Students this summer took a little piece of The University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries with them — on tours in Europe, excursions in Peru, water skiing near Austin and more.

By Stephanie Sanchez, Senior Communications Specialist

Students this summer took a little piece of The University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries with them — on tours in Europe, excursions in Peru, water skiing near Austin and more.

This was made possible through the Libraries Blue Crew with You! photo contest.

Newly enrolled students who attended summer orientation were given a cutout depicting a cartoon-version of a member of the Blue Crew, our nickname for our friendly, blue-shirted library staff. Students were asked to integrate the cutout into their life as a future UTSA student and snap a creative picture.

“The goal of the activity was to engage students from the start of their time in college,” said Anne Peters, director of library communications. “This was a way for us to connect with students early, so they know they can turn to library staff when they have questions or need help with school assignments.”

The back of the cutout stated, “help with projects, assignments, paper research … anything,” and offered the Libraries’ contact information. It also directed them to the Libraries’ website for more details.
More than 40 photos from around the globe were submitted. Library staff then voted on the best photo, and the winning student received an iPad Mini.

Ultimately, freshmen Raul Membreño, who held the cutout while water skiing on Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, won the contest.

“I didn’t think I was going to win,” he said. “Holding [the cutout] while water skiing on LBJ was a challenge, but it was well worth it.”