by Sarah Bender
As the 2026 spring semester comes to a close, the 2025-2026 Libraries Student Advisory Council (LSAC) is putting the finishing touches on their year-long mapping project to explore how space, memory, and identity shape their journeys at Carnegie Mellon. On Wednesday, April 22, join LSAC from 4:30–6:30 p.m. in Hunt Library’s Sustainability Studio as they showcase unique maps shaped by campus experiences in “Journey to this Spot: Mapping Everyday Life at CMU.”
Maps are more than coordinates on a sheet of paper — they tell stories of where people gather, what they do, and how they live. In the Libraries, the Architecture Archives collects, conserves and promotes the use of architectural records that document the architects and architecture of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and the region. These records help shape our understanding of our surroundings and their connection to the past, present, and future of the institution.
“Everyone's relationship with the CMU campus is uniquely created by the journeys we take; it is built by our background and our connection with the space we inhabit,” explained LSAC member Daniel Rios, a first-year BXA student studying humanities and arts. “Understanding maps, whether they are our own personal journeys or the maps posted across campus, allows us to think more critically about how our environment shapes us and how we can build a better space everywhere we go.”
Since September, LSAC has worked closely with Arts and Humanities Librarian Lynn Kawaratani, who oversees the Architecture Archives. At early meetings, they explored the contents of the archive, learning about materials like Henry Hornbostel’s drawings and CMU’s Nolli Map. Kawaratani also shared other resources around the city and online. The group even toured the Detre Library and Archives at the Heinz History Center, looking at early maps of Oakland from the 1800s and 1900s to situate their experiences in time.
“I have truly appreciated working with the LSAC students all year,” Kawaratani said. “I continue to marvel at the creativity, energy, and ingenious ideas they have shared as we explored mapping and memory together."
GIS and Spatial Data Librarian Jessica Benner and Data Education Librarian Emma Slayton joined subsequent meetings to introduce the council to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and storymapping, among other resources and tools. Associate Dean of IDeATe Rich Nisa, a political and historical geographer who also teaches in the School of Architecture, shared his expertise during a meeting as well. By the end of the year, students had used what they learned to shape their own personal representations of key campus areas.
“Maps are never just about places; they are about the emotions, routines, and memories we attach to them,” said LSAC member Luna Yu, a sophomore studying global studies and art in the BHA program. “Through this project and my engagement with LSAC throughout the school year, I have learned to reimagine familiar spaces at CMU as lived experiences rather than fixed locations.”
At their spring event, the group will display their projects, using a variety of formats and tools to bring the story of how the CMU community uses campus spaces to life. One project, by College of Engineering sophomore Vincent Topmiller, identifies spaces occupied by student organizations. Another, by College of Engineering doctoral student Korawich Kavee and Dietrich College sophomore Tiffany Chang, crowdsourced photos from students across campus to reflect everyday life. Dietrich College first year Monica Ronayne built her project on Prezi, highlighting faculty, students, and alumni trailblazers who have been a part of the CMU community.
“The collaboration between students of various years, majors, backgrounds, and interests have shaped each and every project to maintain uniqueness of character while being applicable to all,” Ronayne said.
Attendees will also have a chance to get involved in the mapping process. In one area, visitors can use pins to mark campus spaces that are important to them. In another, they can create their very own “Journey to this Spot” collage, using materials from the Libraries’ zine cart to plot their own path from a past location or memory to the present day. LSAC will also host their own local version of GeoGuessr, with locations chosen from around the city.
“As the year comes to an end, we are excited to share how personal narratives can reshape the way we see our everyday environments,” Yu said.
Stop by “Journey to this Spot: Mapping Everyday Life at CMU” from 4:30–6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. Registration is not required, and food will be provided.