News Release
Stephanie Hardy Appointed Director of Library Services
Southern Virginia University Provost Madison U. Sowell announced that Stephanie Hardy, former instructional services librarian, has been appointed the university’s new director of library services.
“She has been working full time in the Von Canon Library since 2012,” said Provost Sowell. “In addition to her graduate degree in library science, she has enjoyed considerable management experience in the private sector.”
Hardy will replace Dr. Christopher Richardson, who served as director of library services for nearly four years. Richardson will now serve as the library director and director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond.
“One of my greatest joys as provost has been working with Dr. Christopher Richardson,” said Provost Sowell. “He is truly ‘a man for all seasons.’ He served as interim library director from August to December 2011 and then was appointed as library director in January 2012. He has performed exemplary work as an administrator, librarian, and professor; he will be sorely missed.”
Hardy said that she was “ecstatic and very humbled” to be selected for the position.
“Christopher has been a wonderful mentor and example for me from day one,” she said. “Under his direction, the library is not just meeting the needs of the students and the faculty, but exceeding them. We want to continue to have customer service at the forefront of our goals, and to proactively find new and creative ways to connect people with information resources.”
Hardy received a master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in learning and cognition from Brigham Young University. She and her husband, Kenneth Hardy, owned a real estate company for a number of years. She also has experience working as a real estate consultant and project manager for developments including Monterra Realty. The Hardys have seven children — five of whom have attended Southern Virginia — and 15 grandchildren.