Paula Mae Carns, Associate Professor and Head of the Literatures and Languages Library, was invited to participate in the British Library’s International Library Leaders Programme.

Carns took part in a week-long intensive professional development program at the British Library, which allowed for a unique opportunity to meet experts and learn from their experiences of dealing with the everyday challenges facing libraries today. The program took place on November 11-15, 2019 and accepted 20 applicants, Carns being one of them. Participants gained further knowledge on aspects such as physical and digital conservation, tools and services that engage researchers and broader audiences, and the inner workings of the British Library’s digitization projects.

More specifically, each participant was asked to come with a particular project. Carns’ project involved enhancing access to the Rare Book and Manuscript Library’s about 250 medieval manuscripts. Carns expressed gratitude, saying, “The librarians and staff of the British Library were immensely helpful in guiding me in my project. The British Library holds one of the largest collections of medieval manuscripts in the world, and they used their expertise in this area to give me sound advice.”