News & Blog

After 26 fantastic years with UCF Libraries, Meredith Semones is retiring on April 29, 2021.

Meredith started as a subject librarian with Research & Information Services before the Ask Us chat service began in 2002. For the past 19 years, she has coordinated the team of 15 staff and librarians who provide IM, chat, telephone, email and text reference services which were especially important during the pandemic. She also coordinates the Research & Information Desk (currently called TeleReference@RAID) which provides in-person reference assistance at the John C. Hitt Library 7 days a week.

In her own words:

As you know Ask Us chat holds a special place in my heart, it all started in 2002 and now 19 years later we are averaging between 500 & 600 chats per month. Thanks for thinking of me, I will miss all my co-workers. However I feel confident that Ask Us will continue to be a valuable virtual reference service serving the UCF community.

And as we wish pleasant journeys and a well-deserved break for Meredith, we leave you with a fond farewell from her LTAI, Dawn Tripp:

In spring 2013 I was given the opportunity to interview for the Senior LTA position with UCF Libraries/Ask A Librarian by Meredith and Barbara Tierney.

I was very nervous and felt intimidated since I had worked in public libraries for 15+ years and had never worked in academic libraries.  Many of my fears were allayed straight away with their warmth, kindness and encouraging words.

When Meredith offered me the position and I started that July, I was very nervous starting my first position with an academic library.  I felt that I may not fit in, but Meredith always made me feel like I belonged and was open to my questions and concerns and made me feel very comfortable.  She is one of the warmest, kindest, and most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. 

Meredith’s almost 50 years of librarianship, over 25 years of which have been with UCF Libraries, made her the best mentor I could have ever asked for!  I have learned so much these nearly 8 years.

I am honored and proud to have been her “right hand woman” these past years. 

Congratulations on your retirement Meredith!  I will so miss you.

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