1. What initially attracted you to becoming a librarian?
It feels like a lifetime ago… Libraries have always played a significant role in my life. If memory serves me right, I briefly considered pursuing an education in library and information science (LIS) when a school friend planned to attend library school. At that time, eligibility for library school required at least two years of full-time university study, making it a challenging path for someone fresh out of secondary school. My focus, however, was set on becoming an archaeologist with studies in classical and Nordic archaeology and history. After a few years, when I realised that securing a stable job in archaeology would be nearly impossible, it happened to coincide with the only library school at the time launching a marketing campaign aimed at students with the necessary two years of university education. Conveniently, the campaign was also directed at students from the neighbouring city where I lived. We were invited and bussed to the university, where they fed us and gave us an introduction to the LIS program. And that’s how it came to be.

2. What was your first EAHIL?
My first EAHIL was way back in 1994 in Oslo. In total, I’ve attended 21 events.

3. What is so special about EAHIL
I think what makes EAHIL so special is that so many people attend more or less every year, creating a sense that you know “everyone.” I also believe that once you feel welcomed into the “EAHIL family,” it rubs off, and you, in turn, welcome others. The welcoming atmosphere also lowers the threshold for those who haven’t given a conference presentation before. You feel like you’re among friends. Of course, the scientific content of a conference is important and remains the primary reason for choosing to attend an EAHIL event.

4. Do you have a lasting memory of EAHIL?
I have so many memories … The lasting memories often have to do with discovering cultural differences and learning from colleagues from other countries. It makes you reflect on yourself and how you work in your country.

5. What involvement have you had within EAHIL?
I’ve been a member of the Executive Board 2009–2012, 2015-2020 as Vice President and EAHIL President 2021-2024. I’ve also been involved in 11 events as member of the International Program Committee.

6. Are there colleagues from EAHIL who influenced you significantly during your career?
There are, of course, many people who have influenced me in various ways, but if I were to highlight someone, it would be my manager in the 1990s, Arne Jakobsson. Over the years, he held various roles in EAHIL, including serving as president, and was instrumental in abolishing the membership fee. He was the one who introduced me to the possibility of engaging internationally, took the entire staff to the EAHIL conference in Oslo, and encouraged me to contribute with conference presentations.

7. If you could pass on one piece of wisdom to other EAHIL members, what would it be?
Get involved! By engaging in various ways—such as presenting at a conference, helping organize one, or running for the Council or Board—you can get even more out of your EAHIL membership. Don’t wait for someone to suggest that you take action—just do it. Serving on the Board, for example, is incredibly rewarding and offers great personal and professional development. The Board also benefits from diversity in terms of age, gender, country of origin, and more.

8. What will you be busy doing when you leave EAHIL?
My second term as president ends at the end of this year. After your presidential term you take up the role of Past President for the duration of the next presidential term. The role of the Past president involves quite a lot of work, including all elections and also handling the scholarship application process. I was expecting to take on these tasks and also to support the new president, but the second half of 2024 has brought new challenges for me personally. In September, my responsibilities at work changed, leading to a substantial increase in my workload. After careful consideration, I’ve had to make the difficult decision to step down from the EAHIL Board. Regrettably, this means I won’t be able to serve as Past President during Francesca Gualtieri’s presidency.

I will not be leaving EAHIL, but I will not be able to be as active as before. I’m both sad and relieved that I made this decision. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions to balance your commitments. I hope to continue participating in EAHIL events and reconnect with our wonderful community in the future.

While I will remain a part of the EAHIL community, I won’t be able to maintain the same level of involvement as before. This decision fills me with both sadness and relief, as it was a necessary step to balance my commitments. I look forward to participating in EAHIL events when possible and reconnecting with our incredible community in the future.

We would like to thank Lotta for her effort and contributions to EAHIL and we wish her well for the future.