Jackie Johnston started working for the University of Dayton in 1978 as an assistant in the law library, when the law library was in the basement of the Roesch Library. After two years, she transferred to the Roesch Library, where she worked in Government Documents, Acquisitions. For eight years, she was in charge of the Periodicals Department, where she managed a budget of nearly $1 million and oversaw more than a dozen student workers. She was also the main contact for the Robert Werner gift to the library and university.

During this time, Ms. Johnston also attended classes part time at the University of Dayton for fifteen years, and she graduated with a Bachelor's of General Studies degree with six minors in December of 2004.

In 2005, Ms. Johnston rejoined the Zimmerman Law Library as the Acquisitions Supervisor. Ms. Johnston says, "I have come full circle by returning home where I started."

In her free time, Ms. Johnston works for the Shephard's Hands food and clothing bank in Brookville and sings for weddings and other events throughout the Miami Valley.