A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Jennifer began her career with the Samford University Library in 1999. Her first position with the university was Technical Archivist.  Since 2013, she has served as the Chair of Special Collection and the University Archivist. In 2016, she became the first archivist in Alabama to complete the Digital Archivist Specialist program with the Society of American Archivists.  Prior to coming to Samford, Jennifer gained experience working with the Starkville Public Library and as an intern working with Civil Rights materials at Tougaloo College in Mississippi. Jennifer serves as the liaison to the history department. Her areas of research interest include Alabama, Baptist History and 19^th and early 20^th century women’s periodicals.  Her other interests include theater and postcards.

Degrees and Certifications

• MLIS   University of Southern Mississippi
• BA Mississippi State University, English

Certificate

Digital Archives Specialist. Society of American Archivists

Liaison Areas

Howard College of Arts and Sciences

• History

Selected Presentations

National

• Taylor, J., (2019) Preserving the Online STORI., The Association of Librarians and Archivists at Baptist Institutions, Nashville, TN
• Taylor, J., (2018) Historical Value, Is It Worth It?: An eBay Story., The Association of Librarians and Archivists at Baptist Institutions, Fort Worth, TX
• Taylor, J., (2016) Telling Church Tales: Researching and Writing Local Church Histories. Joint Conference for the Association of Librarians and Archivists in Baptist Institutions, Baptist History & Heritage Society, and the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, Waco, TX.
• Taylor, J., (2015). What’s Cooking at Samford University; Special Collection and Archives Outreach. Association of Librarians and Archivists in Baptist Institutions, Nashville, Tennessee.
• Taylor, J., & Wells, E. (2014). The Lovegrens: Related as Family, Joined in Missions.  Baptist History & Heritage Society, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Taylor, J. (2011). Digital Delights: How we made Digitization work at Samford University.   Association of Librarians and Archivists in Baptist Institutions, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
• Taylor, J. (2005). Distance Researchers: Website Development and Researcher Needs. Southern Baptist Library Association, Birmingham, Alabama.

Regional

• Taylor, J. (2012). Remember Your Ebenezer: Starting an Archive to Preserve Your History.   Archival Training Collaborative, Gadsden, Alabama.
• Taylor, J. (2012). Remember Your Ebenezer: Starting an Archive to Preserve Your History.   Archival Training Collaborative, Birmingham, Alabama.
• Taylor, J. (2008). Digital Projects at the Samford University Library. Solinet Users Group, Jacksonville, Alabama.

State

• Gentry, Laura., Taylor, Jennifer., Aaron, Haley., Oliff, Marty., Walton, Donnelly, Panel on Documenting a Pandemic. Virtual Conference, Society of Alabama Archivists., October 2020
• Taylor, J., (2019). Preserving the Digital Footprint: The Society of Alabama Archivists., Decatur, AL,
• Taylor, J., McDonough, M., Leberman, S., (2017, April) Thinking Forward: Digital Preservation, Alabama Library Association, Preconference Workshop, Montgomery, Alabama.
• Taylor, J., Herndon, K., Northrup, L., & Cecil, C. (2014, April). Are Those Pickles I Smell or is it Vinegar Syndrome?  Poster Session, Alabama Library Association, Huntsville, Alabama.
• Taylor, J., Cecil, C., & Waddell, C. (2014, April). Library Statistics: It's Not Just for Reference.  Presentation, Alabama Library Association, Huntsville, Alabama.
• Taylor, J. (2013, September). Steps to a Healthy Library: Preserving Your Church's History.   Presentation, State Church Library Workshop, Talladega, Alabama.
• Taylor, J. (2012, September). Driving To Success: Preserving Your Church's History.   Presentation, State Church Library Workshop, Birmingham, Alabama.
• Taylor, J. (November 7 - December 2011). Measure of Devotion Exhibit, An exhibit on the American Civil War featuring historical documents, journals, letters and photographs. Samford University Library.
• Taylor, J. (2008, April). Digitization for Anyone: Scanning. Workshop, Alabama Library Association, Birmingham, Alabama.
• Wells, E., Taylor, J. (2007, October). Finding, Using, and Preserving Church Records. Documenting the Spirit Workshop, for Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama.

Professional Associations

• Society of American Archivists
• Association of Librarians and Archivists at Baptist Institutions
• Society of Alabama Archivists
• Alabama Library Association