This series of profiles highlight valued student employees from across the Libraries, including Jessie Rollins, a student worker at the Library Information Office (LIO) in Butler Library. The Libraries are the largest employer of students on campus. We couldn’t serve our users without them!

Q: Which library do you work at and what is your role?

I am a student worker at the Library Information Office (LIO) in Butler Library.

Q: What does your job entail?

Most of what I do is talking to alumni and making their alumni cards, which grant them access to all the libraries on the Morningside campus. I also make library access cards for other people, like students from universities that Columbia has special access agreements with or spouses of students and faculty. Other than that, I largely just answer questions!

Q: Could you describe your favorite part of working at the Libraries?

My favorite part of working at the library is getting to have little conversations with the people that come into LIO. So many alumni have cool stories from when they went to Columbia and I’ve gotten some great advice. I also really love my coworkers!

Q: What is your area of study?

I’m a sophomore in Columbia College, so I haven’t technically been allowed to declare yet, but I’m planning to major in history and minor in political science. I generally love anything in the humanities.

Q: Of the libraries on campus, which is your favorite place to study?

I study most often in Butler, but I really love Burke Library in Union Theological Seminary. It’s so gorgeous there!

Q: What do you consider to be a “hidden gem” at the library where you work?

I don’t think this is super underground or anything, but I really like the 210 and 211 reading rooms on the ground floor of Butler. I love the high ceilings and the tall bookshelves. Plus, it’s always nice and quiet in there.

Q: What is your favorite book?

My absolute favorite book of all time is Normal People by Sally Rooney!