Langara library’s Halloween film fest struggles with student engagement
The library organizers seek innovative strategies and student input to make the library a vibrant hub for connection and fun
By YEORGIOS PRONTZOS
Langara students are missing out on being scared – at least at the campus library.
The Langara library’s second annual Halloween Film Fest, designed to enhance student engagement, has struggled to draw a crowd. The event screens horror films every Thursday throughout October, aiming to encourage student participation and highlight the lesser-known aspects of the library’s collection.
“We’re trying to bring students in to show that we can offer more than just a quiet place to study … we offer a lot of things that students might need or might enjoy,” said Gary Kalmek, assistant at Langara library who initiated the Halloween Film Fest last year.
Students unaware
The screening on Oct. 17 saw no participants despite being held at the library’s main entrance, which featured bright lights and high foot traffic. The films screened without sound, using only closed captions. The screening on Oct. 10 saw less than half a dozen students for the event.
The library also features an extensive graphic novel selection and a vast streaming film collection accessible to students through its website. Additionally, the library provides a variety of textbooks for free, allowing students to save on costs.
As of August, late fees on most library items have also been eliminated.
“The main purpose is to get people into the library and show that we can be a place for people to connect, especially peer-to-peer, and just kind of have fun and relax,” said Rebecca Slaven, event organizer and creative arts librarian at Langara.
Attracting the audience
Library employee Arshnoor Kaur said the library’s Instagram is a “great initiative” and advocated for “more marketing strategies” to promote events. Fellow library employee Laura Siauw suggested collaboration with instructors to better educate students about available resources.
Students emphasized the importance of freebies and food items to attract audiences.
Charles Elmaalem, a Langara student who attended the Oct. 10 screening, said other schools host successful events like clothing drives or vintage pop-ups.
“A lot of people go to those … I go to those, and I don’t even go to that school,” he said.
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