Clemson Libraries welcomed five new faculty and staff in the Spring of 2024. Meet the newest members of the Libraries team:
Jeffrey Adams, library systems engineer — Adams came to Clemson from LexisNexis where he worked as a software developer. Prior to that, he worked as a software developer at Foxtel Cable in Sydney, Australia. He earned degrees in application development and graphic design from Sinclair Community College.
Olivia Brittain, reference specialist in Special Collections in Archives — Brittain is a Clemson native and alumna, who graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in history. She has always had a passion for local history and began working in Special Collections and Archives as a student worker before joining the staff part-time following her graduation. She moved into her full-time role in February.
Cath Bruhnke, emerging technologies librarian and director of the Adobe Studio and Makerspace — Bruhnke comes to Clemson from Spartanburg County Public Libraries, where they have served in several roles since 2017, most recently as the director of the Spark Makerspace. They also previously served as assistant director for information and reference services and as teen programming assistant. Bruhnke earned a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Charleston Southern University and a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina.
Christie Johnson, e-resources serials specialist in Collections and Acquisitions — Johnson joined Clemson Libraries after 13 years working for Oconee County Public Libraries, where she worked as a branch manager and bookmobile and outreach manager. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Stacie Powell, data services librarian — Powell previously worked as lead government information specialist for the United States Department of State. She also worked as lead data management coordinator and data management office for the Central Intelligence Agency. Before that, she worked as research and instruction librarian for Southern Wesleyan University and held positions in both the Oconee County and Anderson County library systems. Powell is a Clemson alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in history, and she earned her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina.
Several other Clemson Libraries faculty and staff moved into new roles during the semester. Congratulations to the following Libraries employees on their new positions:
Sean Baker, exhibits and artifacts curator in Special Collections and Archives — Baker joined Clemson in 2022 as a reference specialist in Special Collections and Archives. In his new role, he develops new exhibits and assists with instruction activities. Baker previously worked at Lycoming College as archives technician for the College Archives. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts in public history from the University of West Florida.
Karen Burton, science librarian and research librarian for the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences — Burton came to Clemson Libraries in 2022 as a science lecturer and previously served as learning success coordinator for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville. She earned her Bachelor of Science in entomology from Clemson and a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. During graduate school, she completed an internship with Clemson Libraries during which she published a paper titled “Research Data Management Needs Assessment of Clemson University.”
Jessica Kohout-Tailor, director of the Learning Commons — Kohout-Tailor has served as undergraduate experience librarian since 2018. In this added role, she will develop the vision and strategic plan for the new Learning Commons and help build partnerships and coordinate events that will support student success and experiential learning. Prior to coming to Clemson, Kohout-Tailor she worked as a school librarian in both the Lexington County and Richland County school districts. She has a bachelor’s degree in religion from Wofford College and a Master of Library and Information Science and Doctor of Education, both from the University of South Carolina.
Jessica Scott, e-resources discovery librarian — Scott joined Clemson Libraries in 2016 as library specialist for serials/government documents and electronic resources. Before coming to Clemson, she worked at the Tri-County Technical College library as a branch manager and later as serials coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in professional English from Claflin University and her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina.