Pronouns: she/they
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Meet Ayiana
Hi! I’m Ayiana Crabtree. I’m a Student Success Librarian at SUNY Polytechnic, and alumni of the University at Buffalo Master of Science in Information and Library Science (MS-ILS) program (2024). I do a lot of different things at my job, from planning, promoting, and carrying out student-focused library events to teaching one-shot research-focused instructional sessions. I love that my job allows me to be creative in everything I do, making promotional materials, developing informational workshops, submitting conference proposals, and serving on various professional committees to help build my network. I’m a member of ASIS&T, SUNYLA, Beta Phi Mu, ALISE, ALA, BCALA, and NYLA. Chair for NEASIST. Campus delegate for SUNYLA. Director on the Executive Board for Beta Phi Mu.
Long term/speaking more broadly, I’m pursuing a career in Academic Librarianship with a focus on Student Success. I wanted to become a librarian because I understand the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that supports lifelong learning, curiosity, and access to information. In a broader sense, I hope that in my career and any future endeavors, I will be able to foster an inclusive environment that is welcoming for people of all backgrounds. Ensuring that everyone feels welcome is important in any space but is crucial in libraries. Libraries are extremely important to student success during college because of the indispensable resources they provide to aid students in their academic endeavors. They can provide a safe space for students from all disciplines to engage in research and inspire communities of budding scholars. At SUNY Polytechnic, they focus on the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
Some of the “issues” (for lack of a better word) that I would like to focus future research on include but are not limited to:
– AI and how librarians could lead AI literacy efforts in academic libraries
– How to make libraries more welcoming to students (library anxiety)
– How libraries can effectively contribute to student success in undergraduate degree programs
– How academic libraries can (and should) play a role in educating their communities on AI
– Advocating for LIS degree programs to make a DEIB course a degree requirement
– Inconsistencies across ALA-accredited degree programs
– Studying the importance of hands-on experience in LIS degree programs
– Barriers to entering librarianship (i.e. LIS degree requirement)
– Advocating for the retention of librarians who identify as BIPOC or from other underrepresented groups
Resume
Education
Master of Science in Information and Library Science – University at Buffalo
Graduated Spring 2024
Bachelor of Arts in English: Creative Writing, Honors Program, Cum Laude – University of Rochester
Graduated Spring 2022
Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Clusters in European History and Graphics Programming
Current Experiences
WORK
Student Success Librarian – SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Peter J. Cayan Library
(June 2024-present)
• Planned and taught a Library 101 and Research 101 information session for various First Year Seminar and other courses. Created a pre-recorded version of the sessions for the library’s YouTube channels for the classes who could not fit in an in-person session.
• Created custom Information Literacy and Intro to Research sessions for a variety of classes, delivered through face-to-face instruction during their class periods.
• Planned, promoted, and carried out various library social events to keep students engaged with the library space.
• Planned and promoted a library passport initiative to help encourage students to visit the library throughout the semester.
• Wrote content for various school brochures and webpages to keep students up to date with the library’s resources and services. Started a monthly Library newsletter on a student-focused event platform, Engage/Corq.
• Developed a workshop to teach students and faculty about AI and Information Literacy
• Analyzed data collected from instruction sessions and events to improve services offered
VOLUNTEER
Chair – Northeast Chapter of the Association of Information Science and Technology
(September 2024-present)
This position is a three year commitment, being Chair-Elect for the first year, Chair for the second, and Past Chair for the third. Current Officers List
Director – Beta Phi Mu Executive Board
(October 2025-present)
Served on the Executive Board as a Beta Phi Mu director. This is a three year term.
Moderator – AI CoP Discord Server
(September 2024-present)
• Served as a Moderator for the AI CoP (Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice) Discord server, a place for Librarians to discuss how AI is impacting their work and the field as a whole
• Planned events for community engagement
Community Moderator – “Innersloth (Among Us)” Discord Server, Innersloth
(January 2022-present)
• Served as a Community Moderator for the Innersloth (Among Us) Discord server, a community of over 500,000 people
• Worked with a team of other moderators to promote a welcoming and inclusive community and assist with customer service through a support ticket system.
