Jennifer Shipley, a 1994 graduate from the M.A. in Library and Information Science degree program at the School of Information, is a Library Operations Manager for the Miami-Dade Public Library System. She was awarded the 2024 Best Emerging Technology Application (BETA) Award in recognition of a technology application that directly benefits library users. Jennifer created two interactive exhibitions for people with disabilities, a Multi-sensory POP-UP Storywalk combining Braille and QR Codes. These exhibitions allow participants at the Story Extravaganza to use their phones for narrated stories and activities about nature. Parents engaged with children, repeating actions like “Flap your wings.” The tactile-friendly, multi-sensory POP-UP art exhibition at the Low Vision Seminar encouraged touching art and interacting with QR codes for descriptions. Environmentally themed pieces covering urban sprawl, how to attract butterflies, and Everglades preservation, incorporated three-dimensional art with found objects.
Jennifer's passion for community engagement and excellent customer service are points of pride for the MLIS program. Her dedication has earned her several other awards, including eight National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards and recognition from the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), Florida International University Learning for Life program and local Rotary Clubs for her commitment to library excellence and community impact.