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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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National Library of Scotland

30/08/2005

The appointment of two new Trustees to the Board of the National Library of Scotland.

The new trustees are:

Andrea Maria Batchelor who has pursued a successful career in local government. In her current role as Head of Service in Education at South Lanarkshire Council, she is active in the promotion of community learning through modernising library services.

With a professional background in educational psychology, she spent 13 years working with children with special needs. Now she uses her wide ranging management and interpersonal skills as a member of the Learning and Teaching Scotland Body. She is a member of the Advisory Council of Learning and Teaching Scotland with no other Ministerial appointments.

Dr Willis Pickard was the editor of the Times Educational Supplement Scotland for twenty two years until he retired in 2001. During this period, in which he was also a broadcasting commentator on the educational scene, he pursued a wide range of public commitments.

He was Rector of Aberdeen University from 1998-90 and a member of the Scottish Arts Council 1982-88 as well as of its Literature Committee. He was also Chairman of Book Trust Scotland. Currently he is a member of the Board of Scotland in Europe and Chair of a recently formed drama company, Theatre Objektiv. He continues to work for the BBC on the appointments committee to the Broadcasting Council for Scotland. Willis holds no other Ministerial appointments.

By statute, the two new appointments were made by Her Majesty The Queen on the recommendation of Scottish Ministers. They are made in perpetuity and commence from July 11, 2005. These posts are part-time and are not remunerated.

The appointments are without prejudice to the outcome of Ministers' consideration of the recent report of the Cultural Commission recommending changes in Scotland's cultural infrastructure.

The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh is the largest library in Scotland, with over seven million books. Its extensive and varied collections of manuscripts, maps, music, newspapers and journals provide support for general research as well as the information needs of science and business.

The Library has recently approved a new strategy and is currently working towards widening access to its collections and services for visitors, and for remote users, particularly through digital media. At present the Board meet around four times a year, usually in Edinburgh.

The Ministerial public appointments were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Dr Pickard is a member of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Ms Batchelor has declared no political activity within the last five years.

Page updated: Tuesday, August 30, 2005