September 6, 2017

Drexel University Libraries offers many resources for Drexel’s veteran students, faculty and staff, but did you know about our Personal Librarian Program? With the fall 2017 term just a few weeks away, we sat down with Elise Ferer to learn more about the program and how it helps our newest Drexel Dragons.

A. Our Personal Librarian program raises awareness of the Libraries and the resources and services we offer new Drexel undergraduates. New students don’t always know where to go for help, and I’m here to connect students with the right person or department both within the Libraries and across campus. I see myself as an advocate for our undergrads, and I work to ensure new students understand that the Libraries staff want to help them succeed however we can. 

Q. What are some of the specific resources and services you provide to help new undergraduates?

A. I want all new undergrads to know that we are here to support them.  I recommend services and resources to students depending on what they need.  There is really no “one-size-fits-all” resource or service—it depends on what the student is studying and what they need, and I’m here to help them figure that out.

One thing I do for new students is send an email about once a month during their first year at Drexel. I work closely our communications manager and other liaison librarians to curate the content for these emails, and they feature profiles and information about the Libraries’ resources and services, as well as other information new students might find helpful.

Q. Welcome Week – Drexel’s week for incoming freshmen – is just a few weeks away. What activities do you have planned to welcome students to the Libraries?

A. We have been working hard to plan events, promotional materials and activities to help our new first-year students familiarize themselves with the Drexel Libraries. We’re having open houses in the W. W. Hagerty Library over the course of three days during Welcome Week, during which the liaison librarians and I will greet students and answer their questions, run a scavenger hunt and more. I’m also hosting a workshop that introduces students to the tools and habits that can prepare them for their first quarter at Drexel, and the liaison librarians will be attending events in the individual schools and colleges too.

Q. Do you work with upper classmen or transfer students who come to Drexel as new students after freshmen year?

A. Absolutely!  It can be harder to reach out to upper classmen, but I want to be just as available to them as to freshmen. I think it’s particularly important to reach out to transfer students as they’ll come to Drexel with some college experience, but Drexel is much different then other colleges and universities, and I want to help them as much as I can.

Q. What’s your best advice for incoming freshmen and all Drexel students?

Learn about all the resources on campus to help you succeed academically and professionally, and if you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask your Personal Librarian for help!