March 5, 2024
We Love Our Student Employees!
Celebrating 2024 Student Scholarship Recipients
UW Libraries recognizes the achievements of our outstanding student employees through our Student Employee Appreciation Week, and an annual scholarship award, generously sponsored by UW Libraries donors. On February 29, we celebrated this year’s 50 new scholarship recipients in person with a reception honoring their amazing contributions.
2024 Scholarship Recipients
Library student workers represent undergraduates and graduate students from all areas of study working across all three UW campuses, including UW Press! As one of the largest employers of student workers on campus, our student employees are essential to Libraries’ operations – while they literally keep the doors open, lights on and books on shelves, they are also peer mentors, writers, designers, marketers, technicians and instructors! We LOVE our student employees, and this year’s scholarship class exemplifies the dedication, creativity and work ethic that our students bring to their jobs every day. But don’t take our word for it; see what our students have to say about their experience working with the Libraries in these selected quotes from 2024 scholarship recipient essays:
But don’t take our word for it; see what our students have to say about their experience working with the Libraries in these selected quotes from 2024 scholarship recipient essays:
“As a Web Services & UX Assistant at ITSDS at UW Libraries, my journey has been transformative, echoing not just professional development, but a profound personal evolution. 
At UW Libraries, under the guidance of supportive supervisors, I found an environment that not only respected my ideas but also encouraged me to voice them. UW Libraries provided more than just a job; it offered a community where I found friends, mentors, and a sense of belonging. It has nurtured my professional skills, yes, but more importantly, it has allowed me to find my voice and vision. I have learned to embrace challenges with confidence and curiosity, qualities that I will carry forward in my journey both within and beyond the realms of librarianship.” – Sabrina
“…I’ve found a place where I belong at UW libraries, and it’s turned me into a version of myself that freshman me probably wouldn’t recognize but would be grateful to have grown into.”
“I am very happy to be a part of (the library). Everybody working at the campus library is very collaborative and supportive, their willingness to listen to my ideas and questions fostered an environment that allowed me to flourish both personally and professionally with confidence.” – Anmei
“Beyond the practical skills gained, working in the Health Sciences Library has provided me with in-depth exposure to various health science topics, crucial for my future graduate school decision.” – Xiaoyu
“my experience working at the UW Libraries has been transformative for my personal, academic, and professional growth…
“Learning how information transmits through libraries encouraged my academic goal of pursuing informatics. My interaction with various information technologies at the library sparked a deep interest in how technology can enhance information accessibility.” – Yuanxi
“Overall, my experience working at the UW Libraries has been transformative for my personal, academic, and professional growth, impacting my past activities, current skill set, and future prospects for my transition into the modern workplace.”- Braedyn
“Connecting people with the resources and knowledge they desire is the most meaningful part of my job…”
“My time at the library has made me a better worker– one who understands that above all else, my role in the library is to facilitate community.” – Clara
“I have consistently continued to learn new things and gain new skills through the projects I have worked on. I learned that my work was valued, including the time I needed to learn and the questions I needed to ask; and that this was a place where I could communicate my needs and be met where I was, with understanding and encouragement, by people who were excited to help me grow and learn.” – Cyprus
“I have consistently continued to learn new things and gain new skills…
“I never would have imagined that I would find a job that combines so many of my interests: helping other people, designing user interfaces, reading, learning, tackling new challenges, and creating seamless experiences for people.” – Doan
“In my studies as a history and psychology double major, my work at the library has supplemented my education in multiple ways. Learning the history of UW and Suzzallo and Allen has been immensely valuable, and spreading this knowledge to patrons from all over the world gives me a unique connection to my university. Connecting people with the resources and knowledge they desire is the most meaningful part of my job, and it has solidified my commitment to service-oriented work in the future.” – Dominic
“I feel extremely fortunate and grateful to be working in a space where diversity is celebrated and welcomed, and in turn, I aim to project that same sentiment to all those who choose to visit the library.” – Ileana
I feel extremely fortunate and grateful to be working in a space where diversity is celebrated and welcomed
“I am confident that I am getting more out of my MLIS program because of the real world experience I’m gaining at Foster Business Library. I’m very grateful for the last year and a half at Foster because I know I will be more confident in my job search later this year because of this experience.” – Giselle
“Working at the UW Libraries has shaped me into a better person, one who can connect better with others. My personal growth from the RC Desk is something I will value for life as I will utilize these skills in every possible situation. I’ve appreciated the opportunities and challenges the help desk has presented, and I will continue to grow and improve throughout my time here.” – Jordan
“…coming to work soon became the best part of my week, as it made me feel so connected to the academic community. In addition to enriching my sense of community on campus, working at the library, especially in and around the older collections held offsite and in Special Collections, made me even more enthusiastic about my academic studies.” – Leila
“I am intertwined in a community of supervisors who provide me opportunities to grow, technicians who collaborate with student staff in various projects, and student staff members who I feel comfortable talking about anything with. I’ve found a place where I belong at UW libraries, and it’s turned me into a version of myself that freshman me probably wouldn’t recognize but would be grateful to have grown into.” – Maggie