Community Moderator – “Among Us VR“, “I Expect You to Die“, and “Schell Games” Discord Servers, Schell Games
(September 2022-present)
• Served as a community moderator for three unique online communities made up of a combined total of 30,000 people to maintain a welcoming environment
• Assisted with customer service through a support ticket system and answered questions in public channels
CERTIFICATIONS
Foundations of AI
Awarded by Elsevier Library Connect Academy
This self-paced online course reviewed the foundations of Generative AI, including introductory terminology and how Elsevier are applying Generative AI to their own services. Certificate awarded on December 23rd, 2024.
Benefits & Risks of AI
Awarded by Elsevier Library Connect Academy
This self-paced online course reviewed the potential benefits that Generative AI has for research, higher education, and librarians while also highlighting the current limitations of the technology (like hallucinations and bias). Certificate awarded on December 19th, 2024.
Exploring AI with Critical Information Literacy Certificate
Awarded by ACRL and ALA
From July 15 to August 9 I attended the ARCL and ALA eLearning course on exploring AI through critical information literacy. This course gave a detailed look into how AI is impacting libraries and how librarians can navigate the many challenges posed by AI.
AI Certification
Awarded by ASIS&T through the IDEA Institute on AI
From May 28-31 I attended the ASIS&T’s IDEA Institute for AI to learn about how AI has, is, and will impact libraries as the technology develops. This certification provides recognition of my commitment to continuing education in this area.
Master of Science in Information and Library Science
University at Buffalo
Credential ID: 242PP4OOACE9
Credential Verification Link:
https://registrar.buffalo.edu/diploma/credential-validation.php
Past Experiences
Graduate Research Assistant – University at Buffalo Information and Library Science Department
(June 2022-May 2024)
• Worked as a graduate research assistant on a project studying the retention of BIPOC Librarians under associate professor of Information Science, Dr. Amy Vanscoy, and her team
• Edited and maintained the project’s website on WordPress
• Created conference posters and organized research information
• Assembled a literature review for a presentation, contributed to a paper for, and presented at ACRL 2023
• Assembled and co-presented a poster for ASIS&T 2023
UniBuddy Student Ambassador – University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education
(September 2022-May 2024)
• Served as a student ambassador to aid in the recruitment of potential students for the University at Buffalo GSE.
• Responded to UniBuddy chat inquiries from prospective students to answer questions about the Information Science program and the GSE.
• Wrote informational LinkedIn posts to provide helpful tips and tricks for incoming graduate students.
President – Information Science Department Graduate Student Association, University at Buffalo
(July 2022-May 2024)
• Organized and hosted monthly club meetings and assembled educational skill-building workshops to help students meet their full potential as future librarians
• Served as a student representative on the Western New York Library Resources Council to increase student relations with the council
• Fostered a vibrant online community of information science students to assist in student networking for the all-online master’s degree program
• Served as the Acting President of the IS-GSA to get the club back up and running after it had been inactive for a few years.
• Wrote the new IS-GSA By-Laws and organized information sessions to recruit new members for the organization.
• Built and maintained the organization’s website using WordPress
Lead Researcher – University of Hartford (Contracted)
(June 2023-August 2023)
• Conducted research for a Carnegie-Whitney grant project titled “Academic Libraries’ Retention of BIPOC-Identifying Librarians in the Field of Library Information Sciences through Mentorship: A Guide for Managers and Supervisors” under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Dill, Director of the University Libraries at the University of Hartford
• Presented at IDEAL 2024 in Toronto, Canada
User Experience Intern – University of Rochester, River Campus Libraries
(June 2023-August 2023)
• Worked with the User Experience and Communications department to develop a social media strategy for a professional social network (LinkedIn).
