UTA Libraries Staff Spotlight: Grace Backus

UTA Libraries works to connect with students, faculty, staff members, and the public through the regular experiential events that take place within its walls each semester. 

One of the people who makes those events possible is Grace Backus, who serves as a Library Specialist with the Community Engagement Department. 

In her role, Grace feels it is essential to make people feel welcome at UTA Libraries by extending that hand of friendship through regular events and getting to know them. She and members of the Community Engagement Department plan out these events and help lead them. 

“Personal connections are what make experiences. It is what allows students to learn. I feel like people don’t feel as comfortable without that personal connection,” Grace said. “That is my goal in the programs for students to have fun and learn something, but it is also a comfortable, safe space for them to learn a new skill, gain some new knowledge and have fun.” 

Some of the regular experimental learning programs hosted by UTA Libraries are events like Maverick Kitchen. Maverick Kitchen teaches people about how to cook, and sometimes learn about different cultures through a hands-on cooking class.  

These events help to support student success and build transferable skills in the process. Other experiential learning events include Crafty Corner, Doggy Days and Sew Sustainable. 

Grace stated that with the start of the spring 2023 semester, the experimental learning programs offered by UTA Libraries would be expanded. 

“We are doing programs focused on Black History Month and Women’s History Month. We are doing our Bounty of Nature (month-long series of) events, which we do every April for Earth Day,” Grace said. “We are adding a new Kahoot Trivia Hour event into the mix. It is like a trivia night and has that kind of vibe and atmosphere. Students can compete in trivia, but it is going to be over the lunch hour here at the library.” 

Grace enjoys coming up with new ideas and sharing those ideas in a hands-on teaching activity that is fun and creative. She notes that these types of programs create a positive library atmosphere that helps build relationships and helps students thrive academically. 

“I think it is great to have more student outreach and community engagement-type programs because it helps with student retention and a feeling of community that connects students with campus,” Grace said. “When I was doing my undergrad, that (connection) was really important to me. I went to Texas Christian University and felt connected to that campus. I know that influenced my time there, and I want to make sure that same feeling is happening here.”