Special Interest Group for Leadership
The IATUL Special Interest Group for Leadership (SIG-L) fosters the development of current and emerging library leaders through sharing of expertise and best practice with a focus on leadership success and career development.
Upon its launch after the annual conference 2024, the SIG will enable and coordinate capability building opportunities such as experience sharing, webinar series, potential mentor-mentee networks, self-directed learning, or specific training on leadership skills development held in conjunction with the annual IATUL conference.
The SIG-L contributes to IATUL's service portfolio to support member libraries through collaborative activities and adhoc initiatives that will be identified through the SIGs annual work plan. The group will meet online on a periodic basis and provides a yearly update at the Annual IATUL conference.
SIG-Leadership currently has nine members:
| Member | Position | University | Country |
| Dr Gabrielle Wong (Co-Chair) | University Librarian | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | China |
| Beth Russell (Co-Chair) | Associate Director for Research Services and Strategy | New York University Abu Dhabi Library | UAE |
| Dianne Cmor | Associate University Librarian, Teaching & Learning, Library | Concordia University Library | Canada |
| Nkululeko Magwaza | Principal Librarian: Circulation | University of KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa |
| Rajen Munoo | Head, Instruction & Learning | Singapore Management University (SMU) | Singapore |
| Joelle Pitts | Senior Associate Dean | Carnegie Mellon University | United States |
| Jose F. Rodriguez | Librarian Assistant Professor Director of Access Services & Learning Commons | University of Miami | United States |
| Dr. Leanne Trembath | Manager, Research and Academic Engagement | Swinburne University of Technology | Australia |
| Bethany Wilkes | Deputy University Librarian | Hong Kong Baptist University | China |
Any questions may be addressed to:
Dr Gabrielle Wong lbgabi@ust.hk or Beth Russell beth.russell@nyu.edu
We want to hear from you!
How can the SIG-L best serve the international academic leadership community? Let us know your thoughts.
Learn to Lead series 2026
In this series of short interviews, library leaders share personal insights from their leadership journeys. Through four thought-provoking questions, they reflect on lessons learned, reveal their leadership “superpowers,” discuss challenges they continue to navigate, and answer a personalized question inspired by their unique backgrounds and interests. The result is an authentic and inspiring collection of leadership perspectives from across the library community.
The interviewed library leaders are:
- Isabelle Eula, Library Director at EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Switzerland
- Charles Eckman, Dean and University Librarian at the University of Miami, USA
- Nicole Clark, University Librarian at QUT (Queensland University of Technology), Australia
Leading Innovation in Academic libraries
In a rapidly changing world, innovation in academic libraries is no longer a luxury but a necessity for survival and relevance. This panel brought together four academic library leaders from different countries to share their strategies and experiences in driving innovation within their institutions. First initiated at the IATUL Annual Conference 2025 in Shanghai, the conversation continued in this online event.
Discover how mindfulness can enhance your presence, equanimity, and care as a leader
Dr. Kelly Miller, a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and Associate Dean at the University of Miami Libraries, shared her personal journey with mindfulness, highlighted the success of well-being programs at the University of Miami Libraries, and also guided experiential meditation practices.
