MLA 2024 Conference

How can academic libraries use student ideas and perspectives to improve library outreach? How can we provide students meaningful opportunities to engage in outreach? And what are the goals and benefits of engaging students in library outreach efforts–for both the library and the students? In this session, members of the Outreach & Promotion Committee at the Gustavus Adolphus College Library will explore these questions. We will share our experiences engaging students–including our inaugural cohort of a Student Advisory Board, library interns, and library academic assistants–in our outreach initiatives. We will provide examples of student-executed events, including Taylor Swift-inspired programming and a poetry open mic night, and feedback from students on topics ranging from library space to instructional outreach. We will discuss how we engaged both students and fundraising partners in these efforts, how we approached student compensation (either monetary or for college credit), and how we assessed and developed future plans for engaging students in library outreach. Attendees will have opportunities for group discussion and sharing and for participation in an activity inspired by our students. Through the presentation and discussion, attendees both new to and familiar with library outreach will gain practical recommendations and insights into engaging students in their own library outreach initiatives.