*Student Library Advisory Board
We would like to thank the members of the Student Library Advisory Board (SLAB) for serving their term (Sept. 2019-May 2020) and providing vital feedback on library services, resources, and programming.
- Samuel Alofsin '21, Economics
- Jillian Cafasso '22, Finance
- Lily Fenton '22, DSB
- Ashley Halmans '20, Engineering
- Aaron Marks '20, M.A. Educational Technology
- Lucy Milauskas '21, Nursing
- Emily Miller '23, Communication
- Hazel Nguyen '23, Marketing
- Zachary Olszewski '23, Public Relations
- Hayley Ramge '20, Politics
- Edward Ordway '22, Finance
- Krystal Shaw '22, Communication
Thanks to the board member's ideas and advice we:
- Received vital feedback regarding research services, such as how to organize and promote research tutorials, and language for the website about the 24/7 chat service.
- Added directional signage to the Peer Tutoring/Testing room.
- Have new best practices for posting content to social media.
- Organized a Life@Fairfield training event with the Office of Student Engagement in February 2020.
- Planned a student Quip workshop (which had to be postponed due to COVID-19). The Library plans to run the event in the fall semester.
- Worked with Student Affairs to extend library café hours during December 2019 finals week and started a discussion about more healthy food items being offered regularly in the Library Cafe.
- Will be purchasing some of the items suggested to add to our Equipment Lending program (“Library of Things”).
- Incorporated feedback regarding promotion on fall 2019 finals programming and the 2019 Human Library event.
- Generated ideas for fall 2020 programming such as a regular coffee/social hour event.
- Were able to hear student’s user experience with the 24/7 chat service, Interlibrary Loan services, and the former ID swipe policy.
Several board members volunteered time outside of meetings for the following:
- Tested and improved a new First Year Experience (FYE) lesson plan on academic services and resources.
- Participated in an external review session about the Library facilitated by outside consultants from the Association of College & Research Libraries, part of the American Librarian Association.
- Created social media content on Instagram, covering finals events and the Human Library event.
- Volunteered to help staff the Human Library event as a lobby greeter.
- Met individually with the Board Chair to discuss ideas such as outreach to other campus departments and marketing.
Aaron Marks '20 won "Student Library Advisory Board Member of the Year", the first such award given as part of the University's 12th Annual Leadership Recognition Awards. Aaron has just finished his graduate degree in Educational Technology.
The award is presented to a Student Library Advisory Board member who has demonstrated dedication and passion for improving the Library through meaningful contributions of time, energy, and service in order to better address student needs, provide new services and programming, or improve existing services and resources. This award recognizes these thoughtful contributions the board member has made to the Library on behalf of their fellow students and the University community.
Lisa Thornell, SLAB Chair and Student Engagement & Outreach Librarian said : “From day one Aaron's enthusiasm for being part of the board was visible. He organized meetings outside the regularly scheduled Student Library Advisory Board meetings to talk about his ideas and provided insights into graduate student study habits and preferences, and built connections with other campus departments to promote the Library. Aaron also volunteered his time to be part of a student focus group during the Library's external review in Fall 2019, conducted by the Association of College and Research Libraries.”
The application for the Sept. 2020-May 2021 board term will be available in mid-August 2020. Members will be selected in September. Check the board portal for the application link in Life@Fairfield or fairfield.edu/slab
