A Chance To Reward Student Excellence

Student workers have long been an important part of library operations - especially in academic and public libraries. Their contribution to libraries is vital, and the NNYLN believes they deserve recognition for their efforts. To this end, the Northern New York Library Network announces the 2006 NNYLN Award for Outstanding Student Employees for the NNYLN service area.

The purpose of this award is to reward excellence among young library workers, both to exemplify the high standards sought in library staff and to encourage investigation of librarianship as a career goal. Each nominee will receive a certificate and token prizes, along with recognition from their supervisors and peers that their work has been exemplary. It will be appropriate for recipients to note this award on resumes and job applications.

NNYLN member libraries are invited to solicit nominations for student workers and select one outstanding student worker each who will be recognized through this program. Libraries should consider the following in choosing its student worker who will be recognized through this program:

Eligibility: The student must have completed at least one year of employment or volunteer work in a library in order to learn the necessary skills and demonstrate excellence. Selection is made in the spring. Full- and part-time students are eligible. Preference should be given to sophomores or juniors at the college and junior college level; and to juniors and seniors at the high school level. The college level recipient may be a senior, but one of the goals of the program is to have the student return to library employment as a recognized role model.

Criteria: These criteria are not ranked, and all are important:

Excellent Attendance Record - shows commitment and dedication as well as time management skills.

Outstanding Patron Service Skills and Colleague Interaction - alert to patron needs; possesses excellent communication skills.

Responsibility - demonstrating professionalism and high standards of performance.

Strong Leadership Among Peers - sets a good example for other student workers; models professional demeanor.

Interest and Initiative - looks for projects; expresses interest in learning about the library profession.

If your library would like to recognize its student workers, or would like more information, please contact Bridget Doyle at doyle@nnyln.org.

The Outstanding Student Award Program is a project of the NNYLN Library Assistant’s Committee.