The University Libraries participated in a number of on-campus events during Welcome Week. Faculty, staff, and student ambassadors welcomed nearly 3,000 new students with events such as:

• Pre-Class of 2029 Photo and Welcome Picnic Commuter Reception
• Convocation by Candlelight
• Great Danetopia
• Welcome Back Resource Fair @ the University Library
• And more. 

This fall, we helped students get connected to even more resources with a free Albany Public Library (APL) card! Our friends from APL joined us every Wednesday during the month of September to register students for their very own library cards. 

Banned Books Week took ran from October 5-11, 2025. The University Libraries held a number of events before, during, and after the week - all celebrating your freedom to read. 

• Beyond Banned Books Week: Banned Books Read-Out
• Censorship is so 1984 - Read for your Rights: Banned Books Week Kick Off @ The University Library

• Celebrate the Freedom to Read: Drag Queen Story Time with Noelle Diamond

Ever wanted to make your very own book? The Living History Club and the University Libraries partnered for a Book Binding Workshop led by instructor Heather Rose de Gordon. At this workshop, students learned the craft of book binding step by step. By the end, they walked away with a finished book crafted from modern materials: a red pleather cover, 20lb white paper, and cotton stitching. After learning the process, students canuse these skills to create more books in the future with the historical or modern materials of their choosing.

In September, the University Libraries hosted an open house highlighting the new Education Curriculum Collection, acquired in 2024 from the College of Saint Rose. Attendees explored a rich selection of high-quality children's literature, hands-on learning tools and games, therapeutic and recreational resources, lesson planning materials, and more. This event was open to all members of the University at Albany community, and it drew special interest from the School of Education's students and faculty, as well as those working in educational or therapeutic settings.

In collaboration with a new, interdisciplinary Game Design degree, the University at Albany Libraries began a quest to create a video game collection. This new collection will support the Game Design students, but also provide entertainment options for the university community and support a larger shift toward experiential pedagogy and nontraditional methods of exploring ideas. The VR/augmented reality headsets and equipment are already a huge hit!

This semester's Movie Nights in Minerva had a special, Halloween theme. Every week in October, students were treated to a classic horror film in the public domain. The showings included:

• House on Haunted Hill (1959)
• The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
• The Blob (1958)
• Night of the Living Dead (1968)
• Vampyr (1932)

These movie nights combined entertainment with education about copyright, fair use, and open access!

In October, the University Libraries hosted a showcase to promote support services for student-parents and caregivers. Attendees could explore library resources for children and young learners! The Office of Academic Progression and Success (APS) tabled to share information about their student-parent support program and all APS services. Learning Commons tutors were also available to answer questions about academic support. This was a perfect opportunity for student-parents, student-caregivers, education majors, and anyone interested in these resources to explore available resources and services.

Elizabeth Jakubowski from the New York State Library joined us for a brand new presentation and workshop on zines! Originating with sci-fi fans in the 1930s and gaining prominence in the 1970s and 80s as tools for punk, feminist, and LGBTQ+ movements to share alternative ideas, zines have been key to various subcultures and activist movements, fostering DIY creativity and countercultural expression. This presentation included an overview of zine history along with real examples of zines from the NYS Library’s Factsheet Five collection. After the presentation, we provided attendees with materials to create their own mini zines or comics! 

Stress Less activities returned to the Libraries for December. This year students were able to unwind before (or during) final exams with events such as:

• Mini-comics and zine drop-in
• Craft your creature comforts
• Friendship bracelet making
• Painting
• and coloring.

On Tuesday, December 9, Dean Hatch (AKA Dean Bestie) served up late-night breakfast to students. Dean Hatch had the chance to connect with students and pass out muffins and pastries. You can't beat this tradition during final exams!