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Reba A. Best

Professor and Head of Cataloging
B.S., 1975, East Carolina University
M.L.S., 1979, Florida State University

rbest2@utk.edu

Professor Best came to UT in 1979 and established the Law Library's Cataloging Department. During her tenure, the library's extensive collection has become more accessible through the use of consistent cataloging practices and standards and the transition to a web-based online catalog. In addition to providing description and access to the library's physical holdings, she is now moving the online catalog towards being a "portal" to information sources (fee-based and free) available on the web. Professor Best has served the Library, College and the University through her service on numerous committees, as a Law School representative to the Faculty Senate, and as a mentor to untenured faculty. She was a recipient in 1997 of the College of Law's Carden Award for Outstanding Service and in 1999 of the UTK Employee Team Excellence Award for Promoting the Spirit of Teamwork. Professor Best is a board member of the Knoxville Branch of the American Association of University Women, serves as the organization's webmaster, and is the State AAUW Treasurer. Professor Best has co-authored with UT colleague Cheryn Picquet several research bibliographies including The Insanity Defense: A Bibliographic Research Guide [2002]. She is the author of Identity Theft: A Legal Research Guide published by Hein in 2004. An updated and revised version of the Identity Theft book was published as a chapter in the 10-volume legislative history, Federal Identity Theft Law: Major Enactments of the 108th Congress in 2005.

Publications

       Books:

Identity Theft: A Legal Research Guide (Hein, 2004).

       Books co-authored with Professor Cheryn Picquet:

The Insanity Defense: A Bibliographic Research Guide, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd eds. (Harrison, 1985, 1994, 2002) with biennial supplements.

Computer Law and Software Protection: A Bibliography of Crime, Liability, Abuse and Security, 1984 through 1992 (McFarland, 1993).

Computer Crime, Abuse, Liability and Security: A Comprehensive Bibliography 1970-1984 (McFarland, 1985).

Law and Government Publications of the State of Tennessee: A Bibliographic Guide--AALL Occasional Papers Series (American Association of Law Libraries, 1988).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Rape Trauma, Delayed Stress and Related Conditions: A Bibliography; with a Directory of Veterans'' Outreach Programs (McFarland, 1986).

Recent Professional Presentations and Service

AALS Committee on Technology 2002-04

American Association of University Women, Knoxville Branch webmaster, 1998 - present; State Treasurer, 2006-.

Southeastern Association of Law Libraries
   - Local Arrangements Committee for 1999 annual meeting (1998-99).
   - Membership Committee (1997-98).
   - Scholarship Committee, chair (1996-97).
   - Articles and Bylaws Committee, 1994-95 (Chair, 1995).

UTK College of Law's Carden Award for Outstanding Service, 1999

UTK Employee Team Excellence Award for Promoting the Spirit of Teamwork, 1999

UTK Faculty Senator, 1994-97. Faculty Senate Bylaws Committee, 1994-97

UTK Residence Classification Committee, 1998 - present

April 18, 2007