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Scottish Library and Information Council

The Scottish Library & Information Council [SLIC] is the independent advisory body to the Scottish Government and Scottish ministers on library and information matters.

The Council offers leadership focus and support to the Scottish library and information sector, coordinating and promoting national service developments to benefit Scotland's people and enrich our cultural, educational and economic landscape.

SLIC members include all local authority, higher education, further education organisations, NHS Trust library services, as well as other specialist library and information organisations.

SLIC was established in 1991 and is funded by organisational membership subscriptions. The Scottish Government partially funds the Council in its work and The National Library of Scotland also contributes financial assistance.

Key documents: Annual Review 2009, current Operating Plan and Strategic Plan 2007-10 or search the digital library for all other SLIC publications.

Main tasks:

Provide a leadership focus for Scottish library and information services and to facilitate coordination on a national level
Promote understanding of library and information services' contribution to the life of the nation
Monitor standards of provision of library and information services and advocate the development required for their continuing vitality
Advise the Scottish Government and ministers on all matters concerning library and information services
Undertake research and promote innovation, providing information, education and advice to support members
Liaise with related organisations and institutions to further SLIC's strategic objectives and support our members
Award grant-in-aid to promote innovative developments in Scottish library and information services

Current projects

AskScotland: Work is continuing on the national service that will enable people all over the world to have reference questions answered by a Scottish librarian. As part of the second phase of the project, the Ask Scotland website has been refreshed and four new library services are taking part. AskScotland will continue to be coordinated by SLIC and will form part of Scotland’s Information.

Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix (PLQIM): In 2008 the Scottish Government agreed to continue PLQIM funding for a three year period. A new batch of awards was made in Nov 2008 and project reports are due to be submitted for these in Mar 2009. During Feb 2009, SLIC undertook a consultancy with Australian public libraries to create a performance framework based on PLQIM.

FE Standards: A working party was established in the latter part of 2008 in order to develop a new set of standards for college libraries, in line with revised HMIe guidelines. The new service development and self-evaluation framework was published in December 2009.

SLIC Board

SLIC is governed by a Management Board that is elected for a term of three years. Members of the Board are elected by their sector on a rotational basis at the SLIC Annual General Meeting. SLIC Memorandum and Articles available for download in PDF format.

Chair: Christine May: Former MSP
Vice Chair: Evelyn Simpson: National Museums of Scotland
Company Secretary: Christopher Phillips: The Highland Council
Observer: Duncan Mackay: Scottish Government
Observer: Lindsay MacGregor: Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
Rhona Arthur: SLIC
David Beards: Scottish Funding Council (SFC)
Catherine Nicholson: Glasgow School of Art Library
Helen Durndell: Glasgow University
Elaine Fulton: SLIC
Lorraine Forde: Cardonald College
Alison Hunter: East Lothian Council
Catherine Kearney: SLIC
Jeannette Castle: West Lothian Library Services
Dorothy Browse: Fife Council Libraries and Museums
David Scott: Dundee College
Joanna Ptolomey: Scottish Health Information Network (SHINe)
Martin Wade: National Library of Scotland
Marilyn Milligan: CILIPS
Christine Fitton: Lifelong Learning UK

SLIC Staff

Senior Management

Director: Elaine Fulton: Elaine was previously Assistant Director of SLIC/CILIPS, with her work focusing on the development of information and communications technology systems and services in libraries, in particular supporting the roll out of the People’s Network in Scotland. More
Assistant Director: Rhona Arthur: Rhona has been in post since 1997 and was previously professional officer at the Scottish Library Association (SLA). Her work focuses on the development of school library services, readership development and training. More
Assistant Director: Catherine Kearney: Catherine manages the SLIC Innovation and Development Fund programme and acts as the liaison officer for the tertiary education sector and specialist adviser on joint use and co-location of services. More

The information team

The information team is responsible for the ongoing development of the website and the broad range of digital services associated with the development of a Scottish common information environment.

Senior Information Officer (Acting): Gillian Hanlon: Gillian previously worked as a school librarian, specialising in developing the use of ICT in education. More
Information Officer: Richard Palmer: Richard has recently entered the profession, having completed his studies at Robert Gordon University. He has a keen interest in the use of the web in library services. More