Library Discovery Hour: a case study leveraging the Penn State Libraries Alumni Donor Board expertise to catalyze donor engagement

Purpose This case study presents the results of a collaborative effort of Library Assessment, Libraries Development and Alumni Relations and their Alumni Donor Board to increase donor engagement by utilizing board member professional expertise and tacit knowledge in refining “Donor Community Meetings.” Design/methodology/approach This study employed focus groups to solicit input from Development and Alumni Relations personnel, members of the Alumni Donor Board, library personnel and donors. Researchers leveraged a values-driven participatory design methodology and employed a data analytic guided by appreciative inquiry. Findings Focus group discussions identified strengths of the Donor Community Meetings including the ability to connect with experts and learn new things in addition to areas for improvement including selling the event and sharpening the process. Based on the findings, recommendations were proposed to improve and sustain interest in four key areas: Communications and Planning, Meeting Structure, Content and Sustainability. Originality/value This study adds to the limited body of evidence supporting donor engagement collaborations between academic libraries, their development offices and alumni development boards illustrating the value of leveraging the expertise and tacit knowledge of Alumni Donor Board members.