New horizons for academic library collection development: Creating a community curated collection through student empowerment

Abstract

As the role of the academic library in university life changes, libraries are seeking ways to better engage their communities – university students, faculty, and staff. Student success and engagement have come to the forefront of these efforts. In 2019, Kent Library at Southeast Missouri State University implemented two programs to engage students in collection development. The first program enriched subject areas within Kent Library’s collection that were selected by the student body. The second program awarded grants to student groups for the purchase of library materials that supported their focus. This case study shares details of the two programs, their implementation, and the results, including the impact of student engagement in collections on student success and the creation of a community-curated library collection.