Isabella Benson & Shannon Gaughan

For a librarian and her student, technical help can be found in the Shepherd library.

Technical ability doesn’t necessarily come naturally to everyone. For many, it’s a struggle. Finding cables, memorizing passwords, and general digital-literacy can cause dread. But for Isabella Benson, a student at Shepherd, she’s helping other students overcome their lack of access to and abilities with iPads and more. It could be anything, from a keyboard not attaching, to a faulty connection with the VPN; whatever it is, Benson and the librarian, Shannon Gaughan, are seeing to it that students have what they need, when they need it. They’re alleviating that dread and easing those burdens by helping out any time they can.

It’s often easier to hear how to use a computer or an iPad from a peer rather than our superiors. Isabella helps in that way too, instructing her fellow students at whatever level they are on. The hub in the library is known as the Technology Club. It’s got an inviting name to it, one that ensures students come to borrow and visit. Isabella is one of two students that assist and help loan out items. Shannon Gaughan and Isabella Benson are also planning on furthering what they do and how they do it. The future looks bright.

As to one of these developments, Gaughan notes, “We thought about even maybe doing a live stream morning announcement.” That would certainly be something kids would look forward to, as well as being able to put faces to the words issuing from speakers. Given that they’ve already served eight or so kids this morning, the library/technical hub could always use another hand. Isabella is always doing what she can to help, but things are often busy.

On any given day, the library can loan out eighteen iPads, for the kids that need them, for those that need help learning how to use them. Isabella sees to it that the Technology Club keeps track of everything checked out. They keep names on file for the iPads that are in the hands of students, and as always, service comes with a smile and helpful tips.

Gaughan has worked in the Ottawa district for 10 years, and this is her first year as a librarian. Isabella is “her righthand girl,” helping every step of the way in any way she can. Surely it’s exciting to be of use, and to be around the latest technology that students want and need. Plus, there’s all the books and magazines. It’s a good mix of the old and new.

Gaughan and Benson let parents know when their kids will need to check out the technology offered by the Club. They also let them know if and when their kids will need help, and how many specific times kids are taking out loaners. This requires precision and diligence, and Shannon Gaughan and Isabella Benson do it well, as a team. Judging from their chemistry, I would feel at ease and even happy to have them help this self-admitted Luddite. There’s no doubt that the students at Ottawa are lucky to have them working for them.

Aldous Huxley wrote, “Technology is a faster way of going backwards.” Perhaps, but to have friendly, capable souls helping us with technology is maybe a way forward. With Gaughan and Benson, among the books and rooms within the library, there’s no doubt students are going forward. And with their own ideas and plans to take Tech Club to the next level, along with the general help they graciously give, there’s a humanizing factor at play as well. For those students wary or reluctant to take on technology, it’s good to know there are friendly, helpful faces waiting to help, all within the library, all within reach.