Student Ownership of Library Spaces

Abstract

As a small academic library, we heavily rely on students to keep our doors open. However, in the past, this reliance has essentially amounted to paid study time and threats to hold students accountable. Over the past two years, the Public Services team has worked towards creating a collaborative space that prepares students for their post-undergraduate careers. We achieve this by centering them in our practices and policies, offering student led training, creating a mentoring cohort, and involving students in projects that align with their interests. Our goal is for student employees to feel a sense of ownership, not only as students but also as stewards of the library services. This 20-minute presentation will examine key points in our development and address ongoing questions we continue to explore.