09.30 – 10.00

Registration and coffee 

10.00 – 10.10 

Welcome and introduction to the conference from SCONUL Co-chair Anna O'Neill

10.10 – 11.00

Keynote speech

Flora Ng, Chief Information Officer and University Librarian, The University of Hong Kong.

11.00 – 11.45

Panel discussion and Q&A: Driving digital transformation

The panel will discuss the creation and communication of vision and roadmaps for the digital transformation of the library, including technology-enabled library spaces, content and systems.

Our speakers are:

• Alison Chojna, Group Director of Professional Services Transformation, London South Bank University
• Ciara McCaffrey, University Librarian, University of Limerick
• Wendy White; Director Library and Learning Services, University of Southampton.

11.45 – 12.05

Coffee & tea break

12.05 – 12.50

Workshops - delegates have the opportunity to attend one of the following workshops:

• Digital Transformation in practice: new resources from the Jisc Digital Transformation Library Lens programme

Facilitator: Paola Marchionni, Head of Engagement (Digital Transformation), Jisc.

This workshop is 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. The Digital transformation library lens builds on the Jisc Digital transformation framework and can be used to support libraries to amplify, enhance and evidence their role and impact in digital transformation. It will be piloted by seven UK university libraries over the coming year.

• Evolving approaches to flexible working

Facilitators: 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 offers delegates the chance to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

• Effective collaboration for shared services

Facilitators: Liz White, Director of Library Partnerships, The British Library & Wendy White, Director Library and Learning Services, University of Southampton.

Speakers: 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 will provide 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.

12.50 – 13.30

Lunch

13.30 – 14.30

Winning entries in the SCONUL Library Design Awards 2025

14.30 – 15.15

Lightning talks and Q&A: Libraries driving social change

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

Our speakers are:

• Vicky Grant, Head of Library Learning and Teaching services & Alison Little, Associate Director, Learning Strategy and Student Engagement, University of Sheffield, will talk 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, will share 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, will cover the sustainability-focussed work done at the University of Greenwich, carried out collaboratively between the Library Service and Estates and Facilities.

15.15 – 15.30

Coffee & tea break

15.30 – 16.15

Panel discussion on leading confidently through transition

This roundtable discussion will consider 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.

Our speakers are:

• 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.

16.15 – 16.25

Concluding remarks from SCONUL Co-chair Rachel Beckett

16.25

Close