Speakers

Mark Freeman MBE

Mark Freeman has worked in the public library sector for over forty years, starting his career as a part time library assistant in Kettering in 1976.  He has now worked in five different public library services and his career has taken him across the world on working holidays and conferences.

Working in such diverse services has allowed him to gain experience of a wide variety of public library offers from Children’s and School Library Services to Prisons and from rural communities to metropolitan areas.  From 2002 he was Chief Librarian in South Tyneside and more recently managed the public library service in Stockton on Tees.  He retired in 2022 and now works on the frontline as a Library Assistant for County Durham Libraries at the Clayport Library.

He has been actively involved in a number of professional support groups and organisations including the Youth Libraries Group, Share the Vision and the Society of Chief Librarians.  In 2018 he became the first President of Libraries Connected as it transformed from SCL.  He was also a Corresponding Member of the IFLA Public Libraries Section from 2018 to 2021.  He is currently a Trustee for ASCEL.

Mark was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list 2021.

Leslie Burger

Interim Executive Director, American Library Association

Leslie Burger is an American librarian with a varied and exciting professional journey. Leslie started her career by launching a community information and referral service for a large city public library. From there she went on to work at state library agencies in Connecticut and New Jersey where she was led advocacy efforts for library funding, advanced library cooperation, and launched leadership training for librarians. In 1999, she founded her consulting firm, Library Development Solutions, with a practice focus on strategic planning, leadership development, advocacy, board development and service evolution. From 2000-2017 she led the Princeton (NJ) Public Library as its director resulting in a new building and private finds to augment municipal support in excess od $39 million USD. Since November 2023, Leslie has served as the American Library Association’s Interim Executive Director.

Ned Potter

Faculty Engagement Manager: Community & UX, University of York

Ned Potter is Faculty Engagement Manager: Community & UX at the University of York, and a Trainer for various organisations including the British Library and the Welsh and Irish Governments. He has run library workshops across four continents, and his book The Library Marketing Toolkit was published by Facet in 2012. Ned can be found online at ned-potter.com and on Bluesky at @nedpotter.bsky.social

Shamichael Hallman

Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity, Urban Libraries Council.

Author of Meet Me at the Library, Shamichael Hallman is a visionary leader in civic health and community development, currently serving as the Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council. In this role, he champions the vital role of libraries as essential city infrastructure—connecting diverse communities, enhancing public safety, and driving economic opportunities for underserved populations. His book offers a compelling exploration of how libraries can foster civic dialogue, community engagement, and bridge-building in today’s society. His 2020 TEDx talk “Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community” garnered international attention among librarians and social innovators.

Khalid Albaih

Khalid Albaih is a Sudanese independent political cartoonist renowned for his incisive human rights advocacy, shared globally under the name “Khartoon.” His powerful cartoons have been exhibited worldwide, and his writings have appeared in major international publications. Albaih was the central figure in The Guardian’s short documentary *The Story of Civil Rights is Unfinished* (2016) and has published two influential books: Khartoon! and Sudan Retold, an art book he co-edited, featuring contributions from 31 Sudanese artists documenting Sudan’s rich history.
His work extends beyond drawing, with installations like Bahar, a poignant video piece using found footage of refugees at sea; The Walls Have Ears (Documenta 15), and Shahid (Mathaf, Qatar, 2024), all exploring themes of displacement and social justice. In 2024, he broadened his influence by hosting Alhasil Shino? on AJ+. As editor-in-chief of KhartoonMag.com, a platform for displaced Sudanese cartoonists, and creator of the award-winning @DohaFashionFridays, which amplifies marginalized voices, Albaih remains a vital force in art activism, championing global social justice and freedom of expression.

Anthony White

Director, Innovation & Technology, Arapahoe Libraries, Colorado

Anthony White is the Director of Innovation, Technology and Collection at Arapahoe Libraries, located just south of Denver, Colorado. He has led multiple large-scale innovation projects for the district, including a centralized sorting system, the implementation of the Lyngsoe Intelligent Material Management System, community collection checkout kiosks, and a full overhaul of the district’s internal communication systems to take advantage of AI. His teams’ work was recently highlighted by Microsoft.

