Meet Lavanya Sinha and Noor Latif, our ambassadors for the 2021-22 academic year at McMaster University Library.
Both third-year students in the Faculty of Science, the duo will plan events, support social media initiatives and spend time in our spaces to help McMaster students, especially those in their first year, navigate the library.
We spoke with Lavanya and Noor about why they wanted to represent the library, where their favourite study spot can be found and what we can expect from the ambassador program in the coming year at McMaster.
Lavanya Sinha
Pronouns: She/Her
Third year, Honours Life Sciences
Research interests: Women and children's health, information science, global health
Why did you want to be a library ambassador?
When I first started at McMaster, a highlight was the libraries. They were such beautiful buildings, and inside they were so bright and spacious. I really liked how there were dedicated study spaces, but I didn’t know all the services the library had to offer until much later. I want to help first-year students explore the library and assist them in using the services to reach their full academic potential.
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Approachable
Where is your favourite library space?
Heersink Reading Pavilion of the Health Sciences Library
What do you see as the role of a library ambassador?
“Serious fun” is a term we use quite often to describe the work we are doing. We want to put fun into the seriousness of the library. We will be planning workshops and events, as well as engaging activities while still promoting services and other things the library has to offer that students may not be aware of presently. We’re really here to help the students.
Noor Latif
Pronouns: She/Her
Third year, Honours Environmental Sciences
Research interests: Socioeconomic reforms, climate change, sustainability
Why did you want to be a library ambassador?
Mills Library has been my home away from home. I love the library because it’s a safe space. I applied to be a library ambassador because I wanted to be more involved. I feel you can do so much at the library. I want to make sure other students know this isn’t just a place where you can checkout books or study; it’s really this whole other universe with so many services.
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Where is your favourite library space?
Second floor of Mills Memorial Library
What do you see as the role of a library ambassador?
The library ambassador will help ensure that everyone is aware of the services the library has to offer, as well as promoting the fact that the library is a safe space, whether you want to study or hang out with friends. We’ll also remind students of the rules around COVID-19. It is really a serious fun role, where we will have fun, but we’ll also be introducing important events like workshops on research or writing skills.
