University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Japan Studies Librarian Tokiko Bazzell was recognized with the Nina D.P. Horio Excellence in Librarianship Award at a formal presentation in Hamilton Library on October 22. The rare honor, awarded to truly outstanding colleagues, had been presented only six times since its inception in 1993.
Bazzell has served as Japan studies librarian at UH Mānoa for 22 years. An expert and leader in her specialization of academic librarianship, she is admired and respected locally and internationally. Bazzell’s “can do” attitude helped her develop many productive relationships within and beyond the university that will benefit students, scholars and the institution for many years.
“Tokiko has brought prestige to the UH Mānoa library and its Japan and Okinawa collections. Both she and the collections have a stellar national and international reputation. Her enthusiasm and her expertise have helped scholars and students at UH Mānoa and abroad be successful in their research endeavors,” said University Librarian Clem Guthro.
“My 22 years working as the Japan studies librarian in the Asia Collection Department has flown by, and it has been the most fulfilling and exciting time of my life. I’ve been asked to give highlights of my career, but each project, each encounter with people and places, and the end results have all left lasting impressions that make it difficult to choose,” said Bazzell. “I do owe my successes to my library colleagues, the UH teaching and research community, administrators and the many local and international individuals and institutions who have mentored and provided support to me along the way.”
Members of the Center for Japanese Studies noted that Bazzell has been instrumental in forging relationships between the UH and national institutes in Japan. The award’s selection committee found her contributions to the university and Japan Studies librarianship to be outstanding in every aspect. Of note is her work with Japan-related special collections in Hamilton Library’s Asia Collection, including the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection of rare and significant materials that focus on Ryukyuan and Okinawan studies.
- Related UH News story: UH librarians visit university partners in Okinawa, January 5, 2016
Bazzell earned graduate degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and Catholic University of America. Prior to joining UH, she worked as a librarian for Nomura Investment Securities Research Institute and American University in Washington, D.C.
The Nina D.P. Horio Excellence in Librarianship Award is named in honor of Nina Horio, former head of the library’s Science & Technology Reference department, and past president of the University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly.
This recognition is an example of UH Mānoa’s goal of Excellence in Research: Advancing the Research and Creative Work Enterprise (PDF), one of four goals identified in the 2015–25 Strategic Plan (PDF), updated in December 2020.
