New student engagement space launching in Watson Library welcoming Hawks to ‘gather and soar’

Drawing inspiration from nature and with the goal of seeing every Jayhawk rise, KU Libraries is launching “The Kettle,” a new student engagement space in Watson Library, room 325. With ongoing programming already underway, The Kettle will host a ribbon cutting and open house, come and go, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

“A kettle is a group of hawks gliding together,” said Undergraduate Engagement Librarians Amber Ovsak and Sarah McCall in a proposal to reimagine the space. “In the same spirit, we envision this space as a welcoming environment where students can gather, recharge, learn, and build community, with student-centered programming, including workshops, events, and outreach activities.” 

The Oct. 7 open house will introduce The Kettle to the campus community and offer ongoing opportunities for student connection that McCall and Ovsak envision as central to the initiative. After receiving a grant from the Mary McCorison Rosenbloom Special Initiative Fund, the two librarians have led efforts for more than a year to establish the new space and programming, collaborating with library faculty and staff from Undergraduate Engagement, Public Services, and the libraries Makerspace. The open house will offer the opportunity to learn more about programming opportunities and resources in The Kettle, enjoy snacks, and meet libraries staff and collaborating students. 

The space has already been home to KU Libraries’ Seed Library for the past year, an opportunity for campus and the broader community to access and share free herb, vegetable, and flower seeds, spearheaded by Watson Library Operations Manager Jack Hawthorn. Hawthorn has provided additional plant-themed information, with plans in the works for academic collaborations to transform a rehabilitated soil bed in the space into a sensory garden. 

Ovsak and McCall may be leading programming in The Kettle on an ongoing basis but wanted to acknowledge contributions from a number of library staff to make the project a reality, as well as the leadership of Jill Becker, Head of the libraries’ Center for Undergraduate Initiatives & Engagement. 

“The Kettle was born through several initiatives aligning in a meaningful way, and a desire to develop a flexible and welcoming space to host student programming that didn’t feel like a classroom,” Becker said. “With encouraging support from library leadership, we now have the space we imagined including comfortable furnishings and a large video monitor for film screenings.” 

The space is also open for students to gather and study when a program is not in session, with a sign outside the door noting the day’s schedule.  

Ovsak, who conceived the space’s new moniker, said the name matches the vision for the programming and activities, which are expected to evolve with student input.  

“In nature, a kettle of hawks glides on rising thermal air currents, enabling flocks to soar together in the right conditions,” Ovsak said. “True to the name, our goal is to make this a place for students to gather and soar.” 

Ongoing programming, open to all, currently planned in The Kettle includes: 

Brown Bag Book Club, Wednesdays, 12-1:30 p.m.  
Bring your lunch and talk books. No prior reading required. 

Seed Library, Accessible whenever The Kettle is open 
A variety of flower, herb, and vegetable seeds are available to the campus and wider community.  

October 7 – The Kettle Grand Opening, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join us in a celebration of our new programming space! Come provide feedback on movies, workshops, and other programs you would like to see hosted by the libraries!  

October 9 – Snack & Learn! 4-5 p.m.  
Join us for a snack, learn how to use library resources, and hang out with friends! This event is in collaboration with Hawk Link!  

October 16 – RCRC Book Club (Banned Books) 4-5:30 p.m.
Join us Thursday afternoon for a conversation on book banning—what titles are being challenged, the reasons given, and why it matters. Come ready to learn, reflect, and share your perspective.  

October 21 – Library Theater presents Night of the Living Dead, 3-5 p.m. 
Step into the library for a chilling afternoon screening of the cult classic Night of the Living Dead! Don’t miss your chance to experience this spine-tingling horror masterpiece. Popcorn will be provided.  

October 27 – Pop in for Popcorn, 2-3 p.m.
Stop by for popcorn, stay to make connections!  

October 28 – Library Drop-in Hours, 3:30-5 p.m.
Do you have lingering questions about library resources or research? Undergraduate Engagement Librarians, Sarah McCall & Amber Ovsak will be hosting office hours at the Kettle. We would love to hear about what you are working on!