At the University Libraries, faculty and staff bring diverse backgrounds and interests to their roles, elevating the Libraries’ culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and lifelong learning and curiosity. We asked Outreach and Engagement Events Manager Erin Swift a few questions about her work, to find out more about the inspiration behind her contributions to the campus community.
Q: In your own words, what is a quick overview of your role at the Libraries?
A: As the Outreach and Engagement Events Manager, my primary role is working alongside faculty and staff to help dream up and then execute Libraries and ETC events with a largely student audience. That said, many of the events in my portfolio are open to CMU faculty, staff, and community members as well.
Q: Talk a little about the work you’re most passionate about. Why have you chosen to pursue this work within a library setting?
A: I’ve been described by friends as a connector. I really enjoy identifying opportunities where I can connect people with other people, but I also love connecting someone’s great idea to a tangible reality. A lot of events management involves connecting an event concept to a physical space, a colleague to new marketing channels, or students to other students by way of a successful event.
Q: Share an experience or skillset that people might not expect a library worker to have. How is it a game changer for the work you do at CMU?
A: I love small talk! I don’t know that it’s a skillset, but it really does come in handy with event prep and execution. I’ve found that strategic small talk is a great way to diffuse tension or even just provide a helpful distraction when people are starting to reach that tipping point of frustration, energy, hunger, etc. For example, chatting with colleagues and vendors in between lugging heavy tables and tech all around a building is a great way to pass time instead of just miserably thinking ahead to the next unfortunately large thing we have to haul. And a quick comment or question at the registration table can remind attendees that we’re happy they’ve joined us, even if they had to wait in line longer than they would’ve liked. I will never stop believing in the power of small talk as long as I live!
Q: The Libraries serves as a neutral convening space to bring different areas of campus together. How do you value collaboration in your work? Can you give us an example of a recent collaboration that has helped a project reach new heights?
A: Collaboration allows for diverse perspectives and additional considerations, something that I would argue all events benefit from. It's also cool to see an idea spiral, evolve, and build upon itself as collaborators work together. In short, events with a high level of collaboration tend to offer a more enriching experience.
Right now we’re working hard on the fifth annual Heading to the Point with the Office of Vice Provost for Community, Engagement, and Excellence, which is a great example of collaboration in action. This year, Vice Provost for Community, Culture and Engagement Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant will lead a discussion with our guest speaker, Dr. Deborah J. Rogers, Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, about the ways that libraries empower communities, impact culture, and provide access to meaningful resources and tools. This event is special in that it highlights a strong partnership between Libraries and the Office of Community, Culture and Engagement, in addition to being a great example of community collaboration between Libraries and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Collaboration also led to Libraries’ new Hands-On event series. Various Libraries colleagues independently noticed a strong student interest in activity-based events that offer the materials and space to take a break from their work and screens and get creative. We kicked things off with Pennant-Making and Pizza, which was a huge success with over 130 students stopping by to craft a personalized pennant that embodies their own CMU experience. We’re also looking ahead to more Hands-On events to celebrate both Halloween and Homecoming.
Q: What’s an area that you want to innovate and push boundaries in? Why is it exciting to you?
A: I really want to challenge the idea that students simply won’t show up to events and are generally disengaged. My experience working with Libraries doesn’t reflect that at all. The Libraries Student Advisory Council is a great example to the contrary; the members are fully driven by a desire to connect with the larger campus community and empower others to make their mark during their time at CMU. We’ve also seen some incredible attendance at Libraries events, from 50 people at Constitution Day, to 75 at our Lunar New Year celebration, to 130 at the Pizza and Pennant-making workshop.
I think these numbers communicate a student desire TO engage; we just need to make sure we’re offering events that actually interest them. Is food a powerful motivator for students? Absolutely! But they stick around for more than that if they see something cool happening.
Q: What’s something in the Libraries that speaks to you personally? This can be a book, something in the Archives or Special Collections, a space in one of the buildings — anything you want to highlight!
A: I really like the wooden desk seating in the windows on the second floor along the east side of Hunt Library. I love a nook and I love that they overlook the Peace Garden.