Jeff Curry acclaimed student assistant in the
Bookstacks unit of the Access and Delivery Services Department,
received the 2006 Library Student Assistant of the Year Award.
He was selected from the pool of superb student employees who
had received Above & Beyond awards in 2006 for their outstanding
work for the NCSU Libraries.
Curry's supervisor, Brian Clossey, nominated Curry for the Above & Beyond
Library Service Award for his dedication and loyalty to the NCSU
Libraries, his kind and approachable manner, as well as his demonstrated
expertise in all aspects of Bookstacks work. Curry's and Chris
Hill's many contributions were described in the article "Students
Work Hard for Us," published in Focus, volume 27.2
(winter 2007): 14-15. Clossey notes, "Jeff serves as our
lead student trainer because of his extensive body of knowledge
and simply because we like him to be the first point of contact
for all incoming student workers. Jeff is patient, tactful, and
able to handle everything that is thrust upon him."
Clossey adds that he has received may notes from library users
commending Curry's precise and attentive work. "If I had
not nominated Jeff, I am certain that there would have been a
number of disappointed faculty and staff members who are continually
impressed with his work ethic and helpful nature." Clossey
was delighted when Curry went on to receive the inaugural Library
Student Assistant of the Year Award. Clossey stressed the fine
work that his student assistants perform for the Libraries, but
believes Curry's sincere interest in the library shows in everything
he does. "I feel that Jeff is the perfect choice for the
Library Student Assistant of the Year award."
Chris Hill, who held jobs in both the Special
Collections Research Center and the Digital Media Lab at the
D. H. Hill Library, received an Above & Beyond Library Service
Award for his specialized work for the NCSU Libraries on a major
digitization project. Hill worked on the Special Collections "Green
'N' Growing" project, where his duties included scanning,
metadata review, and database management. His efficiency and
expertise helped the project exceed its first-year production
goals by thousands of items. He greatly impressed his supervisors
with his abilities and sense of responsibility, and they entrusted
him with training new undergraduate students in scanning. Hill
also worked rapidly through metadata, and he frequently performed
metadata review or database management tasks. Hill exhibited
leadership and initiative throughout his tenure with the program.
University Archivist Todd Kosmerick notes that "Chris generated
high-quality work, too, in which he took great pride. He was
very organized, and he kept detailed notes on his work as part
of the records maintained for the "Green 'N' Growing" project." Kosmerick
continues, "Chris is a friendly person, adding to the collegial
environment in Special Collections. He is well-liked by his colleagues
and supervisors."
Prableen Kaur, a student assistant in the Burlington
Textiles Library, received an Above & Beyond Library Service
Award for her well-tested problem-solving skills. Kaur, according
to supervisor Terra Kridler, "determines what needs
to be done and takes the initiative to do it, whether it is straightening
a heavily used section of the reference stacks, fixing a messy
kink in a photocopier, or patiently showing a new patron how
to use the catalog."
Kridler astutely notes that in a branch library setting, student
employees frequently work independently and have "an incredible
variety of responsibilities." Prableen Kaur's problem-solving
skills enable her to handle effectively whatever situation arises,
which is a huge benefit to the library, allowing smooth operation
in the absence of full-time staff. Kridler adds "I am confident
in Prableen's ability to handle those situations, however unusual,
in a mature and responsible manner. It's all particularly impressive
because she's only been here a few months. Plus, she's so sweet!"
Anna-Marie Zylicz, a student assistant in the
Harrye B. Lyons Design Library, received an Above & Beyond
Library Service Award for her work assisting faculty and students
in this branch library, and for her careful work in opening and
closing the library, running the circulation desk, handling reference
questions, and shelving books. According to supervisor Stephanie
Statham, Zylicz is pursuing a double major and is diligent both
in her work for the libraries and her academic pursuits. "Anna
is a wonderful student assistant because she always comes to
work with a good attitude. . . . As we all know, a college student's
life is full of ups and downs and stresses. Yet, Anna never brings
these things to work with her. She never allows these things
to interfere with fulfilling her job responsibilities."
In the Design Library, Zylicz has covered the circulation desk
and helped patrons with catalog searches and, when necessary,
completed Tripsaver forms to borrow materials from UNC-Chapel
Hill, Duke, or NC Central universities. She is attentive to patrons,
provides clear instructions on how she found information, and
shows them how to use the catalog and forms. She also shelves
books, puts them back in correct call number order, and tidies
up the library without being asked. Statham has overseen Zylicz's
work for two years and states that "When she sees that these
things need to be done, she does them . . . and the quality of
her work has been consistent throughout." Statham summed
up Anna's work saying, "Without exception, she has
aided patrons and completed whatever tasks need be done with
competence and sincere kindness."
Congratulations to all of these wonderful student assistants
for their fine work and many accomplishments at North Carolina
State University.
