UK Libraries is pleased to announce that three staff members, Kyle Bachman-Johnson, Crystal Heis, and Eugenia Kempster, 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.
Kyle Bachman-Johnson joined UK Libraries in 2013. Since 2023, she has served as the manager of the university’s institutional repository, UKnowledge, where she supports the open access publication of scholarly and creative works from the UK community. "I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with UK Libraries in this environment of continuing learning and growth. I have had an opportunity to draw upon many of my skills, experience a sense of mission and purpose, and receive the interest and encouragement to develop further. I am fortunate to have wonderful colleagues that thought enough of my work to recognize me in this way."
Crystal Heis works as an Imaging Specialist in the Digital Lab where she oversees a wide variety of digitization projects for the Special Collections Research Center and the library as a whole. She has seen many changes since joining UK Libraries in 2007, as the field of digitization in libraries and cultural heritage institutions continues to evolve. “I absolutely love working in the Digital Lab. I get to work with so many interesting items and it brings me joy to know that my work helps other people access our unique collections and rare materials. It’s an honor to know that I’m making a difference.”
Eugenia Kempster began working as a student employee at the Education Library in 1987. She was hired into a full-time position with the Medical Center Library in 1990, where she worked for seven years before leaving to try other types of employment. She returned to UK Libraries in 2004 and has served in various departments, most recently in the MCL's Circulation department supervising student workers. "Throughout the years, I have had the honor of working beside many talented, hardworking, and kind individuals at UK Libraries. It's both gratifying and humbling to be given this award, and it is extremely appreciated!"
Outstanding Staff winners were honored at the annual Spring Celebration on May 15, along with several other award winners:
