ACRL DVC Fall 2025 Event: Empowering Library Student Workers

View the recording of this event below! (For timestamps of each presentation, please click “Watch on YouTube” and view the video description.)

The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL DVC) is pleased to announce our fall event, Empowering Library Student Workers, which will be held online on Wednesday, November 5 from 9 AM to 1 PM EST.

Founded in 1951, ACRL DVC is the oldest local ACRL chapter and serves library and information professionals in college, university, and research organizations in eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.

This event will be free and open to all, including attendees outside of our region. A full schedule of the event is outlined below.

9:00 AM

Welcome and logistics

9:10 AM

Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness: A Framework of Practical Strategies for Meaningful Student Work (slides)

Matthew Weirick Johnson, University of South Florida Libraries, Director of Research & Instruction

Jennifer Slagus, West Chester University Libraries, Assistant Professor and Social Sciences Librarian

Daniel Neil, University of South Florida, undergraduate student and Library Research Assistant

Student workers play a vital role in academic library operations, and their work experiences shape both personal growth and the library’s effectiveness. This presentation applies self-determination theory to explore how routine tasks can be transformed into meaningful opportunities that foster students’ autonomy, competence, and relatedness. An undergraduate employee will share his experience engaging with meaningful project-based work, regular shifts on a research help desk and online chat service, and mentorship by supervisors and peers. Together, we will offer practical recommendations for managers overseeing student worker programs.

9:25 AM

All around the Library: Connecting Student Employment to LIS Career Exploration

Laura Surtees, Bryn Mawr College, Manager of Library Experience and Engagement

Jadyn Patrick, Bryn Mawr College, Library Summer Resident and undergraduate

Hayden Fahey, Bryn Mawr College, Library Summer Resident and undergraduate

Sunny Lucal, Bryn Mawr College, Library Summer Resident and alum ’25

Jess Smith, Bryn Mawr College, Library Summer Resident and alum ’25

Academic libraries offer a unique opportunity to introduce students to Library and Information Science (LIS) careers through meaningful employment. Yet, many student workers remain siloed in distinct roles, unaware of LIS pathways. This presentation highlights the Library Summer Resident Program, a 10-week initiative connecting student employment with career exploration. Through departmental rotations, hands-on training, and mentorship, students gain insight into the collaborative nature of library work. Former residents will share how the program deepened their LIS understanding and expanded career horizons. Through intentional design, student employment fosters skill-building, experiential learning, and professional growth while illuminating LIS career possibilities.

9:45 AM

Building a Sustainable and Worthwhile Student Worker Experience: From Silos to Leadership Development

Kris Beutler, Moravian University, User Experience and Assessment Librarian

Liliana Brockway, Moravian University, Graduate Intern

This presentation examines transforming a fragmented student worker program into an integrated system supervising 60+ students across multiple disciplines. By consolidating management and implementing comprehensive cross-training, operational challenges like coverage gaps and scheduling inflexibility were resolved while creating meaningful professional development opportunities. Program innovations include expanded internships for students from diverse academic backgrounds and student worker lead positions offering advancement pathways and increased compensation. Co-presenters will share administrative and student perspectives on implementation strategies, career impact, and practical guidance for adapting these approaches to different institutional contexts.

10:10 AM

Leveraging Student Talent for Library Marketing & Outreach (slides)

Catherine Paolillo, University of San Diego, Head of Access & Outreach Services Librarian

Unlock a new approach to library marketing by leveraging your student employees’ existing talents, skills, and interests! This presentation will showcase four successful projects where student assistants led marketing and outreach initiatives. We will demonstrate the value of centering their unique voices and skills, which allows for more authentic, peer-to-peer outreach. Attendees will gain actionable strategies and inspiring examples for building campaigns that resonate with students and create a more dynamic connection between the library and its users.

