Spotlight on Student Workers: April Francia

If you’ve walked into the Weinberg Memorial Library even once in the past three years, you’ve undoubtedly come across the work of this week’s spotlighted student worker, April Francia ’15.

IMG_6530smSince joining the Library in January 2012 as a Digital Services Technology Consultant, April has made significant contributions to all sorts of different Library projects. Here’s a just a small sampling of her work:

  • Digital Collections. You’ve heard about the gigantic newspaper clipping collection we’re working on, right? April processed about 14,000 of those images on her own and trained fellow students to help out with the others. She’s also digitized, cropped, processed, described, and edited thousands of other digital collections resources over the past 3.5 years.
  • Graphic Design. As the Digital Services Department’s resident Creative Suite expert, April has created hundreds of graphic designs for Library collections and services. You’ll spot her designs on our digital signage, web pages, presentation slides, and posters and flyers throughout the building and across campus. She’s especially talented with logos – we have her to thank for our new Reilly Learning Commons logo.
  • Social Media. In addition to designing many of our Facebook cover images, April has experimented with using social media to promote the Library’s digital collections – from Flickr sets to Pinterest boards to HistoryPin tours of campus. Several of her Flickr sets were featured as photo galleries during the University’s 125th Anniversary celebration last year.
  • Marketing and Promotion. You’ll find April’s graphic designs on many of the Library’s promotional items – buttons, water bottles, mouse pads, etc – but she has also contributed her creativity and talent to other innovative projects, like customized thank you notes and Moleskine notebooks, our #wmlenvart Instagram exhibit, 3D printed Christmas ornaments, and the extremely popular Unofficial University of Scranton Coloring Book.

While April jokes that the Library is her second home, she’s made her mark in many areas outside of our building. She is a double major in Philosophy and Political Science and a member of both the Honors and Special Jesuit Liberal Arts (SJLA) programs. (We once heard Dr. Parente compliment her coursework – and as many University community members know, praise from Dr. Parente is high praise indeed!) She is assistant editor of the Windhover, vice-president of the Pre-Law Society, a Royal Ambassador, and a student facilitator for Scranton Emerging Leaders. She’s completed internships with the Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development and the offices of U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Pennsylvania State Representative Doyle Heffley.  When she takes some time off to relax, you might find her hiking, reading, baking, or watching House of Cards on Netflix.

What’s next for April? She’s currently weighing multiple law school acceptances and plans to work towards a career in law or policy analysis. Whatever direction her path may take, we know it will lead to success. While we don’t know what the heck we’ll do without her when she graduates this May, we’ll be proud to see April go and set the world on fire, and we’ll be cheering her on all the way.

Spotlight on Student Workers: Vincent Castellani

For the past two years Vincent Castellani has been providing friendly, knowledgeable service to patrons of Media Resources and EdLab and the Library would like to recognize his dedication and hard work.

Starting every shift with a positive attitude and the question ”What are we working on today?” Vincent is always up to the task, whether it’s taking inventory, making book or video displays or creating Excel spreadsheets. Vincent enjoys the flexible hours available at the University and since he lives locally, he has worked during summer and Intersession as well as during the academic year.

Vincent is enrolled as an undergraduate studying Chemistry-Business and is also currently working on his MBA here as well. His favorite class has been Organic Chemistry with Dr. Michael Fennie. His favorite books are “A Song of Fire and Ice” and his favorite movie is “The Dark Knight”.

Thank you for your hard work, Vincent and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

Spotlight on Student Workers: Rebecca Edwards

BeccaWe can hardly believe that it has been two and a half years since Rebecca Edwards began working in the University Archives and McHugh Special Collections department! Time has flown by, and we will miss Becca greatly after she graduates this spring!  Before she leaves us, we would like to recognize all of her hard work and leadership in the department.

Becca began in the Library in the fall of 2012 and has worked on several ongoing projects, including accessioning files from the Office of the Provost into the University Archives.  She has also spent a great deal of time processing and accessioning negatives from the Terry and Paula Connors Collection.  A crucial role that she has filled this semester is helping to train three freshman student workers who are new to the department.  What Becca enjoys most about her Library position is working with the other student workers, and it certainly shows! She always maintains a friendly and articulate demeanor while collaborating on projects with other students and library staff.  Becca has been an asset to the department, and it has always been a pleasure to work with her.

