Discover how to plan events that promote mental well-being and offer participants a creative outlet for stress relief. Mental health concerns among college students are increasing. With libraries serving as one of the few welcoming third spaces on campus, offering activities that promote well-being and help relieve stress can provide meaningful support for students. Mizzou Libraries have always placed an emphasis on outreach events, but it was sporadic and not strategic. In 2024, an outreach and engagement committee was formed to help coordinate outreach efforts where outreach is everyone's responsibility. Since its inception, the outreach and engagement committee has planned several successful--and unsuccessful-events that have given committee members the opportunity to contribute to student success and belonging. The events have become increasingly popular, with many students attending regularly and bringing friends. Participants also build meaningful connections with librarians, archivists, and library staff, which can help reduce library anxiety. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Design and implement low‑barrier library programs that promote mental well‑being through creative, stress relief-focused activities. Position the library as a welcoming third space that fosters student belonging and emotional safety on campus. Apply a strategic, committee‑based approach to outreach and engagement, shifting from sporadic programming to coordinated, sustainable efforts. Assess outreach initiatives and use both successful and unsuccessful events to inform continuous improvement and future planning. Use informal engagement opportunities to reduce library anxiety and build positive, approachable relationships between students and library staff.
