Razzaghi named new University Library director

The University of Texas-Pan American Office of the Provost recently appointed Dr. Farzaneh Razzaghi as the new University Library director.

"It is great to have this opportunity to be in a position to serve even more and be able to lead the library toward becoming a research library," she said.

Razzaghi, who has been with UTPA since 1990, has served as the interim library director since 2006 and associate library director for research services since 2005 following the retirement of former library director Lawrence Caylor. She also served as interim library director back in 1998-1999, and as an assistant library director for research services, 1998-2004.

Dr. Paul Sale, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Razzaghi's extensive knowledge of both UTPA and The University of Texas System organizations, and her vision for a faculty-oriented research library made her an excellent choice for the position.

"I look forward to assisting Dr. Razzaghi and the library faculty and staff in transforming our very good library to a great library serving both teaching and increased research needs," Sale said.

Originally from Iran, Razzaghi, who has lived in Texas for 31 years, said her first priority is to fill the positions of assistant and associate directors to develop a team to continue toward the goal of becoming a research library.

Currently the library is working on two major projects including moving old journals to a remote access area and negotiating for the purchase of more compact shelving for one floor &ndash a project she started while serving as interim to create more space for the library's book collection. In addition, Razzaghi said she is working on a new initiative for services for new faculty members.

"We are going to have librarians assigned to a group of faculty in a discipline to help them out with any library and research activity," she said.

She will also be meeting individually with library staff members to find out their specific needs regarding the workplace Razzaghi said.

"The changes that I am most interested in seeing right away is to work harder to improve our services where we may need improvement," she said.

As director, Razzaghi will oversee 58 professional and support employees, and the overall daily operations of the library facilities, budget, personnel, services and collection.