CILIPS Scotland Conference: Dundee 1 June 2015

The National Library of Scotland: A Future Vision for All

“… 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

• 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

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

National Library of Scotland Act 2012

The Library exercises its functions for:

a) Encouraging education and researchb) Promoting understanding and enjoyment of the

collectionsc) Promoting the diversity of persons accessing the

collections, andd) Contributing to understanding of Scotland’s national

culture

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

Legal Deposit & Special Collections

(London, 1911)

Licensed Digital CollectionsCollections – 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

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

Scottish Government Grant in Aid

91% -22%

£1.3M to £0.5M - Collections Purchase Fund

Funding

Shaping the National Library’s vision for the future

Dual role of the National Library’s Collections

Preservation Access

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 …

To be one of the best national libraries in EuropeAddress our national role

Getting ready for the Digital National LibraryMoving from analogue to digital

Standing up for cataloguing and listing (metadata)Confront the role of Data

Keep it Simple – Elevator testPlain English

Challenges in shaping a strategy …

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

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/

The Way ForwardThe National Library’s Strategy

2015-2020

Print. Manuscripts. Archives. E-Resources. Audio. Moving Image. Websites. Social Media.

6 Strategic Priorities, 6 Enablers

MissionTo make a significant and lasting contribution to global knowledge and the memory of the world.

VisionTo 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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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

Six Enablers

People

Technology

Estate

Enablers

Leadership and Collaboration

Finance

Continuous Improvement

Personal Vision

‘Collecting the Referendum’

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

Culture Change

Openlegal, technical,

social (institutional)

Partnering, Collaborating, Enabling, Advocating, Lobbying

what are we planning …Kelvin Hall Partnership

Public Spaces Review EdinburghBook Depository and Data Hub (C/Side)

Library Management PlatformWebsiteDigitisation at ScaleDigitisation on Demand Pilot

£2M target for Collections Purchase FundOrganisational Review

Funding Plan (deficit and growth)

Reconnect with … Higher Education, Public Libraries, Cultural Bodies …

• 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

Finding The National Library’s

Voice

John Scally

National Librarian & Chief Executive

john.scally@nls.uk

@Scallyjj

0131 623 3730

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

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

Snapshot – outreach

Travelling Librarians from the National Library

Dunbar Book Festival ‘Coastword’(Friday 22nd May)

Borders Book Festival Schools Gala Day(Thursday 11 June)