I came to the University at Buffalo on the advice of a librarian who worked at the same school where I was a one-on-one teacher aide. We’d talk from time to time about all sorts of things, including my concern about the lack of access to information. That belief—knowledge as a tool for empowerment—drew me to library work and inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in school librarianship at UB.
You’ll often find me at Silverman’s welcome desk or, occasionally, at Lockwood’s services desk. I feel energized helping patrons and coworkers—digging into the information we may be missing and finding ways to make someone’s day a little easier. Whether that’s assisting with refining an inquiry, offering a solution I know about, explaining how to loan equipment, or troubleshooting software issues—I’m here for it!
My drive stems from both my work and my upbringing. My mom, a French African Dominican, lived through the April Revolution. My Russian Indian dad took on leadership early after losing his father. Both managed ADHD and autism. My mom and I are raising my sharp, sassy 10-year-old nephew. My family has taught me resilience, warmth and empathy—lessons I try to carry daily.
I’ve been ecstatic about this learning opportunity, and if you see me at the desk, I hope you’ll say hello. I’d be thrilled to help and welcome you to the library!
Nikolas (Niko) Martinez-Saroff is pursuing a master’s degree in school librarianship at UB and will graduate in fall 2026.