When we first met Lavanya and Noor, they were starting their third year as undergraduate students at McMaster University.
Doubling as students and library ambassadors for the 2021-2022 academic year, the duo has spent the last eight months supporting social media initiatives, planning engaging events, and teaching students about the services and resources available through McMaster University Library.
Before Lavanya and Noor wrap up their work term with the library and prepare to head into their fourth year of undergraduate studies, we sat down to chat with them about their experience as ambassadors of the library.
Lavanya Sinha
Pronouns: She/Her
Third year, Honours Life Sciences
Research interests: Women and children’s health, prenatal health, global health
How did your perspective about the library change from when you first started?
I didn’t realize that the library was so expansive until I started working here. There are many moving parts to keep the library running and operate the way that it does. In first and second year, I would come to the library just to study and that was it. After working here, I’ve learned that there’s so many activities that go on behind the scenes, and so many people working at the library with jobs that I couldn’t have imagined. For example, the archives and research collections – I never knew that existed!
What was the coolest moment?
I have so many small, good moments. My favourite has to be planning the first Book Club. It was especially exciting for me because it turned out to be mainly my project. I planned the entire event from start to finish and we had an awesome turnout, so I was really happy with it.
What was the most valuable takeaway from this experience?
My most valuable takeaway from this experience was strengthening my leadership skills and creativity. I’ve never had a job where I was in charge of the things I was doing. I’ve enjoyed being responsible for my own work and communicating my ideas with other people. Trusting myself, and being responsible for my own work and sharing it with others has been really valuable.
How do you feel you made an impact while in this role?
I think we helped put a face to the library. In my opinion, students are more open to seeing content and absorbing information from a person – particularly peers – rather than someone they can’t see or connect with. Personally, when I see other McMaster social media accounts showcasing student voices and faces, it feels more familiar and I’m more receptive to what they’re saying. I think Noor’s and my presence on the library’s social media has created a more approachable and comfortable environment surrounding the library.
Where will we find you studying next year?
First and second year I never went into Thode library, but since we started having our meetings in there I began visiting more often. I would study in Thode before and after our meetings and I realized it’s actually quite nice! So maybe you’ll see more of me in Thode next year.
Noor Latif
Pronouns: She/Her
Third year, Honours Environmental Sciences
Research interests: Socioeconomic reforms, climate change, sustainability and environmental policy
How did your perspective about the library change from when you first started?
Contrary to Lavanya, I did have the mindset coming into this role that the library is more than a place where you go to borrow books or study; you gain a lot of skills at the library. However, there were some things that were new to me; like how there are numerous research and writing workshops that are offered by the library. You don’t just enhance research and writing but you even get to develop communication skills when working around so many people, like in the learning commons, for instance.
What was the coolest moment?
My coolest moment was when we filmed our visit to the archives and research collections. It was amazing to see the very old collections of books, and artifacts of different poets and writers. It was very intriguing to see that our university has an entire lab in the Mills’ basement dedicated to preserving historic books.
What was the most valuable takeaway from this experience?
For me, it has to be communication – like going out and talking to people. I’m not usually the type of person that would go out and speak to people but when we filmed the Maud Minutes video, I actually thought to myself, “Why didn’t I do this earlier?” So, strengthening those communication skills was valuable for me. A second valuable takeaway was the information I gained about our libraries on campus and how much work goes into making them functional. Information is what the library taught me, and communication is what the people taught me.
How do you feel you made an impact while in this role?
I’d say we’ve been helpful. We’ve been out here showcasing and promoting the different aspects of the library, which not only helps current students but also encourages future students to apply as library ambassadors. I’m confident in saying that we did a good job in introducing the McMaster library to people and showcasing the many services it offers. On top of that, I think we’ve shed light on the library being a fun space for students who may have previously considered the library a boring space.
Where will we find you studying next year?
I am very loyal to Mills library so I will still be there next year. Second floor Mills; that’s where I usually am. I am a Mills lifer!
