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New Associate Director for The University of Manchester Library

23 Jan 2024

Ciaran Talbot has been appointed to the post of Associate Director: AI and Ideas Adoption for The University of Manchester Library.

Ciaran Talbot

This is the first role of its kind to be appointed to any major research library in the world and is an immensely significant step as the Library continues to prepare for and create its future. 

Ciaran will lead on systems and digital development and deliver the Library’s vision, Imagine2030 in the new context of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The AIIA portfolio also includes responsibility for developing the Library’s role in ID Manchester, The University of Manchester’s £1.7billion innovation district. With other members of Library Executive Team and Library Leadership Team, Ciaran will also contribute to ground-breaking work with leading North American universities on library futures and the ongoing engagement with the Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto Research Alliance.  

Ciaran was appointed following an extremely competitive process and, as an existing member of University Library staff, was able to take up his post on 1 January 2024. Ciaran was previously Head of Digital Services at the Library.  

Ciaran began his career at The University of Manchester in 2004, undertaking a one-year work placement with IT Services whilst studying Computing at Sheffield Hallam University. He returned to the University in 2009 as an IT Analyst in IT Services, before moving to the Library’s Digital Team in 2011. 

Since then he has been instrumental in supporting core Library platforms, introducing Alma in 2013, and Primo VE (Library Search) in 2018. 

Ciaran’s successes include championing Digital First, the Library’s digital transformation programme, supporting the move to agile working, and the Library’s early adoption of Microsoft Teams.  

Ciaran said, “I’m looking forward greatly to continuing to work with Library colleagues on bold and creative new ideas as we look to design and deliver a library for our future.”