National Library celebrates 100 Years and key job opportunity
Events are being rolled out all across Scotland. Acclaimed authors Val McDermid and Damian Barr have been named as Centenary Champions, lending their voices to this nationwide celebration of books, reading and public knowledge.
A major exhibition, Dear Library, offers an exploration of what libraries mean to individuals and communities. Mary Queen of Scots' last letter will be loaned from the Library's archives and displayed at the new Perth Museum in its first public appearance in a generation. Further exhibits from the collections will travel to Aberdeen and Shetland, ensuring the centenary is marked far beyond Edinburgh.
'We are in the middle of a truly transformative year for the National Library,' says Jackie Cromarty, the Library's Director of Engagement. 'We're celebrating our 100th birthday with a host of amazing events and activities around the country.
'We've just unveiled a brand-new website and we're looking forward to launching our new strategy later this year.
'This will see us further connecting our collections and the people of Scotland, engaging with a host of new community and research partners and developing our collections in ways that are sustainable, accessible and relevant to a changing society.'
As part of this momentum, the Library is seeking a permanent, full-time Head of Human Resources to lead its HR and Organisational Development. Reporting directly to the Leadership Team and Library Board, the new Head of HR will play a strategic role in shaping internal culture, supporting employees and driving best practice across the entire organisation.
With the current postholder retiring and leaving behind strong HR foundations and a capable team, the incoming Head has the opportunity to build on this valuable work and bring their own vision to one of Scotland's most respected public institutions.
'It's an exciting time to consider joining the Library,' adds Jackie Cromarty. 'You will find it an endlessly fascinating and inspiring place to work, where your role as Head of Human Resources can make a real impact on the organisation and its people as we step into our second century.'
The position comes with generous annual leave, pension contributions, flexible working where possible and ongoing professional development: an ideal opportunity for an experienced HR professional seeking to contribute to an organisation at the heart of Scotland's cultural life.
For those inspired by heritage, learning and public service, the National Library of Scotland could be their next exciting chapter.
More information is available on s1jobs and review the National Library of Scotland profile for extra insights!
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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
National Library celebrates 100 Years and key job opportunity
From ancient manuscripts to new digital publications, these are freely accessible to all. Events are being rolled out all across Scotland. Acclaimed authors Val McDermid and Damian Barr have been named as Centenary Champions, lending their voices to this nationwide celebration of books, reading and public knowledge. A major exhibition, Dear Library, offers an exploration of what libraries mean to individuals and communities. Mary Queen of Scots' last letter will be loaned from the Library's archives and displayed at the new Perth Museum in its first public appearance in a generation. Further exhibits from the collections will travel to Aberdeen and Shetland, ensuring the centenary is marked far beyond Edinburgh. 'We are in the middle of a truly transformative year for the National Library,' says Jackie Cromarty, the Library's Director of Engagement. 'We're celebrating our 100th birthday with a host of amazing events and activities around the country. 'We've just unveiled a brand-new website and we're looking forward to launching our new strategy later this year. 'This will see us further connecting our collections and the people of Scotland, engaging with a host of new community and research partners and developing our collections in ways that are sustainable, accessible and relevant to a changing society.' As part of this momentum, the Library is seeking a permanent, full-time Head of Human Resources to lead its HR and Organisational Development. Reporting directly to the Leadership Team and Library Board, the new Head of HR will play a strategic role in shaping internal culture, supporting employees and driving best practice across the entire organisation. With the current postholder retiring and leaving behind strong HR foundations and a capable team, the incoming Head has the opportunity to build on this valuable work and bring their own vision to one of Scotland's most respected public institutions. 'It's an exciting time to consider joining the Library,' adds Jackie Cromarty. 'You will find it an endlessly fascinating and inspiring place to work, where your role as Head of Human Resources can make a real impact on the organisation and its people as we step into our second century.' The position comes with generous annual leave, pension contributions, flexible working where possible and ongoing professional development: an ideal opportunity for an experienced HR professional seeking to contribute to an organisation at the heart of Scotland's cultural life. For those inspired by heritage, learning and public service, the National Library of Scotland could be their next exciting chapter. More information is available on s1jobs and review the National Library of Scotland profile for extra insights!
