M25 SpeedMeet
Welcome to M25 SpeedMeet. Every month we meet someone working in an M25 member institution and ask them to tell us a little bit about themselves.
One of the three strategic themes of the M25 Strategic Plan is connecting and collaborating through our network. Our aim is to provide a regional network whose members offer multiple perspectives that can inform decision making, and facilitate opportunities for networking and joint working on shared issues. What better way to do this than to meet?
In past months, we’ve met the Senior Librarian at the British Museum, Library Assistants at the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and The National Gallery, a Research Support Librarian at the Royal Veterinary College and the Director of Library and Learning Services at the University of Surrey.
We’re keen to meet even more members so if you’d like to feature in the M25 SpeedMeet, please contact m25libadmin@london.ac.uk.
November 2024: Tom Pratt
Who are you, where are you based and what do you do?
My name is Tom Pratt and I’m the Associate Director (User Experience and Engagement) within Library, Archives and Learning Services at the University of East London. I work across two campuses: Stratford and Docklands.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I lead the Customer Services team across two campus libraries and what I enjoy most is the variety the role has to offer: working on collaborative projects across the institution, delivering service improvement work within our campus libraries and supporting the frontline team on the helpdesk. I am also very passionate about customer experience and love interacting with our students and other customers each day.
What motivates you in your work?
I love seeing a plan come together, particularly when there is a real positive impact, whether that is improvements to space, the hosting of an event or developments in digital technology. Seeing the completion of a successful project or a piece of work motivates me to achieve more.
How has/can the M25 Consortium support you in your career?
I am relatively new to the library sector, but I have attended a networking event, which was extremely useful. It is always good to talk about experiences across the sector and share valuable insight, whilst also expanding your network.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
Whilst I currently work in the library sector, my background is in sport and leisure. I moved from the sport service at UEL, where I was the Associate Director of Sport two years ago and I’m enjoying the challenge that comes with the change. In my spare time when I’m not balancing family life, I still have a keen interest in sport. Whether it’s competing in triathlons, running half or full marathons, or supporting my football team, Leeds United.
Complete the sentence: If I wasn’t working in a library I would be
If I wasn’t working in a library I would either be working in sport, as this is where my background lies, or I would be in another student facing role within HE as I am passionate about delivering an excellent student experience.
Tom Pratt, Associate Director (User Experience and Engagement)
Library, Archives and Learning Services, University of East London, November 2024
Read more SpeedMeet interviews here:
Vicky Robertson, Deputy Librarian, UCL School of Pharmacy Library
Laura Scullion, Administrator (Events & Programmes), M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries
Dave Puplett, Associate Director, Libraries and Academic Enhancement, University of Greenwich
Fiona Ainsworth, Head of Library and Archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Dianne Shepherd, The British Museum, Senior Librarian
Jill Howard, M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries, Operations Manager
Cliff Van Dort, National Archives, Kew, Head of Library
Camilla Churchill, British Medical Association, Library and Archive Lead
Chloe Carson-Ashurst, The National Gallery, Library Assistant
Birgit Fraser, Anglia Ruskin University, Assistant Director – Academic and Content Services
Sarah Pipkin, UCL – Outreach and Exhibitions Coordinator, Special Collections Library
Anna Gillis, Royal Veterinary College – Research Support Librarian
Rachel Geeson, Anglia Ruskin University – Assistant Director, Customer Services
Jennifer Domingo, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – Library Assistant
Emma Wisher, University of Essex – Assistant Director for User Engagement
Louise Ellis-Barrett, British Museum – Librarian Acquisitions and Projects
Paul Johnson, University of Surrey – Director of Library and Learning Services
Sara Burnett, Kingston University – Information Specialist
Robert Atkinson, Birkbeck, University of London – Director of Library Services
Laura MacCulloch, Royal Holloway, University of London – Curator
Rowan Williamson, UAL – Associate Director of Library Services and Support
Frances Willis, National Art Library at the V&A – Assistant Librarian
Robin Armstrong Viner, Courtauld Institute of Art – Head of Library Services
Adam Edwards, Middlesex University – Library Liaison Manager
Linda Coombs, Buckinghamshire New University – Library and Learning Resources Manager
Liz Pinel, Royal College of Nursing Library and Archive – Customer Services Manager
David Allen, Royal Society of Chemistry – Librarian
Russell Burke, LSHTM – Assistant Librarian
Verity Allison, St George’s, University of London – Journals and E-Resources Librarian