Del Hamilton, Associate Director for Collections Management, at Tulane University Libraries, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, August 28th, 2026. She will be deeply missed by her colleagues and the Tulane community. 

Del brought more than eighteen years of dedicated service to Tulane University Libraries. Before officially joining Tulane University, Del served as a Consultant and Project Manager with LAC Group, specialists in legal research, information management, and competitive intelligence, where she was assigned to the Tulane Libraries Recovery Center.  

Established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Recovery Center undertook the monumental task of processing more than a million items — restored materials, donations, and replacement purchases — to help rebuild the library's collections after the storm's floodwaters devastated Howard-Tilton Memorial Library and Jones Hall. Del's work there, assigned through LAC Group during this critical phase of the library's rebuilding effort, reflected both her adaptability and her steady leadership in a demanding, high-stakes environment.  

She began her career with Tulane University in 2020 managing the Library Annex, ensuring the efficient storage and retrieval of the university's extensive collections, before advancing to lead Collection Management for General Collections and becoming a member of the Library Leadership Group. In this role, she oversaw the strategic organization and accessibility of library materials, work that quietly but profoundly supported the research and academic life of the entire university community. 

Earlier in her career, Del spent over 17 years as Library Systems Coordinator at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Her foundational experience included roles as Instructional Materials Librarian and Children's Bibliographer at Central Michigan University, as well as Librarian at St. Johns High School, a career path that gave her a rich, well-rounded understanding of library science across school, academic, and specialized settings. 

Del held a Master's degree in Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and was skilled in academic libraries, cataloging, library instruction, information literacy, and library research. Colleagues knew her as a strong program and project management professional whose careful, thoughtful stewardship of library collections left a lasting mark on every institution she served. 

Del's decades of work reflect a lifelong commitment to connecting people with knowledge, from her earliest days as a school librarian to her leadership at Tulane, including her contributions during one of the library's most significant rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina. She will be remembered for her expertise, her dedication, and her quiet, steady presence within the library community. 

Tulane University Libraries extends its deepest condolences to Del's family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her.