Oli Sanidas

Executive Director, Arapahoe Libraries, Colorado

Leading Arapahoe Libraries, Oli Sanidas’s focus has been on fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Our organization’s vision is to empower patrons through strategic initiatives that encourage community engagement and access to information.

As a board member at Colorado Smart Cities Alliance, Oli contributes his expertise in business innovation to drive smarter community development. Oli’s role involves actionable innovation and facilitating partnerships across sectors, with an emphasis on experiential learning and sustainable urban advancement

Jen Boyle

Strategic Library Manager, Leeds Libraries

Jen Boyle joined Leeds Libraries in 2021 as Strategic Library Manager, after a career in audience development and publishing. Her role centres around developing responsive, evidence-based library services to support and inspire a diverse city. She currently leads the Communities team across the city and supports Leeds School Library Service, Audience Development, Reader Development and the Children and Young People’s teams. She is passionate about developing a supportive, inspiring culture within the libraries and the wider public sector.

Rachel Ingle-Teare

Senior Librarian - Children and Young People, Leeds Libraries

Rachel Ingle-Teare has been part of Leeds Libraries for 15 years and has specialised in children and young people’s services for the last 12 years. Developing staff teams and ideas to create a thriving and innovative service for schools and families is her passion and she leads on key projects for the service such as Leeds Book Awards, Leeds Storytelling Festival, cultural programming and play strategy. Rachel ensures Leeds Libraries are an active partner in supporting Leeds on their mission to be a Child Friendly City.

Patrick Hart

Curator, Scottish Communities & Organisations, National Library of Scotland

Patrick Hart is Curator for Communities and Organisations at the National Library of Scotland. He co-curated the Fitba Research Club: Andrew Watson’s Legacies project.

Dora Petherbridge

International Collections Curator, National Library of Scotland

Dora Petherbridge curates the 20th and 21st century international collections at the National Library of Scotland. She contributes to the National Library’s exhibitions programme and recently worked with community researchers to co-curate Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Scotland’s HIV Story. She co-curated the Fitba Research Club: Andrew Watson’s Legacies project.

Dave Lloyd

Service Development Manager, Coventry Libraries

Dave Lloyd has worked in Public Libraries for over 30 years and presently holds the post of Service Development Manager for Coventry Library Service. He is also the lead for Libraries Connected Information and Digital Universal Offer and represent Libraries Connected on the DCMS’s Media Literacy Taskforce Steering Board. David has recently retired as a trustee for Coventry Citizens Advice, a post he held for 19 years.

Stephen Slevin

Library Development Coordinator, Renfrewshire Libraries

Stephen Slevin began his career in Public Libraries in 1986 as a fresh-faced Youth Training Scheme (YTS) participant with Renfrew District Library service. After a break to pursue further education, he returned to Renfrewshire Libraries in 1998 and has worked there (in many different roles) ever since. His current role of Library Development Coordinator involves responsibility for all aspects of the operational management of Renfrewshire Public Libraries and the delivery of services to the local community.

Evelyn Kilmurry

Head of Libraries, Sport and Wellbeing, City of Edinburgh Council

Evelyn Kilmurry is Head of Service with responsibility for public and school library services, community sport and physical activity development, and the strategic lead for wellbeing. She is a senior manager for the Culture and Wellbeing Service who leads on the formulation, development and delivery of initiatives, strategic plans and policy development for her service areas. Evelyn’s background is in public libraries and partnership working and she is passionate about ensuring that the Library Service flourishes across the city in order to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Cleo Jones

Libraries Development Manager - South East

Cleo Jones is a senior Library manager with a background in Schools and Children’s Libraries. She is currently Library Development Manager for the City of Edinburgh Council and has a wide remit, including Children’s services. She is actively involved in the city’s Literacy Improvement Team and works hard to ensure that there are the best opportunities for all children and young people to develop their literacy to improve their life chances. She is involved in the wider library world, she is currently chair of ELISA (Edinburgh Library and Information Services Agency) and is co-chair of the Information Literacy Community of Practice.