About Antoinette
My career as an information professional began when I was about eight years old. I discovered Nancy Drew. Learning about her desire to dig for all the clues to get to the answer – not just any answer, but the true answer – set me on my path.
In college, I decided to major in history since it was a field of study that leads to deep research, conclusions, and answers. I earned my BA in history with a minor in preservation, and later completed my masters in library science from UNC in Chapel Hill. While at Chapel Hill, I also worked in the reference department in UNC Davis Library.
After graduation, I moved half-way across the country to work at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, as the government resources and maps librarian. I also served as a liaison to the Geography Department. At nearby Ft. Riley, I participated in the Professional Reading Group, studying books about military leaders, cultures of other countries, and many pertinent issues. Listening to the officers and other soldiers greatly expanded my perspective on these topics. I also began writing multiple encyclopedia entries for Sage Publishing.
I enjoyed Manhattan, KS. It was a fun college town with a fantastic farmers market, a short drive to the Konza prairie for hiking, lots of snow and ice in the winter, and the most beautiful sky that went on forever. It’s not as flat as one would think. I was able to explore a beautiful part of the U.S. I never thought I would see.
Later, I took a librarian position at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD as the political science, economics, and government resources librarian. This was a job like no other in my experience. Working for the federal government was quite different, but I learned my way through it. I felt immersed in a very different professional atmosphere, delving more into legal, government, and military issues than I ever had before. I found the history of Annapolis and the water of the Severn River amazing. The informal discussion group gathering at Starbucks every morning made my days even better!
My next move was to Washington DC, still as a librarian. Only this time, I was working for the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Working for the White House was more exciting and challenging than I ever could have imagined. Research each day was different than the day before, quickly pivoting to whatever was happening in the world. All of my previous years of working with government information proved vital. The influential people I was able to meet and the friends I made were icing on the cake.
Having since returned to my hometown in Southern Virginia, I’m still researching, writing, and digging for the correct answers in many of the subjects I scoured through over the last 20+ years. Through my many years of working general reference, I have researched just about every subject you can imagine. Whatever your plan, project, or need, just ask. I thrive on the challenges, and look forward to helping you find the answers you require.
