M25 SpeedMeet
Welcome to M25 SpeedMeet and Spotlight. Every month we meet someone working in an M25 member institution or someone involved with an M25 Consortium Group, Network, or Committee. They tell us a little bit about themselves and how the Consortium has benefited them.
June 2026: Amelia Andrews
Who are you, where are you based and what do you do?
My name is Amelia. I am the Graduate Trainee Library Assistant at the Hellenic and Roman Library in the University of London’s Institute of Classical Studies. Each August, the library takes on a recent graduate to teach them about working in an academic research library—this year, that’s me.
My main responsibilities include accessioning and processing our new monographs (2,500-3000 each year) and running the library’s social media pages. I also work at the enquiries desk, assist with binding periodicals, and do the odd jobs that come up now and then!
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Our library is a little bit eccentric, which makes working here constant fun. I am fortunate to have joined such a welcoming and knowledgeable team. I did a BA in Ancient History, so working in a Classics library means that I am surrounded by books that I find interesting. Also, I am part of a network of trainees in London; we meet up and go on tours of other libraries and archives together. It’s lovely to get to know other people in the industry who share my passions and
interests.
What motivates you in your work?
It is exciting to be at the start of my career. At the moment, I am motivated by getting as much experience as possible and making the most of each opportunity. So far, I have taken a postgraduate module on Digital Cultural Heritage, attended conservation training workshops, and been to sessions about improving accessibility in libraries and other spaces.
How has the M25 Consortium supported you in your career?
The M25 Consortium has created opportunities for me to meet other library professionals. It has been interesting and informative to hear about people’s careers in the sector, especially because I am just at the start of mine. Visiting other libraries and learning about the types of roles in them is helping me to decide what I want to work towards.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I can do a fantastic cartwheel but am otherwise entirely unathletic.
If I wasn’t working in a library I would…
…be making museum exhibitions because I am really interested in presenting information in creative and accessible ways
What’s your role?
We’re keen to meet even more members so if you’d like to feature in an upcoming M25 SpeedMeet or Spotlight send an email to Jill Howard, m25libadmin@london.ac.uk. You can send in your replies to our questions or alternatively video your answers and we’ll show the video here.
Read more SpeedMeet interviews :
2026
January: Steve Briggs Director of Learning, Teaching, and Libraries, University of Bedfordshire
February: Mary Blomley, Open Research Librarian, University of West London
March: Louise Savage, Collections Coordinator, King’s College London
April: Carly-Ramirez-Herelle, Head of Library and Academy Services at the University of Bedfordshire
May: Callum Tilbury, Library Supervisor, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
2025
Lydia Harris, Collections Manager at King’s College London
Alison Mackenzie, Research Support Librarian, RHS Libraries
Natalie Brown, Library Customer Services Team Leader, Anglia Ruskin University
Eloise Carpenter, Collection Services Manager at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Leah Gulley, Academic Liaison Librarian, Buckinghamshire New University
Dr Janice Fernandes former Academic Support Manager, University of West London
Helen Curtis, Director of Learning Resources and University Librarian at Oxford Brookes University
Dan Herbert, Library Buildings Development Manager, Queen Mary, University of London
Polly Mortimer, Library Manager and Learning Support Lead, British Psychotherapy Foundation
Ian Clark, Academic Services Manager, University of East London
2024
Chris Foreman, Associate Director of Library Services at University of the Arts, London
Vicky Robertson, Deputy Librarian, UCL School of Pharmacy Library
Laura Scullion, Administrator (Events & Programmes), M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries
Dave Puplett, Associate Director, Libraries and Academic Enhancement, University of Greenwich
Fiona Ainsworth, Head of Library and Archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Dianne Shepherd, The British Museum, Senior Librarian
Jill Howard, M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries, Operations Manager
Cliff Van Dort, National Archives, Kew, Head of Library
Camilla Churchill, British Medical Association, Library and Archive Lead
Chloe Carson-Ashurst, The National Gallery, Library Assistant
2020-2023
Birgit Fraser, Anglia Ruskin University, Assistant Director – Academic and Content Services
Sarah Pipkin, UCL – Outreach and Exhibitions Coordinator, Special Collections Library
Anna Gillis, Royal Veterinary College – Research Support Librarian
Rachel Geeson, Anglia Ruskin University – Assistant Director, Customer Services
Jennifer Domingo, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – Library Assistant
Emma Wisher, University of Essex – Assistant Director for User Engagement
Louise Ellis-Barrett, British Museum – Librarian Acquisitions and Projects
Paul Johnson, University of Surrey – Director of Library and Learning Services
Sara Burnett, Kingston University – Information Specialist
Robert Atkinson, Birkbeck, University of London – Director of Library Services
Laura MacCulloch, Royal Holloway, University of London – Curator
Rowan Williamson, UAL – Associate Director of Library Services and Support
Frances Willis, National Art Library at the V&A – Assistant Librarian
Robin Armstrong Viner, Courtauld Institute of Art – Head of Library Services
Adam Edwards, Middlesex University – Library Liaison Manager
Linda Coombs, Buckinghamshire New University – Library and Learning Resources Manager
Liz Pinel, Royal College of Nursing Library and Archive – Customer Services Manager
David Allen, Royal Society of Chemistry – Librarian
Russell Burke, LSHTM – Assistant Librarian
Verity Allison, St George’s, University of London – Journals and E-Resources Librarian