AU Libraries was pleased to award recoginition to six outstanding students at Honors Convocation.
The ceremony was held Friday April 21st, 2023 in Miller Theater. The awards were presented by the Dean of each recipiant’s school or college with President Mark Zupan and Dean of Libraries Brian Sullivan on hand to congratulate the honorees. The AU Libraries Outstanding Researcher and Community Impact Awards were newly created this year and the Libraries are pleased to have the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our students.
The AU Libraries Outstanding Researcher Award was given to two students: Paul Boldin and Rose Schreiber-Stainthorp. This award recognizes student researchers at the undergraduate and graduate level who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and an understanding of information literacy and the research process as part of an original course-related research project, in any format or medium including creative work, which utilizes AU Libraries collections, resources, and services.
Paul was nominated by Abby Hurley, Coordinator of the Judson Leadership Center. Abby noted Paul’s excellent work on his Women’s Leadership Academy capstone project this semester, “His goal is to create an all-inclusive list and collection of the best resources for projects on topics of feminism, historical movements, and social issues.
Meghen Jones, in her nomination of Rose, cited a successful essay that was presented after the ceramics history seminar at the College Art Association conference. “The bibliography was well selected for this original research project on an artist’s work that has not until now been the subject of scholarly research. The essay analyzes contemporary ceramic artist Bri Murphy’s 3D printed ceramic bust of Washington in terms of historical memory and racism.”
The AU Libraries Community Impact Award was given to Zac Laury and Adeye Jean-Baptiste. This award acknowledges and celebrates undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in promoting the Libraries’ values on campus and in the community with clear and positive impacts as the results of these efforts. Some of the Libraries’ core values are a commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression, support for intellectual and cultural diversity, the free and open pursuit of knowledge, and a passion for sustainability. As part of an ongoing dedication to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, the Alfred University Libraries seek to empower students to explore diversity issues, expand scholarly conversations beyond the historically dominant voices and perspectives, and inspire others to advance social justice.
Zac’s nomination by Abby Hurley noted their Women’s Leadership Academy capstone project this semester. “Zac’s entire project is focused on shedding light on the stories of our community with the intent of helping us move forward and improve – something we cannot do without acknowledging the error of our ways or the problems in our community. Their idea is to help Alfred grow into the diverse and inclusive community it claims to be and to hold us accountable to our claims, specifically AU.”
Lauren Lake nominated Adeye Jean-Baptiste, and noted her ambition and resourceful pursuit of her art practice with research, passion, and sincerity. Adeye proposed an idea to increase visibility for black glass artists. Her proposal was to create a visiting artist series/residency entitled “Black Glass Artist Series” (BGAS) which launched a new residency program in the month February (2022 & 2023) to provide visibility for emerging artists at Alfred University’s School of Art & Design Glass Program. She led everyone through the campus experience during the residencies and organized an exhibit their work in our Inclusion, Diversity Equity and Access Lab. Her program led to the university’s first VLOG (video log) series as well as industrial sponsorship from Olympic Glass.
The June Brown Award for Excellence in Library Service was created to honor June E. Brown, University Librarian Emerita. June Brown was a vital presence at Herrick Memorial Library for over two decades. She heightened campus awareness of the importance of libraries and expanded service to the Alfred University community. The award is given to seniors who have worked for the Alfred University Libraries at either Samuel R. Scholes Library of Ceramics or Herrick Memorial Library for at least two years, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and have demonstrated exceptional performance and a commitment to the ideals June exemplified.
This year’s awards went to Lilly Winning and Knox VanRenselaar. Lilly Winning, nominated by Laura Habecker was an outstanding student worker at Scholes Library providing exemplary customer service at the main service desk and taking on additional projects in the College of Ceramics Archives.
Knox VanRenselaar, nominated by Haleigh Mikolajczyk, was honored for their exceptional performance as a library student employee and their instrumental role in establishing satellite food pantries in Herrick and Scholes Libraries, combating the issue of food insecurity in campus.
The Alfred University Libraries seek a forward-thinking and collaborative Public Services Librarian to join a highly engaged team. We are looking for someone with a strong focus on customer service and a commitment to incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility practices, particularly anti-racism and anti-oppression, into their librarianship. This position provides opportunities to mentor undergraduate students through our student assistant program and an opportunity to support the campus community through library services.
The Public Services Librarian is a 10-month, tenure-track faculty position reporting to the Dean of Libraries. This librarian will provide leadership, vision, and oversight for Public Services at two campus library locations, Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library. This librarian will be responsible for planning and managing all public facing operations including circulation, reserves, service desk operations, and reference and is responsible for developing and encouraging a positive, engaging, and user-centered approach. This librarian will lead the Alfred University Libraries Public Services Team, consisting of staff from the two libraries and 60+ library student assistants. This position also works with the Director of Libraries to lead Library outreach, events, and user experience efforts, as well as collecting and reporting library usage statistics. This position will be assigned subject-based liaison areas according to interest and/or expertise, and will participate in reference, instruction, and the University Libraries’ Personal Librarian Program.
Herrick Memorial LibrarySamuel R. Scholes Library
Required Qualifications:
A Master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or equivalent international Master’s degree in Library Science/Information Studies.
