Category: Friends of the Libraries

Libraries Honor the Spring Semester Library Student Assistant Award Recipients

The University Libraries held our biannual Library Student Assistant Award reception on March 10, 2023. Three students were selected for the Spring semester awards and received a $500 award for their excellent job performance in the University Libraries. Library Student Assistant Awards are funded by contributions to the Campus Scholarship Innovation Campaign from the University Libraries’ staff and other donors, and interest earned from the Friends of the Libraries endowment fund. To date, 430 awards have been distributed to 248 students totaling over $201,150.

University Libraries staff and the Friends of the Libraries Board would like to congratulate this semester’s winners:

Image of Avery Brock
Avery Brock

Avery Brock, a senior majoring in Anthropology, began working for the Special Collections and Archives Department (SC&A) in the August 2022. Since her first day here, she has demonstrated a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn more about what we do here and has helped every single staff member of SC&A with one of their projects. Avery is a hard worker and a fast learner. She is extremely dependable and completes assigned tasks quickly. When she completes her tasks, she comes and asks for more. She is always cheerful and is an ace student employee. Avery is considering studying Public History for her Master’s degree and we hope to have her with us throughout her time at WSU.  

Image of Anna Jones
Anna Jones

Anna Jones is a junior majoring in History who has worked for the Information & Research Services Department since March 2022. She is a committed, dependable, hard-working and thoughtful student employee. Anna took a leading role in creating and completing the Dayton Holocaust Resource Center (DHRC) LibGuide. She meticulously added records for hundreds of books, articles, and teacher resources to assist educators everywhere find the best, age-appropriate material for classroom and student use on the Holocaust, survivors, concentration camps, genocide, bullying, and racism. She also worked extensively to help develop the Holocaust Remembrance Month physical and book displays related to marketing and outreach materials. Anna handles every project she is given with care and attention. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue her Master’s degree in Library Sciences.

Image of Ciara McCarthy
Ciara McCarthy

Ciara McCarthy is a junior majoring in Acting who has worked for the Resource and Delivery Services Department (RDS) since October 2020.  As an acting major, Ciara’s schedule can be complicated and extremely demanding. Her exceptional organizational and time-management skills allow her to thrive both as a student and a student employee. Her cheerful attitude, outgoing nature, and theatrical skills shine when providing great customer service to our patrons and as she works harmoniously with staff and her fellow student workers. She is quick to help out where needed and to point out any potential issues that may arise. Ciara’s great attitude, exceptional work ethic, and ability to help keep the RDS department organized and running smoothly make her a great addition to the library and will take her far in the future.

Friends of the Libraries’ Annual Luncheon

Image of Erin Flanagan
Erin Flanagan

The Friends of the Wright State University Libraries proudly present:

Author and Wright State University Professor of English

Erin Flanagan

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Wright State Nutter Center, Berry Room

Register Now!

You’re invited to join us at the annual Friends of the Libraries luncheon as Professor Flanagan shares how creativity provides the tools to process the world through inquiry, risk-taking, and problem solving, and why that is so important for a well functioning society.

Dr. Flanagan’s latest novel Blackout (Thomas & Mercer) was an Amazon First Reads selection for June 2022. She is the author of Deer Season (University of Nebraska Press), winner of the 2022 Edgar for Best First Novel by an American Author and a Finalist for the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery. She is a regular reviewer for Publishers Weekly. For more information about her and her writing, please visit www.erinflanagan.net or say hello on Twitter at @erinlflanagan. Books will be available for purchase and signing at this event (cash, checks, PayPal or Venmo only).

A lunch buffet will be provided, which includes Italian salad with Ranch and Italian dressing, Italian chicken, vegetarian stuffed peppers, garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal veggie medley, cheesecake with fresh berries, chocolate cake, and iced tea, regular and decaf coffee.

Registration is required for this event and must be completed by April 19, 2023. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Libraries. If you need accommodations for this event, please call (937) 775-2380 five business days in advance.

Libraries Honor the Fall Semester Library Student Assistant Award Recipients

The University Libraries held our biannual Library Student Assistant Award reception on November 4, 2022. Three students were selected for the Fall semester awards and received a $500 award for their excellent job performance in the University Libraries. Library Student Assistant Awards are funded by contributions to the Campus Scholarship Innovation Campaign from the University Libraries’ staff and other donors, and interest earned from the Friends of the Libraries endowment fund. To date, 427 awards have been distributed to 248 students totaling over $199,650.

University Libraries staff and the Friends of the Libraries Board would like to congratulate this semester’s winners:

Image of Mikai Dixon
Mikai Dixon

Mikai Dixon, a sophomore majoring in African American Studies, began working for the Resource and Delivery Services Department in the February of 2022. Mikai “Kai” is a fast learner, a hard worker and dependable. In the time that Kai has been working in the Libraries, Kai has quickly learned the library policies, procedures and how to process OhioLINK incoming items as well as returns. Kai volunteers to cover shifts and steps up when extra work is needed with a project. Kai’s positive and friendly attitude is always appreciated by co-workers and patrons who visit the libraries.

Image of Delia Hill
DeLia Hill

DeLia Hill is a senior majoring in Nursing who has worked for the Special Collections and Archives since December 2019.  In her many years of working for Special Collections and Archives, DeLia has become an invaluable student employee and a skilled scanning technician that always provides quality work. DeLia is kind to everyone, consistently prompt, always willing to lend a helping hand, and is responsible in her work. She has become a mainstay in the SC&A and will be missed when she graduates in the Spring.

Image of Julie Murphy
Julie Murphy

Julie Murphy is a junior majoring in Musical Theatre who has worked for the Resource and Delivery Services Department since August 2021.  In the time that Julie has been here she has quickly become one of RDS’ senior student employees. Her leadership and professionalism are evident in her willingness to help newer student employees learn all the innerworkings of the department such as co-shelving together book trucks and helping them sort recently returned books in the stacks. As one of RDS’ senior student employees, she is also in charge of processing OhioLINK, unpacking bags of incoming books and processing them with efficiency and ease. Julie has grown more comfortable assisting staff members at the desk and is quick to answer directional and general questions as if she’s has worked in the libraries forever. She is very dependable, flexible, and a valued part of the RDS department.

Celebrate National Friends of the Libraries Week

Since 2005, the American Library Association has promoted National Friends of the Libraries Week during the third week of October as a time to recognize the dedication of Friends groups across the nation.

The Wright State University Friends of the Libraries were established in 1978 and is a group of Wright State faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and community members who are committed to supporting the unique needs of the Wright State University Libraries and its patrons.

A few of the ways they support the mission of the WSU Libraries to provide quality research services, materials, and library spaces for students, faculty, staff, and the Miami Valley community are:

  • The Friends support the library staff grants for research projects, new equipment and technology, staff development, and other special projects.
  • In collaboration with the Wright State University Retirees’ Association and the Wright State University Alumni Association they host a book club discussion on select evenings at 5:30 p.m. via WebEx.
  • In April they host an annual meeting and luncheon. For April 2022 they hosted a virtual “lunch-in”, Paul Laurence Dunbar, a Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of His Birth, featuring Herbert Woodward Martin, Professor Emeritus, University of Dayton.
  • Twice per year they award $500 scholarships to library student assistants in recognition of their outstanding job performance and contributions to the work of the Libraries.
  • Annually in April, the Friends of the Libraries honor the “Top Scholars” selected by the Dean’s Office in each college and the Lake Campus.
  • And more…

If you are not already a member, please consider joining or renewing your membership today. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate National Friends of the Libraries Week than welcoming you to our membership!