Four undergraduate students have received the University Libraries’ Student Employee Appreciation Awards. The awards recognize excellent customer service, leadership, integrity, attitude, work ethic, initiative or passion.
The University Libraries and the Student Library Advisory Board select the winners. Undergraduates who have worked with the University Libraries for at least four semesters are eligible.
Congratulations to this year’s winners: Brandy Abreu, Ashley Radtke, Annabella Schmidt and Halsey Ziglar.
Brandy Abreu, Class of 2023, Undergraduate Library Circulation
Brandy Abreu
“Brandy has been a pillar in the Undergraduate Library for the last two years,” wrote nominator Jesse Bethany, public services manager for House Undergraduate Library. “The thought and effort she puts into her work are always above and beyond.”
Bethany writes that Brandy’s customer service is always friendly, knowledgeable and thorough, and that she is at the top of the list when it’s time to get feedback and suggestions on a new idea. Brandy is also proactive in finding additional ways to help , like seeking opportunities to use her digital design skills to work with the communications department to produce graphics for the Library’s website.
“Brandy’s passion and commitment to Carolina’s library system are incredible,” wrote Bethany. “Brandy is exemplary among her peers and is a credit to our institution.”
Ashley Radtke, Class of 2023, Interlibrary Services
“Ashley Radtke is precisely one of those ‘above and beyond’ student employees for whom the Student Employee Appreciation Award was designed” wrote nominator Renee Bosman, head of interlibrary services.
Ashley has worked as a student assistant in interlibrary services for more than two years and takes on many duties vital to daily operations in the busy department. The work requires careful attention to detail, and Ashley has increasingly taken on a leadership role thanks to the high quality of her work and her extensive knowledge as a veteran student worker. She has also worked with other departments to learn new skills and now helps with circulation when caught up on work with interlibrary services.
“Ash cares not only about the ‘how’ of her work in our department, but also the ‘why,'” says Bosman. “It’s a joy to work with a student who is genuinely interested in learning more about the work we do and is considering it for her future.”
Annabella Schmidt, Class of 2024, North Carolina Collection Gallery
Annabella Schmidt
“Annabella Schmidt is a joy to work with,” wrote Christian Edwards, assistant keeper of the North Carolina Collection. “She has demonstrated a great work ethic, taking on all tasks with a positive attitude, no matter how big or small the task is.”
Annabella would like to work in a museum one day and approaches her work with an eye to detail and visitor engagement. One project she worked on was developing a small exhibit, including items from the artifact collection and the North Carolina Collection. Annabella chose the topic and materials to display, researched and wrote the text, and worked with staff to implement an exhibit about the state’s theme parks.
“Having Annabella in the NCC Gallery is an absolute pleasure, and I am proud to nominate her for the 2023 Student Employee Appreciation Award,” wrote Edwards.
Halsey Ziglar, Class of 2023, Library Communications
Halsey Ziglar
“When we hired Halsey Ziglar as a first-year student in 2019, we had no idea how well she would grasp the deeper mission of our work — improving students’ experiences both in the Library and beyond it,” wrote Community Engagement Librarian Emily Jack and Outreach Projects Librarian Karina Soni. “But for four years, even as the entire world changed, Halsey has helped us connect to student needs, interests and emotions.”
Halsey’s work included developing social media content and working at outreach events. She was also instrumental in the development and implementation of Library Social Clubs. These informal, student-led clubs themed around shared interests were launched in 2022, and Halsey helped manage communication with dozens of student leaders. She went on to train club leaders, troubleshoot recruitment issues and develop assessment tools, taking a leading role in building a program unique to the Carolina.
“We’ll miss Halsey dearly when she graduates in May,” say Jack and Soni, “but in helping to shape the Library Social Clubs program, she has left a legacy that will continue to benefit students for years to come.”
