Since July 1, library student assistants have worked more than 42,000 hours, the equivalent of 22 full-time staff. The UD Library could not provide the level of services or hours of operation without student workers, Susan Brynteson, May Morris Director of Libraries, said.
The reception provided an opportunity for library staff to thank the student assistants who perform essential “front-line” services such as checking-out library and reserve materials; shelving new and returned books, journals, and newspapers; checking-in new journals, newspapers and other periodicals; processing interlibrary loan requests; assisting library users with multimedia equipment and software; and many other information duties.
The library also recognized 44 graduating student assistants for their academic achievements. The highlight of the reception was a display of books selected by the graduating library student assistants in which special bookplates with their name and year of graduation were inserted. The selected titles reflect the personal and academic interests of the graduating seniors.
Two special awards were presented. Teresa Nevins received the 2007 Library Student Assistant Service Award for having worked more than 2,500 hours at the UD Library. Maureen Cech received the 2007 UDLAPS (University of Delaware Library Assembly of Professional Staff) Library Student Assistant Scholarship for outstanding student service, commitment to librarianship and leadership potential. The $750 scholarship will assist Cech in her graduate library education at the University of Maryland, College Park.