Showing kindness and encouragement and presenting your best self can inspire others to do amazing work. It was a teacher who always presented herself in the best clothes and gave Elizabeth Anne Polk one of her bracelets when she was a young girl that inspired Polk to go into teaching.

After teaching for a short time, Polk decided to use her love of books to become a librarian. Her years of service as a librarian at AISD were what brought many together to celebrate last week at Uphaus Early Childhood Center, 5200 Freidrich Lane.

Librarians, former students, sorority sisters, family members and administrators gathered to celebrate with Polk in the naming of Uphaus Early Childhood Center’s library after her.

Polk has been with AISD for almost 50 years as administrative supervisor of Library Media Services, elementary library coordinator, sixth grade librarian at Read School, librarian at Read Elementary School, librarian at Maplewood Elementary School and currently as assistant director for Library Media Services.

Anita Uphaus, for whom the Early Childhood Center is named and a good friend of Polk, spoke about what an influence Polk has had on AISD and the students within.

Those in attendance could select a book from the library’s collection and honor Polk by signing their name on a sticker and placing it inside the book.

The Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center opened fall 2012. 

To learn more about the Uphaus Early Childhood Center, visit http://uphausearlychildhoodcenter.weebly.com. 

To learn more about Elizabeth Polk, visit www.austinisd.org/hc/meet-our-people/elizabeth-polk.