Dr. John Sandstrom was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, at the beginning of the transition from the Baby Boom to Generation X. He received a BA in History from the University of Tulsa in 1984, followed by a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma in 1987, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas – El Paso in 2010, and an EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration from New Mexico State University in 2017. 

John started his professional life as the Head of Acquisitions and Collection Development at Saginaw Valley State University. From there, he moved to the Office of Materials Selection at the Houston Public Library (TX), then to the private sector, working for Baker & Taylor and Library Systems and Services, Inc. (LSSI), both in Collection Development and Acquisitions. After his exile, he returned to libraries, specifically El Paso Public Library, in Collection Management, Acquisitions, and public services, and is now at New Mexico State University as the Head of Acquisitions, completing the circle that began and ended in academia. 

John has expertise in library collection development and management, budgeting, contract negotiation, electronic resource management, serials management, and strategic planning. He also has extensive experience in staff training and development, workflow design, library consulting, and project management. 

Outside of work, his interests include Native American education, Navajo textiles and jewelry, vocal music, fiber arts, and collecting instruments he doesn’t play.