University Libraries receive community engagement honor

Binghamton University Libraries has received the 2025 South Central Regional Library Council (SCRLC) Community Engagement Award. The award recognizes organizations that successfully engage the community either through a special program, marketing campaign or outstanding exhibit.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our continued efforts in better connecting with not only students on campus, but everyone who visits our space,” Dean of Libraries Andrea Falcone said. “This recognition reflects the value of community engagement across our region, and we are grateful for SCRLC’s leadership and collaboration in empowering the library community.”

Highlighted with this award are three current and upcoming efforts that connect the Libraries to the Binghamton community and beyond. The Research Showcase, a feature of the third floor Bartle Library renovation, provides an interactive digital screen to display interdisciplinary undergraduate research. The recently installed exhibit titled Imagine the Future on the ground floor of Bartle Library is a collaboration with Amplifier and features colorful augmented reality (AR) artwork from diverse contemporary artists. And lastly, an upcoming installation by the internationally renowned design team Pentagram in the Bartle Library third-floor gallery space will feature data visualization using data from the Libraries itself highlighting research collections in a bold, interactive way. All three public-facing projects encourage self-guided exploration, promotion of innovation, and reflection on how the Libraries is a collaborative partner in the academic journey.

“The Binghamton University Libraries invite people to develop personal relationships with intellectual freedom and discovery,” said Carrie Blabac-Myers, director for academic, community and global engagement for the Libraries. “We strive to make our physical spaces as user-friendly as possible to facilitate that level of scholarship for all. By recognizing well-being as a contributing factor to success and innovation, the Libraries increase their potential positive impact on individual experiences and greater campus life.”

This effort of engaging the community in new and innovative ways is a goal set by Falcone and her vision for innovation to show impact. These public-facing projects elevate work often hidden in libraries and brings them front and center.

“This campaign sheds light on the Libraries’ potential,” Blabac-Myers wrote for the award application. “Each installation encourages people to look beyond the book and consider the correlation between access to information and intellectual freedom. Combined, the exhibits add an element of reputation building that cannot be duplicated by traditional means.”

All three exhibits are available for campus visitors during Bartle Library open hours. Imagine the Future can be viewed in the lobby on the first floor. The Research Showcase and upcoming data visualization installation is available to view on the third floor.

For more information about SCRLC visit www.scrlc.org.