My name is Toria Messinger and I am a Junior at the University of Puget Sound, majoring in Spanish Language, Culture, and Literature and minoring in Latin American Studies, Mathematics, and Latino Studies. I’m the Treasurer of CHispA (Community for Hispanic Awareness), a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and an Orientation 2013 Perspectives Coordinators.
I have worked at Collins Memorial Library for almost three years, first in the Learning Commons and later as an administrative assistant to Lori Ricigliano. I feel blessed to have found a position at the library; it is such a supportive and exciting environment. I always look forward to my shifts, and have gained valuable skills during my time here. The support and encouragement from my supervisors and coworkers has contributed to an extremely rewarding experience.
The library is a fantastic resource for both academic and personal research. I am in awe of the online resources available to students, such as EBSCO databases, Journal Locator, Summit and Puget Sound WorldCat. Additionally, the expertise of Liaison Librarians has proved invaluable on several occasions, both through personal consultation and through the utilization of their course websites and subject guides. Instead of struggling to locate sources, there is a wealth of texts and multi-media elements to use!
I have held several previous jobs in the field of customer service and feel that the library does an excellent job of stressing quality and attentiveness to patrons. I had the opportunity to be a part of the customer service training video last fall which was a great experience. All employees attend a yearly training, and I think this helps to clarify the high expectations of this institution as well as providing us with helpful tools and strategies for potential situations. During my time in the Learning Commons, the best feeling was successfully helping patrons locate materials and navigate technological issues.
I am an avid reader, and when asked to name my favorite book I always wallow around for a definitive answer. I would have to say that at this particular moment, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, and Taming the Star Runner by S.E. Hinton are three of my personal favorites!