The Sandor Teszler Library and its recent initiatives aim to strengthen its relationship with Wofford students. A new student organization, SLAB, Student Library Advisory Board, plans to address student needs in the library. SLAB is comprised of both students and library staff who meet regularly and discuss ways to improve the library experience for Wofford students. Students are encouraged to join SLAB if they are interested in strengthening the relationship between students and the library.
In the most recent SLAB meeting, members discussed a variety of plans that they hope will spread the word about SLAB and build its relationship with students across campus. Overall, SLAB wants to make asking questions easier. As Lisa Roberts, Dean of the Library, put it, SLAB “wants students to know they have a voice.” A suggestion box, for students to put in their suggestions for how the library can better serve their needs is one example discussed during the meeting. SLAB is all about building bridges and it hopes students will utilize any opportunities to help the library help themselves.
As SLAB members are considered ambassadors for the library, who, according to Erin Davis, the Access Services Librarian, are “making it easier for students to get their needs met”. Davis works hard to improve student experience in the library.
Davis shares why SLAB is important to her.
“My job is about access, access takes shape in a variety of ways,” Davis said. “ [SLAB is] about service to students, and how they feel they need to be serviced, not where I think they are.”
SLAB aims to improve access by determining if there are certain groups of students that are underserved at the library and reaching their needs. In creating SLAB, Davis worked to choose a diverse representation of students of all ages and backgrounds. Davis even wants students who do not frequent the library to be a part of SLAB, as even these students provide an important perspective to the library.
Davis expresses her love for working with students and improving the library as a learning space. With her goal to increase usage, improve services, collections and programming, SLAB will assist in these efforts. Davis wants to use every surface as a place for learning including the downstairs gallery area and cases to display various books and items from Special Collections.
Special Collections at the Sandor Teszler Library is also hosting events with the hopes to engage with students. Over the Spring semester, Special Collections Librarian Luke Meagher and Youmi Efurd, art gallery curator, are hosting various events and collections that celebrate prints and printmaking. Currently, the Sandor Teszler Library hosts a print exhibit curated by Carmen Bunch ‘27 titled “Antimony: The Macabre and the Punctilious” in the Martha Cloud Chapman Gallery.
Special Collections in collaboration with the Environmental Studies department will take part in an Earth Day print making event on April 18th at the Goodall Center at Glendale Shoals. Over the summer and into the Fall semester, Efurd and Meagher plan to use printmaking as a means to connect with the greater Spartanburg community. Meagher hopes to “reach people we might not normally reach” with these events.
For Meagher prints take “craftmanship, care, and attention,” as it is a slower practice. Physical media, though less visible in 2026, still has immense value. The prints and other items in Special Collections both have connection to history, but also to humanity.
If students wish to utilize the numerous sources in Special Collections, Meagher encourages them to reach out directly, visit the library website or drop in at any time. Meagher wants students to know that he and the Collections are here to impact the students as they are the main clients.
“Special Collections is here for the use of the Wofford College community,” Meager said.
Wofford students must take the initiative to work with the Sandor Teszler Library to improve their experiences and expand their knowledge in a variety of ways. Those a part of SLAB and Special Collections prove that they want to strengthen their relationship with Wofford students; now students must take advantage of this relationship.
