Going "above and beyond" for those looking to use the college's Maker Services offerings has earned Abhishek Rauniyar SUNY Oswego’s 2017 Northern New York Library Network Outstanding Student Employee award.

Penfield librarians and staff had an opportunity to nominate student employees who exemplify the standards of service and professionalism that make them role models for all student workers in libraries. An internal Penfield Library committee evaluated and ranked all submitted nominations, selecting Rauniyar from a field of numerous deserving nominees.

A Penfield employee for two years, Rauniyar was selected for providing a high level of service and professionalism in support of the library's Maker Services. The rising junior computer science major was nominated by his supervisor, Sharona Ginsberg, Penfield’s learning technologies librarian.

"I am glad that I have been able to contribute to the Oswego community as a member of the Penfield Library's student employee team and look forward to always be of service to the student and faculty body at SUNY Oswego," Rauniyar said.

Rauniyar "is invaluable in supporting the library's Maker Services, going above and beyond the job he was initially hired for (3D printing assistant)," Ginsberg said. "He is responsible and professional in completing his duties. He has also taken over as president of the newly formed (student) Maker Club…His work is exemplary and he is a quick learner.”

The library's Maker Services is a combination of equipment, activities and events in support of creative, hands-on projects, both in and beyond the classroom. The service currently offesr access to tools such as 3D printers, a sewing machine, a button maker, crochet and knitting supplies, digital cameras, circuitry kits, microcontrollers, craft supplies and more, Ginsberg said. 

The Northern New York Library Network’s Outstanding Student Employee Award recognizes student workers who exhibit outstanding patron service skills and colleague interactions; demonstrate responsibility through professionalism and work performance; exhibit strong leadership among peers; and show interest and initiative in the library profession. Penfield Library is a member of the Northern New York Library Network, a regional multi-type library agency primarily dedicated to cooperatively providing support and services necessary for all of its members to meet their individual goals. NNYLN serves libraries in the seven counties of Northern New York for the ultimate benefit of the library user.

For more information on Penfield Library, contact Sarah Weisman, library director, at sarah.weisman@oswego.edu or 315-312-3557.