Becca, who hails from Long Valley, New Jersey, is a senior Biology major and is currently on the hunt for a job for after graduation. Wherever she may find herself in the future, we know she will thrive and develop into a positive and confident leader! Throughout her time at Scranton, she enjoyed competing for the University’s equestrian team. Her favorite books and movies are the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series, and a little known fact about Becca is that she was originally born in Brazil.

Thank you, Becca! And congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

Spotlight on Student Workers: Kristen Thomas

Graduation seemed far-off when Kristen Thomas began working in the Weinberg Memorial Library’s Media Resources Department 3 ½ years ago, but now it’s right around the corner, and the Library would like to recognize Kristen’s hard work and commitment.

Kristen, a Moosic native and Counseling and Human Services major, has worked year-round in the Library and has lent her organizational and creative skills to many projects such as an inventory of EdLab books and Media materials, and preparing for last year’s Media Resources’ Open House. She is an enthusiastic worker whose favorite perks of the job are talking with faculty outside of the classroom and previewing the latest films.

Outside of her studies, Kristen has been a member of Urban Beats Crew, and completed two internships in school counseling and has two additional part-time jobs! Her favorite book and movie are “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

Kristen feels that the Library staff is very helpful and her advice for students is to ask a librarian when they need help because the librarian will guide them in the right direction. She advises students to utilize the online resources too.

When her studies are completed, Kristen plans to work as a school counselor.

Thank you, Kristen, and best wishes for the future!

Spotlight on Student Worker Travis Nykaza

Travis Nykaza, a Scranton native, began his work here in June of 2011, just days after graduating from Scranton Preparatory School.  He was eager to begin working and got a good head start working with us all summer before his freshman year began.  He has faithfully continued his tradition of working every summer since then.  Those summers included several “shifting” projects in the stacks that most student workers just hear about later.  Of course he has put in many hours during the Academic years as well.

Although his family is just across town, he lives on campus in order to get the full college experience.  However, having his family nearby allows him to visit his parents and his beloved cat “Snowball” often enough.  In his spare time he enjoys chess, writing, watching movies and reading.  Some of his favorite movies are Interstellar, Twilight Samurai and Spirited Away to name a few.  His favorite books are A Song of Ice and Fire Series, Dune, Ender’s Game Series and Shogun.

The thing he loves most about working in the Weinberg Library is that he gets to interact with people from every level of The University community.  Working in the Library has helped him to learn more about the many services the Library has to offer.  His advice to other students is to explore the Library’s web pages and the building itself.

Travis is majoring in Education with a concentration in English.  After his 2015 graduation, he hopes to find a job teaching at the Middle School level.  He enjoys the classroom experience so far and loves to tell the tales of interacting with the young people he meets.  This semester may be his last time working with us.  He will spend spring 2015 student-teaching.  We’ll miss him and look forward to the occasional visits and stories of student teaching.  Thank you Travis and good luck!

Spotlight on Student Worker Xiomara Rolon

This week the student spotlight is on Xiomara Rolon of Wilkes Barre, PA.  Mara is a Theatre major who will graduate on June 1. She joined the Circulation Services staff in September, 2013 and has been happily assisting patrons at the Circulation Desk since then.

Her hobbies include writing, art and reading. She finds our library’s collection of plays outstanding. Speaking of plays, she has participated in several of the University Players productions this year. When she wasn’t working behind the scenes or on the set, she was on stage playing the part of one character or another. Most recently, she did a fantastic job playing the part of Baloo the bear in Jungalbook.

Off the stage, she has a very pleasant personality. She always expresses herself with such enthusiasm and animation. The one thing she enjoys most about working in the library is making many new friends. She is seriously considering looking for work in a library to support herself while she pursues a theatrical career.

We wish her all the best. Thank you Xiomara!

New TechCon Positions for Fall

The Library will be hiring new TechCons, student work study positions, to provide technical support to students within the new Reilly Learning Commons. The Learning Commons will open in August on the first floor of the Library.

TechCons (technology consultants) are highly skilled student workers who are technology savvy, self-driven, reliable, and able to work independently as well as in a team environment. They work approximately ten to twelve hours each week, with flexible scheduling, and gain valuable real-world experience and training.

