BC ELN Student Librarians Austin Miner (they/them/theirs) and Jiaqi Pei (he/him/his) recently concluded their 2025–2026 positions supporting the consortium across a wide range of services and projects. To commemorate their time with BC ELN, Project Librarian Kyla McCallum reached out to ask about their experience working with academic libraries at the system level. 

Much of Austin’s role centred on the AskAway chat reference service [1], where they both staffed the service and supported local coordinators and service providers through the AskAway Admin Centre. When asked what brought them the greatest satisfaction, Austin highlighted the purposeful, mission-driven nature of the AskAway community. “Everyone is focused on meeting student needs by providing reference and informational help.” Through staffing the service, Austin saw first-hand the importance of meeting library patrons where they are. “I think providing virtual reference service will become more and more important.” 

For Jiaqi, contributing to multiple licensing projects—including the eHLbc Core Suite [2] renewal and the launch of the revised New Resource Selection [3] process—was a major accomplishment. “It has been especially rewarding to see how consortial negotiations translate into tangible benefits for partner libraries, particularly in terms of improved access to high-quality learning resources.” Supporting students, researchers, and the broader community across B.C. and the Yukon is a strong source of motivation. 

Both Student Librarians emphasized the unique perspective gained through a system-level role. “This position offers a well-rounded learning experience that goes beyond what is typically encountered in a single library setting,” Jiaqi noted. Many libraries participate in at least one consortium, connecting them to collaborative services that scale impact, influence, and capacity beyond what any single institution can achieve. Austin believes that having seen the bigger picture will allow them to more effectively participate in consortia as a librarian in any type of institution. 

As for their reflections on BC ELN itself? Jiaqi speaks highly of the culture. “The team is incredibly welcoming, supportive, and inclusive, and I consistently felt that my contributions were valued. It’s an environment where you are encouraged to learn, ask questions, and grow professionally, which makes a lasting impact.”