Kelly Coffman

Kelly Coffman graduated magna cum laude and received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kentucky prior to completing a Master of Science in Library and Information Science at UK in December 2018. She follows her mother who also earned a MSLS from the university. 

Coffman currently works at the Keeneland Library, which is a non-circulation, reference and research library at the Keeneland Association in Lexington, KY. 

“I rehouse a print negative collection and assist with reference requests. Other duties have included creating a vertical file index, creating finding aids for gifts and donations, cataloging gifts and donations as well as projects in archival preservation,” Coffman said. 

Prior to working at the Keeneland Library, Coffman worked as a Reference and Adult Services Librarian at Clark County Public Library. 

“The greatest reward I had was working in a library while going through the LIS program! The theoretical knowledge from classes came up daily in the work environment and expanded my knowledge and understanding of library science,” she said. 

Coffman also interned for The John Dickinson Writing Projects, a documentary editing project. As an intern, she transcribed and annotated correspondence from the late-1700’s. Her primary research interests are in the colonial era and royalty.

“My career goals are to become an archivist,” Coffman said. “My dream job would either be working in the St. Louis Cardinal’s archives or at Monticello in Virginia.” 

Outside of her professional life, Coffman enjoys watching professional tennis and the St. Louis Cardinals, reading historical fiction, baking, and being a cat mom to her 16-year-old kitty. Her advice to current students is, “Work in a library while you go through the program – any library! Any and all experience is invaluable.”