Student, Staff, and Facul-tea Party: Casual Outreach Creating Educational Opportunities

In order to showcase a major renovation and new librarian hire, the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee’s Information Commons and Library Services department developed an all-new outreach activity. The Student, Staff, and Facul-Tea Party was born from the idea that informal, agenda-free gatherings of stakeholders from across the campus community could have the ability to create real connections and inspire new educational opportunities. The first Party debuted to rave reviews on March 23rd, 2016. Several semesters (and multiple repeat parties) later, the Tea Party remains a premier event on campus, requested by the community to be repeated during each semester’s campus-wide Week of Welcome. This poster session will focus on the origins of the Student, Staff, and Facul-tea Party; planning, implementation, and evolution of the Party as it has grown into a premier event; and the lasting effects to USFSM Information Commons/Library Services and the institution as a whole.