Undergraduate Library Advisor Program- George A. Smathers Libraries

Annika Cruz (Fall 2023- Fall 2024)

• Major: Computer Science

• Campus Involvement: Undergraduate Library Advisor

• Project Interests: student engagement, content creation, video editing

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: I personally love the Take-Home equipment from the libraries, and I’ve had many friends borrow really nice cameras for events. I’ve been able to avoid going home to grab a charger when it’s available at the circulation desk, but I also want to start renting camera equipment for fun!

Sophia Medina (Fall 2023-Fall 2024)

• Major: English 

• Campus Involvement: UF Fencing Club’s saber team 

• Project Interests: Student engagement

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: I want students to know just how much they (Smathers Libraries) have to offer with their extensive collections and resources! I think what I find most useful from the libraries as a student is the Primo Search option on the UF libraries’ website. Sometimes, I’ll need a book for a class, and I can search it up there quickly to see if the UF Libraries have it, whether online or in a physical collection! You can also search by ISBN, and I’ve done that often to borrow specific versions of books for my classes. On another note, I think the scrap paper at the front desk of Library West can come in handy too. I forgot to bring lined paper one day, so I used that in class instead. 

Braulio Q. Quintana (Fall 2023- Spring 2024)

• Major: Computer Science

• Campus Involvement: Undergraduate Library Advisor, Mexican American Student Association (MASA), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Hispanic Student Association (HSA)

• Project Interests: Student engagement, content creation

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: Personally, the library catalog and databases are my favorite resources as they simplify hunting down subjects of interest into material that I can use for FREE for classroom use or on personal projects.

Rebekkah Hudson (Fall 2023- Spring 2024)

• Major: Dual Major (History and Art History)

• Campus Involvement: Undergraduate Library Advisor, History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, Survivor: Florida

• Project Interests: Student engagement and content creation with an emphasis on services related to historic preservation (given I intend to work in that field post-graduation).

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: The Smathers Libraries offer many resources and services, but my favorite has to be the University Archives. As a history major, the ability to access primary and secondary sources is especially important when considering crafting research questions and carrying out research for practicums, theses, and dissertations. Within the University Archives, thousands of materials are present, ranging from magazines to photographs to artifacts and more. Given this vast range, I especially appreciate all of the librarians who are more than willing to help direct you as you navigate through the archives, as its size can be overwhelming.

Cassidy Smith (2021-2023)

• Major: English major with a specialization in children’s literature

• Campus Involvement: Extreme Dance Company

• Project Interests: Book editing

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: She loves to read, and her favorite spot in the libraries is the Smathers Library Grand Reading Room.

Omolola Suleiman (2021-2023)

• Major: Dual major (Biology and African American Studies)

• Campus Involvement: Campus Diplomats, Gatorship, and Footprints

• Project Interests: She finds the libraries to be a comforting respite space and wants to help ensure that her peers feel the same way.

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: She is an avid reader, and her favorite place to study is Marston because of its welcoming, social environment.

Ava Kaplan (2021-2023)

• Major: Political Science major with double minors in French and Philosophy

• Campus Involvement: Dedicated student activist working with the Food Justice UF initiative and the Goddsville Dream Defenders. She’s also on the executive board for the Hula Hooping Club.

• Project Interests: Interested in getting involved with the textbook affordability work through the libraries.

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: Her favorite library to hit up is Library West because of its spaces and collections, as well as its social atmosphere for collaborating with friends.

Nabil Chowdhury (2021-2022)

• Major: Microbiology and Cell Science with a minor in Health Disparities in Society

• Campus Involvement: Student leader in the Bangladeshi Students’ Association and the Center for Undergraduate Research Board of Students

• Project Interests: Interested in learning about capturing student activism in the University Archives.

• Favorite Smathers Libraries Resource or Service: His favorite place to study is Smathers Library because of its antique atmosphere and inspiring collections.