Not So Frequently Asked Questions with Isabella Kessler

Isabella Kessler

Isabella Kessler is one of our new library assistants on the Public Services team. Our library assistants help out with the library's service desk and much more! Let's learn a little bit about Isabella in this Not So Frequently Asked Questions interview.

1. Something you hope to accomplish by the end of the year?
Publication! I graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication from Berea College this past May, and my senior capstone project ended up winning the Southern States Communication Association's Franklin Shirley award for top undergraduate Communication paper. The number one thing I heard at their Undergraduate Honors Conference was "publish, publish, publish", so I'm looking for an academic journal that my paper can call home. Outside of literary magazines, I've never published my work before, so I'm nervous but excited for this new opportunity!

2. What inspired you to want to work in a library?
I've been a reader since elementary school, which is funny, because I couldn't actually read until the second grade - I was the last in my class to get the hang of it. At that age, I struggled so much with reading and writing that I couldn't fathom why anyone would willingly do these things, and now look at me - all I do for work, school, and fun is read and write! Also, I'm weirdly into cataloguing. I love making spreadsheets and categorizing things. It turns out this is a great quality to have if you work in a library, which I learned at my first library job in Berea's Hutchins Library, where I worked in Technical Services. Truly, I love everything about libraries. They act as a calming space for many, myself included, hubs of knowledge and resources, staffed by people who are truly passionate about things like research and historical preservation. There's so much our Kolwyck Library offers, even if you're not the biggest reader. (If you're wanting to get into reading, though, come find me and ask for recommendations. I read just about everything, from literary to nonfiction to manga to fantasy. I bet I can think up something to your tastes.)

3. What was your least favorite class in college?
Surprising no one, math. Every day that "math homework" isn't on my list of things to do, I wake up feeling grateful.

4. Do you have any pets?
Just one - a cat named Snowball. My family's had many cats throughout the years, but Snowball is the queen regnant of the house at the moment.

5. Coke or Pepsi?
Neither. My parents didn't let me drink soda as a kid, so I never developed a taste for it. Honestly, I'm not sure I know what either tastes like... my favorite drinks are whole milk, herbal green tea, and oreo milkshakes.

6. What was the last job you had before coming to ChattState?
While I worked in the library for most my time at Berea, in the months right before graduation, I was offered a Teaching Assistant position from my favorite professor - the only one I would have seriously considered TA'ing for, if I'm being honest. It was an undergraduate film class - right up my alley, because the focus of my major was in media studies, as was the topic of my senior capstone, which I had just finished writing at the time. I didn't think I was cut out for the whole lecturing thing, just the grading and feedback part, but my professor pushed me to teach a few classes, which I found to be incredibly rewarding.

7. What’s your favorite holiday?
Halloween. I love absolutely everything about it. Costumes, decorations, scary movies, giving out candy...

8. What’s your favorite Halloween costume you wore as a child?
Does middle school count? In 8th grade I dressed as Roxy Lalonde from Homestuck to the Halloween dance, and felt very proud of myself every time someone asked, "What are you supposed to be?" Yes, I was that kid.

9. Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall?
Fall. Cuddle season, no bugs, pumpkin patches, hot choco, Autumn leaves, reading books in hammocks, just cold enough for a sweater or two - gosh, I can't wait! :)

10. What was the last book you read?
Rachel Koller Croft's Stone Cold Fox. I love novels about calculated, manipulative women who know how to play the game. Anything psychological that gets all twisted up in someone's brain - sign me up.

Not So Frequently Asked Questions with Chris Frazier!

Chris Frazier

Chris Frazier is one of our new library assistants on the Public Services team. Our library assistants help out with the library's service desk schedule and much more! Let's learn a little bit about Chris in this Not So Frequently Asked Questions interview.

1. What was the last book you read? 
The last book I read was Book 3 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook. Much has been said about these books, and I firmly believe the hype behind them is justified. Very fun and funny book series. Currently seeing if I can get Betsy to add the audiobooks to our collection, as the narration by Jeff Hayes has been praised heavily and I would like to experience that. 

2. What do you like to do in your free time? 
What free time? I kid, but only mildly. Between working at the library and attending classes, I haven’t got too much free time, but in general you can find me playing a video game or prepping for my next Dungeons and Dragons session! 

3. What inspired you to want to work in a library? 
Originally, this was a simple answer: Money. As a student, I was struggling financially and needed a job, so I applied as a work study and ended up getting it! Since getting that job, however, I have realized that this is my calling in life. The people here, the patrons, all of it is better than any other job I have ever worked. So I guess working here inspired me to want to work in a library. I already have plans on getting my MLIS after I graduate and get my teaching license. 

4. Favorite local restaurants? 
Attack of the Tatsu is fantastic, as is Lupi’s if you want a calzone bigger than your head! 

5. List one thing about you that few people know. 
Most people do not know my age and assume that I am younger than I actually am. I will be 30 in a few days and that fact blows a lot of people’s minds! 

6. Name a movie that you think is better than the book. 
I think that the Remarkably Bright Creatures movie is slightly better than the book. I think that the pacing is better, however you do miss out on some of the character development from the book. The book spends a fair portion of its pages giving you an inside look at the mindset of the main characters, which can be a bit of a slog at times. 

7. Top 5 bands? 
Sleep Token, Polyphia, Pierce the Veil, Matt Berry (Yes he makes music as well and it is very good), and The Amity Affliction. In no particular order! 

