Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Brief Encounter - Anne Bell

Brief Encounter - Anne Bell
Anne Bell
Originally Published 22 October 2003

Anne is the University’s new Librarian, she’s joined directly from Kings College London. At Kings, she, and her team, re-provisioned most of the library estate between 1997 and 2001 including a £30m of redevelopment at the Public Records Office in Chancery Lane as well as managing the merger with the United Medical and Dental School libraries.

Position
Librarian

Which means

  • Providing the best information resources and associated services that are affordable
  • Ensuring that basic services are sound and that there is a sensible mix of development
  • Meeting changing user expectations (fee paying students and different patterns of study)
  • Supporting the institution’s mission
  • Supporting the University’s research profile
  • Dynamically responding to changing user needs and technology


Favourite phrase
‘No problem.’

Least favourite phrase
‘…but’

Life before Warwick
I worked in the library at the University of Leicester from 1983 to 1995, working my way up from Assistant Librarian in Reader Services.

In 1995 I became the Director of Library Services at Kings College London. I had lots of great opportunities in a short period of time, and now I’m looking forward to taking on new challenges…

Lifelong ambition
I want to learn to tango, preferably in Argentina, learn to fly and own a foreign language cinema!

As a young child what did you want to be as a "grown-up"?
I wasn’t sure as a child but spent time at University in the Careers Service trying to find my career path and finally got the choice narrowed down to librarianship or wine tasting!

What has life's experience taught you so far?
Balance and perspective. Things aren’t black and white and everybody has a different viewpoint. Very few things are life and death, a healthy work-life balance is important to keep your perspective.