CILIPS President 2011: Alan Reid

I was born, brought up and attended school and university in Dundee.  After graduating in Modern History, I finally escaped my Mother’s apron strings, and secured a position as Trainee Librarian with Lanark County Library Service.  Those were the days when some authorities still invested in the creation of future professional librarians!  Based at Bishopbriggs Library, I quickly learned what working in a busy public library was all about.

After 12 months or so, I took up a place at Strathclyde University on the postgraduate librarianship course.  Thereafter, having been awarded leave of absence by Lanark County, I returned to what had become Strathkelvin District Council as a result of local government reorganisation, and took up the post of Assistant Librarian.

Working with Don Martin at the William Patrick Memorial Library in Kirkintilloch, I enjoyed six wonderfully rich and varied years working in reference, local studies, archives and museum services.

There followed five years as Senior Librarian, Reference Services with Moray Council, working from the central reference library in Grant Lodge, Elgin.

The main period of my career was in Midlothian Council which I joined as Depute District Librarian many, many years ago, and where I was privileged to work with Brian D. Osborne whom I succeeded as Library Services Manager.

After more than 20 years in that position, I took early retirement at the end of 2010.  My enthusiasm for public libraries remains undiminished, however, and I am particularly interested in local studies and the support that public libraries can give to local creative writers.

For more than a few years, I was CILIPS’ Honorary Publications Officer and oversaw the publication of a number of titles of both professional and general Scottish interest.  In recognition of this work, I was awarded Honorary Membership of CILIPS in 2000.

I am deeply conscious of the honour of being appointed CILIPS’ President in 2011, and remain confident in the role of our profession in changing times.