Association of College & Research Libraries Student Success Librarianship: Critical Perspectives on an Evolving Profession

Student success librarian positions, while increasingly common in academic libraries, are still so new to the field that many librarians with this title are the first person in the position and their roles are ambiguous and difficult to define. They often include quantifiable metrics such as retention rates, academic persistence, and graduation rates as well as elements like well-being, belonging, and a sense of purpose. This broad scope has intensified already challenging and emotionally taxing work. Student Success Librarianship: Critical Perspectives on an Evolving Profession examines this position through a critical lens and provides insight and advice to help the profession work toward a positive evolution of this important role. In three sections - Theory, Praxis, and Research - chapters written by student success librarians explore how to articulate, set boundaries for, and bring our humanity to the role address student mental health and provide multilingual resources and support and map both the current state of student success and a vision for its future. Student success librarians can feel alone in both their love for and critiques of their profession and their roles within it. Student Success Librarianship can help you celebrate your work, find areas of improvement, and offers validation and inspiration.