What's Library Engagement? Ask our Fellow

Taylor Burnette is the inaugural Railsback Fellow for Library Engagement

Taylor Burnette, 2024-25 Railsback Fellow

Railsback Fellow Taylor Burnette poses for a headshot.

Railsback Fellowship: Connecting students and IU Libraries  

“My favorite part of working in libraries is assisting somebody in whatever they're doing, whether that is their work or research. I like making their day a little better and a little easier,” says Taylor Burnette, first-year graduate student in library science and IU Libraries 2024-2025 Beverly Railsback Fellow for Library Engagement. 

Not only does Burnette help students find their way through the research process as a Research Assistant at the Learning Commons Research Desk, but she also worked all year connecting IU Libraries with students, faculty, and the community with IU Libraries engagement team.  

Railsback Fellowship  

Having a background in journalism made Burnette an exceptional candidate for the Railsback Fellowship for Library Engagement. Of her background in journalism, Burnette says, “Being able to transition those skills into a library environment has been such a valuable experience, and I've learned so much along the way.”   Reporting to Michelle Crowe, Assistant Dean for Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, and Communications, Burnette works on IU Libraries’ social media, has written news articles, and proofreads content. “I've created social media projects,” she explains. “I do Instagram reels a lot. They're a blast, and they're a fun way to connect a broader audience with the work the library does.”   

Her favorite reel is one of Ruth Lilly Dean of University Libraries Diane Dallis-Comentale for First-Generation College Celebration Day. Burnette explained, “I really enjoyed being able to display her passion and her commitment to the IU Libraries Undergraduate Scholars, the program focused on first-generation students.”  

“More philosophically,” Burnette muses, “what the Railsback Fellowship for Engagement does is show people what the library has to offer and what it does, but outside a formal environment. For students, the work I do can help acclimate them to the idea that the library is here as both a resource and a place.”  Burnette hopes she reaches students on Instagram. She wants them to realize, “Oh, the library is here, it's active, and it's for me!” She feels the main part of her job being the Railsback Fellow is to create those connections.  

"For students, the work I do can help acclimate them to the idea that the library is here as both a resource and a place.”

Taylor Burnette2024-2025 Railsback Fellow

Connecting people to resources  

Making Instagram reels has brought Burnette all over the IU Libraries system, meeting the many librarians and people who make it run. 

“Librarianship is about connecting people with information resources. Personally, I see a lot of value in information literacy, so as I work toward a career as a librarian, I aim to assist people gain skills that will help them navigate the broader information ecosystem, both inside and outside of their academic careers,” said Burnette. 

30-second video by Taylor Burnette
Moving Image Archive brings unseen films to life

In addition to her fellowship work, at the Research Desk in Wells’s Learning Commons, Burnette helps students, from first-year to graduate students, walk through their research process. She helps them navigate databases. Research Assistants don’t do the work for students, she points out. “It’s student-driven, and student-led.”  

In her two roles as the Railsback Fellow and a Research Assistant, Burnette has discovered, “Collaboration is absolutely integral to what the library does.” 

As one of the biggest employers on campus, everyone – from a freshman student worker to the Dean – is working to connect people with the information they need. This is crucial, because as Burnette points out, some students don’t know the library is there for them.  She said, “In both positions, I’ve enjoyed being able to advocate for IU Libraries to students as well as the community more broadly.” 

Instruction and Outreach  

Not surprisingly, Burnette wishes to become an instruction or outreach librarian. “I enjoy librarian work and the way that it relates to working one-on-one with students as well as the community more broadly. It really ties into what I loved about journalism, which was meeting people and getting to know people.” 

Burnette explains that studying journalism made her “so passionate” about information literacy that she hopes to make a career out of it.  Burnette also had the opportunity to begin teaching with IU Libraries’ Teaching and Learning department this spring. In April, she taught her first session. She truly enjoyed teaching about IU Libraries resources with Teaching and Learning Engagement Librarian Meggan Press, who was there to guide Burnette. She is excited for the opportunity to teach more sessions in the future.  

Taylor Burnette is an IU graduate student who stands in front of a photo of IU's assembly hall. She holds a sign that reads "so grateful #thanktoIUdonors"

Taylor Burnette stopped by the Herman B Wells Library to take a celebratory photo as part of IU Day on April 16, 2025.

About Beverly Railsback  

Beverly Railsback had a long career working as a librarian for the New Jersey state library. Railsback received her bachelor’s degree from IU before moving on to Rutgers for her post graduate degrees. She supported IU Libraries because she spent a lot of time at Wells Library as a student, and believed IU Libraries serves as a great resource for students. The Beverly Railsback Scholarship for Herman B Wells Library perpetuates her passion for library and information science. It also aligns with IU Libraries’ commitment to maximize student employee experiential learning opportunities. 

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