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Reinette F. Jones

Research Interests:
African American history
Book and Library History
Gender and Women's Studies

Reinette Jones is an outreach/research/reference librarian in Special Collections. Her research focuses on all things connected to African Americans in and from Kentucky. All of which lead to the development of the Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (NKAA) with fellow librarian Rob Aken in 2003. The database also contains a directory of Africa American library directors, and the newly developed section honoring African American Women Veterans in and from Kentucky. The NKAA Database was recognized with the 2009 RUSA/Gale Cengage learning Award for Excellence in Reference and Adult Library Services. The NKAA Database is free to all via the internet and the database is continuously update. In 2020, there were over 450,000 visits. The NKAA database is 100% sponsored and supported by the University of Kentucky Libraries. Other areas of interest include the history of African American librarians and librarianship in Kentucky, African American women musicians, lesbian studies, and working with archivist Kopana Terry in promoting the research value of Kentucky newspapers.

Selected Publications:

Jones, R. F. (2021). “Black Boxers and Golden Gloves, from Segregation to National Champions,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed September 28, 2021, https://ukscrc001.net/nkaa/items/show/300004299.

Jones, R. F. (2017). The Envy of the town. LINQ. Kentucky: Pride Community Services Organization. April, 39(4), p.16.

Jones, R. F. (2012-2014). The Music Staff  (oral history interviews and articles). Interviews in SPOKEdb @ https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/. Articles in Off the Shelf (newsletter- blog)  @ http://otsuklibraries.blogspot.com/. University of Kentucky Libraries.

Jones, R. F. (2013). A patron-grown reference tool: the Notable Kentucky African Americans Database. The Readex Blog. [full-text available in UKnowledge @ https://uknowledge.uky.edu/]

Jones, R. F., L. Kompanik, and W. Onkst (2009). SPOTLIGHT: Eliza Atkins Gleason, Ruth Hill Jones and Della Jones. Kentucky Libraries. v.73(4), 20-21. [full-text available in UKnowledge @ https://uknowledge.uky.edu/]

Jones, R. F. (2002).  Library Service to African Americans in Kentucky: from the Reconstruction Era to the 1960s. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers. (book)

Jones, R. F. (2001). 1946 Alcatraz escape attempt led by library orderly from Kentucky. Kentucky Libraries. v.65(3), 8-10. [full-text available in UKnowledge @ https://uknowledge.uky.edu/]