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Biography

Thomas Reed Caswell is Associate Dean for Academic Engagement & Faculty Affairs at the University of Central Florida Libraries, providing strategic leadership and guiding policy for resources that advance teaching, research, and student success. During his academic career at both R1 and R2 universities, he has secured over $400,000 in grant funding and built campus and community partnerships that promote innovation and collaboration.

Caswell’s professional appointments include serving nationally as Chair of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Research Planning & Review Committee and on editorial boards including Resources for College Libraries. His scholarship addresses emerging trends in academic libraries, liaison engagement, and mentoring in librarianship. He holds an M.A. in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida and a B.A. in Art History from the University of Florida.

Selected Scholarship

Monographs/Book chapters:

Caswell, T. R., & McLeland, D. C. (2021). Building together: A dedicated space for student art exhibits. In Liaison engagement success: A practical guide for librarians. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Caswell, T. R., & Ochoa, M. N. (2012). Collaborative teaching and learning tools: SPEC Kit 328. Washington, DC: Association of Research Libraries.

Caswell, T. R. (2011). The art of mentoring across disciplines. In Mentoring in librarianship. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co.

Caswell, T. R. (2009-2015). Art and architecture. In Guide to reference. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Caswell, T. R. (2009-2015). Design and applied arts. In Guide to reference. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Refereed articles:

Quigley, B., Caswell, T., Burroughs, J., Costello, L., et al. (2024). 2024 top trends in academic libraries: A review of the trends and issues. College & Research Libraries News, 85(6). https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.85.6.231

McAllister, A., Flierl, M., Caswell, T., Costello, L., et al. (2022). 2022 top trends in academic libraries: A review of the trends and issues affecting academic libraries in higher education. College & Research Libraries News, 83(6). https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.83.6.243

Benedetti, A., Boehme, G., Caswell, T., Denlinger, K., et al. (2020). 2020 top trends in academic libraries: A review of the trends and issues affecting academic libraries in higher education.College & Research Libraries News, 81(6). https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.81.6.270

Palazzolo, C., Kern, M. K., Benedetti, A., Caswell, T., et al. (2018). 2018 top trends in academic libraries: A review of the trends and issues affecting academic libraries in higher education. College & Research Libraries News, 79(6). https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.79.6.286

Caswell, T. R., & Baglier, T. A. (2016). Destroy your classroom! Re-conceptualizing the instructor/student model in academic libraries. Journal of Library Administration, 56(1).

Non-refereed articles:

Caswell, T. R. (2015). Unearthing strategic partnerships: Collaborating with archives to build a local history collection. Computers in Libraries, 35(1), 4–10.

Papers, Speeches, Presentations:

White papers – contributor:

ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee. (2025). Environmental scan 2025. https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025_ACRL_Environmental_Scan.pdf

ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee. (2023). Environmental scan 2023. https://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/publications/whitepapers/EnvironmentalScan2023.pdf

ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee. (2021). Environmental scan 2021. https://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/publications/whitepapers/EnvironmentalScan2021.pdf

ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee. (2019). Environmental scan 2019. http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/publications/whitepapers/EnvironmentalScan2019.pdf

Invited Presentations:

Caswell, T. R. (2023, June 7). Core mentoring program [Invited panelist]. Core Leadership Development and Mentoring Committee, Online.

Caswell, T. R. (2023, March 16). Trends in academic libraries [Invited panelist]. National Museum Publishing Seminar, Online.

Caswell, T. R. (2020, May 14). Affordable course materials: A closer look at librarians and OER/AER [Invited panelist]. Virtual summit sponsored by Springer Nature Publishing, Online.

Refereed Poster Sessions:

Baglier, T., & Caswell, T. R. (2016, March 11). Eroding barriers: Creating student-centered learning spaces for art & design [Conference presentation]. Art Libraries Society of North America Annual Conference, Seattle, WA.

Asher, A., Lindell, A., & Caswell, T. R. (2015, October 16). Open resources for arts and design disciplines [Conference presentation]. Florida Association of College and Research Libraries Conference, Gainesville, FL.

Baglier, T., & Caswell, T. R. (2015, March 26). Creating untethered learning spaces [Conference presentation]. Association of College and Research Libraries Conference, Portland, OR.

Invited Session Organizer or Moderator:

Baglier, T., & Caswell, T. R. (2015, March 27). Unfettered technology for pop-up learning spaces [Conference roundtable co-organizer]. Association of College and Research Libraries Conference, Portland, OR.

