1. CILIPS Scotland Conference: Dundee 1 June 2015
The National Library of Scotland: A Future Vision for All

2. “… custodians of the nation’s
intellectual heritage, thus providing
organisation, access to and
preservation of the national imprint
in all media.”
What is a national library?
IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) 1998

3. • National Library of Scotland origins:
founding of Library of the Faculty of Advocates in
Edinburgh 325 years ago
• 1710 Copyright Act: legal deposit privilege
• 1925 National Library of Scotland Act:
established, with Advocates’ Library collections at its
core.
• 2012: National Library of Scotland Act:
confirmed and reset our statutory functions

4. National Library of Scotland Act 2012
The Library - particular functions:
a) Preserving, conserving and developing its
collections
b) Making the collections accessible to the public and
to persons wishing to carry out study and research
c) Exhibiting and interpreting objects in the
collections, and
d) Promoting collaboration between, and the adoption
and sharing of good practice by, other persons
providing library and information services

5. National Library of Scotland Act 2012
The Library exercises its functions for:
a) Encouraging education and research
b) Promoting understanding and enjoyment of the
collections
c) Promoting the diversity of persons accessing the
collections, and
d) Contributing to understanding of Scotland’s national
culture

6.  4.5 million books
 11 million serial and
series parts
 8 million archive and
manuscript parts
 2 million maps
 45,000 films and
videos
24 Million
1,000 daily

7. Legal Deposit & Special Collections
(London, 1911)

8. Licensed Digital Collections
Collections – there are 86 licensed digital collections purchased or subscribed to by NLS
Content - These consist of over 700M items, which include:
 735,000 e-books (historic and modern)
 106,000 manuscript pages
 8,000 journal titles
 15,000 newspaper titles
 1.5M music tracks
 700M records
Ownership - two thirds of the licensed collections are owned by NLS, either in full or part.
The remaining third NLS has access to via subscription.
Remote Access - Just under 80% of the licensed collections can be accessed by members from
home or work.
Cost – the cost for the above collections each year is £285,000

9. Usage and Footfall – Yearly
Reading Rooms 75,000 member registrations; 300,000 items
George IV Bridge 250,000 visitors
Exhibitions/Events 105,000 attendees each year
Digital Access 2.5 million www.nls.uk
Licensed Digital 86 off-site access LDCs; 55,000 searches
Collections

10. Scottish Government Grant in Aid
91% -22%
£1.3M to £0.5M - Collections Purchase Fund
Funding

12. Shaping the National Library’s
vision for the future

13. Dual role of the
National Library’s Collections
Preservation Access

14. Why have a vision? Why have a
Strategy? What’s the Point?
Words are important …
Staff, Public, Users, Stakeholders, Researchers, Visitors …
danger of corporate creep …
danger of too many strategies …
danger of being
boring …

15. To be one of the best national libraries in Europe
Address our national role
Getting ready for the Digital National Library
Moving from analogue to digital
Standing up for cataloguing and listing (metadata)
Confront the role of Data
Keep it Simple – Elevator test
Plain English
Challenges in shaping a strategy …

16. Consultations, Surveys, Workshops, Interviews 2013-14
Some common themes:
1. There is widespread recognition of the importance of the collections.
2. People want us to focus on increasing our digital offerings while
maintaining the physical collections.
3. People want us to provide free, tailored services to all users.
4. People want us to engage with, and encourage, young people.
5. People want a National Library Network to be created.
6. We need to get better at explaining what we have, what we do and how
we can help.
Listening, 2013-14

17. Listening: priorities for investment – rated 1 to 6
Ranked
top priority
%
1. Make more items available in digital form 23
2. Make it easier to search for items in the collections 21
3. Improve catalogue records to make it easier to find items 23
4. Increase spend on purchases to add to collections 17
5. Improve study/search facilities in the reading rooms 7
6. Extend the opening hours of the reading rooms 9
Source: Scotinform survey for National Library October 2014: http://www.scotinform.co.uk/

18. The Way Forward
The National Library’s Strategy
2015-2020
Print. Manuscripts. Archives. E-Resources.
Audio. Moving Image. Websites. Social Media.
6 Strategic Priorities, 6 Enablers

19. Mission
To make a significant and lasting contribution to global
knowledge and the memory of the world.
Vision
To be recognised as one of the leading national libraries
in Europe by using our collections and spaces to
generate opportunities for learning and research while
improving understanding and participation in Scotland’s
rich cultural life.

