On Sept. 1, Alexis McKenzie became an outreach librarian at UFV, holding a Master of Library and Information studies from McGill University. McKenzie has worked as an on-call auxiliary librarian since 2024, and shared details with The Cascade about her new job, useful support tools for students and upcoming events at the library.
What is your role as an outreach librarian?
It’s a new role at UFV … but the primary focus is to work with students and faculty to help them be aware of how the library can assist them in their research and school needs. It’s like it sounds, we’re reaching out. It’s easy to help students and faculty once they’re in the library, but how do we get them in? They have to know what we’re able to help them with and a big part of outreach is reaching out, going out of the library, going to different departments, events, spreading the word about all we have [to] offer, and then greeting those same folks when they come back in.
Are many students unaware of the library services?
We do find that, and we’re trying to get creative about the different ways that we reach students and get that information out to them. We’re very happy to see a student who comes into the library for the first time in their third year. We would prefer to reach them in their first year if we can be helpful to them. Some students [know] the library … But there’s a great number who don’t know that we have printers here or that if you have a research question, you can come up to the front desk, and you don’t even need an appointment.
What library resources are available for students?
Your student card is your library card and it is also your printing card. It used to be that you had to go to the campus card office or the bookstore in order to put money in your printing account, unless you had cash … I’m very excited to tell you that now you can do this online. You can put money on your printing account through an online portal … [and] I’m singing it from the rooftops because maybe not everyone knows about this update. I believe it happened in the summer.
We have a service called AskAway … it’s a live chat with librarians. If you have a question that maybe you don’t want to ask face to face … it can be nice to ask through live chat. And that’s an amazing service that a lot of students don’t know about. It’s staffed many hours of the day, often until 9 p.m. on weekdays.
Another thing that students might not know about is that we have therapy dogs visit on the regular … you can come sit, chill, pet the pup and it contributes to the library as being a place where you can relax and be calm.
Why are librarians an important resource?
Students are pretty smart. I bet they could find what they need without our help, at least most of the time. We have students who haven’t set foot in the library until third year [and] they found a way to make it through, but we are here to make it easier. I imagine we could show you how to find what you’re looking for in a way that sets you up for the rest of your academic career instead of painfully muddling around … You don’t have to do it alone. We’re here for you.
What advice would you give future librarians?
I’d like to borrow the words of a former boss of mine, a library manager, who when I asked her what makes someone successful in the library world, she said a common misconception is that people think libraries are a book business when in fact we are a people business. Yes, we do have a lot of books, but a huge part of our job is serving our patrons whether that’s through instructional sessions, one-on-one meetings, discovering their needs, sharing what we know, learning what they would like to know, it’s a very people-focused place. If you are someone who enjoys working with a variety of people, if you find that you’re very approachable, that might be a good fit.
Are there any upcoming events?
On Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., we have the library’s fifth annual student welcome back event. We’re going to have the makerspace in full flow, we’ve got sewing machines, embroidery and a 3D printer [etc.]. Come check it out! There’ll be some prizes and it’s going to be a wonderful time to get oriented with the library in a fun atmosphere.
Q&A has been edited for length and clarity
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.