UK Libraries is pleased to announce that three staff members, Amanda Bailey, Sarah Coblentz, and Rebecca Jude, have been recognized with the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Staff Performance.
Nominated by their peers, award winners demonstrate exemplary professionalism and collegiality, creativity and initiative in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, and dedication and commitment to furthering the mission of UK Libraries.
“If the library is the heart of the university, then its employees are what make it beat,” said UK Libraries Dean Doug Way. “It is an honor to recognize and uphold the librarians, archivists, and staff members that set us apart and allow us to offer inspiring spaces, outstanding collections, and vibrant services to our users.”
Awardees are recognized for the difference they make to the lives and work of UK Libraries users, as well as to their colleagues. “It is a pleasure to work with such dedicated and creative individuals,” said Dean Way. “Their positive influence is felt within their teams and across the entire organization.”
Find out more about this year’s Outstanding Staff Award winners below.
Amanda Bailey joined UK Libraries in 2018, where she has since served as the AV and Facilities Manager in the Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts & Design Library. Bailey manages requests for Little Library spaces, provides AV and technology support and troubleshooting, and manages facilities issues as they arise. “There is a lot that I do behind the scenes, and to know that my hard work has been noticed and appreciated by others means the world to me,” said Bailey. “It brings me the deepest satisfaction to help meet the needs of the community we serve, and I am blessed to work with people who I can laugh, cry, and celebrate with, and who support and challenge me in good ways.”
Sarah Coblentz began working at UK Libraries as a student worker in 2015, and has served in numerous positions across the organization. In her role as the Research Services Manager, Coblentz assists users accessing Special Collections Research Center resources and materials, manages the Breckinridge Research Room, supervises the Digital Lab, and processes archival collections. “I am grateful that my colleagues found my work to be deserving of this award. It means a lot!” said Coblentz. “Working at UK Libraries has been invaluable. It has helped me grow as an individual and through my work I have discovered that I am more capable than I thought myself to be.”
Rebecca Jude began her career at UK Libraries in 2013, and serves currently as the Electronic Resources Library Specialist. In this position, Jude troubleshoots issues with campus e-resources, compiles e-resource usage statistics from UK Libraries’ vendors, and creates ad-hoc analyses for collections stakeholders. “I am truly grateful that my colleagues have chosen to recognize me in this way, especially since I work with so many dedicated, supportive, and knowledgeable folks that are just as deserving. As the Dean and administration have said, the efforts of staff keep UK Libraries functioning.” said Jude. “My colleagues have made the experience of working at UK Libraries a gratifying one!”
