1media/Billings_oncampus.jpgmedia/Billings_consulate.jpg2018-07-12T16:40:04-07:00Advocacy & Leadership23Billings was instrumental in establishing UT Libraries reputation as a top-ranking research institution.image_header7931152018-10-16T18:24:08-07:00The analog to digital transition was a particularly challenging time for libraries everywhere. During Harold W. Billings’ term as director of the University of Texas Libraries from 1978 to 2003, libraries were under the scrutiny of critics predicting their eventual irrelevance. To this Billings responded,
Near the beginning of his tenor as director, the Perry-CastaƱeda Library building was completed and opened as the main library branch. By his retirement in 2002, UT Libraries vastly expanded their resources to include both access to online databases and a new 21st Century study area and computer workstation.
Through Billings' skill in building partnerships, his openness to the evolving role of librarians, and his passionate advocacy for the field, UTL not only weathered these changes but built its reputation as one of the nation’s top-ranking research libraries .
12018-10-15T21:35:40-07:00Staff Honors Endowment Renamed for Billings2This award for outstanding library staff members was renamed for Billings after his retirement.plain2018-10-15T22:24:42-07:00After Billings' retirement, the UT Libraries staff awards were renamed the Harold W. Billings Staff Honors Endowment. This award for exceptional staff members carries on Billings' legacy and his commitment to strive for excellence in the libraries.