Student-led library outreach: Strengthening connections, engaging community

In academic libraries, outreach programs continue to be critical in engaging stakeholders and promoting the use of library services and collections. At CMU-Q library, we hire student assistants and partner with student club leaders to design, prepare and co-deliver community events. Our investment in students’ development helps them acquire new skills, instils a sense of pride and turns them into enthusiastic advocates of the library. The poster presents the library programs led by students: a book club for busy people, poetry in the garden, an art extravaganza, and a playdate with Cozmo, and it highlights the importance of student-staff collaboration. We indicate the steps required to build a fruitful partnership, the key factors of success and the benefits of student involvement in library outreach. The poster demonstrates how through student-led programming our library creates an environment that aligns with the interests of our student community, actively engages them, fosters a sense of belonging and helps us to achieve the library mission.