Rhiannon Wallace
2018/19 iSchool MLIS Co-op Student of the Year
Excellence in the Workplace
During her term as a Children’s Programmer at the Invermere Public Library (IPL), Rhiannon planned and co-facilitated IPL’s 2019 Summer Reading Club (SRC), as well as developed, prepared and implemented weekly family story times, worked at the circulation desk to assist patrons, and ran special events for children and their families.
Amongst her numerous achievements, what stood out was Rhiannon’s development and implementation of the SRC program for children in grades 4-7. Her innovative approach of incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts into hands-on activities and reading from a different novel each week ensured a regular attendance of 8-10 children, where they had previously seen little to no attendance at all. In the short 4 months of the co-op term, Library Director Nicole Pawlak believes Rhiannon’s contribution to the library will be “felt for years to come.”
Community Involvement
Rhiannon showed a high level of commitment and enthusiasm by voluntarily participating in several community events over the summer. She took the initiative to engage with members of the public, by promoting the SRC at pop-up events and preparing tailored crafts for weekly movie nights. She also represented IPL at other community events such as Invermere’s Pride festival and the annual Canada Day Parade. She recently attended the Children and Teen Services Conference in Kelowna and is currently the Chair of UBC’s BC Library Association Student Chapter.
Co-op: A Foundation for Future Success
Overall, Rhiannon feels that her co-op experience has strengthened her desire to pursue public youth and children’s librarianship. “I hope to contribute to the provision of equal access to information, resources, welcoming spaces, and valuable programs through a career as a public librarian,” Rhiannon reflects. She believes her time with IPL significantly contributed to her ability as an employee and as a librarian. Complementing her work with the IPL, the acceptance of her first children’s book for publication proved her goals to not only be achievable but in parallel to her skills, interests, and values.
About the iSchool Co-op Student of the Year Award
The Arts Co-op Program’s Student of the Year Award recognizes two co-op students in UBC iSchool. Two annual awards of $1,000 are available: one to a MLIS or dual student (who used their MLIS background on the co-op job) and the other to a MAS or dual student (who used their MAS background on the co-op job).
These annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in all aspects of the UBC iSchool co-op student’s performance, including academics, the workplace, and professional/community involvement.
Rhiannon Wallace
2018/19 iSchool MLIS Co-op Student of the Year
Excellence in the Workplace
During her term as a Children’s Programmer at the Invermere Public Library (IPL), Rhiannon planned and co-facilitated IPL’s 2019 Summer Reading Club (SRC), as well as developed, prepared and implemented weekly family story times, worked at the circulation desk to assist patrons, and ran special events for children and their families.
Amongst her numerous achievements, what stood out was Rhiannon’s development and implementation of the SRC program for children in grades 4-7. Her innovative approach of incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts into hands-on activities and reading from a different novel each week ensured a regular attendance of 8-10 children, where they had previously seen little to no attendance at all. In the short 4 months of the co-op term, Library Director Nicole Pawlak believes Rhiannon’s contribution to the library will be “felt for years to come.”
Community Involvement
Rhiannon showed a high level of commitment and enthusiasm by voluntarily participating in several community events over the summer. She took the initiative to engage with members of the public, by promoting the SRC at pop-up events and preparing tailored crafts for weekly movie nights. She also represented IPL at other community events such as Invermere’s Pride festival and the annual Canada Day Parade. She recently attended the Children and Teen Services Conference in Kelowna and is currently the Chair of UBC’s BC Library Association Student Chapter.
Co-op: A Foundation for Future Success
Overall, Rhiannon feels that her co-op experience has strengthened her desire to pursue public youth and children’s librarianship. “I hope to contribute to the provision of equal access to information, resources, welcoming spaces, and valuable programs through a career as a public librarian,” Rhiannon reflects. She believes her time with IPL significantly contributed to her ability as an employee and as a librarian. Complementing her work with the IPL, the acceptance of her first children’s book for publication proved her goals to not only be achievable but in parallel to her skills, interests, and values.
About the iSchool Co-op Student of the Year Award
The Arts Co-op Program’s Student of the Year Award recognizes two co-op students in UBC iSchool. Two annual awards of $1,000 are available: one to a MLIS or dual student (who used their MLIS background on the co-op job) and the other to a MAS or dual student (who used their MAS background on the co-op job).
These annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in all aspects of the UBC iSchool co-op student’s performance, including academics, the workplace, and professional/community involvement.