Unlocking Learning

What happens when you combine academic resources, student engagement, and a little AI mystery? At Salt Lake Community College's Markosian Library, the answer is a library-themed escape room that is changing how students feel about walking into a college library for the first time.

The escape room was designed to introduce students to library services in a fun and engaging way, with clues related to library resources and research tools. It's an innovative approach to library orientation that helps students succeed by familiarizing them with free academic resources, including peer-reviewed journals, books, and laptops.

The Vision Behind the Escape Room

The escape room was developed by library staff Amy Scheelke, librarian and copyright liaison, and Christina Holm, assistant director of Library Academic Services, with the help of AI. Holm, explained that the goal was to offer students a "fun and inventive way" to learn about the library, rather than just lecturing them.

The clues are all directly related to how a student would use the library's services and are "ideally designed to help students succeed," giving students a feel for the resources available to them through a hands-on, puzzle-based experience.

The Nostalgia of a Former Student

The innovative approach of the escape room isn't just about fun; it's about making a lasting impact on students' academic journeys. Rob Ware, an SLCC alum, experienced the escape room and shared his unique perspective. He felt a sense of nostalgia being back in the library and was reminded of what it was like to be a freshman over 20 years ago.

Ware recalled "not initially understanding how to use the tools that were at my disposal" and he thinks the escape room serves a vital purpose: it's a "really easy way to open doors for students to get into... to access those tools, the library, research, and all the things that will help them succeed in higher education." This perspective from someone with a deep understanding of the student experience reinforces the value of the escape room as a tool for student success.

What Students Experience & Their Feedback

The ultimate goal of the escape room is to benefit students, and the feedback from the STEM Summer Bridge program shows just how successful it's been. The escape room was a key part of the Library Orientations for eight summer sections of MATH 2900, reaching 189 students.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with a strong 87% response rate on exit ticket assessments. Among those who rated the experience, 74% gave it 4 or 5 stars. Students described the activity as "super fun" and "helpful in navigating resources." Another student noted that it "made me focus and I learned throughout the process."

Beyond star ratings, students demonstrated a tangible understanding of the library's value. In afternoon sessions, they were challenged to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. For example, when asked to recommend resources for a first-generation student, 76% of respondents recommended online library resources, and 70% emphasized the importance of librarian assistance, including live chat. The escape room helps students apply their newfound knowledge to situations they might face in college.

How Faculty Can Get Involved

To help faculty and staff understand the learning goals of the escape room and determine if it's right for their classes, the library is hosting a special preview during convocation. The goal is to allow faculty to experience the activity firsthand.

• Sign-ups will start at 12:15 p.m. and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

• With two escape rooms running with a capacity of 15 participants each, the library staff is hoping to reach at least 30 faculty members during convocation, and let the word spread from there.

• A sign-up form will be available in the Markosian Library lobby at the podium, where staff will then direct participants to one of two concurrent escape rooms.

• The activity will begin promptly at 12:35 p.m. and will take about an hour to complete. This schedule allows participants to finish in time to attend academic meetings that start at 1:30 p.m.

• Food is permitted in the escape room, so faculty are free to bring their lunch from the convocation food trucks.

Faculty members who wish to bring their own classes can contact the library staff directly. A form is available for contact on the convocation escape room page.

A Gateway to Academic Success

The Markosian Library escape room is more than just a game—it's a gateway to academic success. This innovative approach builds student confidence in their research abilities and helps them understand the value of the library's physical and digital resources. As a former professor noted, it's a tool that "opens doors" for students to access the support they need to succeed in higher education.

Library staff hope that by experiencing the escape room, faculty and staff will see its potential as an engaging educational tool. Whether you're looking to enhance classroom learning or simply explore the library in a new way, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

So, next time you're locked in a library by a tyrannical AI, don't panic, just call your librarian and they will be glad to help you escape —one puzzle at a time.