Information Scotland The Journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland ISSN 1743-5471 Issue contents | Journal contents | About the online edition of the journal February 2003 Volume 1 (1)

President's perspective

You can't go it alone

Celebrating the past helps us to build for the future, says Alistair Campbell.

Brought up in Edinburgh, the capital was my education: Chambers Street Museum; James Thin; trainspotting at the Waverley Station (my anorak long since despatched!); Tynecastle, where Willie Bauld, Alex Young and Dave Mackay strode like gods; and Corstorphine Library which, in retrospect, if not quite providing a pool of awe, had sufficient acres of promises and more than a few wonders for taking.

School was the Royal High where the English Department was inspirational, the atoms of delight revealed with knowledge and enthusiasm. Then Edinburgh University where a degree in politics and history was followed by a B Com and then two misplaced years as a trainee accountant.

I had, I suspect, always wanted to be that other kind of book keeper. I was always an avid reader and fascinated by books and by other people's interest in them. Hence a career in public libraries; a year working for Edinburgh being followed by a postgraduate year at Robert Gordons and then employment as Librarian at Carnoustie in Angus under the guidance of that kindest of librarians, Gavin Drummond.

Some seven years later came a move to Moray for what I had intended would be a two year stay at most to gain experience before returning to central Scotland. Some 20 years later I am still there, the quality of life, not forgetting one of our key local industries, being an irresistible attraction. And yes I still gained that wider experience by remaining in Moray as well as the opportunities to be involved in our professional organisation and contribute to the work of SLIC. In short, I am incredibly fortunate to work for a local authority and communities which recognise the importance of public libraries in their daily lives. Professionally I am privileged to be working in libraries at one of the most exciting times in their history, but more of that later.

My first presidential column provides the opportunity to glance backwards and then peer resolutely ahead, seeking for some theme, appropriate or otherwise, around which to shape the next 12 months. That theme, which also gives the banner headline for the CILIPS conference in June, is 'Celebrating the Past, Building for the Future'.

Looking backwards demands more than just a cursory glance, in that later this year we celebrate 150 years since the passing of the Public Libraries (Scotland) Act. Airdrie, in good alphabetical style, was first off the mark in those far off days, with Dundee a less than close second some 13 years later. And while initial adoption of the act might have been slow for a variety of reasons there is little doubt that it was external funding that led to the period of most rapid acceptance some 100 years ago, the wealth of Carnegie making that material difference in establishing the public library as a key community service.

The events organised by CILIP in Scotland to celebrate these 150 years, not least a travelling exhibition to be launched by the Minister in March, offer every public library service the ideal opportunity to assert its profile and promote the dynamic new opportunities offered through the People's Network provision, which ironically too has relied on significant external funding.

If we fail to deliver on the People's Network, we fail. But we are not going to fail, because one of the major characteristics in its development has been the underpinning recognition that a partnership approach is essential, and that frankly no public library authority, whatever its size, can go it alone. This partnership approach is clearly exemplified across public library services through such initiatives as the SLIC e-content group and by co-operation across the sectors in providing integrated approaches to learning opportunities.

The People's Network is far from solely a public libraries concern and challenges all libraries to seek more integrated solutions in providing learning and high quality information.

That we can celebrate the past with satisfaction and continue to build effectively for the future is very much due to the achievements of Robert Craig. As first full time Director of the SLA and founding Director of the crucially influential Scottish Library and Information Council, Robert's leadership has taken us literally from 1984 to that Brave New World of libraries which is now ours. His advocacy made libraries and librarianship credible and influential locally and nationally, his gift of achieving real co-operation for the benefit of all ensuring he was our friend as well as our leader. His advice was always eagerly sought and readily accepted, his work behind the scenes always effective.

The respect and affection that Robert generated across the profession and at the highest levels of government were celebrated at his retiral lunch in Glasgow on 31 January when over 80 of his colleagues, past and present, from within and outwith the profession, enjoyed an excellent time.

Lord Provost Alex Mosson of Glasgow, Alex Howson a former President of the SLA, Bob McKee, Chief Executive of CILIP and Rosemary McKenna MP on behalf of Peter Peacock, Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services paid formal and witty tribute to Robert the 'Godfather', who in turn replied in his own inimitable style. It's a great privilege to have known and worked with the man.

Where CILIPS, SLIC and Scottish library and information services now stand is tribute indeed to the achievements of Robert Craig, and we should take great pride and strength from his legacy and look forward to the continuing work of his successor Elaine Fulton and the team at Hamilton.

Information Scotland Vol. 1 (1) February 2003

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