Advancing Justice Through Strategic Partnerships

Abstract

As academic libraries continue to investigate and invest in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) efforts, there are numerous opportunities to enhance the impact of these efforts through intentional, sustainable collaborations with other administrative units of the institution—particularly student affairs. This chapter will explore the benefits and challenges of collaborating with student affairs departments for academic libraries interested in creating, maintaining, and advancing inclusive and just learning and research communities. Using a case study, the chapter highlights specific collaborative efforts to demonstrate the value of cultivating relationships across campus divisions; additionally, it offers insights into identifying opportunities to share resources and enhance the experiences of the libraries' stakeholders. While framed by the context of the situation, the chapter presents recommendations that may be effectively implemented within academic libraries at many types of institutions.