Amidst the ongoing renovations of the English Department on the fourth floor of Morey Hall lies a safe haven from the dust and debris: a newly constructed Free Student Library tucked next to the elevators.
The department’s common areas are being renovated due to a gift from University Trustee Alan Hilfiker. With the addition of unused antique bookcases to the floor, Department Administrator of the English department Sherri Gunter created an official area for students to borrow books and get some free handmade bookmarks courtesy of the department.
Gunter explains, “Books are meant to be read and shared. We hope students will come by and find a book that they can read and enjoy for fun, and not just because it was assigned in class.”
The selection of books varies, having all been donated by members of the English department, past and present. At the moment, the bookshelf contains anything from classic literature like “Beowulf” and “Wuthering Heights” to more modern books from Oprah’s and Reese Witherspoon’s book clubs like “Something in the Water.”
The Free Little Library is accessible at any time and isn’t restricted to just English majors. Students are just asked to return the book when they’re done reading.
So simply stop by, pick up a book (or donate one of your own), and get to reading!