The librarians of Coates Library ended a weeklong campaign yesterday, Sept. 5, to acclimate students to the library and provide overall goodwill. The effort involved distribution of buttons and a guide to the various subject librarians. Students had the ability to craft their own buttons or to choose from a selection.

Special collections librarian and university archivist, Amy Roberson, said this current round of greeting was to help students get used to seeing their librarians.

“It’s all about connecting with students and faculty,” said Roberson. “We want students to be able to put a name with a face and the buttons serve as a great conversation starter.”

The creative way of connecting with university librarians may become a regular occurrence, with plans in the works for semi-regular button making. The fourteen librarians of Coates each have their own specialization, from communication to classical studies to engineering sciences. The reference sheet includes a picture of each librarian, their contact information and the respective fields in which they specialize.

“As subject librarians we buy books related to our various subjects and also provide instructional sessions, which help students on research projects and how to utilize different library resources,” Roberson said.

Roberson said that students should never be hesitant to reach out to a librarian for help, as they can work with them on anything from a literary review to an annotated bibliography.

Chris Nolan, associate university librarian, said that the button making allows students to learn more about library services and the resources available.

“Sometimes students do not realize what they have access to,” said Nolan, “and meeting a librarian, someone you don’t know, for the first time can be intimidating. But that’s what we’re here for, to help you navigate the library.”

In addition to assistance from the subject librarians, students can also find guidance at the Info Commons Help Desk on the third floor of the library across the atrium. Students not working in the library can call 210-999-8130 for further instruction.