Over the past year, we have profiled a number of employees who are vital to the operations of our libraries. And for each of those, there are dozens of other devoted staff members who are just as critical. However, the engine that keeps the train running on a daily basis is fueled by the amazing and talented pool of student workers who show up every day and perform all the tasks that make it possible for patrons to use and navigate our services and buildings.
We are extremely grateful for all 133 student library workers. It simply would not be possible to operate our libraries without them. This year, these dedicated workers have had to step up in new and different ways performing a variety of unusual tasks under challenging circumstances. They’ve been creating reports showing the number of people on each floor of the Alkek Library, sanitizing materials and surfaces, creating signage, building and installing sign stands and hand sanitizing stations, rearranging furniture, and countless other tasks that were required to keep library operations running as safely as possible.
Each year the library honors a select group of student workers who have distinguished themselves through outstanding performance of their duties. It is always a difficult choice, but made even more challenging due to the extraordinary circumstances of the past year. The five students chosen as this year’s Student Excellence Award Winners were among 12 very deserving nominees. They were: Henry Glassford, Michael Gomez, Henna Punjabi, Jenna Singletary, and Yadira Torres.
L-R Henna Punjabi, Henry Glassford, Yadira Torres, Jenna Singletary, Michael Gomez
Henry Glassford has become an invaluable member of the team that operates The Wittliff Collections . He is known as a very efficient worker and has taken on any task that needed to be done with great pride and determination. He answers phones, greets patrons and works events. He often volunteers to work weekends and holidays and is a very dependable employee. Glassford has worked closely with library staff by participating in video projects, handling fragile materials, helping put up exhibition materials, cleaning cases and number of other tasks. He is described as a team player with great ideas and he has a great love and appreciation for The Wittliff.
Michael Gomez works in the Alkek Library building management crew where he has many duties that keep the building operating including painting, moving furniture, repairs, replacing lights and some routine cleaning and sanitizing duties. In his three years as a library worker, Gomez has performed his duties with minimal supervision and high quality results. He has shown great leadership by mentoring other student workers and has demonstrated a strong work ethic. He even came in during the winter storms to help deal with a flooding situation that could have done great harm to the building and its equipment were it not for this work.
Henna Punjabi serves library patrons at the Ask Alkek Desk. She has been a member of that team for four years and she goes above and beyond her duties. She helps onboard new staff and even created a virtual game night program to engage with students during the pandemic. She has unique skills, an aptitude for leadership and a commitment to high-quality work. She is constantly curious about new technologies and methods for providing service, and she does not shy away from doing detailed work.
Jenna Singletary is a graphic design intern in the library’s communications area of the administration office. She creates high quality work to help keep library patrons informed about resources, services and activities that are available to them. She is responsible for creating graphics for social media, campus emails, the library website, library signage, campaigns, University Star ads and a variety of other projects. Singletary works hard to create a system of graphics to meet the library’s style and creates consistent standards. In addition, she has spent the past year developing a library signage style guide that will establish standards and styles for various sign types throughout the Alkek Library.
Yadira Torres processes incoming lending requests through the library’s Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system. Her work was even more vital this past year as many other libraries were closed or limited their ILL services due to the pandemic. She has been working in ILL for four years and not only does she perform her duties with great care, she shows strong leadership and welcomes and trains other student workers. She takes the initiative to make sure that procedures are followed and the work flow stays consistent. Torres provides quality customer service and carries out her duties with the most pleasant attitude and vast knowledge of ILL procedures and policies.
This article was provided by Debbie Pitts, University Libraries marketing and communications coordinator, with excerpts from staff submitted nominations.