Learn More About Keuka College's Academic Hub
Lightner Library was dedicated on May 12, 1973. The library was named in honor of Quentin T. and Charlotte B. Lightner and in memory of Larry F. Lightner. Dr. Quentin Lightner served the College with distinction as professor and chaplain from 1948-1969. Larry Lightner, Quentin’s brother, was a friend and benefactor of Keuka College.
The Lightner Library is the information center of Keuka College. It provides study space for 400 students and has about 86,000 volumes. In addition to its print holdings, the Lightner Library provides access to a variety of online resources including databases as well as e-books and e-journals.
Mission Statement
Lightner Library promotes life-long learning for students, faculty, and staff by providing resources and services to meet their information needs.
Vision Statement
Lightner Library will:
- Be the intellectual center of the Keuka College community where users can access information and connect with each other in an open, positive learning environment
- Play a pivotal role in information literacy instruction for traditional and non-traditional students
- Provide services and innovative technologies that will empower students in the 21st century information age
The Library Team
Denise Chambers
Reference and Instruction Librarian
Judith Jones
Library Acquisitions Clerk
Academic Credentials
- Finger Lakes Community College
- A.A.S
Rosanne Klingler
Library Assistant
Linda Park, Esq.
Director and Chair of Lightner Library
Associate Professor
Academic Credentials
- University at Buffalo
- J.D. in Law
- University at Buffalo
- M.L.S.
- SUNY College at Buffalo
- B.S.
Dr. Malia Spofford Xavier
Associate Provost
Associate Professor of Spanish
Academic Credentials
- Cornell University
- Ph.D.
- Cornell University
- M.A.
- Cornell University
- B.A.
Biography
Dr. Malia Spofford Xavier teaches Spanish language, Latin American literature, and intercultural communication courses at Keuka College. Born in New York and educated at Cornell University, Malia has since traveled to dozens of countries and six of seven continents. After living and teaching in Brazil for six years, she returned to the United States in 2015 to join the faculty of Keuka College. She enjoys working with students of all backgrounds to expand their understanding and experiences of our globalized world and its cultures and languages.
Malia’s scholarship grew out of a deep interest in the colonial period of Spain in the Americas, exploring how concepts of human rights, capitalism, and sovereignty developed in tension with plural identities during that violent, unstable time. Her publications and presentations include articles on teacher education, social justice, and community-engaged pedagogy. Her classes encourage students to explore diversity and critical perspectives on culture and literature.
The Spanish program incorporates community-engaged and experiential learning through Field Periods, short-term travel abroad, local projects, and co-curricular activities. Recent trips abroad have included Nicaragua with the Four Walls Project, Spain, and Costa Rica. Malia is also a member of the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers of Ontario-Yates Counties, which has an English Language learner program. Many Keuka College students have worked with local Spanish-speaking community members who are seeking to apply for US citizenship or improve their English language skills.
Prior to her career in higher education, Malia was an officer in the US Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has two children, Nicholas and Olivia. In their free time, you can find them camping, swimming, hiking, and skiing.