I'm a Librarian, Don't Make Me Shush You!

When you think of a library, what’s the image that pops up in your head? Is it a silent building full of books, presided over by a stern woman with her hair in a bun and a sensible cardigan?

Reflecting on the history and evolution of libraries through to their 21st century incarnations, this lecture will challenge you to consider your perception of what both public and academic libraries are, as well as exploring the ever-changing role of the librarian.

Set against a backdrop of austerity in public funding, ongoing changes in Higher Education, and fast-paced technological change, this lecture will also explore what the future might look like for libraries and what librarians are doing to prepare for the challenges ahead.