Penn State University Libraries New Regional Short Story Dispensers Double Penn State Writers’ Reach

From PSU Libraries:

As Penn State University Libraries launches into its third University-wide Libraries Short Stories writing contest, previous Penn State authors’ winning works now have twice the potential to be printed and read across Pennsylvania. The installation this semester of new Short Edition story dispensers at five of its Commonwealth Campus libraries has doubled the University Libraries’ commitment to inspire University-wide creativity and engagement with the literary arts.

The University Libraries’ regional expansion of short story dispensers and the growth of the Libraries Short Stories website and its community partnerships reinforce Penn State’s position as Short Edition’s first and largest university partner, both in number of dispensers and in geographic scope.

Student Engagement Librarian Hailley Fargo serves as Penn State’s Short Edition programming and partnerships liaison and oversees the Libraries Short Stories student editorial board.

“One thing I am really excited about with the University Libraries’ campus expansion of short story dispensers is that we chose five campuses who are very excited for the curricular and co-curricular opportunities the dispensers and the Libraries Short Stories platform provide them,” Fargo said. “Faculty librarians at each targeted campus have identified several faculty and student connections, as well as instruction-related potential.”

University Libraries-branded short story dispensers have been placed at Abington College Library at Penn State Abington; John M. Lilley Library at Penn State Behrend; Berks Thun Library at Penn State Berks; John D. Vairo Library at Penn State Brandywine; and Penn State Harrisburg Library at Penn State Harrisburg. In just their first month of use during a soft rollout period, the five campuses’ story dispensers put original creative writing into the hands of thousands of readers, surpassing 2,500 printouts. Reach of those stories often exceeds single readers, as many of the locations have encouraged sharing of prints for others to read.

Matt Ciszek, Lilley Library head librarian at Penn State Behrend, is leading coordination of Commonwealth Campus Libraries’ short story dispensers. He said most dispensers are scheduled to rotate regionally to the University Libraries location among all Commonwealth Campuses, likely on a per-semester basis.

Ciszek noted that Penn State Behrend’s Short Edition dispenser printed its 1,000th story about a month after it arrived on campus, making it the most active among the five new dispensers. Because of its early popularity at Penn State Behrend, combined with its large campus population, that dispenser may remain on campus permanently, although its position may change.

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More About Short Edition Story Dispensers at Penn. State U.

Penn State University Libraries Short Stories Pilot Program Launches at State College High School; University Will Lend a Short Story Dispenser to School (Dec. 19, 2018)

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