Projects & Initiatives

Libraries staff engage in a variety of ongoing projects and initiatives as we strive to build community in all areas of our work. Here are some examples of those projects, some of which offer models and open content that may be adaptable for application in other organizations.

Creating Sensory Friendly Maps

We designed floor maps for users with sensory sensitivities who are looking for study spaces that fit their needs. These maps highlight spaces in the Hill and Hunt Libraries that have natural or warm lighting, tend to be quiet, or tend to be uncrowded. Check out the project page to learn how we did it. 

Historical State Timeline: Events in the History of NC State University

Our Special Collections Research Center develops Historical State timelines. 

Reparative Archival Description

Some historical materials may contain content and/or descriptions that may be harmful to our researchers. Our Special Collections Research Center takes efforts to identify and address harmful language in our archival collections and descriptions. Follow this link to find out more about our Reparative Archival Description efforts. 

Religious and Cultural Holidays

NC State University respects all faiths and cultures. The Office of Equal Opportunity maintains lists of Major Religious and Cultural Holidays and shares resources such as an Interfaith Calendar.

Exhibition Language Guidelines

Libraries exhibitions should be welcoming and appealing to all, and the writing in them should reflect and contribute to this. Authors write from their own perspectives and personal frames of reference, and there may be gaps in their understanding when writing about topics and experiences culturally different from their own backgrounds and identities. Authors also may be challenged to balance their attention to sensitivity with the consistency, concision, and clarity that exhibit writing requires. Additionally, audience members bring their unique sensitivities to that aspect of the exhibit experience. Building upon and compiling material from efforts in conscious editing and ethical description, this document, developed in close collaboration with our exhibits colleagues at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, is intended to provide a guideline for writing with sensitivity and topical specificity with regard to various backgrounds, identities, and experiences. This document also connects writers with some definitive, current resources for a variety of topical areas.

Exhibition Language Guidelines (PDF)