The Library as Connecting Point: Bringing Students and Faculty Together

Abstract

This presentation will highlight how we are bringing students and faculty together in conversation, presentations, and building community in the library. Over the last two years, I have built library programs from scratch and served crowds from 5 to 120 to engage in learning experiences. I will answer the following questions and equip others to ask and engage with these questions for their own context: How do you get students to engage today? How can the library serve as the academic hub of campus in a world where everyone is disengaged? Who are your stakeholders? Are there organizations you can partner with? Some of our programs have included: "An Evening With..." Series where faculty present on something of interest to them and engage with students to talk about the world of academics, their specific fields, and encourage community discussion. AI Events-AI in Academic Research, AI Week, and AI and Academic Integrity Discussions Research Tutorials Panel Discussions: First-Generation, AI and Humanities, Israel-Palestine History and Current Situation, Electoral College Discussion, Banned Book Week (with public library) Our engagement with students and faculty has led to an increase in library use. We have learned over the last two years that if we can build community in the library through these events, students are more likely to seek our help and resources. We are no longer strangers but partners in their learning experience. This conversation will equip others to identify ways in which they can engage with academic partners and build learning communities around the resources their libraries have to offer.