20. 1. We will be the guardian of the published and
recorded memory of Scotland for current and future
generations.
1.1 collect, preserve and make available … Scotland’s memory …
1.2 record, maintain and digitise the national bibliography of Scotland
1.3 support the sustainable preservation of collections of national significance …

21. 2. We will make it easier to access our collections. By
2025 – the centenary of the Library’s foundation – we
will complete a full listing of the Library’s holdings and
have a third in digital format.
2.1 … online listing, cataloguing and discovery work that makes visible …
Library’s special and hidden collections
2.2 identify the main collection areas for digitisation and take action …

22. 3. We will encourage and promote research as a
defining characteristic of the Library.
3.1 … develop research collaborations across the humanities, sciences and business
3.2 … support a series of research communities in areas aligned with our mission
3.3 … research fellowship programme …

23. 4. We will ensure our collections and services make an
important contribution to the education, learning and
advancement of our citizens and the success of our
nation.
4.1 … equality of opportunity … remove all barriers … accessing our
collections and services
4.2 …. activity which supports economic growth and wealth creation …
4.3 … tailor content … the curriculum, lifelong learning and continuous
professional development.
4.4 … services for the business community.

24. 5. We will design and deliver public engagement
programmes that will educate, entertain and inspire
the communities of Scotland.
5.1 … extend our reach across Scotland and internationally.
5.2 … increase the number and diversity of people who … use our services.
5.3 … users and audiences as partners, collaborators, and supporters…
a place of researching, making, and creating.
5.4 … focus on increasing engagement and opportunity among young people.

25. 6. We will develop the National Library as an exciting
and memorable destination for both onsite and online
visitors.
6.1 … end-to-end suite of online services, simple to find, easy to use …
any screen, anywhere, anytime
6.2 … improve and extend the Library’s estate in Edinburgh …
6.3 … strengthen our presence in the west of Scotland –
and progressively develop the Kelvin Hall partnership in Glasgow.
6.4 … establish our physical presence in other parts of Scotland

26. Six Enablers
People
Technology
Estate

27. Enablers
Leadership and Collaboration
Finance
Continuous Improvement

28. Personal Vision

32. ‘Collecting the Referendum’

33. Maps: George IV Bridge; a Venetian view of Scotia;
Map images from our website

35. Culture Change
Open
legal, technical,
social
(institutional)
Partnering, Collaborating, Enabling, Advocating,
Lobbying

36. what are we planning …
Kelvin Hall Partnership
Public Spaces Review Edinburgh
Book Depository and Data Hub (C/Side)
Library Management Platform
Website
Digitisation at Scale
Digitisation on Demand Pilot
£2M target for Collections Purchase Fund
Organisational Review
Funding Plan (deficit and growth)
Reconnect with …
Higher Education, Public Libraries, Cultural Bodies …

37. • Automate membership of the National Library
• Library network development (enabler)
• Content tie-up and flow to Public Libraries
• Heritage Preservation. Significance for collections? Digital Preservation.
• Showcase events / Roadshows
• Deeper alliance with SLIC, SCURL … for Scotland’s libraries
• Develop a model of collaboration and sharing that strengthens everyone
Partnership Development

38. Finding
The National Library’s
Voice

39. John Scally
National Librarian & Chief Executive
john.scally@nls.uk
@Scallyjj
0131 623 3730

41. Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news 22 May and 26 May 2015

42. http://www.designinglibraries.org.uk Source: Daily Mail 28 May 2015

44. Snapshot – outreach
Travelling Librarians from the National Library
Dunbar Book Festival ‘Coastword’
(Friday 22nd May)
Borders Book Festival Schools Gala Day
(Thursday 11 June)