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The role of University Librarian is the pinnacle of a librarian’s career, an ascension to the highest level of faculty on a university campus. Tomaro Taylor’s accomplishments, efforts, and body of work have contributed substantially to the betterment of the USF Libraries and to the profession, and being named University Librarian is well deserved.
Tomaro started her academic career at USF with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1998. Soon after, she received her second Bachelor of Arts in American Studies in 2001. Tomaro’s venture into library science was happenstance – she wanted to be a museum educator, but USF didn’t offer a museum studies degree at the time. So, she pursued a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science.
“Initially, I thought my degree would translate to a career as a museum professional. However, since the majority of my coursework focused on academic libraries, I knew my opportunities in the museum sector would be quite limited,” Tomaro shares.
Tomaro was working as a graduate assistant when she started her career at the USF Tampa Library. She was offered the inaugural appointment of the Dr. Henrietta M. Smith Residency in 2003, and for the next two years was the Resident Visiting Librarian. In May 2004, she was offered a faculty position at the Tampa Library.
“The Residency offered an excellent opportunity to learn about and experience the range of professional librarian roles in an academic setting, and I was able to stay in Tampa during a so-so job market. The Residency also helped me realize that my initial objective of working in the museum sector was not likely to happen anytime soon. Since I was fairly certain that I wouldn’t be able to translate my education or experience to a museum setting, I asked to work in Special Collections as part of my Residency. I started in the summer of 2003 and haven’t given much thought to a museum environment since then. I love the archives community. There are so many people doing so many interesting things in our field, and I love being part of and contributing to that momentum.”
Tomaro went on to become a certified archivist in 2005, and was awarded the Society of Florida Archivists Award of Excellence in 2012. She earned a second Master of Arts in American Studies in 2016, and was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Service Award by the USF Institute on Black Life in 2017. She was also the recipient of the 2018 USF Friend of Anthropology award. Tomaro’s University Librarian appointment will be celebrated in an official program this Fall.
USF System President Judy Genshaft sent along congratulations, “This recognition by the University personally honors you and reflects the esteem with which your colleagues regard you…. Promotion indicates not only high evaluation of your accomplishments but also faith in your ability to make continuing contributions to the University. The contributions of your teaching, research, and service will play an instrumental role in the continued development and enhancement of USF.”
Tomaro’s supervisor Maryellen Nash, Interim Director for Research & Instruction, also sent words of high regard, “Tomaro embodies professionalism and possesses a tireless work ethic. In all of her efforts, Tomaro brings enthusiasm, intelligence, organization, and efficiency to her role, and makes any task more enjoyable for those she works alongside.”
From the USF Libraries and the USF community, congratulations Tomaro on this promotion and accomplishment!
