SPEAKER PROFILES
ROBERT BLEY - Ex-Libris
After completing his degree in History and Economics at the University of East Anglia, Robert became a Library Assistant in the University’s library. He went on to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies at Newcastle Polytechnic in 1988. Robert started his professional career at HM Treasury & Cabinet Office Library, where he worked for three years as a Systems Librarian, before moving to a similar role at West Herts College for a year and a half. He moved into the library serials supplier world in 1993, when he began work in Blackwell’s Periodicals Product Development Department. At the same time he became a Chartered Member of both the Library Association and the Institute of Information Scientists. While working at Blackwell’s he completed the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Advanced Certificate in Marketing and also had some web design training. In 1998 Robert moved to Swets as their first Electronic Products Manager. The new role initially focused on selling databases from third party publishers but quickly broadened to include marketing, customer technical support, EDI and many other aspects. At Swets, Robert was also responsible for developing the company’s relationship with the British Library, the NEYAL Consortium, and Cambridge libraries. In June 2004, Robert moved to Ex Libris in a new role responsible for selling and marketing the company’s linking, portal and ERM (Electronic Resource Management) solutions (SFX, MetaLib and Verde). Robert is currently a member of the UKSG Marketing Committee. He also contributes to UKSG’s Serials Resource Management training courses for librarians and others new to the world of serials.
JACY CLARK – Manager of Finance, Acquisitions & Cataloging, University of Teesside
Took up her current role, which covers all aspects of budget management for the service, in 1992. Over the years she has seen the service expand, by becoming a merged service with A.V & T.V network and later merging with ICT systems, being responsible for all ICT services across the University. With budget planning and management for University wide projects and tender they also took on some responsibility for 6 health libraries for the nurses, sharing a joint venture with University of Durham in setting up a joint campus. She’s then seen it all change again, as hospital library support was shed followed by a de-merger with AV, TV and ICT systems. Now all she has to manage is the L&IS budget, a few e journals and a couple of e-books, so what is the problem?
Jacy is currently a member of the NEYAL consortia book committee, Chair of the Independent Talis User Group Northern Region and a member of the ITUG national committee. In the past she has also served on UC&R northern as a committee member and as Chair.
RUTH DALE - Seminar Organiser
Having studied languages, I chose information work with the intention of combining the two: this hasn’t quite proved to be the case, although interpreting skills can be surprisingly useful in the workplace!
My first library post in 1988 was with the DTI in London: an excellent introduction to the world of information and government publishing. A stint in another government library followed, managing a technical library for the Property Services Agency in Manchester, and experiencing privatisation first-hand. I moved to De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester in 1995, where acquisition of all types and formats of library information resources became my primary responsibility, and then to my current Acquisitions post at the University of Nottingham in 2005.
Both Universities belong to purchasing consortia. DMU is a member of the MUAL library consortium and I became closely involved with that group in my time there. This, and other aspects of Acquisitions work, convinced me of the value of exchanging information and ideas in the type of forum which NAG offers.
MARK HOWARD - Content Manager, Dawson Books
Despite having qualified as an archaeologist, Mark has spent most of his career digging for facts in databases. For many years he trained and supported information professionals who used Dialog and other online hosts. He has also worked for two major subscription agents before finding his niche at Dawson Books where his main role is fostering good relations with the large academic publishers, as well as helping implement technology-driven approaches to the supply of learning resources. In this connection, Mark has been instrumental in establishing the partnership between Dawson and EBook Library (EBL).
CHRIS JONES – Managing Director, 2 info Ltd
Chris is an experienced library and information professional who has worked in the information industry for 9 years. His various roles have covered b2b sales, marketing, contract management and product development of subscription based media in paper and electronic formats. He has worked in the UK and Eire academic, health, corporate and public library sectors, specializing in consortia contract negotiation and implementation. Chris’ work in these areas has provided him the opportunity to gain an in depth knowledge and understanding of the issues facing acquisitions and e-resources library professionals today.
Most recently, in January 2006, Chris formed 2 info ltd, a company that brings local market expertise and services to overseas publishers and aggregators and innovative new products and solutions to the UK and Irish library community. 2 info ltd are the official re-seller of ebrary, a technology and digital content services company that provides both aggregated databases and single-access electronic content to over 600 academic, public, and special libraries in 70 countries. ebrary’s content offerings include over 60,000 full-text e-books, research reports, journals, magazines, maps, and images.
JANE KAYE – Learning Resource Centre Manager, University Centre, Barnsley
Jane Kaye currently has a joint role as Learning Resource Centre Manager, University Centre Barnsley (part of the University of Huddersfield) and Academic Librarian (Quality and Development). She was previously Academic Librarian for Applied Sciences, Computing and Engineering at Huddersfield. She is involved in information skills provision, stock selection, academic liaison, and development of performance indicators. She is a member of the Library Management Group, and chair of the Electronic Resources Working Party at Huddersfield. Due to Huddersfield’s interest in e-books, she is a member of the JISC E-Books Working Group. Jane has experience of university, further education and public libraries. She is a Registered Practitioner of the Higher Education Academy.
ALAN OLIVER - Sales Account Manager, Ex Libris (UK) Ltd.
Alan is Sales Account Manager with Ex Libris (UK) Ltd. with overall responsibility for sales of Ex Libris’ ALEPH Integrated Library System and DigiTool Digital Asset Management solution. Prior to joining Ex Libris in June 2002 Alan held various appointments with epixtech (previously Ameritech Library Services, now SirsiDynix), Napier University, Central Regional Council Schools Library Service, the University of Stirling, and BP Chemicals.
DR PETER SHEPHERD
Dr Shepherd was awarded a PhD in chemistry in 1978 by St Andrews University and joined the publishing industry in 1980, following a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His 25-year career has included experience in all aspects of STM journal, book and database publishing, initially with Wiley and subsequently with Elsevier, Pergamon and Harcourt. During that time he has launched a wide range of products, and has been actively involved in the development of new online publishing models. He is now an independent publishing consultant offering a range of strategic planning, project management and other consultancy services to publishers, professional societies and academic institutions. Since 2002 he has been Director of COUNTER, the international initiative to improve the reliability of online usage statistics.
