Stop by the Bentley Library

and the friendly staffer who
assists you may just be the
Student Employee of the
Q

What attracted you to working at the library?

I know it sounds nerdy, but I really like books. I thought working at the library would be a good opportunity to both meet people and get the scoop on all the resources available to students.

Year for 2009: Julia Guilger.
A native of São Paulo,
Brazil, the Marketing major
was recognized for an
Q

What do you do there?

I split my time between two jobs. I work behind the desk as a library services representative, where I answer questions and help patrons find what they need. I also work in Interlibrary Loan. That involves searching for books and articles that students request, and sending materials to other schools who request information from us. I work about 12 hours a week, spread out over four days.

outstanding work ethic and
commitment to customer
service. The Student
Q

What do you like most about the work?

The access to information. I love seeing the new material that comes in: the books and, especially, the popular DVDs. I also enjoy the people — both the people who work at the library and everyone I get to meet when I’m working at the front desk.

Employment Office sponsors
the annual competition,
which this year drew 19
Q

What’s the strangest requested you’ve had?

One day, a guy asked for a Band-Aid, which I thought was weird. But then I found out that we have a first-aid kit at the services desk. Go figure. I also get asked all the time for things like envelopes, index cards. Sometimes I want to say, “We’re a library, not an office supply store.”

nominations. Along with the
accolades, Guilger receives
free textbooks next semester.
Q

What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

I love, love mysteries — anything by Agatha Christie or Raymond Chandler. I also like plays; it’s interesting to read playwrights like Shakespeare and Eugene O’Neill. Right now, I’m reading a collection of Portuguese poetry, Livro de Sonetos [Book of Sonnets], by Vinícius de Moraes.

Q

What does receiving this award mean to you?

It caught me by surprise . . . I was really honored. It’s nice validation of my efforts and motivation for me to continue working hard. They recognized me at a luncheon on campus. At the library, they put my picture up as a screensaver on all the computers, which was a little embarrassing. But it’s great that I’ll get free books next semester. That’s going to come in handy.

Q

What drew you to Bentley from Brazil?

I studied at an American school in Brazil and I wanted to keep up with my English. I wanted to be near a cosmopolitan city, like Boston, but I wanted a small campus. Someone from Bentley visited my school and I really liked what I heard. After I saw the DVD and the viewbook, I was sold.

Q

Now that you’re here, what do you like?

Bentley is very diverse, and the school does a good job supporting that diversity. There are always cultural programs and festivals going on, and the fact that we’re so close to Boston brings a mentality to be open to other cultures. In class, professors are really open; they ask me questions about Brazil and how things are done there. I think that’s really cool.

Maura King Scully talked with Julia Guilger for Observer.

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OBSERVER