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Abstract
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) is an urban research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The J. Murrey Atkins Library is a mid-sized academic library on the campus of UNCC with one satellite library, Charles C. Hight Library, which is housed in the College of Arts & Architecture. The library is divided into five units: Public Services, Special Collections & University Archives, Collection Services, Digital Scholarship and Innovation, and Administration. UNC Charlotte has approximately 26,000 students, with about 20,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students. As an urban research university, UNCC has one of the most diverse student populations in the University of North Carolina system, despite being a predominantly white institution. In 2022, UNC Charlotte was ranked by Issues in Higher Education as number one in North Carolina and number 21 in the nation for graduating African American students with bachelor’s degrees. Atkins Library employees have dedicated time and effort to creating an inclusive environment for students and, more recently, Black students through targeted initiatives. These experiences are largely student-led, facilitating collaborative learning and engagement opportunities. While these events are primarily organized by the library’s Student Engagement Committee, this student-driven programming philosophy allows for impactful events that center student voices.