We received a record number of requests this fiscal year – eight proposals with funding requests ranging from $140 to $2,100. These projects support student wellness, community engagement, and create learning and growth opportunities for ZSR faculty and staff. Created and supported by gifts from the ZSR Board of Visitors, these grants sustain and augment our existing programs as well as create new opportunities for ZSR employees to enhance existing skills and expertise. Along with the Student Employee Scholarships, this program has been one of my favorites during my tenure as Dean. I was delighted to make so many awards in my final year!

Here is the list of grants awarded this year:

Graduate Lounge Snack Stash

Hu Womack was awarded $2,000 to create a “Snack Stash” for the Graduate Student Lounge. This lounge was restocked weekly each Monday, with approximately 50 items (instant mac and cheese, ramen cups, protein bars, etc.) along with disposable cutlery, napkins, and cups. These snacks can serve as lunch for graduate students who may have forgotten to pack a lunch or can’t afford on-campus food services. The fall semester pilot was so successful that the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences agreed to continue partially funding the program in the spring semester.

Rethinking Introductory Information Literacy: A Book Club Proposal for Mike Caulfield’s Verified

Amanda Kaufman received $220 to purchase copies of Mike Caulfield and Sam Wineburg’s Verified: How to Think Straight, Get Duped Less, and Make Better Decisions About What to Believe Online. The books were used to facilitate a three-part book club reading of the book. All library instructors were invited to attend and received their own personal copy of the book to read and take notes in.

Attending the APSA Teaching and Learning Conference

Roz Tedford was awarded $1,760 to attend the American Political Science Association Teaching and Learning Conference. The theme was “Teaching Political Science Matters” with a specific track on “21st Century Skills: AI, Literacy, Analysis, Research and Writing.” Attending this conference gave Roz the opportunity to network with both other librarians and with Political Science faculty about how we can best collaborate on these issues.

Supporting the Crossnore Community Charter School Back to School Event – A Partnership with the ZSR Library

Colleen Foy was awarded $2,100 to build a sustainable partnership between ZSR and the Crossnore Community for Children, and to welcome students to Anderson Academy, Crossnore’s new Public Charter School. Funds were used to help establish classroom libraries, which included a ZSR employee book drive as well as to support a Welcome Back to School party for students and teachers. The book drive exceeded expectations and with 2,063 books acquired – 1,877 from ZSR employees and friends with another 186 purchased with grant funds.

Book Cart Chalking

Jemma Johnson and Will Ritter were awarded $140 for a student-centered, wellness-promoting activity held during Wake the Library. Students used chalk markers to decorate and write encouraging messages on old book carts that had been painted with chalkboard paint. The goal of this initiative was to promote stress relief, student engagement, and the library’s Wellness Collection, while also fostering a sense of community and ownership of ZSR among students.

Enhancing ZSR Audiobook Engagement on Campus

Meghan Webb and Kathy Shields were awarded $1,050 to secure three high-quality noise-canceling headphones as raffle prizes to incentivize student participation in a survey on their use of and interest in audiobooks from the ZSR Library collection. By gaining valuable insights through this survey, the library aimed to better understand audiobook preferences, identify potential barriers to access, and enhance our audiobook offerings to align with student wants and needs.

Voices that Stick – Building a Better Library Together

Will Ritter was awarded $475 to upgrade the “What’s on Your Mind?” board across from the Public Services desk. This corkboard was replaced with a black glass magnetic board to improve feedback, offer a more professional presentation, and promote strategic campus partnerships. By refining data collection and increasing promotional outreach, this initiative helped gather student input on library programs and services.

Summertime Lunch & Learn

Christain Burris and Hu Womack received $800 to support three summer lunch & learn programs open to all ZSR faculty and staff, one in late June, one in mid-July and one in early August. These “Lunch & Learn” events will focus on a group lunch at a local restaurant and a visit to a nearby historical marker or landmark in an effort to get folks connected with the greater Winston-Salem community. It also provides opportunities for folks to meet during a summer of remote work due to the construction in the ZSR Library.

Applications for 2025-2026 will be accepted on a rolling basis (see the guidelines for proposals). Please submit proposals after July 1 as Dean Pressley will make the award decisions for FY26.