On Nov. 4, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Torreyson Library hosted an event called Hugs 4 Bears. 

This event gave students a chance to get a bit of encouragement through hugs or fistbumps from library staff. Students were also able to give a bit of encouragement through letters of affirmation on the “WordHugs” wall.

Amber Wilson, who is part of Torreyson Library’s outreach and faculty engagement team, said, “We just know that students are at a point in the semester where they could all use a pick me up, and a great way to do that is to give a hug or a fist bump or a high five, whatever folks are most comfortable with.”

Hugs 4 Bears offered two lines of encouragement marked by signs that said “this line for hugs” and “this line for fist bumps and high fives” giving students who may not be comfortable with hugging a stranger the chance to still participate in the event and receive encouragement.

Wilson also said, “We’ve got some snacks for students because everybody could just kind of use a little energy boost.”

The event offered students Kellogg’s Rice Krispies treats with notes on them saying “UCA Library: Where You Matter and Learning Thrives,” again offering encouragement to students in small ways.

Wilson said, “We just try to get out and let students know we think they’re doing a great job and encourage them to finish the semester strong.”

Another thing that Hugs 4 Bears was able to do was highlight all of the resources that are available to students through Torreyson Library. 

Wilson said, “I hope that [students] know that the library is here to help. Ask us any questions, use all of our resources. We just want to be sure that students know that we’re here to help them succeed, and we do that however we can, if that’s by giving them a Rice Krispie treat, awesome, if it’s by showing them where they can find a quiet place to study, that’s also great.”

Some of the resources that Torreyson Library offers to students of University of Central Arkansas is access to its printers, computers and laptops, class textbooks, study rooms and an online catalogue of its databases and articles.

Other features include UCA’s access to both digital and physical archives, subscriptions to newspapers, newspapers that no longer circulate and government information.

Torreyson Library can also order physical and digital copies of articles and books that they do not have per students’ requests. 

The librarians are available to help out students with any library-related questions by scheduling an appointment online.