SCONUL's Autumn Conference, Library Transformation: People and place, was held on 19 November 2025 in Birmingham. It brought members together to discuss key challenges and opportunities in digital transformation and change management, with a focus on people and place.

The conference also included the results of the triennial Library Design Awards, and the launch of Agents for change: Libraries and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a set of case studies demonstrating how libraries contribute to their institution’s drive to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Keynote speech

Digital and AI Transformation in the HKU Libraries
Flora Ng, Chief Information Officer and University Librarian, The University of Hong Kong

Flora's presentation, Digital and AI Transformation in the HKU Libraries: The University of Hong Kong, explored the comprehensive space transformation initiative at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Libraries. It looked at HKU's strategy to move beyond traditional study halls by creating a spectrum of purpose-built environments, including technology-rich collaboration zones for group projects, quiet study space for deep individual study, and an innovative Fine Art Digital Library that offers immersive, stress-reducing experiences. Flora spoke about how they have reimagined the library as a cultural venue, hosting concerts and artistic events to foster a sense of community and enhance student appreciation for the arts. The session demonstrated how integrating cutting-edge technology with a focus on holistic student development—encompassing academic success, mental well-being, and cultural engagement—is redefining the very role of the 21st-century academic library.

Panel discussions

Driving digital transformation
Alison Chojna, Group Director of Professional Services Transformation, London South Bank University; Ciara McCaffrey, University Librarian, University of Limerick; Fiona Greig, Director of Knowledge & Digital Services at University of Winchester.

A strong theme running throughout the panel discussion was the focus on people as key drivers of transformation. Panelists agreed that engaging stakeholders at the outset through a clear vision helped to maintain buy-in and drive transformation throughout the process.

Leading confidently through transition
Ann-Marie James, Director of Library Services, Aston University; Amina Shah, National Librarian and Chief Executive, National Library of Scotland; Emma Walton, Director of Library Services and University Librarian, Loughborough University.

This roundtable discussion considered approaches to leading motivated and engaged teams including looking at the role of storytelling; and leading across multiple services and through times of significant change and uncertainty.

Lightning talks

Libraries driving social change
We heard lightning talks from three institutions (Aberdeen, Greenwich and Sheffield) showcasing inspirational initiatives delivering social change and supporting their institutions’ commitments to the UN Sustainability Goals.

Vicky Grant, Head of Library Learning and Teaching services & Alison Little, Associate Director, Learning Strategy and Student Engagement, University of Sheffield, talked about how they are driving social change through Lib Fest, a collaborative festival, jointly hosted by the University Library and Students’ Union Liberation Officers at the University of Sheffield.

Susan Halfpenny, Deputy University Librarian, University of Aberdeen, shared how the University, through its partnership with Aberdeen City Libraries, has expanded its support beyond the campus to the wider community, welcoming local schools into their University Library spaces to foster belonging and inclusivity and creating opportunities learning and engagement.

Dave Puplett, Associate Director - Libraries and Academic Enhancement, University of Greenwich, covered the sustainability-focussed work done at the University of Greenwich, carried out collaboratively between the Library Service and Estates and Facilities.

Winning entries in the SCONUL Library Design Awards 2025

Judith Keene, Director of Library & Professional Administrative Services, University of Worcester and chair of the Library Design Awards 2025 panel, introduced the awards and announced the winners.

Congratulations to London South Bank University, winner of the service design category, and to Lancaster University, winner of the library spaces category. The Victoria & Albert Museum and University of Limerick both received highly commended recognition for their library spaces. 

In the case of London South Bank University, judges noted a clear alignment between the library’s services and the institutional strategy, with the library demonstrating impressive leadership in terms of advocacy and influence at university level.

Judges agreed that the space at Lancaster University is a thoughtfully designed, versatile environment that offers an inspirational model due to its inclusive design and positive stakeholder feedback.

Presentation from London South Bank University: Winner of the service design category

Presentation from Lancaster University: Winner of the space design category

Workshops

Digital Transformation in practice: new resources from the Jisc Digital Transformation Library Lens programme
Paola Marchionni, Head of Engagement (Digital Transformation), Jisc

This workshop gave attendees an opportunity to engage hands-on with the new resources that Jisc has co-developed with the HE library community to support digital transformation from a library’s point of view.

Presentation from Paola Marchionni, Jisc

Evolving approaches to flexible working
David Clover, Director of Library Services and Digital Skills; and Emma Walton, Director of Library Services and University Librarian, Loughborough University.

With many institutions reviewing their policies on approaches to flexible working and how this affects the libraries’ student-facing services, this workshop offered delegates the chance to share and learn from each other’s experiences. Attendees also discussed opportunities for collaborative efforts to offer support in this area.

Effective collaboration for shared services
Jennifer Louden, Vice Chair of the SUP Management Board (SCURL), Gareth Owen, Interim Director (Operations), Cardiff University (WHELF); Kate Petherbridge, White Rose Libraries Executive Manager and Anna Clements, Director of Library Services and University Librarian, University of Sheffield (White Rose Consortium)

This workshop provided an opportunity to hear from colleagues at SCURL, WHELF and the White Rose Consortium about their varied forms of collaboration and what has made these such effective collaborations, including the successful key relationships that lie at their heart.

Presentation from Jennifer Louden, SUP Management Board (SCURL

Presentation from Kate Petherbridge and Anna Clements, White Rose Consortium

This event was supported by:

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