Successful supervisory experience.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, particularly anti-racism and anti-oppression, in libraries and higher education.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience working in Circulation, Public Services, or Reference Services in an academic library.
Strong customer service orientation, excellent oral and written communication, and outstanding supervisory skills.
Ability to effectively manage staff across two locations.
Experience using Alma/Primo and Springshare software.
Job Responsibilities
Public Services
Provide leadership, vision, and oversight of Library Public Services, developing and encouraging a positive, engaging, and user-centered approach, with a strong focus on customer service, accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
Guide the AU Libraries Public Services Team with a hands-on relational approach, overseeing, coordinating, developing, supervising, implementing, and evaluating circulation, service desks, course reserves, stacks maintenance, and the fulfillment components of the Library Services Platform (Alma).
Lead the provision of “concierge” services to all patrons.
Actively partner on or lead Outreach, Events, and User Experience efforts, in collaboration with the Director, including promotional materials, the blog, relevant aspects of the websites, and social media tools.
Hire, supervise, train, develop, and evaluate Public Services Coordinators and other staff members, in collaboration with Library Administrative team.
Lead Public Services Coordinators in hiring, scheduling, training, and supervising approximately 65 student workers across two libraries.
Guide the ongoing improvement of the Public Services Student Library Assistant role, including the development and assessment of learning outcomes, with an eye towards mentoring for success and transferrable job skills.
Ensure buildings are staffed for 90+hours a week. Work collaboratively with the Director to determine library hours and schedules. Assist the Public Services Coordinators in scheduling of services points.
Collaborate with the Director to ensure that library spaces meet patron needs by being clean, safe, inviting, accessible, and functional. Work together to resolve all building and maintenance issues.
Manage the development and updating of Public Services Team policies, procedures, and manuals.
Oversee gathering, reporting, and analysis of Public Services statistics and other data.
Work with the Systems Team to ensure efficient function of public computers, copiers, scanners, and printers. Work collaboratively to resolve system-wide and ongoing problems and to plan for future equipment needs.
Direct Public Services Coordinators in the financial transactions of billings for lost or damaged library materials.
In partnership with the Director, coordinate guides, signage, technical assistance, and other front-line patron support.
Liaise with other Library Teams on relevant workflows and tasks.
Reference Services
Guide strategic vision for reference services, ensuring Libraries’ research assistance remains central, innovative, and in tune with ever-evolving patron needs.
Coordinate the scheduling of librarians and part-time assistants at the reference desk and for on-call and virtual reference services (LibChat).
Participate in virtual and in-person reference services, including evenings and weekends (as needed).
Oversee gathering of reference statistics via LibInsight.
Lead reference assessment and reporting as a member of the AU Libraries Assessment Working Group.
Librarianship
Engage in professional development, scholarship and service, in accordance with University standards for promotion and tenure.
Maintain active involvement in the library profession and contribute to the advancement of information science and practice through scholarly work.
Serve on the Libraries’ Information Literacy Team, and design, teach, and assess course integrated information literacy instruction sessions.
Lead as liaison to assigned content area(s), based on interest and/or expertise, providing research assistance and outreach.
Participate in AU Libraries’ Personal Librarian program.
Serve on the Libraries’ Scholarly Communication Team.
Serve on Library, College, and University committees.
Assist in the formulation of Library policies, and contribute to the development of Library services responsive to the needs of the campus curriculum and users.
Actively participate in library planning initiatives.
Other Duties:
This position will involve travel for professional development and training.
Commitment to support the Libraries’ values of free and open pursuit of knowledge; support for intellectual and cultural diversity; innovation, collaboration, and creativity; excellent service; and effective communication.
Safety: Participate in safety training and comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.
Founded in 1836, and nestled between the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and the Finger Lakes wine region in western New York State, Alfred University (alfred.edu) is a small comprehensive private university. It is situated on a sprawling 232-acre campus where nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students reside in a vibrant, student-centered learning community. Outdoor recreational opportunities are abundant at our campus location, while our New York City area satellite instructional locations keep Alfred connected with an urban experience.
Alfred University houses the New York State College of Ceramics, a Statutory College of the State of New York, creating a unique public-private partnership. One result of this distinctive arrangement is that Alfred’s students, faculty, and staff are served by two libraries: The Samuel R. Scholes Library, which supports the School of Engineering and the School of Art and Design, and Herrick Memorial Library, which supports the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies/AUNY (External Programs).
Application Process:
Review of candidates will begin on May 1, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.
Founded in 1836 and nestled between the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and the Finger Lakes wine region of western New York State, Alfred University (alfred.edu) is a small comprehensive private university. The second oldest co-educational college in the United States the campus is situated on 232 beautiful, hilly and wooded acres where nearly 2,000 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students reside in a vibrant, student-centered learning community.
Alfred University is also home to the New York State College of Ceramics, a Statutory College of the State of New York, creating a unique public-private partnership. One result of this distinctive arrangement is that Alfred’s students, faculty, and staff are served by two libraries: The Samuel R. Scholes Library, which supports the School of Engineering and the School of Art and Design, and Herrick Memorial Library, which supports the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies/AUNY (External Programs).
Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Protected veterans, minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
