The editors of book project Student Workers in Academic Libraries, a forthcoming title from ACRL, invite library professionals from all levels – library student workers, library staff, librarians, and administration alike – to share their work and submit chapter proposals for the volume. 

Several years out from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a renewed focus on mentorship, career readiness, pedagogical approaches, and empathy-forward leading when it comes to higher education and student employment in academic libraries. Student workers don’t fit a mold; they are a diverse group ranging from first generation students to student athletes to parents. Student workers are the heart of the library and integral to its operations. Student Workers in Academic Libraries serves as a community space to showcase the whole student worker experience and help readers create high-impact work experiences. 

We invite chapter proposals that can take a variety of forms: case studies, best practices, pedagogical theory, or novel and unique program models. Chapters are strongly encouraged to include practical sample documentation for readers to modify and adapt such as job descriptions, applications and interview questions, contracts, orientation and training plans, budget templates, as well as reflections from current or recent library student workers.  

Potential topics include, but are not limited to: 

• Developing job descriptions, recruiting, and hiring  
• Orientation and training 
• Project management and creating meaningful work for student employees 
• Budgeting for student worker programs including federal work-study and non-work-study students 
• Communicating expectations, performance evaluations, coaching, and feedback 
• Incorporating transferrable professional skills and career-readiness 
• Scaffolded work experience 
• A mentorship approach to supervision of student workers  
• Leadership philosophy as a supervisor  
• Connecting your student worker program to your institution’s goals 
• Program models such as student supervisor programs, graduate student programs, or internships 
• Case studies on student workers in different academic library departments such as: Reference, Access or Public Services, Special Collections, Technical Services, Archives 
• Equity and accessibility in the workplace in the context of library student workers 
• Working with and within labor unions 

Timeline: 

• Chapter proposals due April 1, 2025 
• Notifications sent by May 1, 2025 
• Final chapters submitted July 11, 2025 
• Feedback and revisions September and October 2025 

Chapter proposals should include the names of all contributing authors, a contact email for the main author, a working title, 3-5 keywords describing your proposed topic, a description of your proposed chapter that does not exceed 500 words, and a list of potential sample documents your chapter would include. 

In the proposal review process, we will prioritize practical applications of proposals that focus on critical perspectives such as (but not limited to): gender and sexuality theory, critical race and ethnicity studies, disability studies, neurodiversity, decolonization, and other perspectives and experiences underrepresented in both libraries and academia. We also encourage those new to publishing to submit. 

Chapters should be no more than 5,000 words in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, and citations in Chicago Manual of Style notes and bibliography. 

If you are interested in submitting a chapter proposal, please fill out the Microsoft Form by April 1, 2025.  

Note: the editors of this book believe in compassion-based care, mentorship, and communication at all levels. We understand the stress and anxiety involved in submitting items for review and publication, and strive to ensure transparency, respect, and support to all who submit.

For any questions, please contact Maria Planansky, Mechele Romanchock, and Rai Yiannakos at studentworkersinlibraries@gmail.com.