PurposeTo launch the University of Chicago Library's study break program for undergraduate students which introduces them to rare book and manuscript collections.Design/methodology/approachTwo study breaks, Love in the Stacks and Things that Go Bump in the Stacks' are described in detail, including selecting material for viewing, marketing the event and basic logistics. In addition the authors discuss the educational materials they created for distribution at the event, attendance, the feedback and comments they received and finally what they learned.FindingsProvides information about the events, and looks towards future events. Discusses how book and manuscript collections can be intimidating to undergraduate students, who often believe the materials are for the use of faculty or other “serious” scholars.Originality/valueThis paper describes an innovative program that has successfully introduced undergraduate students to Special Collections, and provides information which would allow others to offer a similar program.

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Since 2004, the University of Chicago Library has sought to understand the research, teaching, and learning needs of its users through periodic surveys of its campus stakeholders. This paper presents the findings of the library's 2017 Survey of Undergraduates and explores how a shift in focus of the survey program from measuring patron satisfaction to understanding student needs provided the library with new ways to make use of survey data for strategic communication with campus partners, particularly around the development of student research skills and opportunities.

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