ASL Socials:
Reimagining Librarianship: Purpose, Practice, and Possibility
We are delighted to announce our excellent Keynote speakers for the ASL 2026 conference, Liz Jolly and Niamh Tumelty.
In her keynote, Liz Jolly will reflect on the evolving purpose, practice and possibilities of contemporary librarianship. Drawing on her extensive leadership experience across academic and national libraries, she will explore topics such as how libraries can reimagine their roles, respond to change, and continue to shape learning, teaching and research in meaningful ways.
In the afternoon, Niamh Tumelty will be in conversation with Cathal MacCauley in what promises to be a lively and wide-ranging discussion. Drawing on her unique breadth of professional experience, this session offers a real opportunity to gain insight into the key issues and themes currently shaping libraries viewed through the lens of a career spanning diverse roles.
Keynote Speakers
Liz Jolly
Title and Abstract to follow
Biography
Liz Jolly is University Librarian at University College Cork where she leads library teams developing and delivering support, spaces and resources to enable and enhance the university’s learning, teaching and research.
Liz has a long career in leadership in university and national libraries, most recently as Chief Librarian of the British Library from 2018 to 2025. Immediately prior to this, she served as Director of Library and Information Services and then Director of Student and Library Services at Teesside University (2008-18). She has experience in a number of other academic and university settings including the University of Salford, the University of East London and London South Bank University and was a Governor of the University of Portsmouth from 2020-2025
Liz is a past chair and trustee of SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries – the professional association for academic and research libraries in the UK and Ireland) and is a fellow of CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (FCLIP). She is a current Trustee of CILIP and a visiting professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Strathclyde. An honorary professor in Teesside University, Liz is an Advance HE Principal Fellow (PFHEA).
Liz Jolly’s Social Media Contacts:
Niamh Tumelty
A Conversation with Niamh Tumelty
ABSTRACT
Join Niamh Tumelty and Cathal MacCauley for a conversation about Niamh’s library journey, from the Contemporary Music Centre to An Chomhairle Leabharlanna and across to the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economic & Political Sciences. Expect topics such as academic liaison, open research, library publishing, transferability of library skills and university-wide transformation – let’s see where the questions take us!
Biography
Niamh Tumelty is Director of LSE Library, which includes the role of Managing Director of LSE Press. Niamh’s approach centres around the design of spaces, collections, policy and services based on deep understanding of the needs of differing disciplines, and she has a particular interest in what open social science would look like if designed from this perspective. She is currently seconded as the internal lead for the Operations Excellence Programme, which aims to increase efficiency and effectiveness of professional services across LSE.
Niamh Tumelty’s Social Media Contacts:
Cathal McCauley
Cathal MacCauley will be facilitating ‘A Conversation with Niamh Tumelty’, guiding the discussion to help explore Niamh’s wide range of experiences and insights, ensuring a thoughtful and engaging exchange.
Biography
Cathal McCauley is University Librarian at Maynooth University since 2008. He previously held a number of roles in University College Dublin (UCD) Library. Prior to joining UCD he worked for the accountants and management consultants FGS (now Grant Thornton) where he held a variety of posts including Director of Consulting. Cathal led the design and delivery of a €20 million award-winning library extension which was officially opened in 2013. He was President of the Library Association of Ireland (LAI) 2021 – 2023 and is co-chair of the LAI’s ebookSOS task force. He was the founding Director of the Irish University Libraries Collaboration Centre (IULCC) which oversees the national IReL e-resourcing and open access initiative and is a member of the Governance Committee. He has held a number of other national roles including Chair of the Irish Universities Association Librarians’ Group (IUALG) and Treasurer of the Consortium of National and University Libraries in Ireland (CONUL). Cathal was a member and officer of the IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section Committee (2016 -2023). He was co-chair of the IFLA WLIC 2022 held in Dublin. He has a track record of reimagining and innovation across a range of areas including technology, inclusiveness and digital rights.
Cathal MacCauley’s Social Media Contacts:
A&SL 