© Adam Soller Photography
We are delighted to announce that our new Director will be Dr Toby Simpson. We further announce an adaptation of our institutional name from The Wiener Library for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide to The Wiener Holocaust Library. This change clarifies the centrality of the Holocaust to our collections and helps increase awareness among audiences who may be unfamiliar with us and our work. While the Library’s name has changed, our commitment to furthering the study of genocide remains the same.
Dr Toby Simpson will take up the position of Director following Ben Barkow’s retirement in October 2019. Toby has worked at the Library for the past eight years and has performed in a variety of key roles including setting up the Library’s exhibition programme, leading a major translation and digitization project, and in recent times leading on fundraising as Head of Development. In November 2018, Toby produced the Library’s Memorial Concert for the 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht and the Kindertransport at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John’s Wood, which raised over £30,000 for the Library.
Toby Simpson said:
“I have seen The Wiener Holocaust Library go from strength to strength since it moved to Russell Square. I can think of no more important task than building on the good its collections already do in the world, not least by inspiring people to confront Holocaust denial, antisemitism and other forms of racism. As the Library’s new Director, I am honoured and excited to reaffirm our commitment to growing our collections, to preserving our holdings for future generations and to sharing them widely. Ben has left an impressive and lasting legacy. I look forward to working with staff, trustees and supporters to further develop this internationally significant collection as an outstanding educational resource, as an unparalleled library of record and as a living memorial to the evils of the past.”
Anthony Landes said:
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Dr Toby Simpson to succeed Ben as Director of The Wiener Holocaust Library. The Board is delighted by Toby’s appointment and looks forward to working with him to achieve the goals set out in the Library’s Strategic Plan 2019-2023. Toby combines a breadth of skills and experience, a record of success working at the Library, deep knowledge of its collections, and a fundamental commitment to its mission and values. We have every confidence that the Library will continue to flourish and reach new heights under his leadership.”
