Invest in Your Library: Why Your Institution's Librarians are a Valuable Asset in a Collaboration Portfolio

Abstract

Librarians are well situated to assist students with more than simply citation management or research papers. The specific skills of librarians lend themselves to working collaboratively across the campus to address students’ financial issues. During this session, faculty librarians from Texas A&M University will showcase two collaborative initiatives that concentrate on important student financial situations: early college financial literacy and graduating students’ transition to the workforce. In one collaboration with the University's Money Education Center, librarians were guest lecturers in financial management classes as part of a new campus initiative on increasing freshman students confidence in and knowledge of financial management. To help address the intimidating transition between college and the workforce, the presenters have also partnered with two Career Centers within Texas A&M to provide information and instruction on conducting an effective job search. Audience members will leave with a better understanding of ways in which departments can collaborate with librarians to support student success through financial literacy.