Libraries and student affairs: partners for student success

The purpose of this paper is to provide strategies that libraries and other campus organizations, especially student affairs offices, can employ to overcome common barriers to building partnerships, and to establish, maintain, and nurture effective cross‐campus collaboration.

A brief history of the development of student affairs is provided, as well as concrete examples of collaborative services and projects developed by a campus student affairs office and an undergraduate library at a large, public research university. A review of relevant literature highlights collaborative relationships, guiding principles for success, and maintaining and nurturing partnerships.

Because librarians and student affairs professionals operate outside the curricular structure, these partnerships allow for more flexibility and creativity in programming. Services and programs that meet the needs of students and fulfill the individual missions in these areas are easily attained by identifying potential campus partners and common goals, and establishing priorities.

Although extensive research on collaboration between libraries and faculty can be found in the literature, a dearth of research exists on collaborations between libraries and student services. This paper provides valuable tools and lessons for librarians and student affairs professionals for establishing successful and sustainable cross‐campus programs and services.

This paper serves as one of the first comprehensive reviews of cross‐campus collaborative projects between an undergraduate library and a campus student affairs office.