A Community Curated Collection in an Academic Library: Empowering Students Through Collection Development

In 2019, Kent Library at Southeast Missouri State University implemented two initiatives to engage students in collection development. The What Would You Like to Read About? and Carrie Woodburn Johnson Endowment Grants for Student Groups programs enabled the creation of a community-curated collection through student empowerment and collaboration. During this presentation, Randyn A. Heisserer-Miller of Colorado State University shared details of the two student-led initiatives he implemented while Acquisitions Manager at Kent Library. Heisserer-Miller also engaged the audience in a critical discussion of student engagement in collection development and what voices are important to include when building relevant and vital collections that support student success.