University Libraries
![Photo of the outside of the Honors College on a fall day, with two students sitting on a swing.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2815%29_1.jpeg?VersionId=YDhgz0AOer34mrPI.eRo8ZDEPt6CX4_e&h=2acae37d&itok=IGEE9fOL)
![Image for NEA Big Read Northeast Ohio](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/07.06.21%20Image%20for%20NEA%20Big%20Read_0.png?VersionId=dpmzuWQ7nQDF4kk7CMs.abfc9wPEnPjq&h=2e916daa&itok=DyGH66IV)
Kent State University is one of 61 organizations nationwide – and one of four organizations in Ohio – to be awarded a 2021-2022 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant. The university’s $20,000 grant will support the Big Read Northeast Ohio, a community reading program and related events focusing on “An American Sunrise” by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo from October 2021 through May 2022.
![Kent State University students in LaunchNET Kent State office in spring 2019](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/03.31.21%20Photo%20of%20students%20in%20LaunchNet%20Kent%20State%20office%20in%20spring%202019_0.jpg?VersionId=4kcr9G2lFEIjhzVdN5ti47Qp.AS7D.MR&h=be63b55c&itok=dnDduYLb)
Thanks to the renewal of its key funding grant, LaunchNET Kent State will continue to inspire the entrepreneur mindset and support innovative thinkers across the Kent State University community.
![We've illuminated our next path. LaunchNET is moving to the Design Innovation Hub.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/1600x900_0.jpg?VersionId=sZgsR5vO61NMukBnKisTLShTbX_DMDT0&h=8abcec71&itok=gZOV58IO)
![Curbside Pickup is Kent State University Libraries’ new contactless service that allows users to check out materials from its collection while libraries on the Kent and Regional campuses remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo of library books](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/06.29.20%20Photo%20of%20library%20books%20-%20KSL_6641%20cropped_0.jpg?VersionId=_Dh5EFNNaftUC2Hh6vuWUmHWBRoLKffj&h=e6f36a9c&itok=4rdqupuN)
Curbside Pickup is Kent State University Libraries’ new contactless service that allows users to check out materials from its collection while libraries on the Kent and Regional campuses remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit www.kent.edu/ashtabula/library for more information.
![Curbside Pickup is Kent State University Libraries’ new contactless service that allows users to check out materials from its collection while libraries on the Kent and Regional campuses remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo of library books](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/06.29.20%20Photo%20of%20library%20books%20-%20KSL_6641%20cropped_0.jpg?VersionId=_Dh5EFNNaftUC2Hh6vuWUmHWBRoLKffj&h=e6f36a9c&itok=4rdqupuN)
Curbside Pickup is Kent State University Libraries’ new contactless service that allows users to check out materials from its collection while libraries on the Kent and Regional campuses remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Students De-stress with Dogs on Campus Pet Therapy Program.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/StressFreeZoneHeaderPic.jpg?VersionId=6beYzq0iHUZceUY7TUgHCwUx7ruwy2q7&h=a1e1a043&itok=Yx1IlWhl)
What could be better to reduce end-of-semester stress than petting a dog? How about petting multiple dogs and digitally dunking with LeBron through esports? This year’s Stress-Free Zone, which is from 3-5 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 10, will be hosted on the first floor of University Library and will feature esports, therapy dogs, makerspace activities and more.
![LaunchNET Kent State receives Excellence in Student Engagement award at Deshpande Symposium](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Kent%20State%20University%201.jpg?VersionId=fAAz8Ik.aG7nEjAfjv6SpMRI37fw1Wkn&h=37e8c5bb&itok=JQAaa3eB)
![Mini-Maker Faire 2019: students using 3D pens](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/makerfaire19-1.jpg?VersionId=YFdvEkcBH3akLfg5I6S5YZg.3X922p63&h=e6f36a9c&itok=Jvbzhx2A)
![Kent State University has selected Kenneth Burhanna to serve as the new dean of University Libraries. As dean, Mr. Burhanna will oversee the Kent State University Library (pictured) and the branch libraries on the Kent Campus. Kent State University has selected Kenneth Burhanna to serve as the new dean of University Libraries. As dean, Mr. Burhanna will oversee the Kent State University Library (pictured) and the branch libraries on the Kent Campus.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/02.26.19%20Photo%20of%20Kent%20State%20University%20Library.jpg?VersionId=iFE4AXvJBw.7S7WdgQ4YWqIn52KnsSli&h=242cd5c8&itok=Bs-ar-rC)
Following a national search, Kent State University has named alumnus Kenneth Burhanna as the new dean of University Libraries, effective March 1, 2019.