Learn about Princeton University Library’s “Personal Librarian Program” on next week’s NCompass Live webinar ‘Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0’ on Wednesday, August 14 at 10am CT.
Welber started Princeton University Library’s “Personal Librarian Program” in 2017, randomly pairing each undergraduate with a member of the library staff for all 4 years. The program, along with its associated in-person outreach events, has continued to increase in popularity among students and recently gained the notice of other campus partners. Two years ago, the dean of student services reached out to request a personal librarian for several athletic teams needing extra support. This proved so successful, the program has begun creating other “identity cohorts,” such as the Freshman Scholars Institute, which supports first-generation/low-income students. The library has found that assigning students a personal librarian in this way strengthens the efficacy of the program through connections among cohort members and their adult support system (mentors, leaders, coaches). This shift in emphasis has also strengthened the DEI aspect of the program, contributing to the culture of support and belonging that the library strives to provide. Welber explains the technical aspects of implementation and tips for making a program successful in your environment.
Presenter: Audrey B. Welber, Coordinator for Undergraduate Research and Instruction, Library-Data, Research and Teaching Services, Princeton University Library.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Aug. 28 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
- Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
