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Mississippi College Welcomes Three New Librarians


Michelle Finerty of Clinton, Niki Carter of Bolton and Claudia Conklin of Jackson are the three newest librarians at Mississippi College.

Whether assisting patrons at the reference desk, plunging into research requests or helping computer users, they are valuable assets to the Leland Speed Library along College Street.

“They bring a range of research and instruction experience as well as an educational and service philosophy that matches our library vision for the Mississippi College community,’’ says library director Kathleen Hutchison.

“Their particular interest in teaching made them a perfect fit as they jump right in and offer support in the campus wide  information literacy and assessment initiative known as U-Research,’’ Hutchison said. “We could not be more thrilled with the energy and abilities that they bring to Leland Speed Library.’’

The trio of reference/instruction librarians will also serve as liaisons to academic departments on the Clinton campus and offer research service and assistance at the reference desk.

Carter, who received her master’s degree in library science at the University of Kentucky in 2009, is delighted to be working at the Christian university.

“Adjusting to my new position at Mississippi College has been made easier with the warmth of the people around me,’’ she said. “It’s evident that students, staff and faculty enjoy being here.’’

Carter was attracted to the post “because of the energy for growth and student-oriented service’’ among library staffers. “The faculty I have worked with thus far seem to be very committed to MC’s mission as well.’’

The Leland Speed Library will stay active with the institution’s U-Research efforts that were a major part of the university’s accreditation reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in December 2012. It will help “equip students with the resources they need for lifetime success,’’ Carter said.

A 2005 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Spanish, Carter has worked as a technical services librarian at Reformed Theological Seminary. She’s also pursuing a master’s in Biblical Studies at the seminary in Jackson. Carter brings administrative skills as the former director of the LaRue County Public Library in Hodgenville, Kentucky.

Finerty is a May 2013 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a master’s in library science. She received her bachelor’s degree at Troy University in Alabama. Finerty has worked as an on-line teaching assistant at USM in Hattiesburg.

Conklin earned her master’s in library science at Southern Miss. She comes to Mississippi College after recently working as a reference librarian at William Carey University in Hattiesburg. An Auburn University graduate, she also brings experience as a librarian at Presbyterian College in South Carolina.

July 1 marked the first day on the job for Claudia Conklin. In just a few hours, the Jackson resident is already pleased with the Southern warmth and willingness to help from Mississippi College colleagues. “Everybody is very friendly.’’

The trio of newcomers at the Leland Speed Library succeeded longtime librarians Carolyn Hood, Carolyn Hodges and Carol Williams, who retired from Mississippi College in late May.