University Libraries’ Student Assistant is New Ball State Trustee

Indiana’s Governor Mitch Daniels has appointed Nicole M. Vauter to serve on the Ball State University Board of Trustees. Nicole has worked in the University Libraries as a student assistant since the second semester of her freshman year.

Nicole, who hales from Hebron, Indiana, is a third year student, pursuing a double major in finance and economics. In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees, Nicole has a fellowship at the Miller College of Business and is assigned to meet with prospective College of Business students and their families. She also keeps active with START, the Student-Alumni Relations Team, and Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity. “I’m looking forward to learning more about all the different things I’m involved in,” says Nicole.

Nicole is a Circulation/Reserves Student Assistant in the University Libraries. This means that students and faculty may run into her the next time they check out a book or pick up an Interlibrary Loan item at Bracken’s Circulation Desk. Nicole can also be found creating network guest passes, organizing book trucks, and shifting books in the stacks.

About working at the University Libraries, Nicole says she likes the opportunity she has found to create so many fun and interesting relationships with the full-time personnel and student assistants. “I love the people I work with. It’s a fun atmosphere.”

Diane Frankland, Nicole’s supervisor, said that it is hard to put in just a few words an adequate description of Nicole. “Nicole is a very sweet person, and also diligent, caring, and responsible, with a lot to offer. I think she’ll go a long way.”

Pirate Theme Chosen for Visit to Bracken Library by Cardinal Kids Camp

More than 100 children from kindergarten through eighth grade visited Bracken Library during the week of June 11, 2007, as part of Cardinal Kids Camp. The campus outings expose children to various aspects of the college environment. Staff counselors are Ball State students, many of whom use these experiences to prepare for future teaching. During the visit, some of the University Libraries’ personnel collaborated with Kids Camp organizers from Ball State’s Office of Recreation Services to host the visit and to use items from the Libraries’ extensive collection relevant to teacher training.

“The kids really enjoyed their time and had a lot of cool things to go home with,” said Emily Clark, a member of the administrative staff for Cardinal Kids Camp. “The map-making, learning about pirates' way of life, and the scavenger hunt really enhanced our Pirates of the Caribbean week.”