CNI Spring 2019 Membership Meeting

The Sheridan Libraries at Johns Hopkins have launched an innovative program using its large-scale visualization display and associated touch screen table to support student wellness endeavors and to promote proactive coping strategies. National surveys have highlighted an alarming trend of undergraduate students struggling with overwhelming stress and mental health issues. Sadly, a recent local report revealed that this trend of over-stressed and anxious students is even more acute at Johns Hopkins, including alarmingly high rates of self-harm, which has led the president and provost to identify student wellness and mental health as an institutional priority. During the 2015 CNI Fall Membership Meeting, a group of libraries described a series of case studies using large-scale visualization displays for analysis, presentation, events, and teaching. Given the unique context, manner of interaction with students, and modality of the setup, the Sheridan Libraries have decided to adopt a different approach for its large-scale visualization display and touch screen table. This presentation will describe the trajectory for this large-scale visualization display from both technology, and research perspectives. Additionally, the presentation will describe the current implementation (with sponsorship from the Vice Provost for Student Affairs Office) focused on games and experiences that reduce stress and anxiety and as a gateway to student wellness and mental health resources throughout the University.