Jess Best

Jess Best joined James B. Duke Memorial Library as the Collection Development & Metadata Librarian, in August 2022. Jess brings a blend of public and academic library experience, from working for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, J. Murrey Atkins Library, and Martha Blakney Hodges Special Collections & University Archives. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Studies from UNC-Greensboro, a M.A.T. in Secondary Social Studies Education from UNC-Charlotte, and a B.A. in Political Science from UNC-Asheville. As the Collection Development and Metadata Librarian, Jess collaborates with the library director and other stakeholders, to curate the library's physical & digital collections, administer the library's catalog, and make acquisitions and purchases that align with the strategic plan of Johnson C. Smith University.