Tam Ha ’08MS, recipient of the 2026 Alumnae/i Lifetime Achievement Award, is the academic librarian for VinUniversity (Hanoi, Vietnam). We spoke with her about the pivotal mentorship she received at Simmons and the rewards of a career in librarianship.
When Tam Ha ’08MS received the 2026 Alumnae/i Achievement Award on behalf of Simmons School of Library and Information Science (SLIS), she felt “joyful and deeply emotional.”
“To receive this recognition from Simmons SLIS, a school that has played such an important role in shaping library leaders around the world, is especially meaningful to me,” she says.
Tam, who is an academic librarian responsible for collection development at VinUniversity in Hanoi, Vietnam, has nearly two decades of experience developing academic libraries, advancing library education, and expanding access to knowledge.
In the early 2000s, Tam — who also holds a degree in education — helped establish a bachelor’s degree program in library and information science (LIS) at the Thai Nguyen University of Sciences in northern Vietnam. She drafted much of the curriculum framework, which was later refined with institutional support and approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
At this institution, Tam also helped secure funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen digital literacy and public access to information in underserved communities across northern Vietnam.
For Tam, the SLIS award reinforces the reverence she has for the profession. “I hope that, together, my colleagues and I in Vietnam can continue advancing librarianship both in breadth and in depth, building on the foundations laid by those who came before us,” she says.
Building an Academic Library
“One of the defining experiences of my career was helping lead the establishment of the VinUniversity Library from the ground up,” Tam recounts.
Established in 2019, the library was built largely on the foundation laid by Tam, who developed its vision, collections, services, staffing framework, and operational model.
“Starting with little more than a blank sheet of paper, I developed the library's vision, mission, strategic plan, policies, operational workflows, staffing framework, and service model for its first five years,” she says.
A typical week may include strategic planning and budgeting, evaluating and negotiating academic databases, supporting faculty and researchers with projects, and contributing to institutional decision-making. Tam also ensures copyright compliance and leads the library’s technology initiatives, including digitization and the educational use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Moreover, she advises library and University leadership on collection development, scholarly communication (i.e., the broader processes of creating, disseminating, and sharing scholarly knowledge), and emerging trends in higher education. Beyond VinUniversity, Tam has built partnerships with academic organizations in Vietnam and internationally, often counseling them on developing new libraries or academic programs.
A core challenge of Tam’s work is helping others understand that academic libraries are ever-evolving, and cannot be reduced to books and study spaces. Besides traditional services, librarians “need to advocate for the value of libraries and communicate our impact to university leaders, faculty, and other stakeholders.” For her, this challenge is an opportunity to develop strategic partnerships that advance higher education and generate knowledge.
Working for a STEM-focused institution, Tam realizes how academic librarianship can help make a positive impact far beyond the walls of the library.
“When I help students, faculty members, or researchers access evidence-based resources, I know that the knowledge they acquire may eventually contribute to better patient care, improved health outcomes, and stronger communities,” she says.
“What I enjoy most about my work is its variety. No two days are the same,” Tam reflects. “Each day presents an opportunity to contribute to education, research, innovation, and access to knowledge in meaningful ways.”
Encountering Simmons
Tam did not initially consider becoming a librarian, and before the 2000s, librarianship was not deemed a prestigious profession in Vietnam. However, an encounter with SLIS Professor Patricia Gail Oyler (1943–2025) at Thai Nguyen University, where Oyler was interviewing candidates for the SLIS Vietnamese Scholar-Librarian program, changed the course of her life.
Oyler introduced Tam to librarianship and helped her secure a scholarship to attend Simmons. Given Tam’s desire to attend graduate school abroad, Simmons proved to be the ideal choice. “Looking back, that opportunity was one of the greatest turning points in my life and career,” she says.
Under Oyler’s tutelage, Tam began to understand how libraries are institutions that empower learning, research, and social development.
“Professor Oyler inspired me to envision a broader future for libraries and librarians, and that experience sparked my desire to contribute to the development of the library profession in Vietnam,” she explains. “I often share this story with my LIS students, as a reminder that a single opportunity, mentor, or decision can shape not only a career, but also the impact one hopes to make in the world.”
Essential Training at Simmons SLIS
Tam appreciates that the skills she learned at Simmons SLIS serve her every day.
“Simmons taught me to think. The program encouraged critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning,” she says.
As she delved into her LIS coursework, Tam learned an essential lesson: Libraries should be designed around people, not collections.
“Simmons helped me understand a much broader principle: successful libraries are user-centered organizations that continuously evolve to meet the changing needs of their communities,” she says. This philosophy has guided Tam throughout her career.
Tam also benefited from Simmons’ hands-on learning and commitment to shaping future leaders.
“Our program was quite unique,” she recalls. “We spent one semester studying on the Simmons campus, while in other semesters faculty members brought us to major libraries and information organizations where we could learn directly from practitioners and observe how different types of libraries operated in real-world settings. This experience helped bridge the gap between theory and practice and gave me a much deeper understanding of the profession.”
Reflecting on her Simmons experience, Tam believes the principles of “learn by doing, build by doing, and develop others by doing” have shaped her leadership style and ability to advance librarianship in Vietnam and beyond.
Lifelong Mentorship
The SLIS faculty instilled in Tam that “knowledge becomes most meaningful when it is used to build communities, create opportunities for others, and expand access to education and information, especially in places with limited resources.” She remains grateful to Professors Oyler, Terry Plum (1947–2018), and others who challenged and encouraged her.
“Professor Oyler holds a very special place in my heart. She was not only an outstanding educator but also a visionary leader who believed deeply in the power of libraries to transform lives and communities. Her contributions to the development of librarianship in Vietnam were profound,” Tam expresses. “It was no coincidence that many of us affectionately called her ‘Mom.’”
Today, Tam remains connected to the Simmons community through the outreach and engagement initiatives of SLIS Dean Sanda Erdelez, including her recent visit to Hanoi and efforts to reconnect Simmons alumnae/i across the country.
“In many ways, Simmons has never really left me; it continues to influence how I think, lead, and serve the profession today,” she says.
Realizing a Vision of Lifelong Learning
Speaking about the rewards of her profession, Tam enjoys “seeing a vision become reality.”
As she elaborates, “What makes me most proud is not a particular project or achievement, but the opportunity to help create the kind of library I dreamed about as a student at Simmons — a library that is responsive, innovative, and deeply connected to the people it serves.”
Ultimately, Tam perceives libraries as shaping future generations through lifelong learning.
“Whether through supporting students, researchers, future professionals, or fellow librarians, I am contributing in a small way to expanding opportunities for learning, discovery, and innovation,” she says. “Seeing that impact grow through the people and communities we serve continues to inspire me every day.”