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The University Library honors our graduating student workers

This May, eight library student employees will be graduating. We will be honoring these wonderful students to extend our thanks for their years of service. They will be presented with a certificate of recognition, a bookmark, and an honor cord for graduation. In addition, they will be featured on the Data Viz Wall. Circulation: Kaitlin Gauggel of Holbrook, NY, will be graduating with a degree in Psychology. She has been working at the library since 2021. Upon graduation, Kaitlin plans to work full-time as a Registered Behavior Technician and get her master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis. Natalia Villegas of Sarasota will be graduating with a degree in English. She has been working at the library since September 2023. After graduation, Natalia plans to teach elementary school and work toward her master's. Taylor Melson of Estero will be graduating with a degree in Digital Media Design. She has been working at the library since the summer of 2024. Her post-graduation plans include gaining relevant work experience, working on creative passion projects, and expanding her art business—Taylor’s World Creations. “I have really enjoyed my time at the library and can say it is my favorite job I have ever had. I could see myself pursuing a job within this field in the future, as I know it is something that brings me fulfilment and job satisfaction,” she said. University Archives and Special Collections: Olivia Bechdel of Fort Myers will be graduating with a degree in Environmental Education. She has been working as an archival assistant since January 2022. Upon graduation, Olivia wants to become a park ranger. “My favorite memories are often coming in the day before an exhibit opening. You can just feel the excitement,” she said. Xena McKinley of Idyllwild, Calif., will be graduating with a degree in History. She has been working as an archival assistant since June 2024. Her post-graduation plans are to gain more experience in our archives and pursue a graduate degree in Library Information Sciences with a focus on archival work. “Working so closely with the [Lawrence Quinn] family gave a unique perspective I did not have regarding archival work, and I have been privileged to help preserve Lt. Quinn's legacy for his family,” she said. Library Marketing & Outreach: Haley Jarrett of Plant City will be graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She has been working as an ambassador since Fall 2022. Her post-graduation plan is to become an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist. “I have loved my time working at the library. My favorite memory has been planning and executing different fun events with all of my coworkers,” she said. Nahiara Melendez-Nieves of Ave Maria will be graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She has been working as an ambassador since Fall 2022. Nahiara plans to return home and start her teaching career in August after graduation. Adriana Vidal of Bradenton will be graduating with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She has been working as an ambassador since Fall 2023. Post-graduation, Adriana plans to earn more clinical hours and prepare for the MCAT. “I really enjoyed taking part in the creative activities and having such amazing co-workers,” she said. Thank you, students, for your service and contribution to the amazing culture of the library. You will be missed! You all have bright futures ahead of you! ...

University Archives partners with the Department of Art for creative inspiration and research

Join University Archives and Special Collections in conjunction with the Spring 2025 History of Photography course for “The Student Research Summit: A Collaborative Fair of Creative Archival-Inspired Projects” on Monday, April 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This “science fair” style showcase will highlight semester-long projects of FGCU students who have found inspiration in the University Archives and Special Collections to create new, creative, and scholarly works. Throughout the semester, the students in this course worked with historic photographs, rare books, Florida postcards, and other materials. They then reimagined these sources, expanding upon scholarship and creating new visual interpretations. From re-stagings of vintage postcards to podcasts and original paintings, the projects celebrate our region’s history. Join us on the first floor of Library West at the Data Viz Wall. Instructors, archivists, and student creators will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the stories behind the work. The celebration welcomes FGCU students, faculty, staff, and the public to explore how archives serve as a springboard for innovative academic research. ...

Don't Go Textbook Broke—The Library can Help

Textbooks cost college students approximately $1,200 per year. The Education Data Initiative suggests that 65% of college students skip buying textbooks because of the expense. The University Library works to provide access to more than 2,000 print and electronic textbooks, including those with the highest price tags and classes with high enrollment. Search the library's course reserve collection to find out if your textbook is available. ...

The Kids Can’t Read Cursive!?

By Victoria Jones, University Archivist Over the last several years, it has become increasingly common to come across students who are unable to read cursive handwriting. In the archive, we began to notice this as our interns and student workers expressed difficulty describing and transcribing letters, diaries, and other materials. Why? They couldn’t read the writing.Letter to Laurence Bubbett, 1917, Koreshan Unity Collection.Also known as script and connected writing, cursive is a style of writing where the letters are joined together in some way. Unfortunately, this style of handwriting declined in popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s. Then, in the 2010s, cursive was removed from the curriculum of many K-12 schools across the country. As a result, many of our students have received little or no instruction in reading or writing cursive.Dr. Melodie Eichbauer helps a student decipher medieval script.Reading cursive is still a valuable skill, though. Scholars often study languages to better understand their area or time of research. Papal historians, for example, study Latin. Similarly, students studying the 20th century (and earlier!) need to understand the written language of the time - cursive. This year, the University Archives and Special Collections sought to tackle this situation head-on! We offered two workshops – one in December and one in April – where we shared with students how to read cursive and tips that we use in our own work. We also partnered with Dr. Melodie Eichbauer and Dr. Jordan Von Cannon for our April event. “Deciphering Cursive.” The two professors brought an amazing perspective that highlighted their experiences researching Medieval papal law and 19th-century female authors. We all had fun and got practical advice for our next cursive projects! Want to get some practice in? Here are some great items to get started with: Postcard to Gloria Baylin, 1941, from the Joseph Fishbein P.O.W. Collection Letter to Fritz, 1880, from the Southwest Florida History Collection Day Book of Mona Burroughs, 1915 - Southwest Florida History Collection. Follow us on Instagram (@fgcuarchives) to hear about our next cursive reading workshop. We hope to see you there! ...

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