8. What was your favorite class in college? 
Currently, my favorite class was Comp 1. Not necessarily for the class itself or the content, but Professor Fletcher was an incredible teacher and he made me feel like I could succeed in college when I had my own personal doubts and fears that I would not. 

9. If you could invite any three people to dinner, who would you choose? 
Oh I have thought about this one a lot. The way I see it, its not celebrities or figures that I would geek out over, this is a list of people who I could sit down, have a drink with, and have an interesting conversation. Number one is Keanu Reeves, I believe we could talk for hours because he is a true renaissance man. Number two is a bit of an out there one, but it is Mick Foley. As a fan of professional wrestling, Mick always seemed like the most down to earth and personable wrestler. His autobiography was proof enough of that for me. Number three would be my spouse, who would also love to talk to these people haha! 

10. Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall? 
Fall, but with the caveat that it be 55 degrees outside at the maximum. I cannot deal with hot weather. Plus Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I love to eat!

August 25 Library Newsletter

 In this edition:

⏲️ Fall Hours
📚 Summer Reading
📚 Digital Book Club
📙 We Want YOU on Display
🐶 Therapy Dogs
💀 NEW - Anatomy Model Study Room
🛋️ NEW - Comfortable Seating
🖍️ NEW - Whiteboards

Fall 2026 Library Hours
The library is here for you evenings and Sundays! We are open Monday - Thursday, 8am - 8pm; Friday, 8am - 3pm, and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm.

Who Says There's a Literacy Crisis?
After a gorgeous summer of reading together, the first annual KLIC Summer Reading Challenge has come to an end! Faculty, staff, and a few brave students participated, and our total number of titles read was a whopping 231! Though everyone could be counted a winner, only a few could take home the prizes:

Most Titles Read and Most Points Earned - Marie Cullis
Most Challenges Completed - Mindy Griffin

Congratulations, Marie & Mindy! Want to keep reading together? Our new book club starts soon!

Digital Book Club Starting September 1
We are so excited to launch a new monthly book club for faculty, staff, and students, starting September 1. Though this club focuses on our digital collection, you are welcome to read a print copy of the selected title each month. Sometimes, however, getting your hands on a copy is an obstacle, so this book club is designed to make sure you have access! Each month, we will have access to UNLIMITED digital copies of the selected title through the Libby app. The first three months feature writers with ties to Tennessee, starting with the great Ann Patchett.

September - Whistler by Ann Patchett
October - Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
November - The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

The club is very informal and mostly asynchronous. We will have two ways to participate in virtual discussion: Fable and Padlet. Fable is a reading tracker app with private Book Club options. Padlet is browser-based and will allow you to post to a shared board. For those who want to meet in-person, we will have an informal gathering in the library on the last Friday of each month at noon. Bring your lunch!

Please use the form to indicate your interest in participating: KLIC Monthly Book Club Interest – Fill out form. 

We want YOU on Display!
The Library invites you and your students to showcase your hard work, creativity, and accomplishments through our display initiative to highlight the intersection of academic affairs and student life. Our goal is to celebrate and promote the vibrant intellectual and creative community at Chattanooga State.  

We would love to feature content from across campus, such as: 

Student projects and creative work 
Staff or faculty book recommendations by department or division 
Student organization highlights, including their mission or reading lists 
Interdisciplinary reading themes 
Complementary/supplementary course materials   

This list is just a starting point—we welcome your ideas and would be happy to collaborate. 

Feel free to contact me directly via the information listed below or contact your library liaison.  

Therapy Dog Schedule
The Library's therapy dog schedule for fall has arrived! Get some much-needed stress relief with our rotation of therapy dog visits. 

August 2026                            
8/25 11am - 2pm                       
                                       
September 2026                                           
9/1, 1pm - 2pm
9/8, 11am - 2pm
9/9, 11am - 12pm
9/15, 1pm - 2pm
9/22, 11am - 2pm

October 2026
10/13, 11am - 2pm
10/14, 11am - 12pm
10/20, 1pm - 2pm
10/27, 11am - 2pm

November 2026
11/3, 1pm - 2pm
11/10, 11am - 2pm
11/11, 11am - 12pm
11/17, 1pm - 2pm

December 2026
12/1, 1pm - 2pm 

Anatomy Model Study Room
You asked, we listened! The library now has a dedicated anatomy model study room for all A&P students including all of our A&P models, study tables, computers, whiteboards, and a projector. The room is open to use and does not require booking. 

Comfortable Seating
You asked, we listened again! The library now has 20 bean bag lounge and dorm chairs to use at our low seating tables or anywhere you can find a comfy spot. For library use only! 

Whiteboards Everywhere!
three whiteboards with erasers on rolling wheels
The library has SIX new whiteboards for your use! Use them anywhere in the library - ask for markers at the desk! 

Come see us at the library!

A&P anatomy models find a new home!

After being removed from the old staff meeting room for the new Family Study Room, the A&P anatomy models were placed out in an open area for about a year. 

The old library instruction room was repurposed into the A&P anatomy model rooms. Not only is there the usual set-up from before -- model cabinets and a staff computer check out area -- but there is now more!

Students can use the model room to collaborate and to use the whiteboards to take down notes! 

The new repurposed space has drawn campus kudos and welcomed by students.