The Learning Commons TechCons will:

  • Provide technical support/troubleshoot technology related problems for students and faculty in the Learning Commons in the use of:
  • Software:  Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems, Microsoft Office Applications, E-mail, Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox), Panopto lecture capture software, LibCal room reservation, audio and video editing software on MACs and PCs (GarageBand, iMovie, etc.)
  • Hardware:  PC and Macintosh basics, printer basics, Scannx scanner
  • Network:  wireless network access
  • Systems:  MyScranton, LMS, Royal Drive
  • Work directly with faculty and students on a wide range of projects.
  • Research and Present emerging technologies
  • Are knowledgeable about web design and multimedia software

Apply Online and be sure to select Learning Commons when selecting the job that you are applying.

Spotlight on Student Workers: Elizabeth Sharpe

Student worker Elizabeth (Beth) Sharpe has seen many changes in the four years she has worked in Media Resources/Edlab, and the Library would like to recognize her hard work and adaptability during this time.  

Beth, who resides in Forest City but is originally from Scranton, is a Biology major who will be graduating this June.  She is an enthusiastic worker whose skills have grown with the advances in the delivery of media. In addition to helping patrons find the materials they need and keeping the stacks in order, Beth can create a clip or a playlist from the licensed streaming video collections. 

In her free time Beth enjoys swimming, reading and photography.  She studied in Florence and Rome in 2013 and had the opportunity to photograph magnificent sculptures, buildings and landscapes. Her favorite book is The Art of Racing in the Rain and her favorite film is The Princess Bride.  Beth regularly attends the International Film Series and she finds previewing films she might not otherwise have the opportunity to see the most enjoyable part of her job.

Two of Beth’s favorite professors are Dr. Michael Carey and Dr. Janice Voltzow and her favorite class was Animal Behavior.  Beth plans to continue her studies with the career goal of teaching at the university level.

Thank you for your hard work Beth and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

Spotlight on Student Workers: Gabrielle Gorton

Gabby Gorton

It’s no surprise that Gabrielle Gorton is this week’s featured student worker.  Gabby has only worked in the Special Collections Department for about a year, but the Library is grateful for all of her hard work on a variety of projects.

Gabby has assisted with processing negatives from the Terry and Paula Connors Photograph Collection and has also accessioned files from the Office of the Provost into the Archives.  Last spring Gabby volunteered at the Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale. Her major project at the moment is helping Special Collections Librarian Michael Knies organize his research that he gathered from the British National Library while on sabbatical in January.

Gabby is an Early Childhood Education major, and this semester she is completing a field placement in a first grade classroom. She is involved in various education clubs on campus and plans to graduate in the fall after finishing her student teaching placement.  Her outgoing and ambitious nature, along with her passion for education, will certainly prove valuable in a successful teaching career.

As an outdoor enthusiast Gabby loves horseback riding and camping, but currently most of her free time is spent excitedly planning her upcoming October wedding.

Gabby enjoys how friendly and helpful the Library staff is.  Her recommendation for other students is to take the time to become familiar with the Library and the many resources that it offers.

Thank you, Gabby, for all of your support to the Library!

Spotlight on Student Workers: Brooke Pallien

A love of books drew senior student worker, Brooke Pallien to apply for a work-study position within the Library.  Now, as she steadily migrates toward graduation this May with a Bachelor of Arts in English, the Library Dean’s Office would like to take a moment to recognize Brooke’s hard work and dedication to our office over the last three years.

Brooke, a native of Scranton, had no trouble finding her way around campus when she began her studies in the Fall of 2011.  After spending her first year of employment at the Circulation Desk, she has been employed in the Dean’s office since 2012.  Because she “loves working where the books live”, she has not shied away from tasks throughout the building.  During the past several years, Brooke demonstrated not only a great degree of professionalism but also exemplary care and attention for detail in her work.  She is a tremendous asset to our office.  In all of her endeavors, Brooke demonstrates the highest quality efforts, problem solving prowess, strong creativity, and an excellent understanding of the needs of the office.  She strives to make sure things are correct the first time.

She would encourage other students to ask questions while in the Library; there are so many useful resources that they may not even know about.  Brooke enjoys tasting her latest batch of culinary creations when she’s not at school.  Her favorite class is Creative Nonfiction Writing with Dr. Joseph Kraus and her favorite book is THE PARIS WIFE.  One fun fact about Brooke is that she’s getting married this summer!  When the festivities of her summer nuptials settle down, she hopes to find work in editing or as a technical writer.

It will be difficult to replace her, but we wish Brooke the absolute best as she prepares to turn the page and begin the next chapter of her story!