Kimberly Michelle Gay 1
Kimberly Michelle Gay
Genealogy Professional Bio
Prairie View A&M University (Texas A&M University System)
Title: Reference and Instruction Librarian
Office: 936-261-1506
Fax: 936-857-2755
Email: kmgay@pvamu.edu
126B John B. Coleman Library
John B. Coleman Library
P.O. Box 519 MS#1040
Prairie View, TX 77446
Kimberly M. Gay: Professional Bio
Kimberly Michelle Gay is the Reference and Instruction Librarian I at the John B. Coleman
Library of Prairie View A&M University- a Texas A&M University System. Plus, she is the
Library Liaison for the College of Business, Literature & Languages, and Communication &
Journalism Departments. She graduated Magna Cum Laude 3.89 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Mass Communication (Print Journalism) in 2003 from Texas Woman’s University in
Denton, Texas. She went on to receive a master's degree in Library Science and Information
Studies, Suma Cum Laude 4.0 from TWU as well in May 2006. She is a Lifetime inductee in the
Beta Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu (International Library and Information Studies Honor
Society). Prior to her working at the John B. Coleman Library, Kimberly was a Library
Assistant II at Texas A&M University- Commerce. She has more than eight years of academic
library experience, and five years of genealogy researching and has presented more than eight
Genealogy workshops. She is an active member and 2003 Spectrum Scholar for both the Texas
Library Association and the American Library Association. Texas Library Association
organizations include: Divisions: College & University Libraries; Round Tables: TLA Black
Caucus- member and Councilor Alternate 2007-2010; Library Instruction Round Table-Member,
Genealogy- member and Chair-elect 2007-2008- Chair- 2008-2009. and Reference Round
Table); TLA district areas that she is associated with are: Distinct 5- Northeast Texas, District
7- North Texas and District 8- Houston. She also was recently appointed to the Texas State
Library and Archives Commission: Appointment to TexShare Education Services Working Group
2007-2010. American Library Association organizations include: Black Caucus; Association of
College and Research Libraries (ACRL); Reference and User Services Association (RUSA);
Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS). Afro-American Historical and Genealogical
Society, Inc (National) and AAHGS- H-Town (Houston, Texas Local) 2008- present, AfriGeneas
member.
Education:
Texas Woman's University • Master of Library Science and Information Studies
May 2006
4. 0 GPA- Sum Cum Laude
Texas Woman's University • Bachelor of Science May 2003 3.86 GPA- Magna Cum Laude
Major: Mass Communication
Kimberly Michelle Gay 2
Minor: Sociology
Minor: Fashion and Textiles: Fashion Merchandising &
Marketing
Print Journalist and Photojournalist
Professional Development Activities:
Awards and Honors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
2007-2008: Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals.
2008: Who’s Who Among African American Librarians
2007-present: American Association of University Women
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc (National) and AAHGS- HTown ( Houston Local) 2008- present
New Texas Library Association Professional Development Appointments:
1. Texas Library Association Black Caucus Roundtable Councilor Alternate 2007-2010
2. Texas Library Association Genealogy Roundtable Chair-Elect 2007-2008. Chair
2008-2009.
3. Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Appointment to TexShare Education
Services Working Group 2007-2010.
Texas Library Association and American Library Association Genealogy Conference
Presentations:

Presenter and Presider: TLA Dallas 2008 Conference: April 15-18, 2008. Collection
Development Resources for Patrons of Color Friday, April 18, 2008 @ 8:00 - 9:50 am.
Gather all the data needed to provide the best library collection for patrons of color.
Explore the newest trends, services, and resources from websites to databases to books. A
business meeting follows the program. Kimberly Michelle Gay, academic reference and
instruction librarian, Prairie View A&M University; Lana Hayes, librarian, DeBakey
High School, Houston ISD; Judith Hiott, coordinator of materials selection, Houston
Public Library; Eileen Liu, president, Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Presented a workshop at the TLA District Five meeting (5) Saturday, September 23,
2006. Dallas Public Library Genealogy and Diversity 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Genealogy is about linking a family’s history from past to present. Through census
reports to government documents, the task of finding information on a family’s history
can be exhausting and when it is coupled with finding research on an ethnic family’s
history the search can require even more avenues to explore. Many avenues can be
explored in conducting genealogy research for an ethnic group. From searching ethnic
newspapers to churches to property list, grave sites and tax papers, researching the
genealogy history for an ethnic group requires using other options and creative research
tools than the conventional methods.

Presented a workshop at the TLA Conference in Houston, Texas April 25-28, 2006Genealogy and Diversity 8:30 a.m. -9:50 a.m. Thursday April 27, 2006.
Kimberly Michelle Gay 3
Genealogy is about linking a family’s history from past to present. Through census
reports to government documents, the task of finding information on a family’s history
can be exhausting and when it is coupled with finding research on an ethnic family’s
history the search can require even more avenues to explore. Many avenues can be
explored in conducting genealogy research for an ethnic group. From searching ethnic
newspapers to churches to property list, grave sites and tax papers, researching the
genealogy history for an ethnic group requires using other options and creative research
tools than the conventional methods.
Assisted the members of the Texas Woman’s University School of Library and
Information Studies faculty and staff members with presentation and spoke for about 20
minutes on the researching ethnic genealogy. Kimberly M. Gay, SLIS Master's student,
presented "Let History Be Your Guide: Ethnic Genealogy Research" at the program,
Genealogy and Diversity.

