In response to growing student interest in screen free ways to unwind, SUNY Cortland is rolling out Red Dragons Read, a new campus initiative designed to make recreational reading more accessible.
The initiative officially kicks off the last week of October and is led by Jenifer Phelan, assistant librarian at Memorial Library. Phelan said the idea for Red Dragons Read came directly from students.
“Students repeatedly told us they want paper books as a way to unplug and recharge,” Phelan explained. “Red Dragons Read offers that outlet, right here on campus.”
The program brings four shareable bookcases stocked with a variety of titles into some of the university’s busiest academic buildings: Old Main, Moffett Center, Bowers Hall, and the Education Building. Each bookcase is positioned near student lounges and coffee spots, inviting students to grab a book between classes, take a break from their screens, and relax.
The program follows a simple “take a book, leave a book” model. Students are encouraged to return a book when they borrow a new one, helping sustain the shared library. Donations of gently used recreational books from faculty, staff, and students are now being accepted at the Help Center Desk in the Memorial Library.
Selections will include a wide range of genres, from fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, and graphic novels to popular nonfiction, many chosen based on student recommendations submitted through an online form. Initial campus funding will be used to purchase new books by popular authors suggested by students, while ongoing donations will keep the shelves fresh and diverse.
Red Dragons Read is more than just a book-sharing project. According to Phelan’s research, recreational reading offers major wellness benefits, including stress relief, improved sleep, stronger mental health, and even better academic outcomes. The program also reflects SUNY Cortland’s broader commitments to wellness, academic achievement, sustainability, and student engagement.
The project gained momentum quickly after Phelan submitted her proposal to the Provost last August. In September, President Bitterbaum and his cabinet approved full funding through The Haines Fund, allowing the program to move forward. Four bookcases were donated, and Memorial Library is providing signage and custom stickers that identify books as part of Red Dragons Read.
Faculty members from several departments have already signed on to support the project, and additional partners are welcome. There are also plans to expand the program to more buildings in the future if the initiative proves successful.
Students can learn more, make book recommendations, or get involved by visiting the Red Dragons Read website. A QR code on each book’s sticker will also lead directly to the site.
This initiative offers students an exciting opportunity to read for pleasure, not just for class assignments. By creating spaces where books can be shared and discovered, these small libraries foster a sense of community on campus. They remind students of the joy of reading for its own sake while also highlighting the value of connectedness, shared experiences, and the importance of building a supportive campus culture.