Library Encourages Student Activity

The J.D. Williams Library on the Ole Miss Campus is shaking up the normal routine of going to the library merely to get books.

They call themselves the Library Ambassadors. They formed in fall 2012 as a group of 45 undergraduate and graduate students. Though their numbers rise and fall, the purpose of the group stays at the forefront of their minds.

“We want to get students involved with the library,” said Lauren Huskees, freshman at the university and co-President of the group.

The Ambassadors’ aim is to create a new relationship between student and institution.

Last semester, their time was mostly spent discovering a way to de-stress the week of final exams on campus. Their brainstorming resulted in a stress-free, dog-friendly environment. Service dogs were housed in the first floor classrooms of the library for students to come by and play with while they were studying for exams.

This spring, they are looking to shake things up again.

They have been hosting library tours for the past two weeks for both current and prospective students to get better acquainted with the necessary resource.

In early February they hosted a poetry workshop with Michael Warr, who performed at a larger venue the next day. Members of the Library ambassadors group, however, were given private question, answer and analysis time with the published poet.

In the coming weeks, the group will host an open mic night for students, led by students.

“It isn’t just poetry though. We’re hoping different people will perform. They could even play guitar or something like that,” said Huskees.

Despite the various activities the group has been able to host and help with, they often have to go through red tape before implementing an idea.

“The kids have so many great ideas, but sometimes the execution isn’t so easy,” said Melissa Dennis, co-founder of the group. “I can always think of 10 red flags that will keep us from being able to do something, and I hate to be the one to do that to the kids.”

Dennis hopes that as popularity picks up and member numbers increase, the group will find resources that enable them to do even more relationship-building activities.

“This semester we just kind of hit the ground rolling, with the Library tours and now [the open mic night]. I think it’s been kind of overwhelming for them,” said Dennis.

Despite the amount of work required of the volunteers, Dennis said they have little trouble remaining in high spirits.

“They are all so willing to help,” she said.

In May, the group will again offer a de-stressing opportunity to students studying for finals. “This time we might try to have kittens, too!” said Dennis.

The Library Ambassadors Group is open to all Ole Miss students through the Ole Miss orgsync website. They meet weekly at 6 p.m. in room 106d of the J.D. Williams Library.