Transforming Tangible Materials to Intangible Experiences: A Case Study of Two Escape Rooms at Wichita State University

Escape rooms are used in a myriad of ways by businesses, teachers, and public libraries. They can be a great way to encourage team building, learning, and simply having fun in a non-threatening environment. This case study presents an innovative approach to engaging students, faculty, and community by using and showcasing unique academic library collections. This empowers them to discover what the library has to offer, spark creative and scholarly discussion, and make them comfortable in a potentially intimidating space. Following some brief background information, the authors describe the development, implementation, and results, and examine the impact of two separate escape rooms they created for different events in 2018 and 2019.