• Worked with the Learning Initiatives department to apply pedagogical theory to teaching content related to information literacy instruction and training and gain experience providing instruction.
EmTech Partner – SUNY Exploring Emerging Technologies for Lifelong Learning and Success
(January 2023-May 2023)
• Served as a volunteer partner for the SUNY EmTech Wiki and MOOC
• Reviewed the course for any inconsistencies and gave suggestions for improvement
• Added resources to the wiki page to expand the database of resources related to Extended Reality technologies
Academic Programs and Curriculum Committee Member – University at Buffalo Information and Library Science Department
(September 2022-May 2023)
• Served as a student representative on the Information and Library Science department’s Academic Programs and Curriculum Committee (APCC) for the 2022-2023 academic year.
XR Specialist – University of Rochester, River Campus Libraries, Studio X
(September 2021-May 2022)
• Assisted in running the space and helped patrons check out XR (extended reality) equipment
• Provided technical support for those using the Oculus Quest 2 headsets
• Worked with Blender (3D modeling software) to assist with a VR project
Karp Library Fellow, XR Researcher – University of Rochester, River Campus Libraries, Studio X
(January 2021-April 2022)
• Researched topics that present challenges for XR (extended reality)
• Conducted user experience research to understand humanities student, faculty, and staff needs
• Conducted research to understand the barriers of XR and accessibility
• Summarized and presented on research findings
• Outlined and implemented recommendations for humanities XR engagement
• Developed and delivered workshops and trainings based on research findings
Digital Scholarship Intern – University of Rochester, River Campus Libraries, Digital Scholarship Department
(June 2021-August 2021)
• Worked closely with the Immersive Technologies Librarian to prepare for the opening of Studio X
• Created and managed Studio X’s social media accounts
• Wrote blog posts for XR@UR, Studio X’s blog
• Scripted, filmed, and edited This Month in XR, a YouTube series that highlights XR developments at the UR and beyond
• Edited the Studio X website using WordPress and basic HTML
• Created staff training and team-building activities for new hires
• Developed engagement strategies such as workshops, scavenger hunts, and competitions for users new to XR
Editor – University of Rochester, Seward Family Digital Archive Project
(August 2020-April 2021)
• Collaborated with colleagues to annotate and edit letters and journal entries from the Seward Archives so they can be made public for historical records
• Researched information regarding the project (relevant to the mid-1800s) to further contextualize the contents of each letter and journal
• Worked with TEI to prepare letters and journals to be uploaded to the website
Library Intern – University of Rochester, River Campus Libraries, Robbins Library
(August 2020 – Dec 2020)
• Created a digital exhibit for the library’s Herpich Arthuriana collection to showcase its content to the public using LibGuides
• Researched relevant historical information regarding the Arthurian legends to provide context for the collection
Career Exploration in Librarianship and Mentoring Scholar – University of Rochester, River Campus Libraries
(January 2020 – May 2020)
• Interned to learn about how to become a librarian and pursue a career in library and information science
• Learned and presented about assistive technology and how it could better the university and its surrounding community
• Conducted research with my advisor on assistive technology to present to the CEILAM committee
Communications Intern – Northern Onondaga Public Library System
(May 2019 – August 2019)
• Worked in the Communications Department of the NOPL Cicero location to improve the library website
• Wrote articles for the blog and local newspaper
• Assisted in the graphic design of handouts and flyers for the library’s various programs to promote patron interaction
• Took and edited photographs at various events to post to the library’s Facebook page
• Helped run a variety of social media accounts for the library
• Promoted an inclusive and engaging environment at various programs such as story time, teen book club, and LGBT+ events during Pride month
Part-Time Clerk I – Northern Onondaga Public Library System
(May 2019 – August 2019)
• Supported patron services by greeting patrons and checking out library materials
• Handled patron inquiries from locating items to troubleshooting technologies
• Managed patron accounts
Ayiana Crabtree 
