Library Publishing Services for Community Authors

Introduction: As universities have extended services beyond their campus borders, academic libraries have engaged the cause in a variety of ways. This case study of the Cal Poly Humboldt Library details one uniquely effective method by opening publishing services to the community. Background: While universities and libraries have served community needs through numerous programs, including by providing community authorship support, the context of community publishing points to academic library publishing services as a well-aligned solution. Description of Program and Benefits: Using student employment to support operations, the Press at Cal Poly Humboldt has developed a robust community publishing program that fosters student voices and skill development, increases community engagement, advances solutions to critical issues, and broadens the university’s local outreach and global impact. Conclusion: The wide-ranging benefits of community publishing encourage academic libraries to extend their publishing services to a community test case in the assessment of the impact on campus students, the library, the university, and the community.