Grants:

Caswell, T. (Principal Investigator), & Cusick, J. (Co-Principal Investigator). (2012–2015). Unearthing St. Augustine’s Colonial Heritage: An Interactive Digital Collection for the Nation’s Oldest City [National Endowment for the Humanities grant, $265,000].

Nemmers, J. (Principal Investigator), Caswell, T., Freund, J., Mariner, M., & Renner, R. (2009–2011). Saving St. Augustine’s Architectural Treasures [National Park Service Save America’s Treasures grant, $41,181].

Baglier, T. (Principal Investigator), & Caswell, T. (Co-Principal Investigator). (2014–2015). Untethered Instruction: Engaging Learners In and Out of the Classroom [University of Florida Technology Fee grant, $95,572].

Selected Service Activities

National/ International Organizations:

American Library Association (ALA), Member, 1996-present

  • Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures Division, Member, 2020-present
    • Core Leadership Development and Mentoring Committee, Member (Appointed), 2023-2025
      • Mentor, 2023-present
    • Core Publications Working Group, Member (Appointed), 2020-2021
      • Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Division, Member, 1996-present
    • Resources for College Libraries Editorial Board, Member, 2025-2027
    • Conference Career Center – Minneapolis Annual Conference, Volunteer, 2025
      • Conference Mentor, 2025
      • Mock Interviewer, 2025
      • Resume Reviewer, 2025
    • Research Planning and Review Committee, Member (Appointed), 2019/2021-2024/2025
      • Chair (Appointed), 2024/2025
      • Vice-Chair (Appointed), 2023/2024
    • Arts Section, Member, 2001-2016
      • Chair, Program Planning Committee (ALA Orlando 2004), 2003-2004
      • Member, Publications Committee, 2002-2009
      • Webmaster, 2001-2008
      • Member, Technology in the Arts Committee, 2001-2003
    • ACRL/IRIG Visual Literacy Advisory Group, Member, 2010-2011
  • Government Documents Round Table (GODORT), Member, 1996-present
  • Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) Division, Member, 1997-2004

Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA), Member, 2002-2016

  • ARLIS/NA Mid-Career Fellowship Award Committee (Appointed), 2013-2016
  • ARLIS/NA Liaison to American Library Association/ACRL Arts Section (Appointed), 2010-2016
  • Conference Programming Co-Chair, ARLIS/NA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, 2005-2007
  • Conference Planning Advisory Committee, Member, 2005-2007
  • Professional Development Committee, Member, 2003-2009
    • Chair (Appointed), 2007-2009
    • Internship Roster webmaster, 2003-2009
    • Member, Core Competencies Sub-committee, 2003-2004
    • Mentoring Program, Mentor, 2010-2011

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Art Libraries Section Standing Committee, Member (Elected), 2011-15; 2015-2019

National Trust for Historic Preservation, Member, 2007-present

ProQuest Visual Arts & Design Advisory Board, Member, October 2025- March 2027

Regional/ State/Local Organizations:

Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian Networking Group, Member, 2023-present

Art Libraries Society of North America Southeast Chapter, Member, 2001-2016

  • President (Elected), Southeast Chapter, 2006
  • Vice-President (Elected), Southeast Chapter, 2005
  • Conference Planner, Annual Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida, 2005
  • Chair (Appointed), LoPresti Book Awards Committee, 2001-2002

Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, Member, 2007-present

St. Augustine Historical Society, Member, 2007-present

University of Central Florida:

  • College of Graduate Studies Master’s 3 Minute Thesis Competition, Judge, Fall 2025
  • Assistant and Associate Deans Council, Member, 2024-present
  • Chairs and Directors Excellence Program, Member, 2024-present
  • Student Success Steering Committee, Member, 2023-present
  • Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Campus Innovators Group, Member, 2023-present
  • Six Sigma Project, Library Lead, Spring 2023

University of Central Florida Libraries:

  • Associate Dean for Resources & Discovery Search Committee, Chair, 2025
  • Annual Evaluation Standards & Procedures (AESP) Task Force, Member, 2024-2025
  • Strategic Directions Task Force, Co-Chair (with Rachel Vacek), 2023-2024
  • Director of Marketing and Communications Review Panel, Chair, 2023-2024
  • Library Storm Team, Member, 2024-present
  • Building Planning Committee, Member, 2023-present
  • Instructional Video Committee, Library Administration Representative, 2023-present
  • Administration Council, Member, 2022-present
  • Management Council, Member, 2022-present
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