By Hannah Herrlich, Emerging Technologies Librarian

Student workers are an essential part of the Fordham Libraries. They help in both day-to-day library operations and long-term special projects throughout the year. Though we are sad to wave goodbye to our graduating seniors, we are happy to see them accomplish this major life milestone of obtaining a college degree… It’s a mixture of bittersweet emotions, if you will. What’s more is that within the Fordham Libraries student worker class of 2025, two of our students are about to embark on their journeys of becoming none other than… librarians! We sat down and chatted with these two soon-to-be grads to reflect upon their time working at the Walsh Library, and look forward to the future as they prepare for library school (yes, librarians must go to graduate school) and get ready to become the librarians of tomorrow!

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When did you start working at the Walsh Library?

KS: I started working at Walsh at the beginning of this academic year, in September 2024!

SD: I started working at Walsh in Summer 2024! I had transferred from working at the public safety office.

What does a typical day at Walsh Library look like?

KS: I usually start my shift working in the “stacks.” This can mean scanning a book to upload to our digital reserves, shelving books that have been checked out, or finding books that have been placed on hold. After working on stacks, I then get to sit at the circulation desk, and work with our library patrons face-to-face. Usually people ask me to help find books, or check them out. This is my favorite part of the job because I love talking to people!

SD: I like to start my shift by saying hello to my fellow student workers and supervisors before I head over to sit at the circulation desk and help any patrons with any questions they may have. If I start off at the desk, that usually means I have “stacks” the next hour. So, that would mean scanning a book, shelving a cart of books around the library, or finding books that have been placed on hold. While I do love sitting and helping patrons at the front desk, I find the behind the scenes work that goes on in the library to be a bit more fulfilling.

What’s something you would have never known about the library if you didn’t work here?

KS: I wouldn’t know about the resources at the LITE center or EIC if I didn’t work here! I think a lot of students would benefit from the electronic rentals, like DVDs and phone chargers. We also have a sewing machine and podcast studios in the basement. I wouldn’t have known about these great resources if I didn’t work at the library. I wish more people knew about them!

SD: I definitely agree with what Kelly mentioned. The first thing that comes to mind when people think of libraries is “books” but both academic and public libraries have a plethora of resources available to their community. If you need help with anything in regards to your school work, library workers should be able to help you or at the very least refer you to someone who can help.

Do you have advice for other students using the library?

KS: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! We are here to answer your questions. There are many people you can reach out to at the library, including the staff at the circulation desk, the reference librarians, and the Writing Center. If you have a question at the library, you’re in luck because there’s always going to be someone who is able to help you.

SD: Take advantage of all of the resources available! Going off what Kelly mentioned previously, there are so many workers in the library that are happy to help any students with questions. As an English student, I would also encourage fellow students to check in with the library to see if there are any copies of required books/textbooks in the collection before going out to pay out of pocket for a book. Even if we do not have a specific copy of what you are looking for, the library can borrow the book from another library system, through Interlibrary Loan (ILL), so that you may use it! Costs definitely add up when it comes to getting required materials for class.

When did you realize you wanted to be a librarian?

KS: I have always loved going to the library, especially as a kid, and my parents said I would be a librarian! I think they knew before I did, because I only began preparing for a career in library science during my junior year of undergrad. When I volunteered at the LuEsther Mertz Library at the New York Botanical Garden and loved it, that’s when I knew I wanted to be a librarian.

SD: I realized that I wanted to be a librarian when I started working here at the Walsh Library! I have always felt happy and content with my choice to major in English at Fordham, but because it’s such a versatile degree, I felt overwhelmed looking at all the possible different career paths I could take.

I was previously working at the public safety office for my federal work study but at the end of my junior year, I asked to be transferred to the library’s circulation department because I found that it would more closely align with my interests and I am so glad that I made that decision! 

While working at the library over the summer, I completely fell in love with all of the behind the scenes work that goes into making sure that these libraries function properly for both students and university faculty! I remember thinking to myself one day “I wouldn’t mind doing this for the rest of my life” and that’s when I began researching MLIS programs in New York.

Where are you going to library school?

KS: I am planning on going to the University of Rhode Island for library school. I really like how flexible their program is, because I am planning on getting work experience while I go to grad school. The MLIS program at URI is online, and part time, so I should be done with my program by 2028!

SD: I applied to Pratt Institute and Queens College. I was originally planning to go to Pratt Institute but in terms of finances, I decided it would be better to go with Queens College. I plan to do a full time program so I would finish within roughly 2 years.

What would you like to do in your career as a librarian?

KS: I would like to work for an archive! I really love working with old books, and I think it would be super cool to learn how to organize and preserve old records. I think it would also be very fun to work for a museum! Over the summer I visited the Watson Library at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and I think that would be a great place to work, surrounded by all of the beautiful artworks.

SD: I would really like to go into archives or academic librarianship! I have always been drawn to the private collections that museums have and I would love the opportunity to work within that field. However, now that I have had the opportunity to work in an academic library to some capacity, I really love the idea of being able to help and give back to students through this kind of work. I think it is truly such a privilege to be able to pursue this kind of work so I think I would ultimately be happy doing whatever!