WHO WE ARE
The Association exists as a forum for the discussion and exchange of ideas and to facilitate networking opportunities, co-operation and participation in joint activities.
The Association exists as a forum for the discussion and exchange of ideas and to facilitate networking opportunities, co-operation and participation in joint activities.
The Association is run by a committee – which is elected from the membership – who are tasked with organising BLA events and facilitating information sharing and communication between members. The committee meets regularly to discuss and progress projects, initiatives, surveys and reports of benefit to the membership. The Association’s constitution is here.
The Association meets every year for an annual conference which is organised by the BLA committee in conjunction with hosts from a volunteer member institution. In recent years conferences have taken place in London, Southampton, Swansea and York. The BLA 2020 Summer Conference has been cancelled and will be held 2021 in Milton Keynes. Aside from the conference, members also meet at other BLA events such as training courses, winter conferences and meetings on topics of special interest.
Membership of the Association is open to institutions that offer courses in management education at Masters level or above. Library staff engaged in the provision of business information at our member institutions are encouraged to contribute to the group.
SJOUKJE SCHOTS
BLA Chair
email: chair@blalib.org
ANNE LAWRENCE
Treasurer
email: treasurer@blalib.org
Anne started as Treasurer for the Business Librarians Association in 2017, having previously been Treasurer for the CILIP in the Thames Valley. She studied for a BA in History from Oxford Brookes University and gained an MSc in Information and Library Studies from the University of Aberystwyth in 2015. Anne has worked in various libraries since the age of 16, including the Special Collections Department at the University of Oxford before moving to work as an Academic Liaison Librarian at the University of Bedfordshire in 2016. As this is her first post as a subject librarian, Anne is enjoying learning the intricacies of business librarianship and continues to do so with the support of the BLA.
As BLA Treasurer, Anne is responsible for the financial management of the association. She arranges the subscription invoices and payments for members, manages the invoices and finances for the annual conference and training events, and prepares the accounts for the association members to ensure transparency.
In her spare time, Anne tries to get out running (or shuffling) as much as possible, and recently completed her first 5k. She also enjoys knitting, trying as much craft ale as possible, and is currently writing her first novel.
ANDREW DUNN
Membership Secretary
email: membership@blalib.org
Andrew is an Academic Librarian at the University of Leicester. He supports several social science and humanities departments including the School of Business.
As membership secretary, Andrew can sign up new members to the BLA and its email list, LIS-Business.
A former language teacher, he retains an avid interest in language and languages, is a member of a French group which meets for conversation practice and is currently learning Dutch.
NICOLA GREGORY
Supplier Liaison Officer
email: suppliers@blalib.org
As a Liaison Librarian at the University of Liverpool, Nicola works with students and academics in the Management School.
Nicola became the Supplier Liaison Officer for the BLA in July 2020. The role involves building relationships and partnership working between business information suppliers and publishers and the BLA community. Suppliers and publishers are welcome sponsors of the BLA annual conference and offer occasional BLA discounts. Nicola liaises with them and with JISC representing the collective views of BLA members.
ANASTASIA KELLY
Secretary
email: secretary@blalib.org
Anastasia has been a Learning and Teaching Librarian for over ten years with Sheffield Hallam University and has prior experience serving in special libraries as a business librarian in companies, government and the charity sector. Anastasia is also an experienced charity leader and manager and has developed a parallel career in the voluntary sector.
As BLA Secretary, Anastasia supports the committee arranging meetings, taking minutes and overseeing the committee’s data protection responsibility.
She enjoys travelling, going to the gym and watching documentaries.
SARAH BRAIN
Training Officer
email: training@blalib.org
Sarah is Subject Librarian for Economics, Finance and Management at the University of Bristol. Even though she is relatively new to the subject area, having started her post at Bristol in October 2017, Sarah has extensive experience as a Subject Librarian in a range of academic disciplines.
As Staff Development Officer, Sarah arranges training and development opportunities for BLA members. Sarah is always keen to hear from members about training areas that they would like to see included.
EMILIA BRZOZOWSKA-SZCZECINA Marketing Officer
email: marketing@blalib.org
As the Marketing and Communications Officer, Emilia manages the BLA social media account, creates promotional content to raise the profile of the association, and keeps members up to date with on-going initiatives throughout the year. With past and current experience in running institutional social media profiles, Emilia is perfectly suited to this role.
JENNIFER WINTERBURN
Web Officer
email: web@blalib.org
Jennifer is the Academic Librarian for Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett University. Her special interests are technology enhanced learning and supporting distance learners.
As BLA Web Officer Jennifer keeps the website running, and is looking forward to developing the site in the coming year.
In her spare time Jennifer writes poetry, travels in her campervan and enjoys knitting. She is on the steering group and volunteers occasional Saturdays to help keep her local library open.