the most important resources for their success.”
Named in honor of Dalton State’s second president, the Derrell C. Roberts Library opened in 1972 and had almost 70,000 visitors during the 2022-23 school year.
The Bandy Heritage Center, named for carpet industry pioneer and center benefactor Jack Bandy who passed away in 2020, opened in 2008 and includes curated museum exhibits, educational programs and an expansive collection of preserved photographs and historical items.