Alfred University Libraries welcomes Melina Sanchez as the Evening Reference Assistant in Scholes Library. As an AU Alum and a former Library Student Assistant herself, Melina is very familiar with the academic needs of college students. In the role of Evening Reference Assistant, she is responsible for library services, assisting students with their research questions and facilitating the use of Scholes Library as well as acting as a supervisor and job mentor to the student employees working evening shifts. Melina brings a strong commitment to customer service and student development to the role.

Q&A with Melina

What was your background before Alfred University?  

I graduated from Alfred University in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Writing. During my sophomore year, I began my journey as a student worker at Herrick Library and then was promoted as a student supervisor during my Senior Year. Currently, I work in the Social Work arena and as the Evening Reference Assistant in Scholes Library. 

  
What interests you about your current position?    

What interests me about my current position is being able to work with college students and help them grow in their college journey. Also, being a resource to the college campus and community.  

Do you have any advice for current Alfred University students? 

Don’t underestimate the seasons you go through; they prepare you for what’s ahead and always enjoy a good laugh.  

What do you like to do for fun outside of work?    

Outside of work I enjoy writing, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.  

What is something new you would like to learn?    

I would like to learn gardening and baking.  

What do you appreciate about the Alfred campus and community? 

I appreciate how welcoming the Alfred community and campus are and the different opportunities the town provides for individuals to grow.  

Please join the Libraries in welcoming Melina!

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November is Native American Heritage Month! This month “is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.”

To celebrate, Scholes and Herrick each have curated displays in their front lobby areas, showcasing offerings from the AU Libraries collections. 

In addition to resources within Alfred’s collections, the Association of Research Libraries has compiled a resource listing events, news stories, online collections, and exhibits from its member libraries. The AU Libraries have compiled a list with more information and resources celebrating Native American Heritage Month below.

Film, Radio and Television
American Archive of Public Broadcasting
Public radio and television programming related to Native Americans.

PBS Native American Heritage Month
Through dance, family traditions, art, and music, these stories show both the contemporary diversity and long history of Indigenous people across the land we now call the United States. 

NPR celebrates Indigenous communities
Stories, podcasts and more from NPR media and news outlets.

Online Resources and Exhibits
Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)
Virtual exhibitions at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA)

Native American Heritage Month, Exhibits and Collections
The official .gov website lists exhibits and collections from the Library of Congress, National ARchives, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, as well as curated social media offerings. 

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture produces online exhibitions illustrating themes and ideas related to Native American material culture. Some online exhibitions complement the exhibitions on view in the galleries, others are created specifically for the Web.

Research Resources
American Indian Records at the National Archives
Find information relating to American Indians from as early as 1774 through the mid 1990s. 

Indigenous Research & Knowledges in North America, University of Colorado Boulder
An overview of indigenous knowledge and starting points for exploring these knowledges by geography, format of materials, or theme. This guide intentionally centers materials created by indigenous peoples. Some resources from our archival collections or other databases contain valuable documents by indigenous peoples among other documents authored by settler colonialists, colonizing governments, or non-indigenous scholars.