Students recognized for contributions to KU Libraries

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LAWRENCE — A pair of University of Kansas student employees who do vital work maintaining physical and digital collections and two KU Libraries Student Ambassadors were honored among their peers and supervisors at the annual Dean’s Award for Student Employee Excellence (DASEE) luncheon May 1 in Watson Library. 

KU Libraries Dean Carol Smith said in her remarks that student workers averaged about 1,200 hours of work per week across all major offices and divisions of KU Libraries while providing essential services to the Jayhawk community. Student employees grow transferable workforce skills and also gain career experience in library fields.  

Levi Cromwell, a senior in history and classics from McPherson, was honored with a DASEE award for his contributions to Cataloging and Archival Processing, particularly his efforts with the libraries’ extensive collection of journals and other serials.  

Cromwell has worked at KU Libraries for four years, collaborating on projects in Watson, Anschutz, Spencer Research Library, Murphy Art and Architecture Library, and Gorton Music and Dance Library, with tasks ranging from the physical relocation of volumes to proofreading foreign language titles letter by letter. He’s also been entrusted with special projects handing sensitive materials as a vital part of the team responsible for working with tens of thousands of items.   

“We're the people in the back who are processing a lot of the materials, just making sure that everything in the databases is lined up,” Cromwell said of cataloging work. “We're rotating the collection of books. You have books that are being sent off to the (Library Annex) that, you know, aren't being used as much, so the library can stay fresh and stay relevant to what people want and how people actually use the library.”  

Oliver Grotegut, a senior in linguistics and sociology from Shawnee, received a DASEE award for his work in Cataloging and Archival Processing. Working with record groups within the University Archives at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, Grotegut inventories and describes records from various departments and organizations across campus, helping to preserve the history of the university.   

Grotegut’s innovation in creating new spreadsheet tools and revitalizing workflows has enriched library processes, and his descriptions are used daily by library patrons to access campus records. 

In her remarks, Smith said Grotegut’s record group descriptions will be used to create online accessibility tools that can be utilized for decades to come.  

“I went looking for a library job because I wanted to work in libraries, and this has really solidified for me that that is the career field I want to go into long term,” Grotegut said.     

The KU Libraries Student Ambassadors Program (KULSAP) connects students with libraries leadership to promote student input and involvement in library services and programming. Allison Bell, a linguistics and German studies major from Lawrence, and Margaret Baechle, an English major from St. Louis, were honored with KULSAP Service Awards at the DASEE ceremony.  

Baechle and Bell have both contributed to special projects and served as leaders through their work with KULSAP.   

Baechle served as president of KULSAP for two years, building awareness of libraries services to support her fellow students.   

Bell took part in the KU Reads Common Book selection committee, reviewing nominated book selections and considering their potential to be the next KU common book.   

Both Baechle and Bell participated in the libraries’ Student-Led Curation project, working with three other students and two KU librarians throughout the academic year to create their own library collection. The students decided on a collection theme, developed a materials list, worked on a LibGuide and assembled a display of selected materials for a launch event during the spring semester.   

“I love working at Watson,” said Baechle, who is also a libraries employee. “This is probably the best job I've ever had. I love my co-workers and the environment that we've created at Watson and just for KU Libraries. It's such a big group of people, and I've met so many awesome employees and staff, and I just think it's such a great place to work.”  

Camaraderie and a sense of connection have made the libraries an important part of Bell’s time at KU, making the recognition among peers special. 

“I love being able to kind of just share this experience with people who are in a similar position and understand how important libraries are,” she said.   

Cash prizes were awarded to the winners, who were selected by a committee including members of the KU Libraries Board of Advocates.  

Former KU Libraries dean Lorraine Haricombe established the DASEE awards to recognize the dedication and quality service student employees provide.