Goal 1: Empower Students to Explore, Produce, and Share Ideas and Knowledge

Guiding patrons to become adept researchers and effective communicators by providing teaching and learning that engages with students, researchers, faculty, and staff.

Fondren 101

640 students completed Fondren 101 in FY25. 177 provided feedback. Quotes from feedback:

"Fondren 101's simplicity is very helpful and allows us to understand how the services Fondren provides work."

"Brief, dedicated videos accompanied by "key takeaways" helped me retain the provided information."

"Fondren 101 is valuable for its comprehensive overview of library resources, development of essential research skills, and hands-on experience with databases and tools. The personalized assistance from librarians also enhances one's ability to effectively tackle research projects."

"Succinct summary of resources most useful to students! Great module. :)"

"The most valuable aspect of Fondren 101 was learning how to efficiently navigate and utilize library resources, which enhances research capabilities and saves time."

"I thought for first years it is a great resource to understand Fondren because it can be intimidating."

Fondren Fellows Program Enables Inquiry-Based Learning Connected to the Library

Over the 2024-2025 academic year, the Fondren Fellows program hosted 29 Fellows working on 16 mentored research projects. Through the Fondren Fellows program, undergraduate and graduate students gain practical experience developing research or teaching projects that support the library’s mission. This program also deepens the library’s connections with groups across the university; mentors came from the Center for Teaching Excellence, the Sustainability Institute, the Baker Institute, the Schools of Natural Sciences and of Engineering, and other campus departments as well as the library. Fellows worked on a range of projects, including:

In addition to attending regular meetings with their mentors, Fellows participated in regular cohort meetings in which they consulted with research librarians, learned about project planning and management, and got tips on compelling effective presentations about their research. At the annual Fondren Fellows Showcase in April, nine project teams gave excellent lightning talks about their work, some of which are available in the Fondren Fellows collection on R-3.

Fondren Fellows 2024-2025 supported by Woodson Research Center / mentored by others

Instruction at the Woodson Research Center (WRC)

58 class visits in AY 2024-2025
Semester long collaboration with FWIS 135 “What is a Book” class meeting weekly in Woodson Fall 2024

Student feedback:

"There's...lots of exciting hands-on work at the Woodson Research Center at Fondren."
"Visits to the Special Collections library were fascinating, and I loved that we had the opportunity to select a book to study throughout the semester that suited our individual interests (while applying what we learned in lectures/readings/discussions)."

Sampling of courses that visited WRC: Mapping the World from Ptolomey to Google; History of Modern Science, Japanese poetry and performance, Century of the Gene, US since the Civil War, Text and Image

Athena Press was not yet named, but we hosted Open Studio once a month, as well as many curriculum-based instruction moments with printing arts and bookbinding techniques.

Key Findings from Survey of All Students 2025

Response Rates

Graduate Survey response rate: 82.6%

Undergraduate Survey response rate: 94.1%

Key Findings

Strong Use of Catalog Enhancements (Survey Q1)

“Map It” and “Virtual Browse” were the most-used new catalog features among both undergraduate (34% and 29%) and graduate students (32% and 29%), indicating that spatial navigation tools are highly valued.

High AI Awareness but Mixed Perceptions (Survey Q3, Q4, Q5)

A majority of students have used generative AI for coursework, yet many expressed concerns about accuracy, shallow outputs, and subject-specific limitations. Both undergrads and graduates requested Ethical use (UG:171; G:141) and AI proficiency(UG:303; G:245) as training topics.

Preferred Learning Support Formats (Survey Q6)

Students across both groups showed a strong preference for video tutorials (UG:163;G:130), research guides (UG:110; G:90) (mentioned “online guides,” “research guides”),one-on-one consultations (UG:82; G:88), and on-site hands-on workshops (UG:64;G:98), with an emphasis on flexible, on-demand, and practical skill-building resources that could be attended live or asynchronously. Virtual workshops also had high interest(UG:43; G:96).

Accessibility and Navigation Challenges (Survey Q13)

While many students reported no accessibility challenges, notable barriers included difficulty finding or accessing physical/digital resources, confusing website navigation,and limited facility hours. Both groups suggested clearer wayfinding, better search tools,and expanded availability of digital materials.

Student Events at Fondren

Halloween Student Engagement – October 31, 2024

On Thursday, October 31, 2024, the library hosted a festive Halloween gathering featuring participation from various departments. Each department offered candy, treats, and a themed craft or activity to engage students in a fun and welcoming environment.

The User Experience (UX) Department contributed to the celebration with an interactive game of "Toss the Ring on the Witch’s Hat" and a rock decorating station. These activities drew in numerous students and fostered a sense of community while encouraging creativity and play. The event was a great success and highlighted the library’s commitment to creating inclusive and engaging student experiences.

Photo 1 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DxECVxDPYS5Hh9vN6aDTUpmjuOTna7pU/view?usp=sharing

Photo 2 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1otTQ6zzmJWZdJikbAL2sb51kvPBIIMEs/view?usp=sharing

Photo 3 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gjb3yfgNjhDrsZol4bQ6pPPJWkGURPG-/view?usp=sharing

Valentine’s Day 2025 - February 11, 2025

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the library hosted a Valentine’s-themed event designed to foster creativity and connection among students. Participants were invited to craft personalized cards for their secret—or not so secret—admirers, which could be picked up from the library on Valentine’s Day.

The event featured collaborative support from departments both within and outside of the library. One of the most popular activities was the button-making station, where students designed and created custom pinback buttons. Crafts, snacks, and a warm, festive atmosphere made the event both memorable and meaningful. The occasion exemplified the library’s ongoing commitment to student engagement and cross-campus collaboration.

Photo - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rdcP9T0buCtZsoj7ut_IxKecfoO5riRK/view?usp=sharing

Pinning Down

Throughout the year, custom button-making has been a fun and creative way to promote library events and foster engagement within the Fondren Library community. Buttons were designed and distributed for a variety of occasions, including commemorative eclipse pins for the solar event on April 8, 2024, and special ambassador buttons to recognize and celebrate our student ambassadors. Additionally, themed vote pins encouraged civic participation, while holiday pins added a festive touch to UX Department outreach. Fondren Library-branded buttons were also created to help build identity and spirit across departments. These buttons served as both keepsakes and conversation starters, enhancing visibility and enthusiasm around our library events and initiatives.

DeAndrea Smither

UX Student Researchers lead user experience tables to improve Fondren services

UX student researchers Titan Chen, Architecture '27 and Sam Turner, Sport Management/Cognitive Sciences '27, supported a range of user experience and technology integration projects at Fondren Library in FY25. Major initiatives included research and prototyping for the Keyless Library Access System (Room 108), planning and benchmarking for a proposed Multicultural Prayer Room, and weekly UX feedback tables to gather user input and inform service improvements. The team enhanced the study room reservation system through gathering user feedback on map updates and clearer workflows, and redesigned the video request form based on usability testing with faculty and staff. Additional contributions included researching adaptive technology tools, analyzing user behavior using Google Analytics, supporting engagement initiatives such as the Study Room Lottery and National First-Generation College Week, and developing UX recommendations for film digitization and streaming video request projects. These efforts improved usability, accessibility, and alignment between user needs and library services.

Spotting Woodson on Campus

Desenburg Political Buttons exhibit opening and talk at Baker Institute, October 2024
Comics Sans Frontiers conference in March 2025 with an exhibit of Jack Katz materials, Moody Center for the Arts
Families with Pride, City of Houston event