NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 28 number 3 - Spring 2008

Above & Beyond Student Library Service Award Recipients

Four student library assistants were honored by the NCSU Libraries during the fall 2007 semester for going above and beyond the call of duty in the course of their work. Sponsored by a committee of full-time staff and librarians, the Above & Beyond Library Service Award program acknowledges the excellence of student workers.

The four awardees were Brandon Phillip Boyd in the Natural Resources Library, who was named Library Student Assistant of the Year, Tiffany Arnay Spivey in the Research and Information Services Department, Joshua Paul Greene in the Learning Commons, and Becky Thaler Sherman of the Acquisitions Department. All received recognition at the Student Appreciation Party on November 29, 2007.

Brandon Phillip Boyd, an exceptional student double majoring in wood and paper science and chemical engineering, graduated in December. He had worked at the Natural Resources Library since his freshman year, covering unpopular shifts and putting in long hours despite his challenging course load. Staff member Kevin Atkinson wrote in his nomination letter that Boyd "always maintains a positive and pleasant demeanor with patrons and staff" and played a key role in recruiting and training other top-notch student employees.

Tiffany Spivey, a senior in mathematics, has also worked for the Libraries since her first year in college. She helps maintain the frequently used reference collections, as well as government documents, maps, and patent and trademark depository materials. Nominator Amy Zellner Gustavson noted "she is thoughtful in her approach to work, bringing problems to the immediate attention of staff and showing initiative in suggesting improvements for routine processes."

Joshua Greene, another senior, directly applies his knowledge of electrical engineering to his work with the device-lending program located in the Learning Commons. According to Technology Support Analyst David DeFoor, "Joshua works the device-lending desk with confidence and congeniality, but his real contribution is behind the wall. Joshua plows into our pile of sick and wounded computers and gadgets like a chain saw. He takes the initiative to diagnose problems, fix them if he can, and call the manufacturer for warranty repair when necessary. Our supply of functioning laptops and tablets is dramatically larger because of his excellent work."

Becky Sherman, a graduate student in history, manages the complex workflow associated with the Libraries' influx of serials and periodicals through the Acquisitions Department. "In addition to the standard student duties, she has learned to deal with complicated technical tasks, such as generating predictions and finding and troubleshooting problematic serial controls," explained her supervisor Matthew Wood.

Whether working behind the scenes or providing face-to-face customer service, the Libraries' student employees make essential contributions to the day-to-day operations of the Libraries.