UK Libraries is pleased to announce the winners of the Outstanding Student Assistant Award for the 2022-23 academic year.
Grayson Barnett, Emorie Jackson, Kaylee McMunn, and Andrea Salazar were each nominated by their supervisors for demonstrating exceptional dedication, outstanding work performance, and a dependability and positivity that bolsters their team and furthers the goals and mission of UK Libraries. Each award comes with a cash prize, and the recipients were honored at our annual Graduating Student Celebration on April 14.
One of UK Libraries’ most valuable strengths, student assistants impact every aspect of the day-to-day operations of the libraries. “Student assistants are vital to the culture and success of our organization,” said Dean Doug Way.
As an organization that strives for excellence and is committed to offering outstanding service to our diverse community of users, UK Libraries is proud to shine a light on all Libraries’ personnel who stand out among their colleagues.
You can read more about this year’s Outstanding Student Assistant Award winners below.
Kaylee McMunn
Kaylee McMunn has spent the last two years working as a graduate assistant at the Special Collections Research Center. During her first year, Kaylee served as the Education Graduate Assistant, conducting research, creating online modules, and teaching class visits to the SCRC. This year, she has processed public policy collections in her role as the Graduate Assistant for the Earle C. Clements Endowment. “The amazing librarians and archivists I’ve had the pleasure of working with have had the most profound impact on me,” she said. “Their patient and intentional mentorship has helped solidify my confidence in my work and future career. They have introduced me to new avenues for study and personal development and encouraged me to think outside the box and dream big.” Kaylee is completing her Master’s in Library Science this spring.
Grayson Barnett
Grayson Barnett has worked at the Medical Center Library since the Fall of 2022. Stationed at the service desk, he is responsible for checking out and returning materials and functioning as the primary contact point for library users, offering assistance with locating materials, resources, and services. “The Medical Center Library supports three colleges, so we help a wide range of users. Working here has taught me how to talk to many different people and think on the fly to answer a large variety of questions,” he said. “In the process of helping our users, I’ve also learned a lot about using research databases and information resources, which will aid my professional work in the future.” Grayson is a Natural Resources & Environmental Science major and will graduate in August.
Emorie Jackson
Emorie Jackson has worked in the Technical Services unit at the Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts Library since the Fall of 2022. Emorie labels and stamps the library’s new books, updates the labeling on older titles, and processes “missing” materials returning to circulation. “Working at UK Libraries has taught me a lot about what it means to be a part of a workplace environment and work within a team, and taught me important skills like time management, communication, and adaptability that will be useful when I enter the workforce in the future,” she said. “It is rewarding to feel that my work in the library makes a positive impact on the people around me.” A sophomore, Emorie is majoring in computer science.
Andrea Salazar
Andrea Salazar has worked at UK Libraries since the Fall of 2021. She spent the past year at the Special Collections Digital Lab as part of the Sounding Spirit digitization project, scanning and processing hymns and sheet music that are too fragile for public use. After the scanning equipment was damaged midway through the project, Andrea had to learn an entirely new process on the fly while continuing to meet deadlines and maintain UK Libraries’ high standards for digitization. “Ensuring quality control while working with materials that are hundreds of years old is a very detail-oriented process,” she said. “My experience has taught me a lot about the value of adaptability and determination.” Andrea is completing her Master’s in Vocal Performance this spring and will begin pursuing her Doctorate in Musical Arts at UK in the fall.