10:40 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Centering Student Labor in Digital Scholarship at a Small Liberal Arts College

Anna Lacy, Haverford College, Digital Scholarship Librarian

Brandon Morales, Haverford College, Digital Scholarship Assistant

Digital Scholarship (DS) at Haverford College centers student workers as the foundation of its digital humanities ecosystem. Through paid assistantships, internships, and fellowships, undergraduate researchers contribute to technical development, metadata creation, UX testing, and documentation while gaining mentorship, project management, and hands-on experience. Structured work plans make invisible labor visible, and offboarding procedures ensure continuity as students complete internships, move between projects, or graduate. This presentation will share strategies and documentation for sustaining a student-centered digital scholarship program at a small liberal arts college, highlighting mentorship, equitable practices, and the crucial role of student labor.

11:00 AM

Student Jobs as Entry Points to LIS Careers

Zara Strauss, University of Delaware, Processing Assistant

My presentation shows how undergraduate jobs in university libraries can help students develop important foundational skills for a future career in LIS. As a history major, I was drawn in by the prospect of physical and digital processing items with a range of historical significance, but once employed I realized that LIS jobs demanded an array of skills. Having worked in three different departments, my eyes were opened to a career working in libraries and archives. With supportive supervisors and exposure to different tasks I developed practical skills that prepared me for what I am now learning as a graduate student doing my masters.

11:15 AM

Student Engagement in Library Projects as a Pathway to the Profession (slides)

Kerry Walton, West Chester University, Associate Dean

Mira Benson, West Chester University, student

Cathleen Dunn, West Chester University, Cataloging Technician

Wes Miriello, West Chester University, Circulation and Stacks Technician

Leigh Dawson, West Chester University, Student Employee Program Coordinator

This presentation will highlight the journey of an undergraduate student, Mira Benson, at West Chester University Libraries. Mira’s involvement in a library-wide reclassification project demonstrates the transformative potential of student engagement in library initiatives. Mira plays a pivotal role in the project, and has quickly taken on leadership responsibilities, developed technical and organizational skills, and contributed meaningfully to library operations. The project not only spurred her interest in pursuing a library science degree but also connected her with mentorship that shaped her professional goals. Attendees will gain insight into supporting student growth through impactful projects and roles.

11:45 AM

Raise the Bar – They Can Reach It! Students in Library Leadership (slides and other documents)

Claire Drolet, Delaware Valley University, Access Services Librarian

Over the last several years, the Krauskopf Memorial Library at Delaware Valley University has been developing a student employment program that goes well beyond the basic check in / check out and shelving tasks. Using student feedback, focus groups, and the NACE core competencies, our students are now learning information literacy, curation, marketing, customer service, supervisory, and teamwork skills. This serves the library well, but more importantly, it makes the students’ jobs more challenging, professionally beneficial, and satisfying. Custom tasks are created and given to students to help them pursue things they are passionate about, and supervisory responsibilities and training are given to those who want to step up and learn to lead their peers. We are raising the bar – because we know they can reach it!

12:15 PM

Break

12:25 PM

Beyond the Desk: Engaging Student Talent to Unlock Cross-Unit Collaboration

Rebekah Smith, American University Library, Library Access Outreach Coordinator

Alexis Boyages, American University Library, Library Accessibility Coordinator

Sydney Evitts, American University Library, Circulation Services Operations Coordinator

Laura Xayasaeng, American University Library, Library Systems Coordinator

Sophie Bergey, American University Library, Circulation & Reserves Lead (III) Student Assistant

Stella del Carmen, American University Library, Circulation & Reserves (I) Student Assistant

This case study provides an overview of a Spring 2025 pilot program at the American University Library that matched select Circulation student staff with project-based opportunities across multiple library departments. This initiative created meaningful experiential learning and career-readiness opportunities for students while advancing the library’s operational goals in innovative ways. Hear from full-time and student staff participants as they share their reasons for creating the initiative, the logistical and operational challenges encountered, the outcomes achieved, and the key lessons learned along the way.

12:50 PM

Concluding remarks