About Me

Overview

I created this e-portfolio to showcase my work as a graduate student and graduate research assistant, help connect with potential employers, and exercise the knowledge I obtained from my web design course.

 

My name is Kay Hames, I am non-binary and use they/them pronouns. I am originally from Lynchburg, Virginia and after moving to Las Vegas to complete high school, came back to Lynchburg to earn my bachelor’s degree. I have friends and family in both the eastern and western parts of the United States and enjoy opportunities to travel to visit them.

 

I currently work as a Graduate Research Assistant in Pendergrass Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine Library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where I have conducted research on food and housing insecurity on the UTK campus and in the greater Knoxville area. I helped to launch a new branch of the UT Libraries Seed Library in Pendergrass Library and created a Student Basic Needs Guide to help connect students to resources. I am incredibly passionate about social justice and information equity, and strive to use my privilege as a female-passing white person to advocate and amplify other voices.

My Education

I received a Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of Lynchburg in English in December 2018, with minors in Political Science and German Language. At the end of May 2022 I will officially receive my Master’s of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

My Future

I am interested in career opportunities in both public and academic libraries where I can support the community, create responsive programming, and exercise my creativity. I am also very interested in any international opportunities, as I speak conversational German and enjoy learning new languages. I am looking to permanently relocate outside of the United States, but I am open to temporary opportunities as well.

 

With my May 20th graduation rapidly approaching, I am excited to take a monumental step in my career. Over the summer I will be starting a new role at the DC Public Library as a Children’s Librarian. I will be working in the South Eastern branch of the DC Public Library and will be relocating shortly after my graduation ceremony.