The University Librarian, Kate Robinson, has been appointed as the President of the International Association of University Libraries (IATUL). With over 240 Library Directors from 60+ countries holding membership, IATUL offers an influential and inclusive community for leaders of University and Research libraries to exchange ideas, expand professional networks, create new collaborations and work together on international projects that explore and contribute to current significant challenges and areas of interest.
Kate first joined IATUL’s Board of Directors in 2022 at the General Assembly & Annual IATUL Conference in Miami, as one of two members representing Europe. In 2023 she was invited to join the Executive as Secretary and in 2024 she was elected President, for a three year term serving from January 2025. Kate also chairs the Board of Trustees for CILIP, the professional body for Library, Information and Knowledge workers in the UK.
Joining Kate on the IATUL Executive Board are Caroline Pang (Secretary), the University Librarian of Nanyang Technological University Library in Singapore, Gerda Winkler (Treasurer), Head of the University Library at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in Italy and Kara Jones (Vice-President), the University Librarian of the American University in Sharjah. Prior to her current role, Kara was Head of Library Research Services at the University of Bath.
Kate says of her recent appointment: “I am so pleased to be given the opportunity to work at an international level with such committed colleagues within our wonderful profession. The importance of our Association has never been higher with the pandemic and its consequences highlighting the need for collaborative and innovative approaches to problem-solving. There is no better time for reimagining the role of university and research libraries as we seek answers to global challenges”