The Library Student Advisory Board

The Library Student Advisory Board Synopsis

This practical guide written by two library professionals who have real-world experience establishing a library student advisory board at Penn State University's Schuylkill campus, explains the benefits and operation of such a board in the academic library. Different from traditional student advisory boards, the club at Penn State Schuylkill resembles a public library's 'friends' group in which members provide feedback and guidance for librarians while also promoting the library and raising funds for patron-selected materials. The activities of the club benefit not only the library and the greater campus community, but also the club members themselves - giving these students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, to work with campus faculty and staff to effect change, and to organize educational activities tailored to the interests of their fellow students.Useful advice is here for anyone curious about just how much time, effort, and know-how is required to form a library student advisory board. The topics include: how to get a club started; how to recruit new members and keep those members active; the duties of the club advisor; basic 'do's and don'ts' of fundraising and grant writing; and how to build a successful relationship between the club, the library director, and the library staff. In addition, several Penn State Schuylkill students provide first-hand accounts of the student advisory board's development and growth, along with personal reflections on how the club has improved the campus community.

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