In celebration of LIS Month 2025 and its theme, “LACE-UP: Libraries – A Hub for Cultural Exploration and Unity Through Partnership,” the College of Science Libraries launched an ambitious and imaginative activity: “Tales from the Stacks: Quest Across the Science Realms.”

This college-wide adventure transformed the CS Libraries into realms of discovery, bringing to life a fully gamified experience through the first-ever CS Libraries Trading Card Series. Students were invited to journey across spaces, explore Institute Libraries, and uncover the personality and culture of each realm, one quest at a time. Each card revealed stories of library spaces, disciplines, and even the beloved CSLIB cats, building a shared narrative of curiosity, creativity, and community partnership. 

Equipped with their Adventurer’s cards, participants set out to gather R (Rare) CSLib cards, SR (Super Rare) Institute Libraries cards, and ultimately, SSR (Special Super Rare) cards featuring the beloved CSLIB cats for the grand prize! Each card held “loot” incentives ranging from printing and locker credits to notebooks, pens, bluebooks, and even food vouchers. To expand accessibility, a set of Digital Quests was released for those who couldn’t attempt the in-library challenges. The adventure concluded with the Loot Draw, where R and SR completers received additional rewards as recognition for their participation. Running from November 3 to 26, 2025, the event drew adventurers not only from the College of Science but also from the School of Library and Information Studies, the College of Architecture, Engineering, and Social Sciences and Philosophy. Some journeyed solo; others formed lively questing parties that traveled from realm to realm. 

Participants shared enthusiastic feedback, praising the card designs, the thrill of visiting all Institute Libraries, the usefulness of the incentives, and the refreshing break the activity offered amid exams and deadlines. Many remarked that the quests allowed them to appreciate the CS Libraries in new and unexpected ways, from discovering available library spaces to finally learning where certain Institute Libraries were located. In the end, Tales from the Stacks became more than a game, it became a shared adventure that reinvigorated student engagement and fostered deeper connections to the library and its services.

While the adventurers were busy discovering the CS Libraries, the libraries themselves were discovering a new dimension of user engagement. Though nerve-wracking to execute for the first time, the activity proved to be an exciting learning experience, highlighting the potential for user-centered, interactive programs within the CS community. The LIS Month 2025 celebration truly lived up to its theme. Tales from the Stacks championed exploration, encouraged partnership, and brought together staff, students, and Institute Libraries in a vibrant, collaborative experience.

This year’s adventure may have closed its final page… but the story continues. The CS Libraries are already looking forward to the next quest.

For more information about the event, the trading cards, and the full activity documentation, visit: bit.ly/talesfromthestacks

Prepared by: C.A.B.