Winner of the 2024 Yale Library Walking Tour awarded a private study room in Bass Library

To launch the new academic year, incoming Yale College students were invited to take the Yale Library Walking Tour. The program, sponsored by Bass Library, helps students learn about the many libraries in the Yale Library system. As an added bonus, participating students have the chance to win a private study room in Bass Library for the fall semester.

Elynn An, ’28, Saybrook College, was this year’s prizewinner. Kelly Marie Blanchat, Undergraduate Teaching and Outreach Librarian, presented An with the  coveted “key” to the study room door. “I was very excited about winning,” An said. “I have a couple of difficult classes, so the private study room is perfect for this!”

During the August program, students chose one of two tour options: a librarian-guided walking tour or a self-guided tour.

The librarian-guided tour began in Sterling Memorial for visits to collections and spaces, including the Yale Film Archive, the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, the Franke Family Digital Humanities Lab, and Bass Library. Students had a chance to learn about the study areas available to them in each location—including the newly renovated L&B Room. 

“My college advisor, Pauline Martin, was the one to introduce me to the Walking Tour,” An said. Martin is Head of Arts Library Access Services. “I took her advice and decided to complete the tour with a few of my friends during orientation week. We visited eight libraries, and it was really fun. Honestly,” she added, “without this, I probably would have never taken the time to visit the libraries, and it was very worth it. Bass is still probably my favorite because it’s in a great location and has so many study spaces—the vibes are just perfect for studying or reading a book.”

Students who opted for a self-guided tour carried a booklet, available at the library service desks, that contained a detailed map with all library locations and descriptions. Those students who visited at least eight libraries—and collected stickers for their booklets at each location—entered the raffle to win the private study room.

Blanchat created the tour concept. She worked closely with Sidney Hirschman, Rollins Fellow at the Office of the University Printer, in the planning and development of the program. Assisting library staff members included Gwyneth Crowley, Emily Horning, and Jennifer Snow.

Photo: Librarian Kelly Blanchat (left) and prizewinner Elynn An ’28