The library revolves around the campus: creating authentic connections with student interests Photo: Artem Beliaikin, copyright-free via Unsplash Justin de la Cruz, Atlanta University Center Elizabeth Galoozis, University of Southern California

Goals for today Discover students’ interests through paired searching of publicly available channels Create outreach pitches driven by student interests and learning goals EG

Library-centered outreach How can we get them to come to us? EG

Meanwhile…..

Meanwhile….. Challenges: Trying to connect with NGA Poets to schedule a library event, trying to get patrons to attend music events, trying to plan an edit-a-thon for the library (participation?).

How can we consciously make connections that are authentic, timely, and beneficial?

Institutional example: Black Lives Matter panel @ AUC Faculty, students, and local activists joined in a conversation about the national and local repercussions of the Black Lives Matter movement. The original idea for a Black History month event was a film screening with a critical commentary from a speaker afterwards. We feel this event was a better fit -- film screenings historically have had lower turnouts, and our campus was already discussing this movement and protests were happening on campus.

Institutional example: Student Film Festival @ AUC After hosting events to celebrate students’ work in the arts that had fewer attendees than expected, we teamed with three student groups on campus to host this film festival.

Takeaways: What were students already doing / talking about on campus? Get them to plan it! (Organize, advertise, etc.) Do outreach by being visible on campus and by listening (not trying to market library services!)

Institutional example: Diversity Milestones Exhibit @ USC

Share, Pair, and Share Again Part 1: Share, Pair, and Share Again

Pair & Share Instructions: Ask where your partner works. Research their institution: student groups, campus events, publications. Write down keywords, topics, themes. What is happening on campus? Generate ideas for library instruction and events. Compare your research results to your partner’s institutional goals. 15-20 minutes

Part 2: Create a Pitch Photograph by Kanesue; used under Creative Commons

Sample Pitch We have a strategic goal of “designing and delivering needs- based, targeted stakeholder engagement and outreach plans.” Many of our faculty and students are researching and presenting on social movements such as Black Lives Matter. Let’s design a structured, academic discussion of this movement with faculty, students, and community activists sitting together on a panel. Photograph by Kanesue; used under Creative Commons

Create a Pitch Instructions: Based on your institution’s instructional, outreach, or event goals, how can you create a learning experience around something that is already happening on campus? Write a short description of that experience that aligns with your institutional goals. Swap your pitch with your partner to get feedback. 10 minutes