On-Demand: Core Forum Webinar Series on Access and Equity Part 1:Acknowledging Student Labor in Libraries

Webinar Title: Acknowledging Student Labor in Libraries

Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2022                                                             

Time: 1:00 - 2:00pm (CT)

Description: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors used phenomenological research methods to conduct surveys and interviews of student workers at an academic library. We intend to present the full results of these surveys with transcripts from interviews with student workers in order to elevate the voices of student employees to build a more equitable and diverse workplace. We conclude with suggestions from student workers regarding ways to incorporate students in the decision making structure of the library as we move forward out of the pandemic.

Learning Outcomes: 

At the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

·       Summarize the benefit of incorporating student feedback into organizational decision making;

·       Name at least two methods to improve student worker experiences in the workplace; and

·       Evaluate their own workplace environment to identify areas of improvement for student workers.

Who Should Attend: Anyone with an interest in the topic can benefit from this session and is welcome to participate.

Presenters: Alexis Juarez is a 2020 Arizona State University graduate with a degree in Urban Planning and minors in Global/Design Studies. She worked as a Student Ambassador for the ASU Library and now works for the Phoenix Public Library as a Library Assistant with the College Depot. She will be starting at the University of Arizona’s LIS master’s program in the fall.

Andrew Barber supervises library student workers at Arizona State University and is a recent MLIS graduate from the University of Arizona.

Michelle Ashley Gohr (they/she) is a First Year Experience Librarian with Arizona State University where she teaches information literacy to first year students and provides research assistance to students and faculty in women and gender studies, social justice/human rights, and other subject areas.