National Library Week will be celebrated at UF in a new way this year: through “spicy,” “fresh” memes.
From Sunday to Saturday, George A. Smathers Libraries is holding the first annual meme contest in the Facebook group Swampy UF memes for top ten public teens for students to submit their best library-related content for a chance to win various prizes.
Lisa Campbell, the Smathers’ instruction and outreach librarian, came up with the idea for the contest after being a frequent member of the Swampy memes page.
After pitching the idea for the contest to the Library West creative team, Campbell said she knew it was a great way to showcase student creativity and humor while maintaining relevance.
“There are other librarians who are also on Swampy memes,” Campbell said. “We find it interesting to understand what our students are sharing to better connect with them.”
Submissions will close Friday, and top entries will be featured on the Smathers Libraries’ social media pages. The first place winner, who will be announced on Saturday, will receive a $25 gift card, funded by library staff donations and “bragging rights,” Campbell said. Memes are judged by contest staff and are based on criteria like humor and freshness.
Caroline Bradley, an 18-year-old UF international studies freshman, said she already submitted a meme to the contest at her friends’ suggestions.
“While a part of me kind of thinks of it as a grandfather trying to relate to his teenage grandkids, it’s important to acknowledge creativity on campus,” Bradley said,
Christian Bedwell, a 21-year-old UF civil engineering junior, said that he plans to submit a meme inspired by the Duolingo owl meme format.
“Anytime someone can make me feel more like a member of The Gator Nation in a fun and unique way, that’s what makes a fresh meme,” he said.
George A. Smathers Libraries is holding the first annual meme contest in the Facebook group Swampy UF memes for top ten public teens for students to submit their best library-related content for a chance to win various prizes.