ASG Senate, Libraries Partner to Help U of A Community 'Stay Charged'

A student-led initiative is making it easier for the U of A community to stay powered up and collaborate at Mullins Library. 

The Associated Student Government Senate launched the "Stay Charged" initiative after identifying a need for readily available chargers and more whiteboards in the library. Funded by a $1,500 investment from the ASG Senate, the project added 44 chargers and related accessories to the Mullins Library collection and expanded the number of mobile dry-erase boards available for collaborative study. 

The idea came from Sen. Sutton Shires and was brought to the Libraries by Luis Maya, who served as ASG chair pro tempore last year and is now chair of the Senate. After experiencing the frustration of forgetting a charger during long study sessions at Mullins Library, Maya and fellow senators saw an opportunity to address a common student need. 

"Mullins Library is, I would argue, the most important shared academic space on campus," Maya said. "Simple access to chargers and more whiteboards can make a real difference for students like me who come to prepare for exams, work in groups and stay productive between classes. The Senate wanted to invest in resources for students to use every day." 

Students, faculty and staff can now check out chargers from the Mullins Library information desk. The collection includes cables for cellphones, tablets and laptops, as well as wall blocks, allowing patrons to borrow what they need for their devices and workspace. Chargers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for 24-hour checkout. A valid university ID is required. 

The Senate brought the idea and funding to University Libraries, which provided the expertise and infrastructure needed to turn the proposal into a working service. Library staff added the chargers to the collection, established the checkout process and prepared the information desk to manage lending. 

Christine Rickabaugh, open education librarian, coordinated the project and worked with library staff to purchase the chargers and storage equipment. 

"Students already navigate plenty of hurdles in a semester, and this is one we can simply take away," Rickabaugh said. "If a dead battery is the reason a student stops working, that is something the library can fix." 

The project also responds directly to patron demand. Sarah Cumpston, Mullins Library information desk lead, said cellphone and laptop chargers have been among the most common requests she has received from patrons. 

The Libraries will operate "Stay Charged" as a pilot program during the fall semester, tracking usage, returns and the types of chargers requested most often. The results will help determine how the service can be refined and sustained as part of a longer-term partnership with ASG. 

The collaboration also increased the number of mobile whiteboards on the third and fourth floors of Mullins Library, giving students more flexibility for group projects, problem-solving and collaborative study. 

"Partnering with Mullins Library was a no-brainer for Student Senate because we both share the same mission: to make student life at the University of Arkansas the best it can be," said ASG Sen. Naomi Nathan. 

This partnership highlights the Libraries as a potential resource for student-led initiatives. When students identify an everyday challenge or an opportunity to improve the campus experience, the Libraries can be a partner in exploring solutions, developing services and connecting ideas with the resources needed to bring them to life.