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The Anderson Library partnered with OCC’s Peer Coach Program and the Active Minds Club to create a meditation room within the library.
Designed for students, faculty and staff, the Zen Den provides a dedicated space for meditation, prayer, contemplation, calming sensory overload and reflection. Located in the Academic Success Center, Room 255B, the Zen Den offers visitors a soothing and relaxing environment where they can reduce anxiety while recharging the mind and body.
Furnishings include an oversized armchair, woven floor mat and decorative wall hangings along with twinkling fairy lights, a bubbling fountain and sound machine. The items were purchased with Title III grant funds.
District Librarian Andy Cougill said the idea for the Zen Den came from a discussion on mental health issues during the fall faculty and staff workshop. The conversation included Director of Instructional Support Services Chad Groves, TRIO Student Support Services Director Wain Davis and Library Assistant Kaitlyn Weger, who is also involved in the Active Minds Club.
Title III Advising Specialist and Active Minds Advisor Cheryl Michl also worked on the project.
“The last couple of years we have really been focusing on mental health especially with our COVID-era students,” Groves said. “We hope people will come in and use this space. We want everyone to feel safe in there and to benefit from it.”
The Zen Den is available during regular library hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visitors can check in at the front desk to use the facility. No appointment is needed, but the space is limited to one user per 30-minute session.
“The space has been used by students and they seem to really like it,” Weger added.
