Your Campus “Library of Things”

· by Griffin Harrington

Imagine a campus where every student has access to exactly what they need—when they need it—without the hassle of tracking down hard-to-find equipment or juggling personal budgets for every little necessity. That’s the magic of RecRe, a revolutionary approach that transforms your campus into a “Library of Things.”

What’s a Library of Things?

When you think of a traditional library, you picture rows of books, a quiet study space, and a system that makes borrowing seamless and accountable. RecRe takes that same concept and applies it to everything from kitchen supplies and games to billiards gear and even sports equipment. Instead of checking out a book, students check out the tools and fun stuff they need to enhance their campus experience.

How RecRe Works Across Campus

1. Decentralized Convenience

RecRe isn’t confined to one building or department—it’s everywhere on campus. Imagine a RecRe locker in your residence hall stocked with essentials like vacuums, kitchen gadgets, and board games. In the student union, picture gear for billiards or esports is readily available for a spontaneous gaming session. And on the athletic fields or in the recreation center, students can easily check out a basketball, head out for a game, and return it with a simple self-service system.

2. Seamless Check-Out and Accountability

The heart of RecRe’s system is its easy-to-use self-service model. Each item comes with tracking capabilities, so when a student checks something out, it’s logged under their name. This feature isn’t just about keeping tabs—it’s about creating a system of accountability that works for both students and campus leadership. Whether you’re in student affairs, residence life, or campus rec, you can always know where your assets are and who’s using them.

RecRe box with Jenga

3. A Hub for Engagement and Community Building

By offering access to a wide range of items, RecRe goes beyond convenience. It actively encourages student engagement and community building. For instance:

Residence Halls: Equip a locker with fun items that turn downtime into bonding moments—think kitchen supplies for impromptu cooking sessions or games that spark conversations.

Student Union: Create a vibrant atmosphere with equipment for recreational activities. Whether it’s setting up a pool table or providing esports gear, RecRe ensures students can always find something fun to do.

Campus Recreation: Promote active lifestyles by making sports equipment easily accessible. Students can check out a basketball, head to the court, and return it, all while campus rec leadership keeps a friendly eye on the activity.

If every parent that’s coming to Auburn knows that their kid has access to a vacuum cleaner that they could rent [for free], we just saved each parent $120.

Taylor Dyleski

Assistant Director of Student Affairs, Operations | Auburn University

Why This Matters

Flexibility & Accessibility:

RecRe’s decentralized model means that no matter where students are on campus, they’re never far from the resources they need. This flexibility ensures that every corner of the campus—from res halls to common areas—is a hub of opportunity and engagement.

Efficiency & Accountability:

By tracking every item that goes out, RecRe eliminates the usual worries of loss or misuse. It’s a win-win: students enjoy the convenience of borrowing what they need, and campus leadership maintains confidence in the system’s reliability.

Enhanced Student Experience:

Access to diverse resources can significantly enhance a student’s campus life. Whether it’s a spontaneous game night, a late-night cooking session in the dorm, or a quick pick-up of sports gear before heading out, RecRe empowers students to take full advantage of campus offerings.

Bringing the Library Concept to Life

RecRe isn’t just a service—it’s a mindset shift. Traditionally, campus resources have been siloed within specific departments or areas. With RecRe, the idea is to break down those silos, making every campus space a potential hub of learning, engagement, and creativity.

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