Natalie Hayes, student desk manager in the Access Services Department, is this year’s winner of the Outstanding Student Library Worker Award. When Hayes wasn’t helping patrons or answering questions at the circulation desk, she could be counted on to do any job necessary and in a highly professional manner. Hayes was a hard worker with a great work ethic.
“Natalie was a joy to work with,” said Marilyn Hanichak, desk and employment services operations manager for University Libraries. “She is the epitome of what we look for in a student employee.”
Attention to detail is critical in the Access Services Department, and Hayes was conscientious to doing just that. She was focused on the job when she was working and took pride in doing her best. She often took the time to meet every patron at his or her level of need and spoke to them in a caring manner.
“I nominated Natalie because I felt that she was the epitome of what we look for in a student employee and deserved to be recognized for her hard work and dependability,” said Hanichak.
Hayes also served as a mentor to many of her other student workers in the department. She was willing to go above and beyond to make sure that students visiting Jackson Library had what they needed to complete their assignments and was diligent in answering their questions. She especially excelled at helping students with printing and scanning documents, which can often be challenging.
Hayes began working in Jackson Library in August of 2018, and she graduated from UNCG this past May with a bachelor of arts degree in geography. The award, made possible by a generous gift of $500 from David Arneke, is given annually. Hayes’s name was also placed on the award plaque on display in Jackson Library.