Student Employees Recognition and Scholarship Program

Each May the Libraries sponsors a Library Student Employee Appreciation Week and awards scholarships to student employees. Libraries Staff Development and Libraries Development coordinate the program.

During the appreciation week, each unit is sent posters based on the theme (2001 theme: “We Can Count on You!”) and urged to recognize their student employees during the week. A half-page ad is taken out in the campus student newspaper to publicly thank our 500+ student employees.

Students who have worked in a library (main campus and/or branch campuses) for at least one full quarter are eligible to apply for scholarships that are funded through the efforts of the Libraries Development Office. In 2001, 10 scholarships of $500 each were awarded. Students must:

• fill out an application
• answer an essay question (What are the most important, interesting and surprising things you have learned while working at the University of Washington Libraries?)
• receive a written recommendation from their library supervisor
• be in good academic standing

Applications are judged by the Staff Development Advisory Committee composed of staff from throughout the library system. The scholarship program is used as a recruiting tool as well as for reward. Approximately 100 students apply each year.

A presentation ceremony and reception is held for the scholarship winners, their families, friends and library staff. The Director of Libraries presides and the supervisor of each student introduces the student with a speech that incorporates parts of the student’s essay and the supervisory recommendation.

Costs include cash awards, printing, newspaper ad, reception refreshments, scholarship certificates, and posters – 2001 costs approximately $6,000.

Note: The program began in a small way 4 years ago with 5 scholarships of $200 each, and has grown each year using a combination of general library endowment funds and donor contributions.