Christy Ruby's new role as a public relations librarian at Eastern New Mexico University includes handling social media content for the Golden Student Success Center (GSSC) and the Golden Library (located inside of the GSSC), managing content on the building's interactive media cube and two-story digital wall and serving as a reference librarian.
Christy describes the interactive media cube as a "unique concept for a student center and library."
"The cube and art screens will have information and tools focused on student success in both academic and social circles. They will highlight the services and collections in the GSSC and around campus. Events for students in the community could also be featured. The cube will have a section where visitors and students can write or draw something, and it could be posted on the cube. A video game system will also be included in the cube."
An interactive campus and building map, upcoming events, social media feeds, tutor schedule, alumni spotlight stories and student success spotlight stories will be available on the cube. The art screens will show student art and student-related information.
Christy's favorite part of the public relations library position is "being able to talk to all kinds of people and include others in my decision-making process. I also like how creative I am allowed to be in marketing the unique services and opportunities for students at the GSSC."
Her goals for the interactive media cube and social media presence are to "include all students, whether traditional or long-distance, and inform students about the services available. I also would like the students to be more informed about the ways we can help them succeed at the GSSC, empowering all students to succeed in all areas of their lives."
She enjoys ENMU's "beautiful campus. The people here are very helpful and friendly."
Before working at Eastern, Christy was an English and yearbook teacher at Jesus Chapel School, a high school in El Paso, Texas, from 2014-18. She completed a records management internship at Dallas Area Rapid Transit during the summer of 2017, was a tutor with Mathmobile Tutorials in El Paso from 2010-14 and completed multimedia stories for Borderzine during her time as an undergraduate.
Christy earned her bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism with a minor in secondary education from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2014 and her master's degree in library science and a certificate in archival management from the University of North Texas in 2018.
The public relations librarian was drawn to Eastern because she "liked the idea of keeping in contact with students in some way. I loved teaching, and I did not want to lose the opportunity to connect with students.
"At the same time, I wanted a job in a library. The uniqueness of the job responsibilities drew me to apply, and this job is a perfect marriage of my undergraduate and master degrees. I have always thought social media was an underutilized tool in education and libraries, and I was excited that Eastern recognized that fact and wanted to hire someone focused on social media."
Christy, who lives with her dog, Kirsche, and her husband, is a World War II reenactor and living historian. "I also love to travel and experience new cultures," she added.
The GSSC has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat (ENMUGSSC). You can also follow the Golden Library on Facebook.
If you have content you would like to feature on the cube, email [email protected] or include #ENMUGSSC on a Twitter or Instagram post.
The GSSC Grand Opening will take place at 5 p.m. on Aug. 28. The event is free and open to the public.
