Libraries Director Valerie Hotchkiss to Retire

Valerie Hotchkiss, who has served as Azariah Smith Root Director of Libraries and Professor of English and Book Studies at Oberlin since 2021, will retire on June 30. Her departure caps a five-year tenure marked by remarkable advancement for the Oberlin College Libraries, which include Terrell Main Library (located in Mudd Center), the Conservatory Library, Science Library, and Art Library, as well as Special Collections and the College Archives.

Hotchkiss arrived at Oberlin in fall 2021, as the world was tentatively emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Her initial work sought to bolster alignment of library goals with the overall priorities of the institution.

From her earliest days, Hotchkiss emphasized creating more welcoming spaces in the libraries and making library experiences more inviting for all. This was accomplished in part through the introduction of numerous successful events and series, including Book Arts Lab and the Edible Book Festival, as well as exclusive engagements with exhibitions such as "Melville's Billy Budd at 100."

“At a time of unprecedented curricular expansion and intellectual diversity at Oberlin, we are deeply grateful for the many contributions Valerie has made as a scholar-teacher and a librarian,” says David Kamitsuka, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Her leadership has provided an excellent foundation as well as momentum for Oberlin Libraries to evolve with innovations in our curriculum and educational challenges and opportunities from technological developments.”

Among the achievements guided by Hotchkiss:

• Development and implementation of the libraries’ 2021-2025 strategic plan
• Reorganization of library operations, duties, and workflows to align with evolving best practices and institutional priorities
• Reimagined and renovated spaces in all four libraries, making them more accessible and welcoming for users and more efficient and effective for staff
• Completion of a two-year migration to a new integrated library system platform
• Revitalization of the Friends of Oberlin College Libraries, the Faculty Library Committee, and the creation of a Student Library Advisory Board
• Creation of meaningful professional development opportunities for librarians and paraprofessionals while significantly increasing internships and other information-career opportunities for students
• Promotion of enhanced library instruction in information, data, and AI literacies to help strengthen research proficiency and student success.

In addition to her role at the helm of the libraries, Hotchkiss served as a professor of English and Book Studies. She has authored numerous articles and books on cultural history, religion, women’s studies, and the history of books and printing.

Hotchkiss leaves Oberlin a vibrant library system well-positioned to build on a foundation of support for scholarship, teaching, and learning.

“Valerie has been an exceptional leader for Oberlin's distinguished library system and an extraordinary partner to Oberlin's faculty, staff, community members, and more,” says Dean of the Conservatory William Quillen. “Her tenure has been transformative, we are grateful to her for her work, and we will miss her greatly.”

“Librarianship has been my vocation,” says Hotchkiss, who began as a library shelver at the age of 14 and has been a library director for 37 years—at Southern Methodist University, University of Illinois, Vanderbilt, and Oberlin. “I can’t imagine a more fulfilling and enjoyable career.” Hotchkiss looks forward to continued engagement as a scholar and author. 

Beginning in July, Associate Director of Libraries Paul Heyde will serve in the role of interim director of the libraries through the 2026-27 academic year. A nationwide search for Hotchkiss’ successor will begin this summer.