College students, cookies and collections: using holiday study breaks to encourage undergraduate research in special collections

Purpose ‐ To launch the University of Chicago Library's study break program for undergraduate students which introduces them to rare book and manuscript collections. Design/methodology/approach ‐ Two study breaks, Love in the Stacks and Things that Go Bump in the Stacks' are described in detail, including selecting material for viewing, marketing the event and basic logistics. In addition the authors discuss the educational materials they created for distribution at the event, attendance, the feedback and comments they received and finally what they learned. Findings ‐ Provides information about the events, and looks towards future events. Discusses how book and manuscript collections can be intimidating to undergraduate students, who often believe the materials are for the use of faculty or other "serious" scholars. Originality/value ‐ This paper describes an innovative program that has successfully introduced undergraduate students to Special Collections, and provides information which would allow others to offer a similar program.