Student Spotlights highlight the contributions our UO Libraries’ student employees make every day. More than 160 students contribute to our endeavors each year while building their career skills! Read on to meet one of our students who helps make UO Libraries an amazing place to research, study, learn, and work.

Two Jobs Means Twice the Learning

Ryan Robertson, a recent anthropology graduate, ’24, works in both Facilities and Mailroom Operations at Knight Library. His tasks range from delivering books and mail across the five UO Libraries locations on the Eugene campus to managing on-site maintenance tasks, such as replacing light bulbs, cleaning, and moving furniture. In the mailroom, he checks-in deliveries, organizes shipments, and ensures that materials, from books to guitars to video games, reach the right destinations.

Warehouse Coordinator Matt Schneider, one of Ryan’s supervisors, emphasized that on top of doing these daily duties, Ryan is excellent at adjusting his work based on where he’s needed, and this sense of flexibility has made him a very versatile worker.

“When Ryan starts a shift, he first checks in with [Maintenance Labor Coordinator] Doug Hodson to see if there is anything that needs his immediate attention. If there isn’t, Ryan will then check in with me and from that point to the end of his shift, he checks in with both sides of the department to see where he’s needed most.”  

Working on campus has its many perks, but Ryan’s favorite parts are the people he’s met and the skills he’s gained.

“There are a lot of really nice people, and they treat me very well. This job has also helped me organize a lot.”

Recently while Schneider was out of the office, Ryan cleaned and organized the entire mailroom, surprising Schneider upon his return and improving the efficiency of the shared workspace.

Archaeology in Action

With his Anthropology degree in hand, Ryan hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Archaeology. Last summer he participated in a groundbreaking field school experience through the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History. The program took him to Watsonville, California, where he participated in indigenous-led research with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to preserve their cultural heritage.

“We went to a few different historical locations that are of importance to [the tribe] and did excavations directed by tribal members, so anything we found was given to them,” Ryan explains.

Much like UO Libraries works to preserve and share its resources, “we worked with the tribe to ensure that Amah Mutsun history is being preserved.”

"Having the opportunity to work with so many people who are passionate about respectfully preserving history makes me even more passionate about becoming an archaeologist," Ryan says.

Along with his love for archaeology, he remains interested in the university’s variety of special collections and archives. With his desire to further his experiences in Archaeology, he’s also looking into a possible library science degree. No matter what path Ryan takes, his initiative, curiosity, flexibility, and versatility will serve him well.