The Friends of the Sacramento State Library continues its Author Lecture Series, an effort to increase student engagement, positivity and outreach with the help of UC Davis psychology professor and author Robert Emmons.

Sponsored by the University Library, Hornet Bookstore and the Library Gallery, and established in the fall of 2008, the Friends of Library lecture series started as a celebration of National Library Week.

Bill Dorman, vice president of the CSUS Friends of the Library and co-coordinator of the Author Lecture series, said it began as a way of bringing engaging authors on campus to encourage student engagement and library promotion.

“It aims at adding to the intellectual mix on campus and to acquaint community members with our library, which is so central to campus life,” Dorman said.

This month’s lecture, scheduled for Thursday, April 21 at 3 p.m. in the Library Gallery, is free to students, members of the campus of the campus and will feature a 45-minute presentation by professor Robert Emmons, a leading authority in positive psychology, an emerging field in scientific research which focuses on the benefit of positive human interaction.

Emmons was chosen by the board members of the Friends of the CSUS Library based on his book, subject matter, interest and relevance to students. He will speak about his book, “Thanks!: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier,” and share other positive and inspiring messages about being thankful.

“This book provides insight and goes in depth about how we can all enjoy more amazing lives. It only takes us giving a little thanks,” said Lexie Garcia, a fourth-year phycology major.

Sally Hitchcock, coordinator for community outreach and member of the Friends of the CSUS Library, expressed the board’s decision of selecting the book and the importance of gratitude for students and the campus community.

“This is a topic that we thought was very interesting and significant, because sometimes people forget their manners, forget to be thankful and forget that their glass is half full and not half empty,” Hitchcock said. “So it’s just a nice reminder for all of us.”

In conjunction to learning gratitude, Dorman encourages students to get involved and attend the lecture to expand their lives as students, their classroom knowledge and their minds.

“A lecture series ought to be a significant facet of student life, whether it’s the FOL’s or that of another sponsor on campus,” Dorman said. “Attending such lectures is a valuable complement to classroom work and importantly nurtures the life of the mind.”

In addition to the lecture, the event will also feature a question and answer portion with Emmons, books for sale and author signing, and a quick annual meeting by the FOL, followed by a reception and refreshments.