For the past four years, I have had the pleasure of being a student worker at Rice Library.
I got the job in the Fall of 2010 on a whim, simply because my schedule fit into what the library needed.
Of course I feel very fortunate to have had a small source of income over the past four years, but what I am most thankful for in my experiences at Rice Library are the skills I’ve learned and friendships I’ve made.
Because I do not think the USI student body and faculty truly understand how incredible of a library they have, I wanted to use this op-ed as a way to recognize some of the hardest working and kindest individuals on campus before my last day as a student worker on December 19th.
The following words will not do the staff justice, but I would be remiss if I did not say a quick thank you to the staff of Rice Library as both an employee and a student.
To Debbie Clark and the Checkout staff: Thank you for everything you do for the students and faculty of USI. I know from experience how hard finding some of the books in Rice Library’s vast collection can be, and also the feeling of relief felt as a student when that book is finally found. Thank you Debbie for your kindness and additional work hours you were able to give me over the years.
To Martha Niemeier and the Collection Development staff: Thank you for exhausting all resources at your disposal to keep Rice Library’s collection plentiful and up to date. I have never struggled to find a good book to read, or good source to use, while at Rice Library.
To Rose Scruggs and the Systems staff: Thank you for keeping Rice Library up to date in terms of computer technology so as to best facilitate the needs of students and faculty. Thank you Rose for always having a solution to the inevitable computer malfunction. You and your staff make it look easy.
To Kirsten Williams and the Interlibrary Loan staff: Thank you for fulfilling the many requests of students and faculty. Thank you Kirsten for bailing me out of trouble numerous times when I dragged my feet on gathering hard to find resources.
To Jennifer Greene and the University Archives & Special Collections staff: Thank you for your tireless efforts to preserve not only university history, but also local, state and national history.
Thank you Jennifer for always helping to brighten my day, and for the many tips you gave me as a History major.
To Joanne Artz and the Reference staff: Thank you for your endless service to the University. From locating sources, to finding books, to answering questions, the Reference team is one of the most valuable assets the university has. Thank you Joanne for always taking everything with a smile and a joke.
To my boss and friend Phil Orr: Thank you for everything you do for the students and faculty as Distance Learning Librarian. There isn’t a harder working individual on campus. It has been an honor to work under your tutelage.
To every other staff member and department I did not mention: Your hard work does not go unrecognized. Rice Library could not service the students and faculty of USI without you.
It has been a privilege to service USI as a student worker at Rice Library. Assisting students and faculty over the past four years has been a humbling experience that I will truly miss.
Take pride in your library, USI. It is one of the best out there.
