Happy Retirement, Susan Jennings!

After 12 ½ years as Dean of Library Services, Susan Jennings, announced her retirement. Her last day at Chattanooga State is January 31, 2025.

Susan in her first blog post on the second day of her start here back in August 2012 stated, “I look forward to getting to know you and continuing the great work of the library.”

Great work indeed.

Under Susan’s leadership, the library went under total renovation with every library space stripped down to the concrete and rebuilt back up. During this time, plans were in place to continue library services on campus.

The Edible Book Festival became an annual event under Susan’s time here. Check out our many blog posts about the Edible Book Festival.

The library was rebranded as a library and information commons and used the acronym KLIC on the library website and other digital spaces.

Susan served as an ALA Councilor at Large and as president of Tennessee Library Association. She was honored with the highest award from TNLA – the TNLA Honor Award in 2017.

Susan encouraged the creation of two staff interview blog series: Not So Frequently Asked Questions and the Stars of KLIC. Both series continue with new library staff.

In her Stars of KLIC blog post, Susan wrote about wanting to become a history teacher but discovering her true calling to be in the library. “I loved working in libraries, teaching students, and learning more… about everything,” she wrote.

In her NSFAQ blog post when asked to name an aspect of your job that most people don't know about, Susan replied about library instruction: “I guess that would be that I teach library instruction classes.  It is the “dessert” of my job.  I love collaborating with faculty members and trying to figure out fun and creative ways to make our library instruction session fun and educational.”

The KLIC mission statement reflects the importance of library instruction: To Teach…To Learn…To Serve…To Explore.

Susan changed the operations of the library department to better serve students, faculty, and staff at Chattanooga State. The library underwent digital changes in the catalog; and changes in organizational structure; and changes in library instruction.

And finally, a message from Susan:

I've loved being a librarian and a Dean tremendously. A simple first staff job in an academic library brought me to my lifelong love... my vocation... my life's calling. I am proud of the things I've accomplished professionally and personally! I’ve been fortunate to work with extremely dedicated and talented colleagues.  If I had one talent it was how to recognize and hire good people! Now, I look forward to exploring a new chapter of my life!

Thank you, Susan Jennings, for your dedication and work at Chattanooga State and at KLIC!  We will miss you!

Susan Jennings, Dean of Library Services