A new chapter — Leeds
I will be starting a new role in April 2021 as the University Librarian and Keeper of Brotherton Collection at the University of Leeds. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was writing something similar about my Director of Library and Archives role at the University of York, 3 years ago.
University of Leeds is one of the largest UK universities (top 5 in terms of number of students) and is a founding member of the Russell Group of Universities. It has one of the largest research libraries in the UK, with five site locations, five designated collections deemed internationally important, and two free public galleries.
I am excited about this role, the scale and challenge of University of Leeds, and the wonderful opportunities it brings to set the Library at the heart of the new strategic vision at Leeds Universal Values, Global Change. I am also proud of the fact that history is made by my appointment to this role, just like it was made at York three years ago. At York, with my appointment in 2018 as the Director of Library and Archives, I became the first person from an ethnic minority to be appointed to a Director of Library and Archives role at a Russell Group University. At Leeds, with my appointment in 2021, I became the first person from an ethnic minority to be appointed to a University Librarian role at a founding Russell Group University. I genuinely hope that this sets an example that it is possible to break the glass ceiling that so many people from ethnic minorities in the UK face, including in the academic and research libraries environment.
At the heart of my thinking is to develop a values based, forward thinking culture at the University Library. I am looking forward to meeting all of my colleagues in the Library and across the University, and to develop and foster collaborations that propel the University to be at the forefront of solving local, regional and global challenges, along with providing a world class student experience. It will be a challenge, but one that I am excited about and looking forward to.
