The Library Student Engagement Ambassadors were back this semester with new events and some tried and true favorites. Always striving to show that the Library is more than just a place to study and check out books, this group of seven undergraduate students worked hard during the Winter semester to bring the U-M community fun and exciting events from the UGLi and beyond. Check out what we were up to this semester and be on the lookout for more Engagement Ambassador events in the Fall term.
Postcards Home
Winter break is great while it lasts, but many students wish we would just have a few more days with the people we care about who aren’t on campus. The Ambassadors wanted to give students a chance to let their loved ones know they are still thinking about them. We provided free postcards and domestic postage to send a message home at our Postcard Party.
Printing Press Valentines with the Design Lab
There’s no better way to “imPRESS” your valentine than presenting them with a handmade card. The Ambassadors worked with the Design Lab to learn the ropes of creating cards with their printing press and set up shop in the Shapiro Lobby before Valentine’s Day. Why buy a card when a bit of elbow grease gives you a personalized token of your appreciation?
Headshots with the University Career Center
Our free headshot event with the University Career Center (UCC) made another appearance this semester.. The Career Center took over the Winberg Media Production Studio on the first floor to offer a free professional headshot for students. A favorite of students looking to spruce up their LinkedIn profiles or prepare for internship season, our partnership with the UCC is always a hit!
Cafe Shapiro
The 21st annual Cafe Shapiro celebration of student writing took place this semester. The Student Engagement Ambassadors were fortunate to be able to assist with the event this year providing support to the Library staff emcee’s. Cafe Shapiro highlights the work of nominated undergraduate students who share writing pieces they’ve worked on during the academic year. We loved having the chance to learn from our peers in this unique “coffee shop” cafe setting.
Wikipedia Edit-a-thon: Art and Feminism
“Art+Feminism is a [national] campaign improving coverage of cis and transgender women, feminism and the arts on Wikipedia” (Art+Feminism, 2018). The city of Ann Arbor hosted its first Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon event this semester and the Engagement Ambassadors were on site assisting with editing Wikipedia articles and signing in community members to take part in the event. We’re so happy we were able to take part in this special event where participants: edited 48 existing articles, created 3 new articles, made 204 total edits, and added 6,200 words to Wikipedia.
Movie Night: The Breakfast Club
The Library: A place where a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal can all spend one Saturday in detention and leave understanding one another as more than those convenient definitions. The Engagement Ambassadors hosted a free screening of this classic film accompanied by a library resources presentation, a display of 80’s pop culture, and of course lots of movie snacks!
The Dog Days Are Over: Button Making with Therapaws
A staple event to cap off the year the Ambassadors were excited to once again assist Therapaws of Michigan with their finals stress relief events. For two afternoons therapy dogs came to the Shapiro Library and the we set up shop with the ever popular button maker to give students a fun way to destress before finals. (Photo Credit: University of Michigan Library Facebook)
We’ve all enjoyed serving the University of Michigan Library as your Student Engagement Ambassador Team. Thanks to those of you who came out to our events, interacted with our social media, and helped us to show that the Library is more than just a place to study and do research. Be sure to like us on Facebook at “University of Michigan Library” and follow us on Twitter @UMichLibrary for updates and event notifications in the 2018-2019 school year. Have a great summer!
Left to right: Alice Schmitz, Michele Laarman, Caroline Clingan, Maggie Hammonds, Abbey Warren, Shashank Rao, Tiffany Browne (graduate assistant). Not pictured: Dena Bazzi