Prior to her appointment at ETSU, she served as both a school (elementary, middle, and high school) and instructional (community college) librarian. Reneé is the author of three books: Teaching Civics in the Library: An Instructional and Historical Guide for School and Public Librarians (McFarland, 2015); Foreign-Born American Patriots: Sixteen Volunteer Leaders in the Revolutionary War (2013); and The Revival of Banned Dances: A Worldwide Study (2012). She is a graduate of Vermont College of Fine Arts (MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults) and Appalachian State University (Master of Library Science).