We are enjoying introducing our student workers to the campus community; keep reading to learn more about the role they play in the Library.
Introduction
"Like the sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our library. Within these walls, 16 dedicated student workers bring their bright smiles to the Circulation desk. Yet, it is behind the scenes where their true magic unfolds, performing countless tasks that ensure the library's seamless operation."
(Disclaimer: Introduction is AI Generated)
OhioLINK and OPAL Resource Sharing - Step One
Walsh University is a member of both OhioLINK and OPAL. These library consortiums connect Walsh University's Library with other academic and public libraries in Ohio and provide an avenue for shared resources and collaborative collection development.
Each morning our students are tasked with retrieving materials requested by other libraries. Our student workers locate the resources, process them in our shared library system and pack them for shipment through the statewide courier serviice. [Check out this video to learn more about how this works? Check out the Journey of an OhioLINK Book.]
Hourly Library Census
Have you ever wondered why our students walk around the library with a clipboard? When you see this, you are seeing our students taking an hourly census. These counts help the library understand the usage of its various spaces and how we can alter our space based on need and function.
Beyond Books
Did you know that the library has bones you can check out? You can check out a set of bones for 2 hours to use in the library. When checking items back in our students verify that everything is accounted for.
OhioLINK and OPAL Resource Sharing - Step Two
In the afternoon the library receives an incoming shipment of materials from OhioLINK and OPAL. These materials can be items that are returning home or items that Walsh University Library patrons have requested. Materials are processed and sorted according to their type. Some materials are placed on the hold-shelf and an email is sent out to the patron while other items are readied to be returned to the stacks.
Shelving Materials
The Library of Congress Classification (LC) call number assigned to a library resource is an alpha-numeric scheme (code) that designates the material's topic or subject matter, author and date of publication.
Due to the complexity of some of these call numbers students are required to complete a Library of Congress Classification training prior to being tasked with re-shelving books.
The Circulation Desk
Are you looking for a book, video or print journal?
Did you request an interlibrary loan or need to request an interlibrary loan?
Do you need help with a computer or scanner located in the Library?
Would you like to check out a study room or a bone kit?
If you do, the students at the Circulation Desk can help you with all of these.
Special Projects
Sometimes our student workers are tasked with special projects that dovetail with their majors or with special skills or interests that they may have. These projects are often connected to increasing the visibility or ease of use of library resources.
In one recent project, Logan entered the table of contents for every volume of our Library of America Series into a LibGuide so that the individual works in the set could be searched through the Library's website. Now that this is completed, patrons can check our collection to see if we have specific poems, short stories, essays or other works by these American authors. Thank you Logan!
Check out the LibGuide here: Library of America Series
Inviting Library Spaces
Academic Libraries can be intimidating places to visit. It is certainly not always easy to find the resources that you need. It's not uncommon to hear new students express fear or hesitation in visiting their University Library. To lessen the impact of Library Anxiety, our library staff and students work to make the Br. Edmond Drouin Library a warm and welcoming work environment.
A special thanks goes our to our student workers who help the Linda, Kathy and Amber keep the Library festive and decorated!