Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 10-8-19

Local
USF School Of Information Presents Distinguished Award To Librarian
The School of Information at the University of South Florida has selected Mrs. Carrie Hurst as the 2020 honoree of the “Jean Key Gates Distinguished Alumni Award.” Mrs. Hurst was nominated to the faculty council by Dr. Cora P. Dunkley, Professor Emerita.
The Award Ceremony will take place at the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Library on Fri- day, October 18, 2019, at 6 p. m. It will be followed by the “Alice Smith Lecture” which will be given by Jessamyn West.
Carrie Hurst is an Ad- ministrative Librarian who has worked nearly 20 years within the Tampa-Hillsbor- ough County Public Library System. Mrs. Hurst is a community activist, city cul- ture keeper and mentor of fu- ture library workers. She currently manages the his- toric Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Library.
She began her career at Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library in 2000 as a Librar- ian 1 at the 78th Street Library and was transferred to the old Robert W. Saunders Library in early 2001. She was pro- moted after 5 years there to Senior Librarian 2/Branch Manager.
In 2008, she assumed branch management of the Seminole Heights Library until 2015. While at the Semi- nole Heights Library, she oversaw the closing of the old facility and reopening the new one in 2013.
In 2015, Mrs. Hurst was promoted to Librarian 3, and opened and assumed man- agement of the rebuilt 26,000 sq. ft. Robert W. Saunders Li- brary where she continues today.
In her nomination letter, Dr. Dunkley noted, “Car- rie Hurst enthusiastically plans and partners with vari- ous groups and agencies to
Mrs. Hurst was elected to the International Board of Beta Phi Mu Library Honor Society upon graduation. She has served as Director and on the Society’s Scholarship Committee.
As a member of the Florida Library Association, Mrs. Hurst has served on the Nominating Committee and Scholarship Committee.
Before graduate studies, Mrs. Hurst worked at Hills-
borough Community College Ybor Library from 1982-Octo- ber 2000, as a Library Tech- nical Assistant (Para-Pro.).
Mrs. Hurst is married to Mr. Robert Hurst (40 years) and they have two sons, Robert and Randall, and three grand- children, Robyn, Josiah and Jotham.
The Jean Key Gates Dis- tinguished Alumni Award of
the USF School of Informa- tion was established in 1993 in honor of USF Professor Emerita Gates. The award is presented annually to a graduate whose outstanding professional career achieve- ment serves as a role model for all information science graduates.
The Robert W. Saunders, Sr. library is located at 1505 N. Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33602.
MRS. CARRIE HURST ...To received Distinguished Alumni Award,
October 18, 2019
provide programs that make the library the focal point of the community.”
Mrs. Hurst was instru- mental in establishing the Friends of the Library groups at both the Seminole Heights Public Library and the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Li- brary.
Mrs. Hurst is a graduate of the 6th class of the Mayor’s Neighborhood University (MNU), a Tampa Program that engaged existing and fu- ture leaders, by bringing them closer to their City of Tampa government enhancing advo- cacy and civic pride. She has given workshops throughout the system on scholarship op- portunities.
As a culture keeper, Mrs. Hurst interviewed many members of the community for the Hillsborough Remem- bers Oral History Collection, a project designed to create and encourage improved un- derstanding and communica- tion between generations in Hillsborough County through a program of oral history col- lections that connect younger and older citizens in a positive educational environment. Special oral history projects are included that highlight in- dividuals of community, cul- tural or historical significance in Hillsborough County.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9