John Jaffe
Director of Integrated Information Systems/CIO
{P} 434.946.5541
{E} jgjaffe@sbc.edu
I started studying Anglo Saxon because I wasn’t satisfied with what I had learned in my undergraduate studies and somehow transitioned from that into a fascination with rare books and manuscripts which led to printing (hot type on a handpress) and then into technologies of printing which somehow took me into computers. Love gadgets and technology and advise the student radio club. Gave up biking in grad school after riding in Italy where I attended high school and spent years riding bicycles instead of motorcycles. Found a nice Harley a few years ago and then a Ducati (new as opposed to the old Diana from the 60’s that I first rode) and have been traveling around the southeast and midwest every chance I can because I love meeting people and sharing stories. It’s amazing what working as a librarian can lead to. I’ve travelled the world and almost every state as well as Canada and Mexico in pursuing the profession. Starting out with the limited view of libraries = books, I’ve learned that libraries really equal learning and helping others lear – whether information from a print, visual information in video or graphics or electronic data. If it helps in understanding and contributes to what you want to know, librarians are there to help you. Every morning when I wake up, I have a hard time believing life can be so much fun and that I actually get paid to play with computers, read books and watch movies and spend time talking to people about all the fun and interesting things that come my way everyday. The simplest questions lead into realms of knowledge going in many interconnected matrices. All politics may be local but knowledge is a global currency and those who can best make their way in its realms succeed and have absolutely the most fun!
Lisa Johnston
Associate Director of Libraries
{P} 434.381.6306
{E} lnjohnston@sbc.edu
My parents being professors, I grew up surrounded by books and their grad students, naturally I took their advice and plan to stay in school the rest of my life. Though I consider librarianship my calling, I came upon it quite by accident, starting a master’s program in English in hopes of teaching of working for a publisher. I was given a job as a student assistant and the next thing I knew, I was in library school. It made sense because I am interested in so many things.
My favorite activity is traveling and I intend to visit every continent. My favorite places are varied, from Sydney to Oaxaca to Sevilla. In 2008 I served as a volunteer librarian in Guatemala and would like to find other opportunities to give back. The Sweet Briar Community Garden is my pet extra-curricular project on campus. I also love modern design and have just remodeled a house around a fabulous kitchen because of my passion for cooking. I am a self-taught scholar of classic films, preferably in black and white. I will readily admit to watching Project Runway and Top Chef religiously. I want a vintage Vespa if anyone has one to donate. If you’re having trouble choosing something to read or watch, stop in to chat.
Friends have told me that I speak the language of the non sequitur. That is what my career has done to the way my mind works. Statements may not follow to them (“normal people”), but reference librarians can see the connections, and help you to see them in your scholarly endeavors. I cannot imagine doing anything else.
Julie Kane
Head of Technical Services
{P} 434.381.6311
{E} jkane@sbc.edu
I’m relatively new to Sweet Briar, but it’s quickly become my home. My office is in the stacks, something of a challenge to find, but if I’m not there, you might find me at the barn, riding in lessons; it’s one of my favorite parts of Sweet Briar life. I’m the Head of Technical Services and primarily a cataloger though I’ve also taken on the electronic reserves system and continue to learn the ropes of systems administration to help out in the LION consortium. Life as a librarian at this beautiful small college is proving to be delightfully engaging and challenging at every turn. Come and visit…
Liz Kent
Reference, Instruction and Electronic Resource Librarian
{P} 434.381.6315
{E} lkent@sbc.edu
I’ve been a librarian at Sweet Briar College since 1993. Reading non-fiction and watching documentaries are both things I enjoy. I have fun studying Spanish almost daily. I’m determined to become fluent! I also make art and journal. I read 2 – 7 books at the same time. There is always a stack of books in progress.
My job in the library is fun because I get to teach people how to use all the cool databases, shortcuts and nifty new toys the glorious web provides us. My motto is “don’t ever let yourself feel frustrated in the library.” Grab a librarian. That’s what we’re here for!
Jo Malloy
Reference, Instruction, Branch and Interlibrary Loan Librarian
{P} 434.381.6307
{E} jmalloy@sbc.edu
I am a utility infielder for the Sweet Briar College library. Mostly I am involved with Interlibrary Loans, reference, instruction, including new student orientation, shelf reading assignments, special projects (like moving entire collections to storage) and whatever else needs to be done today! In addition to library assignments, I am also an Academic Advisor for First Year and transfer students, lead a Hiking in the Blue Ridge Hiking Phys. Ed. class and host the regular noon time jam in the Café’. I also lead fly fishing trips for Sweet Briar College’s outdoor program, SWEBOP, including a Boathouse fly-fishing clinic with Hampden Sydney College and trips to the famed Cascades in Bath County. Look for me on first stack at the end of the offices with a rainbow trout on the door. On off days if I can’t be found in a trout stream, look for me walking the high mountain ridges with my golden retriever, Loki the Wonder Dog.