ASU Library is excited to announce two recent Tomalee Doan LibAid for Student Success award recipients.
Elaine Pratt from the Music Library was awarded first place, and Harianth Kalavala from High Density Collections received second place.
With generous donor support, the Tomalee Doan LibAid for Student Success Award is a valued tradition that recognizes and celebrates the impact outstanding student employees create every day for the ASU community.
Creating a caring community
Elaine Pratt works at the Music Library and is earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science (cybersecurity) from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Since joining the Music Library two years ago, Pratt impressed her supervisor Jeffrey Norman, and he wanted to recognize her work in making the Music Library a welcoming place for patrons.
“[Elaine] has contributed to a variety of projects, including the song index and spearheading many of our displays,” said Norman. “She has always been respectful and supportive to both her colleagues and the Music Library’s community, with a knack for quality customer service.”
For Elaine, working at the Music Library is a chance to be a part of a caring team that empowers people with access to information.
“No matter where I go within the library, I am consistently met with warmth and a welcoming spirit, which motivates me to give my best effort in everything I do,” said Pratt. “Being surrounded by the vast knowledge and resources housed within the library instills in me a deep sense of reverence and responsibility. Every book, archive and piece of information represents countless opportunities to learn, grow and help others do the same. I take pride in contributing to this system that not only preserves but also shares knowledge freely with the community.”
Pratt hopes to graduate in May 2026 and pursue a career in cybersecurity. As a first-generation and financially independent student, this award eases some of the stress of balancing a full-time STEM course load with work and living expenses.
“With this support, I can invest in valuable resources like textbooks while also creating space to engage in extracurricular opportunities that enrich my education and help me establish a healthier work, school and life balance,” said Pratt. “Thank you for offering such impactful opportunities to students like me.”
More than ‘just a job’
Harianth Kalavala works at High Density Collections and is pursuing a master’s in information technology from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
His supervisor Zoie Ypsilanti nominated Kalavala for the way he goes above and beyond to ensure a project is done successfully.
“One of the biggest projects that Harianth has helped me personally with is creating an inventory for University Archivist Shannon Walker of faculty files we have in the archives,” said Ypsilanti. “There is 262 feet linear feet of material and Harianth has inventoried about 200 feet, or close to 9000 files. Without his efforts, we wouldn't be able to provide a list of former faculty members to the Provost’s office in an accurate manner.”
To Kalava, working at HDC became a place for personal and professional growth.
“Working at the ASU Library means more to me than just a job, it represents a deeply personal connection to my past and a cherished environment,” said Kalavala. “Growing up in India, my parents would sometimes leave me at my uncle’s workplace—a library at an academic institution—whenever they had work or couldn’t be with me. Those days spent wandering among books introduced me to the joys of reading and sparked a lifelong love for stories, especially fantasy and comics.”
Kalavala plans to graduate in May 2025, and the LibAid Award helped lessen the burden of financial costs of studying and living in the United States.
“Receiving this financial award is an incredible support to my educational journey…giving me a bit more freedom to focus on my studies and my work at the library” said Kalavala. “This award will also hold a special place as my very first recognition in the U.S., a meaningful milestone that I will always remember.”
A chance to support student success
Every day, student employees connect patrons to library services and build a supportive community for ASU students, faculty, staff and visitors. To support students like Harianth and Elaine, please consider making a donation through the ASU Foundation to the Tomalee Doan LibAid for Student Success. You can make a difference for student workers in the ASU Library!