The U-M Library Student Ambassadors are a team of students who work for the library to promote library services and resources to students through targeted social media campaigns and digital exhibits, publicize and host library events that foster engagement, diversity, and inclusion, suggest ways to improve student experience by participating in meetings and focus groups with library staff, and represent the U-M Library at campus fairs and events. Their work is highly collaborative and a goal of the program is to give them the agency to make their own decisions and plans for the year. These governing principles allow for a highly creative and fun environment that results in some really great library programs each year. Here’s a reflection from four of our recent Ambassadors.
Dawn Lau
This is my fourth year as an ambassador and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it since my freshman year. I’m an introvert and kinda a nerd so the idea of working for a library has always appealed to me, but I really enjoyed the social aspect of it as well. Planning events and seeing people get so excited about books (Blind Date with a Book!!) and library resources (like how we mail free postcards??) always makes my day. I also really appreciated how much freedom we get for these events. Sometimes the events seem daunting as they just start off as a vague idea but with everyone’s efforts we always make it work and it’s incredibly rewarding seeing it come to fruition and presenting it to the rest of the school. I’m really glad to have worked in this job and met everyone else who’s really talented and creative and just great people to work with. Yay to the ambassadors!
Elizabeth Whitmore
When I tell people I work at the library, they tend to assume I’m on the team that re-shelves books or at the front desk to answer questions. While employees who are actually responsible for those business items are wonderful, I clarify that I help promote the resources that are under utilized by students and faculty through avenues like hosting events or social media. U-M Libraries, but libraries in general are not only places where you can check out books, but place where you can check out exhibits, design and create projects that you have been fantasizing about, find specialists who can help you with research, have a video game break between studying, and so much more. Even with my two years of experience on the Ambassador team, I still find things with which I haven’t interacted! I plan to continue working with the Library Ambassadors throughout the rest of my time at the University of Michigan, and thanks to the talented individuals I work with, we are able to help the Library better serve the U-M community ☆
Abigail Nighswonger
I brag to anyone who asks that I have the best job on campus! Being a Shapiro Student Ambassador has been one of the highlights of my UM experience. It has connected me with a network of librarians and researchers who have guided me through my own professional journey, paired me with an amazing team of women who I admire beyond words, and given me the opportunity to encourage other students to make use of my favorite spaces on campus - the libraries. Libraries have always been a welcoming, refreshing place for me and I have loved working in a stellar library system like the University of Michigan Libraries. I will be graduating at the end of this semester with a science fiction novel in the works, a pretty great GPA, and a new collection of skills for me to use in my law career. I would not have accomplished these things without the UM Libraries providing spaces and resources like the Sweetland Peer Writing Center, the Design Lab, Ask A Librarian, and the Hatcher Stacks! I am so happy to have worked with my team and the UM Libraries for the past couple of years and encourage students to take full advantage of the libraries!
Amira Said
Finding a job at the library was my first goal when I entered the University of Michigan. I adore reading and constantly find myself in libraries scouring for new books, studying in cozy corners, or just relaxing. When I could not find any positions that fit my school schedule, I was feeling pretty down. I spent more time exploring the different libraries to make up for it when I accidentally came across an advertisement for the Library Ambassadors. It was serendipitous. Coming in to work became my breath of fresh air during busy weeks. It's hard to choose which moments I adore the most. Planning events gave me time to learn about the libraries my team worked for. (You would be surprised by how many hidden places and resources we have!) Hosting the events gave me time to meet and befriend other students who love the libraries as much as the ambassadors do. Even creating content and graphics for social media and displays was fun because of the other Ambassadors' personalities. I cannot be more thankful for everything I have experienced since I joined and am thrilled to see what our future holds!