Patrons at Rogers State University’s Stratton Taylor Library may notice some familiar faces among the stacks, as two of the three newest staff members are returning graduates.
Ryan Dyer, Scott Murray and Kaitlin Crotty started working in the Stratton-Taylor Library in August, October and November, respectively. Dyer and Crotty, who are RSU alumni, previously worked at the library as student workers. Director Alan Lawless said they are the first two alumni to work at the library full time.
“I’ve always wanted to hire a graduate, and now we have two,” Lawless said. “The quality of people who graduate from RSU is so high that I’d stack them up against anybody.”
Dyer, who was recognized as a distinguished honors graduate as well as the outstanding graduate for business management students this past May, and Crotty, who graduated in December 2010 with a bachelor’s in communication arts and a minor in psychology, said they are happy to be working at their alma mater full time. Crotty went on to work in the University of Oklahoma library while she earned her master of library and information studies from the school.
“I’m glad I had opportunities to work elsewhere and get valuable experience,” Crotty said. “But nothing changes that this feels like coming home.”
Lawless said each of the librarians bring a specialty that will benefit students. Murray, who worked as the librarian for Saint Francis Health System for eight years, has a thorough knowledge of medical resources and databases to help nursing and EMS students with research and other queries. Crotty manages distance learning and creates tutorials on how to use the library’s resources. Dyer, who assists students at the front desk, helps the library acquire new books and materials, especially e-books.
“We have so many books available for students that we cannot physically fit them in the library,” Dyer said. “Having e-books allows us to be more flexible in providing students with up-to-date resources.”
Murray hopes that students will see the library as a resource for learning about what they love, even if that subject is outside the classroom. Dyer and Crotty encourage students to utilize all the library’s resources, including study rooms, research guides, tutorials and the librarians themselves.
“We love to help, but we don’t know what students are looking for unless they tell us,” Crotty said. “Talk to us; we can usually get the resources you need and show you how to find information more effectively.”
The RSU Libraries have branches in Claremore and Pryor, with holdings that include more than 76,000 books, 300,000 e-books, and nearly 40,000 journal subscriptions. Both in person and online, students can access instruction and reference services, targeted research guides and tutorials, and special resources such as our government documents depository, archives, and Interlibrary Loan services. For more information on the RSU Libraries, visit www.rsu.edu/library.