Ms. Cooper attended Alma College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Spanish. She then attended the University of South Carolina where she earned a Master of Librarianship degree in 1983. 

With more than 40 years in the field, Ms. Cooper's expertise and dedication have made her a valuable member of the University of Virginia Library community where she has served in numerous positions. She currently serves as Principal Cataloger and is a part of the Library's Metadata and Discovery Services. She has played a vital role in ensuring that the library's resources are properly organized and easily accessible to students, faculty and researchers, and staff.

Renowned by her peers for her exceptional service and knowledge, one peer was quoted as saying "Jean L. Cooper's contributions to the field of library science are truly remarkable.  Her dedication to her work, her expertise, and her self-publishing efforts make her an outstanding professional who has the ability to set a huge example as a mentor to others.” She is a member of the Virginia Library Association and is a past member of the American Library Association. She was also recognized with the Virginia Genealogical Society Award for her excellent service and contributions to the field.

A testament to her expertise in library science, genealogy, and local history, Ms. Cooper has published several books, either with commercial publishers or her own publishing house, Shortwood Press. She has also published a number of historical texts for colleagues and local genealogical societies. Her publications have been well-received by both readers and scholars.

Ms. Cooper considers her 40-year tenure at the University of Virginia a highlight of her career. Aside from her primary occupation, she is a member of the Central Virginia Genealogical Association, for which she serves as editor of the newsletter and webmaster.