Helping Hand Nominees -- Individual Category
Awarded to the person who has gone out of their way to help a fellow UGA Libraries employee in a unique situation of unusual stress. This concerns how the nominee went outside of normal work expectations in a specific instance for the benefit of the UGA Libraries mission as a whole and the benefit of a specific employee in the particular situation.
Betty Fox
Acquisitions/Russell Library
What was the specific situation that required special/emergency help?
At the beginning of 2006 the Russell Library unexpectedly lost two key members of its department. One of the vacant positions served as the first contact at the front entrance for all visitors, and also provided coordination and assistance for many Russell activities. The department shifted roles to take care of many of these reponsibilities, but staffing the front desk proved to be a hardship.How has the work of the nominee affected the way the Libraries' carry out its mission? Your department?
After hearing of this need, Betty Fox and Caroline Killens came to the aid of the Russell Library. Caroline and Betty agreed that Betty would come down for several hours each day and work in the Russell Library at the front desk until the department could hire some new staff members. The Russell Library rejoiced at her arrival! Fewer doorbells to answer, fewer missed phonecalls, fewer distractions from regular duties--in short, Betty's presence allowed Russell staff to get back to focusing on their regular duties. Indeed, Betty took "assuming other duties as assigned" to a higher level. She was unfailingly flexible and convivial, steadfastly alerting staff of any change to her shedule, but cheerfully accepting last minutes requests to change this schedule. She also brought her significant experience with all things acquisitions to bear on the Russell Library's book collection. (Book ordering is normally in the province of one of the vacant Russell positions.) Betty guided staff in procedures, handled acquisitions tasks herself, and generally served as a troubleshooter and mentor for this work.What was the outcome of the aforementioned situation?
Fortunately, the Russell Library has at last welcomed a new staff person to its vacant position so Betty can return to her normal routine. The Russell Library staff is grateful to Betty for helping the department through this rough patch and also appreciates Caroline Killens's willingness to share Betty and her prodigious talents. As far as the Russell Library is concerned Betty is now officially a member of the team, and once a Russellite always a Russellite!What else do you think the ASSET Awards Committee should know about your nominee?
Without Betty many of the everyday functions of the Russell Library could not have been effectively maintained.| back to top |