Reinette Jones is an outreach/research/reference librarian in Special Collections. Her research focuses on all things connected to African Americans in and from Kentucky. All of which lead to the development of the Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (NKAA) with fellow librarian Rob Aken in 2003. The database also contains a directory of Africa American library directors, and the newly developed section honoring African American Women Veterans in and from Kentucky. The NKAA Database was recognized with the 2009 RUSA/Gale Cengage learning Award for Excellence in Reference and Adult Library Services. The NKAA Database is free to all via the internet and the database is continuously update. In 2020, there were over 450,000 visits. The NKAA database is 100% sponsored and supported by the University of Kentucky Libraries. Other areas of interest include the history of African American librarians and librarianship in Kentucky, African American women musicians, lesbian studies, and working with archivist Kopana Terry in promoting the research value of Kentucky newspapers.
- African American history
- Book and Library History
- Gender and Women's Studies
- African American and Africana Studies
- Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies