Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University has named Timothy Hackman dean of University Libraries, effective July 25, following a competitive nationwide search. He succeeds Stuart Frazer, who served as interim University Librarian.
"Timothy Hackman brings a wealth of experience guided by a people-first philosophy and a commitment to providing user-centered services and resources, supporting students, embracing change and using technology to solve problems. We know under his stewardship, our libraries will continue to offer an incredible resource for both ODU and the wider community," said Austin O. Agho, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the talented librarians, archivists and staff of the Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University Libraries. The libraries are a critical part of meeting the University's teaching, learning, research and community outreach goals," Hackman said. "I look forward to developing and enhancing the strategic partnerships between the libraries, ODU and the surrounding community to help us meet the present and future needs of our students and researchers. My wife, Jackie, and I are looking forward to a change of scenery from the D.C. Metro area and discovering all that the Hampton Roads area has to offer!"
Hackman brings 19 years of broad-based academic library experience at multiple levels. He has served as associate director for public services at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County - part of the University System of Maryland - since 2019. In that position, he has guided comprehensive strategic planning, increased grant funding, enhanced partnerships with other campus units and ensured effective performance review and mentoring of faculty and staff. He also rewrote policies on public computer use, services to users with disabilities and safety and emergency preparedness. Throughout the process, he gathered staff feedback on all major policy changes, improving transparency in decision-making.
Hackman also collaborated with University Health Services to develop the Mindspa, a relaxation space for students, and partnered with the Women's Center to develop a proposal for a Family Study Room. He worked with the Division of Information Technology to double the inventory of computers available to expand the laptop loan program.
As director of user services and resource sharing at the University of Maryland from 2012 to 2019, Hackman led a major reorganization and expanded outreach and programming, including an Info Expo open house. He also oversaw the merger of the circulation and reference desks, as well as facility improvements.
Hackman previously served as liaison librarian for English and linguistics from 2006 to 2012, and librarian for the Paul Wasserman Library of the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland from 2002 to 2006. He also served as an adjunct instructor for graduate students in the Kent State University School of Library and Information Science.
Hackman has proactively updated library services and programs in the fast-paced, constantly changing information environment. He has created programs of instruction for graduate students and undergraduate students in English, linguistics, second language acquisition, women's studies and library science. He has also created library websites, online research guides and library newsletters.
Hackman earned his M.A. in English Language & Literature and Master of Library Science at the University of Maryland, and a B.A. in English from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He has published and presented on leadership and change management, project management, perceptions and use of e-books, open access and faculty outreach. He has also attended the American Library Association Leadership Institute, the Harvard University Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians and the Peabody Professional Institute on Academic Library Leadership at Vanderbilt University.
"In this important role, Dean Hackman will provide leadership and service in helping Monarchs across the University as they learn, study, research and grow," said ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. "Dean Hackman has a demonstrated record of forward-focused success. Under his strong leadership, University Libraries will exemplify modern research by both offering and expanding services that are cutting-edge, collaborative and accessible to all."
As dean of University Libraries, Hackman will lead the libraries in the mission to meet the needs of ODU as a preeminent research university; advocate for the libraries within the University and the larger community; articulate a shared vision for the libraries; demonstrate an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice; attract external resources; and support the University's leadership role in regional à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã development.
In recent years, the libraries have added several resources, including membership with HathiTrust, a not-for-profit digital collaboration composed of more than 200 academic and research libraries. In July 2020, the libraries celebrated the one-millionth download from the ODU Digital Commons, which now contains more than 13,000 items, including scholarly works, undergraduate works and academic journals.
The Special Collections and University Archives worked to digitize the WTAR/WTKR Hampton Roads Historic News Film Collection, one of the most extensive news film collections in the United States, and acquired a deep, historical film collection of over 42,000 films from the Naro Expanded Video store, a Norfolk landmark.
