Jolly to succeed Brazier as BL's chief librarian

Liz Jolly has been named as the new chief librarian at The British Library, succeeding Caroline Brazier who is stepping down after 15 years in the role.  Jolly will take up the post in September.

Jolly was director of Library and Information Services at Teesside University from 2008 to 2017, and previously had roles at the University of Salford, the University of East London and at London South Bank University. She is also a principal fellow of the Higher Education Academy, as well as a fellow of both CILIP and the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), plus current chair of the Northern Collaboration, a group of 27 higher education libraries in the North of England.

The British Library's chief executive Roly Keating said: "I'm absolutely delighted that Liz will be joining us as chief librarian. She is known across the sector not just for her wealth of hands-on library experience and expertise, but also as a passionate advocate for the values of the profession and the vital importance of libraries to society as a whole. Her leadership and vision will have a vital role to play as the British Library continues to grow its impact across the UK and the world and I very much look forward to working with her."

Jolly said: "It will be a privilege to join the British Library and I am delighted to have the opportunity of working in one of the UK's leading cultural institutions at such an exciting time, and to build on the fantastic work of Caroline Brazier in ensuring that our intellectual heritage is available for all.

"I'm looking forward to collaborating with colleagues and partners in the development of our national library in a digital age and in delivering the Library's ambition to be the most open, creative and innovative institution of its kind in the world."