Education
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
MLIS, December 2020
Bradley University, Peoria, IL.
M.A., English: Young Adult Literature, May 2014
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.
B.A., English Language and Literature, May 2012
Employment
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
User Services Manager, September 2020 – present
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Overnight User Services Assistant, January 2020 – September 2020
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Postal Associate, February 2016 – January 2020
Landmark Cinemas, Peoria, IL.
Assistant Manager, June 2012 – July 2015
Bradley University, Peoria, IL.
Teaching Assistant, January 2014 – May 2014
Bradley University, Peoria, IL.
Writing Tutor, January 2013 – May 2014
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.
Editor, August 2010 – May 2012
Sheridan Elementary School, Bloomington, IL.
Student Tutor/Library Page, January 2011 – May 2011
Areas of Specialization
Inclusive and trauma-informed outreach in academic settings
Student engagement through play, design, and narrative
The role of user services in building community resilience
Collaborative models of staff development and recognition
Grants Awarded
2022-2024. UF Libraries Strategic Opportunities Grant. Awarded: $4,300. Power Word Play. Jesse Mixson, PI, Mari Meke, Advisor. Funding to purchase forty Dungeons and Dragons gaming kits to circulate between Library West and Marston Science Library. The kits promote positive mental health and are made accessible to the community.
2022-2023. UF Libraries Strategic Opportunities Grant. Awarded: $3,266. Now You’re Speaking My Language. Mari Meke, PI, Kelly Handy, CoPI. Funding to purchase ten translation devices (Pocketalks) for circulation. The devices promote the dissolving of language barriers and aid in the research of faculty, students, and staff.
Conferences and Colloquiums
Handy, Kelly, and Mari Meke. (2024). From Intimidation to Integration: Collaborative Outreach Strategies for Library Staff. Florida Association of College and Research Libraries Online Conference, October 2024.
Handy, Kelly, and Mari Meke. (2024). Growing Our Garden: Meeting Staff Needs by Acknowledging Their Successes and Personal Development. Southern Library Support Staff Embracing Change and Forging the Future of Libraries; SLSS Annual Conference, May 2024.
Daly, Megan, Kelly Handy, and Mari Meke. (2024) Dissolving Language Barriers While Building Collections: Using Translation Technology to Enhance Collection Development Efforts. Northeast Florida Library Information Network Other Duties as Assigned; NEFLIN Hot Topics Conference, April 2024.
Handy, Kelly, and Mari Meke, and Lily Pang. (2023). Using Internal Grants for Staff to Enhance Library User’s Experience. Access Services in Libraries presentation; ASiL Annual Conference, November 2023.
Bagué, Katiana, Lisa Campbell, Jeanne Ewert, April Hines, Hélène Huet, Mari Meke, Sarah "Moxy" Moczygemba, Ashley Monahan, and Ash Vaught. (2020). Navigating Finals Week Support: from Physical Places to Virtual Spaces. Florida Association of College and Research Libraries Online Conference, October 2020.
Meke, Mari. (2014). The Purpose of Young Adult Literature. English Department Student Research Colloquium; Bradley University, March 2014.
Meke, Mari. (2014). The Purpose of Young Adult Literature. Bradley University English Department Faculty Independent Study Defense; Bradley University, March 2014.
Meke, Mari. (2013). The Importance of Media in the Construction of Gone with the Wind. English Department Student Research Colloquium; Bradley University, March 2013.
Meke, Mari. (2012). The Study of the Language of a Subgroup. English Department Student Research Colloquium; Bradley University, November 2012.