Feature Friday: Our Amazing Student Employees
Posted May 26, 2026 in Uncategorized
Every year, JMU Libraries student employees help create welcoming, supportive spaces for students and other library patrons. Recently we asked a few of our desk assistants to reflect on their experiences, favorite memories, and advice for future student workers—and their responses highlight the friendships, growth, and community that make working at JMU Libraries so special.
Summer Solis
- What has been your fondest memory from working at JMU Libraries?
- Becoming friends with fellow Desk Assistants & Supervisors!
- What was your favorite thing about working at the libraries this year, or just in general?
- Learning more about the Libraries & getting ready for Carrier!
- What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a new desk assistant?
- If you strive to help as much as you can, you will do well!
- What is something you wish you knew about the Libraries before you started working here? Or that you think more people on campus should know about the Libraries?
- JMU Libraries has many resources (books/movies you can borrow & The Makery) that are free to use
Amanda Xu (’26)
- What was your fondest memory from working at JMU Libraries?
- There isn’t a singular fond memory I have but, I will look back fondly on every interaction I have had with every member of the full-time staff at the library! They all came from very different places and have the best stories!
- What was your favorite thing about working at the libraries this year, or just in general?
- I enjoy interacting with the people who have been here much longer than me (AKA full time staff) as well as the laid back nature of the job! Hard to beat sitting around answering questions and talking with coworkers, or quietly working on your homework while getting paid for it!
- What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a new desk assistant?
- Be proactive in trying to help patrons on your own at first, and if you don’t know how to do something, never be afraid to ask fellow employees for help!
- What is something you wish you knew about the libraries before you started working here? Or that you think more people on campus should know about the Libraries?
- More people should know that the library is a great place to get started for any general help questions as well. If you don’t know where to start searching for an item, how to do something, or what services the university can provide, the library can direct patrons to the correct general direction every time!
Savannah Hughes (’26)
- What was your fondest memory from working at JMU Libraries?
- I have too many! A few weeks ago I had a big presentation I was very nervous for! I talked about it for like 2 weeks and would work on it during my shift *late nights at Rose*. When the big day came my supervisor Lorelai came and watched me present! It was so sweet that she took time out of her day to come support me! I have so many stories and all of them surround spending time with coworkers, I love them and I want them to be my friends forever!
- What was your favorite thing about working at the libraries this year, or just in general?
- My favorite thing is seeing my coworkers. I don’t have a favorite shift because I love all my different co-worker groups! Everyone is so supportive and funny and genuinely cares about your day and what you are doing.
- What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a new desk assistant?
- Enjoy it, you have the best job ever surrounded by the best people ever! Andrew basically handpicked me like 4 different friend groups.
- What is something you wish you knew about the libraries before you started working here? Or that you think more people on campus should know about the Libraries?
- ILLs!!! When I learned about interlibrary loans, my mind was BLOWN. Wish I had been using it my entire time at JMU. Definitely devastated to be losing that resource when I graduate.
We are so grateful for all our student employees who make the Libraries a great place to work and visit. We wish all our graduating seniors the very best in what comes next and look forward to seeing many of our other student employees when they return in August!
This story is part of the JMU Libraries Feature Friday series. If you’d like to recommend a person or project connected with JMU Libraries to feature in this series, contact us at libraries@jmu.edu.
Learn more about Student Jobs and Assistantships at JMU Libraries.