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Community claims council ignored bid for Jedburgh's Carnegie library
A community group claims its bid to take over a historic library is being ignored by the local 125-year-old Carnegie Library in Jedburgh was closed by Scottish Borders Council during the Covid talks taking place over a community asset transfer, the grade B-listed building has been put up for sale on the open market for offers over £140, Borders Council said its officers were continuing to engage with everyone who had an interest in the property. Jedburgh was provided with two libraries by philanthropist Andrew Dunfermline-born industrialist, who made his vast fortune in America, officially opened the original library on the town's High Street in the building was not big enough to meet the demand for borrowing books - leading to a new library being commissioned a short distance away on returned to Jedburgh on 24 May 1900 to witness the opening of the larger Sir George Washington Browne-designed facility, which could hold 12,000 eye-catching building features the engraved inscription "Let There be Light" above the entrance. The larger library was one of about 80 buildings Scottish Borders Council decided to dispose of as part of cuts started in March 2024 to help it save money and reduce its carbon local authority also agreed to consult with communities on the future of properties considered to have a "significant civic presence" and explore the potential of transferring the buildings into community ownership.A council report, seen by BBC Scotland News, said community groups would be given six months to provide additional information after submitting a valid request to take over a community group Jedburgh Carnegie Building said it did not believe this process had been followed properly in relation to the Carnegie April, when the library was put up for sale, it has gathered more than 600 signatures for a petition calling on Scottish Borders Council to uphold its commitment to a community asset transfer. Bookshop owner Dean Freeman is leading the campaign for the community to take control of the said: "We were initially told by the council that a community asset transfer could be undertaken."However, they are now telling us that it is no longer an option and that we will have to be part of the competitive process."No reasons have been given and it's as if they are now ignoring us."We think this is wrong - the town is rightly proud of its rich heritage and selling off this building will achieve nothing." Jenni Sneddon, another member of Jedburgh Carnegie Building, said there were concerns about the library's said: "It would be such a shame if it was lost to a private developer. "The Carnegie Library is such a lovely building - there's so much light inside with the beautiful skylight. It is a versatile space and we have lots of ideas for using it as an arts venue amongst other things."We are not being too prescriptive about what we would do with the building as it would be up to the community to tell us what they would like." Musician James Wyness supports the group's said: "I want Scottish Borders Council to do the right thing and honour their original pledge to give favour to a community asset transfer."We have a lot of people backing us - people who want a community space - and I would ask the council to do the right thing."Our swimming pool's already been closed, our town hall is under threat of closure, there's going to be nothing left for the community." 'Broader strategy' Scottish Borders Council said the former library building was put on the market following a thorough evaluation of all available options. A spokesperson said: "While a community asset transfer was initially the preferred route, it is not the sole path being explored."The market listing forms part of a broader strategy to assess all viable opportunities for the building's future use, including potential community-led proposals."They added: "We remain committed to keeping all stakeholders, including the local community, informed throughout this process. "We recognise the building's significance to the Jedburgh community and are working to identify a solution that balances heritage preservation with sustainable, practical use."
BBC News
30-07-2025
- BBC News
New King's Lynn library will be open by Christmas, builders say
A library will be relocated to a town centre by Christmas, the team behind the project have said.A total of £15.1m is being spent on turning the former Argos shop in King's Lynn into a library and adult education facility. The building was acquired by Norfolk County Council in 2021 but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the manager Verity Bennett, who has been working on the renovation ever since, described the scheme as her "extra baby". It was originally scheduled to open in the autumn. Ms Bennett hopes the central location will mean more people use the library, something she said had happened in Great Yarmouth. "It's a beautiful part of town, lots of footfall. You don't have to come and read a book or do anything in particular. Just come and use the space."Jeannine de Souza, who is assistant director in construction and facilities management at the council, said the building had excellent environmental credentials - including solar panels and a state of the art heating said the project had been full of surprises: "One day the team rang me and said 'We've hit wood. We're metres down below the ground we shouldn't be hitting wood'."After stopping to consult old maps it was found they had been digging out the old river bed and their drill had hit what the team believed was an old boat. Ms de Souza said archaeologists were consulted before they continued. The Conservative leader of Norfolk County Council, Kay Mason Billi, said the building would be "more than just books". "It will be somewhere you take your children for playdates, somewhere to go to do adult learning and also they've got the training kitchen there so we can teach people how to cook."Library services will move from the current site in the historical Carnegie Library building in London Sims from Mace, the company carrying out the construction, said the building would be completed by Christmas, "if not before".He said locals had been sceptical about the project but he had noticed a growing excitement. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
