Rate My Professor Don Tobin

Under Tobin's leadership, the Bindery processed approximately 80,000 periodicals and 20,000 theses, with periodical binding comprising 95% of the workload until thesis binding was formalized as an official service in 2000. The operation supported key university research initiatives, including early bindings for the Dunedin Study under Professor Richie Poulton, as well as materials from Dr Foss Leach's department and Professor Helen Leach. Early colleagues included former Foreman Ad van Egmond and Nesta Spittle. Tobin contributed to numerous library exhibitions and special projects, providing expert binding for displays such as Constructing the Author in Medieval and Early Modern Books, In Search of Scotland, and Printer in Residence Programme outputs, including custom bindings and folders alongside collaborators like Tara McLeod and Inge Doesburg. The Bindery's volume declined with the rise of digital publishing, from annual peaks exceeding 2,800 theses and 40,000 periodical backlogs to about 400 theses in recent years. Tobin retired on 3 March 2026, concluding his career with plans to travel alongside his wife Liz, leaving a legacy of preserved scholarly materials central to Otago's academic heritage.