Junior public relations major Rochelle Burke (center) received SUNY Oswego’s 2022 Northern New York Library Network Outstanding Student Employee award. Here Burke receives congratulations from Penfield Library Director Sarah Weisman (left) and her nominator, Research, Instruction and Outreach Librarian Deborah Bauder.
Rochelle Burke, a Penfield Library Peer Reference Assistant (PRA), has earned SUNY Oswego’s 2022 Northern New York Library Network Outstanding Student Employee award,
A junior majoring in public relations, Burke has worked at the library since fall 2021.
Penfield librarians and staff had an opportunity to nominate student employees who exemplify the standards of service and professionalism that make them role models for all student workers in libraries. An internal Penfield Library committee evaluated all submitted nominations, and selected Burke from a field of deserving nominees. She received an award certificate and an Amazon gift card.
Burke was nominated by her supervisor, Research, Instruction and Outreach Librarian Deborah Bauder.
“In her role as a Peer Reference Assistant, Rochelle demonstrates excellent attention to Penfield Library’s patron needs," Bauder wrote. "She is knowledgeable about the library’s resources and how to conduct research, and she provides great support for her fellow students when a librarian is not on duty. Rochelle’s research skillset is very strong and, coupled with her positive attitude and friendly approachability, makes her an amazing asset to the library and to her peers who visit the Research Help Desk."
Bauder added that Burke's work in the library benefits fellow students in various ways.
"Rochelle has a great attitude and is an organized and effective student researcher," Bauder noted. "She shares her skills and positivity with fellow students during reference encounters, and helps empower them to become better researchers themselves. She demonstrates confidence, curiosity and integrity in all of her interactions, modeling a high standard of professionalism. I have heard nothing but compliments from everyone with whom she works. I’m continually impressed with the thoughtful and professional manner in which she advises her peers on their research.”
The Northern New York Library Network (NNYLN) Outstanding Student Employee Award recognizes student workers who exhibit outstanding patron service skills and colleague interactions; demonstrate responsibility through professionalism and high standards of work performance; exhibit strong leadership among peers; show interest and initiative by seeking out projects or additional work; and show commitment, dedication and time management skills with an excellent attendance record.
Penfield Library is a member of the Northern New York Library Network, a regional multi-type library agency primarily dedicated to cooperatively providing support and services necessary for all of its members to meet their individual goals. NNYLN serves libraries in the seven counties of Northern New York for the ultimate benefit of the library user.