Libraries Connected is delighted to announce the election of their new President Elect, Ayub Khan, MBE.

Ayub started out in libraries as a Saturday assistant in Birmingham and spent his early career in education and children and young people’s services. Now Head of Universal Services for Warwickshire County Council, he leads a team of several hundred across services that include Libraries and Communities, Museums, Culture and Arts, Registration and face-to-face contact points.

He is a Trustee and Treasurer of Libraries Connected, and a Fellow and past President of CILIP, where he now chairs their Working International Project Board. In 2013, Ayub was awarded an MBE for services to libraries. He will become President Elect in June 2021 and take over from their current President, Carol Stump, when she steps down in June 2022.

Ayub Khan, MBE:

‘I am honoured to be given the opportunity to help lead Libraries Connected during this critical time. Libraries have demonstrated their value repeatedly during this pandemic and I am committed to ensuring that their physical presence in the heart of local communities is recognised and maintained. I also plan to encourage the continued involvement of the wider workforce in Libraries Connected so that we are better able to represent the whole service.’

Carol Stump, President, Libraries Connected:

‘Ayub had devoted years of service to Libraries Connected and its predecessor, SCL. He led our Digital Offer, was a member of the steering group that helped us transform into a Sector Support Organisation and is now our Treasurer. I know that he will work tirelessly in his new role as a powerful advocate for library and cultural services and I look forward to working with him over the coming months.’

Libraries Connected is also pleased to announce the appointment of Emma Noyce, Head of Libraries for Hampshire County Council as their new trustee. Emma has spent 16 years working in the public sector and has been with the library service since 2016. She has extensive experience in representing sector-wide interests, policy making and transformation at a national level and is passionate about the role that libraries play in supporting strong, healthy communities.

Emma will take over the role from Lesley Sim, Head of Libraries, Heritage and Registration for West Sussex County Council, who will step down at the end of the year. Libraries Connected would like to take this opportunity to thank Lesley for her leadership and service over the past two years.