For many people across campus, a book request begins with a quick online form or a short email. Behind the scenes, someone is making sure the resource arrives on time and reaches the student, faculty member, or researcher who needs it. 

At UTA Libraries, that kind of work is where Hanh Nguyen comes in. 

Nguyen serves as an acquisitions specialist in the Access and Discovery Department, helping connect the campus community with books and electronic books that support research, teaching and learning. Her role brings together organization, problem-solving and service, but she describes it in straightforward terms. 

“I’m happy when I can help people,” Nguyen said. “Faculty, students and staff send me requests for books or e-books, and I find what they need. I really enjoy that part of the work.” 

That mindset has shaped her path from student to longtime staff member. 

Nguyen graduated from UTA in 2008 with a business degree and a minor in communication. 

After graduation, she spent several years working part-time at the city of Arlington Public Library and later moved into acquisitions. She eventually joined UTA Libraries in January 2015, returning to her alma mater as a full-time staff member. 

Now, more than a decade later, she has built a career at the same university where she once attended classes. 

Nguyen reflected on that path with appreciation for how it unfolded. 

“I’m proud to be a Maverick because I went to school here and now I work here,” Nguyen said. “This place has been part of my life for a long time. I’ve grown up in my career here, and I understand how important it is for students to have support. Maybe someday my son will also choose UTA and have his own experience here, too.” 

Over the years, Nguyen has worked in several areas within the Libraries, including acquisitions and metadata. That experience has given her a strong foundation in both finding and organizing resources, so they are accessible to users. 

Last fall, she stepped into her current role as acquisitions specialist, bringing those experiences together to support campus needs. 

In her day-to-day work, Nguyen helps faculty, staff, and students obtain books and electronic books for coursework, teaching, and research. While some requests are routine, others come with tight timelines. 

She recalled a faculty member who needed a book for a book talk tied to his publication. 

“It felt good to be able to get that item in time,” she said. “I knew it mattered for their work, so being able to make that happen was rewarding.” 

Beyond her work at the Libraries, Nguyen’s time is centered on family and a steady rhythm of home life. She enjoys cooking and baking, especially sourdough, which she describes as both calming and a bit of a science experiment. 

“It’s like therapy,” she said. “On weekends, I bake because it helps me slow down and focus on something simple, especially after a busy week.” 

Much of her free time is also spent with her 11-year-old son, Huy, who shares her interest in cooking and has begun exploring both STEM subjects and culinary goals. 

“He likes cooking too, and it’s something we really enjoy doing together,” she said. “I just love seeing him curious about different things and figuring out what makes him happy. It’s exciting to watch him grow into his own person.” 

For Nguyen, her work at UTA Libraries ultimately comes back to people, making sure that when someone needs a resource, it is there when it matters most. Whether it’s a student tracking down a source for a paper or a faculty member preparing for a lecture or publication, Nguyen’s work helps make sure access to information isn’t a barrier to learning.  

It’s the work behind the scenes that keeps materials moving and questions answered across campus, one request and one resource at a time.