The Sherrod Library boasts a record of both reading and research material, but for some students this wealth of knowledge is overwhelming and goes unused. ETSU’s Library Ambassador Program aims to acquaint students with the procedures and resources of the library as well as provide valuable work hours.
Library Ambassadors are Academic Performance Scholarship workers who begin training a year before their work begins. Ambassadors are trained in information literacy and specialize in the research that pertains to their chosen area. To finish, ambassadors shadow others already at work with students for a final semester. When training is complete, ambassadors are prepared to aid students in all of their research needs.
“We don’t necessarily help them with, like, writing papers,” said Library Ambassador Sarah Judkins. “It’s more with helping them with research and how to research. The first thing we try to do is show students how to use the library website because a lot of students don’t even know we have databases and things like that.”
The applicants from majors with large bodies of research such as English or biology are preferred, according to Judkins. These programs are in the most need and have the most material to work with, but generalists are welcome as well.
“I’m really glad we have this program, because when I was a freshman, I was one of those that was too scared to ask the professors about questions,” said Judkins. “I just felt more comfortable asking other students those questions.”
Students can visit ambassadors to narrow down the scope of their research and get them connected with the specific resources that exist within the library. Previous research can also be evaluated for credibility and use with on-campus material. Ambassadors are found in academic buildings like Nicks, Warf-Pickel and Burleson halls as well as the CPA and Multicultural Center.
For more information on the program and Library Ambassador availability, visit https://libraries.etsu.edu/use/libraryambassadors
