5 Minutes with

Catríona Cannon joined the University of London (UoL) in June 2021 as Librarian and Programme Director of Senate House Library (SHL). As well as providing leadership and management of the UK’s largest collection in the arts, humanities and social sciences, Catríona will lead the Library Transformation Programme, part of UoL’s wider Strategy 2020–2025. 

Prior to her role at the University, she was Deputy Librarian and Head of Academic Library Services at Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries. Catríona is no stranger to the University of London as she started her career at the Warburg Institute, part of the School of Advanced Study, as a trainee librarian, worked at King’s College London and is currently a member of the advisory council at the Institute of English Studies, also part of the School of Advanced Study.

Describe yourself in 10 words.
Enthusiastic,  passionate, chatty, curious, determined, unconventional (at times), easily bored.

Who or what inspires you? 
My parents were both among the first generation in their families to go to university, and both progressed to higher degrees, my mother an MA in Spanish 17th century drama, my father an MBA. They inspired me with a respect for higher education and its ability to transform and enrich lives.

At secondary school I had many inspiring teachers and in my career many fellow professionals have generously given me time and advice. And I look for inspiration outside my own sector – interviews with orchestra conductors, for example, are a particularly rich source of inspirational leadership advice.

The natural and built environment also play a big role – both have the ability to inspire me and comfort me.

What has been your proudest achievement? 
Hard to choose one! In the last few years, I was very proud to have a the ‘Sappho to Suffrage: women who dared’ exhibition that ran in 2018 in the Bodleian Libraries of the University of Oxford, where I previously worked, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of suffrage for women in the UK and Ireland.

What do you like to do to relax?
Well, I do like to read – 19th, 20th and contemporary British, Irish and American fiction, and 19th and 20th century British and Irish history – luckily, areas of strength for Senate House Library. I cycle regularly and for holidays follow Sustrans routes across the country, most recently the Pennine Cycleway. 

I took up swimming in the river Thames during lockdown and was instantly hooked, swimming right through winter. Having moved to London I now swim in Kenwood Ladies Pond which is wonderful. I play the piano, not terrifically but it gives me pleasure. And I spend time with family and friends – it’s wonderful to get back to it after lockdown.

What excites you most about the work that you do?
Getting things done! It is immensely satisfying to work with colleagues to decide what needs to be done, then get on and deliver it, and see what a difference it makes to our students, researchers and public.

What do you think makes the University of London and its libraries so unique?
It has a wonderful and idiosyncratic combination of history, an incredible collection of unique special collections of manuscripts, archives and rare books, fascinating buildings, exceptional teams of professional staff, side by side with world class researchers and a creative and buzzing student community. And of course, it’s located in an incredibly stimulating and diverse world city.

As well as your role as SHL Librarian, you are also Director of the Library Transformation Programme. What developments can the UoL community expect in the coming years?
It’s a really exciting prospect. We are aiming to create next-generation library services by:

• enhancing the student experience for the federal institutions of the University and developing our digital offering
• developing our special collections in order to promote new research and public engagement projects and attract researchers from across the world
• creating a unique centre for knowledge and engagement within Bloomsbury’s Knowledge Quarter – so our digital presence will be matched by an equally important physical presence.

Finally, what is your favourite book of all time?
That’s too hard! I recently really enjoyed Negley Harte’s The University of London 1836–1986: an illustrated history – an entertaining read, and great context for my work. It made me feel very happy to be here.

Please visit the Senate House Library website to learn more.