Learn more about the staff and board of the Scottish Poetry Library.
Our people
Our Staff
Asif Khan
Director. Contact Asif about strategic partnerships, sector advocacy or becoming a patron.
Aly Barr
Deputy Director/Head of Operations. Contact Aly about venue hires, projects or matters related to the running of the Library building.
Jan Hay
Head Librarian. Contact me about the Scottish Poetry Library’s collections and associated borrower services.
Samuel Tongue
Projects & Learning Co-ordinator. Contact Sam about learning resources, National Poetry Day, Tools of the Trade, publications or new project ideas.
Kevin Williamson
Marketing Manager. Contact Kevin about social media, communications or marketing.
Conal Anderson
Assistant Librarian. Contact Conal about Catalogue edits, library enquiries and requests.
Ellie Carr
Customer Service Officer (job share). Contact Ellie about anything SPL related.
Marie Williamson
Customer Service Officer (job share). Contact Marie about anything SPL related.Our Board
The board, as the charity trustees, have overall responsibility for the organisation. The Board is responsible for setting strategic direction, approving policies, for employing staff and overseeing SPL performance and finances. Aiming for best practice, the Board has formally endorsed the Scottish Governance Code for the Third Sector.
Board members have a range of skills, experience and different perspectives. Board members are elected by members, but the Board can also co-opt individuals for limited periods.
More information is available here.
Laura Fyfe (co-Chair)
Re-elected 2024. Writer and teacher.Chris Wardhaugh (co-Chair)
Re-elected 2024. Company Director.Lorna French
2025. Retired.David McMenemy
2025 Academic.Annie McCrae
2025 Retired.Katy McNeil
2025. Civil Servant.Our Honorary Presidents
From time to time, the Board of the SPL asks distinguished poets to become Honorary Presidents of the Library.
Previous Presidents have been George Bruce, Seamus Heaney, Norman MacCaig, Sorley MacLean, Naomi Mitchison, Edwin Morgan, Iain Crichton Smith, Derick Thomson, and Tessa Ransford