Employee Spotlight: Jacob Deininger

CFCC’s Public Services Librarian Jacob Deininger is a remarkable individual whose life weaves together the love of books and the great outdoors. Growing up in a family that frequently relocated, courtesy of his father’s Navy service, Jacob’s passion for adventure and exploration was nurtured from a young age.

He attributes his creativity and the spark of his enduring love for reading, which have served as guiding beacons in his journey, to his mother—a retired elementary school teacher. Jacob’s father instilled in him the skills of sailing and survivalism, which have remained close to his heart.

In a scene reminiscent of Huckleberry Finn, Jacob once constructed a makeshift raft and sailed down the mighty Mississippi River, embracing the call of nature. However, his interests extend beyond the wilderness; he is also a fervent follower of major league baseball and an advocate for sustainability.

Jacob’s commitment to environmental conservation is evident in his actions, as he diligently collects styrofoam at CFCC and transports it to UNCW for recycling, exemplifying his dedication to preserving both the natural world and the values instilled in him by his family and his adventurous spirit.

“Jacob has done a tremendous amount for our campus community,” shares fellow CFCC Public Services Librarian Jim Clark. “He has led sustainability efforts through the Sustainability Committee, worked tirelessly as a reference librarian (often going the “extra mile” for students), and assists in classrooms with information literacy presentations and library instruction. He also has taught student success classes and works as our local IT expert.”

With a long list of contributions to the CFCC campus community and a diverse range of skills, Jacob’s dedication and expertise shine through in every aspect of his work. Now, let’s delve into a Q&A with Jacob to learn more about his experiences and insights.

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START WORKING AT CFCC AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?

I’ve worked as a Public Services Librarian at CFCC for 12 years. I was looking to continue my career in library services and relocate to the mid-Atlantic area to be closer to family.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I’ve always enjoyed working with people. Being a librarian in an academic setting allows me to work closely with students as they build their research and critical thinking skills.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT DO YOU DO?

I am a big baseball fan. Oakland, I mean, Las Vegas Athletics is my favorite team, but I will watch just about any live baseball game from high school to college to professional minor league baseball.

WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR EDUCATION AND/OR CAREER PATH?

I loved doing research as an undergraduate student and worked in so many wonderful libraries. I always found the library staff to be so helpful (and smart) and I just wanted to hang out with them as long as possible.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

The secret to happiness is lowered expectations.

WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

When I was 14, I built a raft and sailed down the Mississippi River. My dad was a Naval Officer for 37 years and taught me a lot about sailing and survivalism.

DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

BA in History from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia
Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Chair of the CFCC Sustainability Committee: Doing great work on the CFCC campus with recycling, building initiatives, and advocacy
• Azalea Coast Library Association: Sharing resources and ideas with local librarians
• American Library Association: Working with librarians on a national level