Privileged Spaces: Academic Libraries in University Estates Strategy

With increasing demands for more efficient use and variety of spaces in university estates, there is increasing uncertainty as to what the implications of the blurring of the lines of traditional library space and that of the wider university might be. Drawing on the knowledge and experience of library leaders, estates directors, space managers, and researchers both nationally and internationally, Privileged Spaces provides insight into emerging thinking about the place of the academic library within university estates strategy. Considering the rise in costs of estates management and new demands on sustainable and wellness space designs, this book explores whether academic libraries have ever held the privileged position of operating outside university estate strategy and, if so, why.

Library staff and leaders in particular will gain practical intelligence to advocating for library spaces.

Regina Everitt is Assistant Chief Operating Officer (ACOO) & Director of Library, Archives and Learning Services at the University of East London. She began her professional career as a technical author/trainer working with computer companies that developed software for the manufacturing, pharmaceutical and financial sectors in the US and UK. After managing a small library at a university in West Africa as a volunteer with the United States Peace Corps, she transitioned into the HE sector developing and managing libraries, social learning spaces, and other learning resources. Concerned about the low representation of Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) staff members in leadership positions in academic libraries, she co-project managed SCONUL research to document GEM staff experiences in library and information sciences (LIS) and is working with the sector to implement the recommendations from the report to develop more diverse talent. She is a member of the SCONUL Board, the British Library Advisory Council, and a member of a CILIP trailblazer group that is developing a standard for a Level 6/7 apprenticeship. She co-edited Narrative Expansions: Interpreting Decolonisation in Academic Libraries which considers how academic libraries are navigating this contentious topic.

Neil Everitt is Director of Strategic Engagement at the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM). Before joining IWFM he developed an interest in property after completing a volunteer procurement project for a charity providing community-based services in London. Prior to that he fulfilled a number of sales & marketing, procurement and change management roles, in several countries, with a large multi-national mining organisation.

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