Presider at a workshop at the TLA Conference in San Antonio, Texas April 11-14, 2007Researching Family: Celebrating Culture, Libraries, and Tradition 10:15 - 11:50 AM.
CPE#415: SBEC 1.0; TSLAC 1.0. Genealogists and librarians discuss how to help families
research and record their history and traditions. They highlight how library services can help
celebrate cultural diversity in the community and encourage the preservation of family history
through events such as family reunions. A business meeting follows the program. Kimberly
Michele Gay, librarian, Prairie View A&M University; Betty Leal, manager, Dallas Public
Library; Roderick Linzie, sociologist; Cheryl Smith, public services librarian, Harrington
Library (Plano).

Presented a workshop at the Joint Colors of Librarians Conference (American Library
Association) October 9, 2006 Genealogy and Diversity 10:45 a.m to 12:15 p.m..
Thursday October 9, 2006. Let History Be Your Guide: Ethnic Genealogy. Genealogy
is about linking a family’s history from past to present. Through census reports to
government documents, the task of finding information on a family’s history can be
exhausting and when it is coupled with finding research on an ethnic family’s history the
search can require even more avenues to explore. Many avenues can be explored in
conducting genealogy research for an ethnic group. From searching ethnic newspapers
to churches to property list, grave sites and tax papers, researching the genealogy history
for an ethnic group requires using other options and creative research tools than the
conventional methods. Assisted the members of the Texas Woman’s University School
of Library and Information Studies faculty and staff members with presentation and
spoke for about 40 minutes on the researching ethnic genealogy( African-American,
Asian, Hispanic and Native American . Kimberly M. Gay, M.L.S., presented "Let
History Be Your Guide: Ethnic Genealogy Research" at the program, Genealogy and
Diversity.

Presented workshop with Assistant Director, Juanita Walker and Reference and
Instruction Librarian, Kimberly M. Gay. Black Caucus 6th National Conference of
African American Librarians: Culture Keepers VI: Preserving the Past, Sustaining
the Future in Forth Worth Texas August 2-5, 2007. Slated on the program for Friday,
August 3, 2007 to present a panel discussion on Keeping the Culture through
Engagement, Enlightenment, and Empowerment in Genealogy researching from the
Africa to the America.
Program Description:Come gather all librarians to exchange those “Best Practices”
for serving library patrons who are researching genealogy reference resources.
Genealogists and librarians will address, discuss and exchange innovative was to help
Kimberly Michelle Gay 4
librarians interact with their library patrons who are seeking information on historical
and genealogical research records and repositories; Africa Genealogy resources and
African-American Genealogy research. Participants are encouraged to bring examples
of their genealogy researching to share. Have you had your DNA charted for genealogy
purposes? Want to know how to help your library patrons trace what African tribe they
are a descendant from? This panel discussion forum will provide a research framework
and give librarians the opportunity to share their enjoyment and disappointment on
genealogy reference services for their library patrons. From DNA testing to African
Tribes to Genealogy Websites and many unconventional resources for Africa and
African-American Genealogy resources, librarians come and gain some excitement and
encouragement to give your library patrons when they are conducting Africa and
African-American Genealogy information.
University of Houston Lecture Seminar

Presenter: Visiting seminar lecturer at University of Houston’s African American Studies
Department. Conducted a seminar lecture on Africana Genealogy on Thursday, April 10,
2008 at 10 a.m. in the Agnes Arnold Hall Suite 628. The topic of the lecture was
Minority Genealogical Research: Keeping the Cultures through Engagement,
Enlightenment and Empowerment. Director of the University of Houston’s African
American Studies Department, Dr. James L. Conyers, Jr.
Prairie View A&M University
Mon., June 23rd, 2008:
11:00 AM-12:50 PM RI [Gay]: SOCG 2003 001 Minorities in American Society. [20] / Dr.
Sarah B. Williams (936-261-3221 or sbwilliams@pvamu.edu). (To be confirmed -- 123 New
Science Bldg Computer Lab).
Course includes the development of sociological ramifications and assessments of minorities in
the field of genealogical research and how those genealogy research endeavors impact societal
views and assumptions about minorities and their historical value in America. This course will
identify major challenges in genealogical research for people of underrepresented heritages,
including African Americans, American Indians (Native Americans), Hispanics and Asian
Americans. Handouts (at Instructor's discretion).
Library Presentations

Conference Presenter: Presider: EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION .
SPRING PROGRAM Beaumont, Texas. February 15-17, 2007. February 16, 2007
SESSION X-African Americans in East Texas >>
http://www.easttexashistorical.org/events/springmeeting.html
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly M. Gay
September 3, 2008