Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2012
16 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Library of Scotland Bill
I welcome the Government’s acceptance of an increase in the minimum board size, on which I commented at stage 1.
I do not understand the positions of the other parties—especially Labour, given its change between stages 2 and 3—on the powers of ministerial direction. I will use my three minutes to say that the ministerial power of direction is limited to two areas. Ministers will be able to give directions in relation to section 2(3)(c), on
“promoting the diversity of persons accessing the collections”.
I would have thought that all members would want to ensure that the National Library’s collections are always open and accessible to everybody, wherever and whoever they are, and that the minister can always guarantee that our national collection can fulfil that obligation.
Ministers will also be able to give directions in relation to section 2(2)(d), on promoting collaboration. I am a library professional and, as I said during the debate on amendments at stage 3, when professionals collaborate they produce their best work. I do not understand why members would not want the Scottish Government ministers to be able to ensure that the National Library provides such leadership for the library profession in Scotland. For me, that is very important, as libraries are very important to the people of Scotland.
We heard Clare Adamson’s figures, which show how valued libraries are in Scotland. In difficult times such as we are in, libraries can offer much more for people. As a professional, I have to say that there are many different ways in which libraries can provide a vital public service nowadays. It is about access to information. It is not necessarily the buildings that are so important; it is about what we do with information and it is about making it as accessible as possible to people of all hues and abilities.
We have heard about rebellious librarians and eco-librarians. I want to end on a positive note. As a librarian, I am delighted to hear that the public’s affection for libraries is reflected across the chamber. Long may our MSPs’ and the Government’s commitment continue for our library services.
16:41
I do not understand the positions of the other parties—especially Labour, given its change between stages 2 and 3—on the powers of ministerial direction. I will use my three minutes to say that the ministerial power of direction is limited to two areas. Ministers will be able to give directions in relation to section 2(3)(c), on
“promoting the diversity of persons accessing the collections”.
I would have thought that all members would want to ensure that the National Library’s collections are always open and accessible to everybody, wherever and whoever they are, and that the minister can always guarantee that our national collection can fulfil that obligation.
Ministers will also be able to give directions in relation to section 2(2)(d), on promoting collaboration. I am a library professional and, as I said during the debate on amendments at stage 3, when professionals collaborate they produce their best work. I do not understand why members would not want the Scottish Government ministers to be able to ensure that the National Library provides such leadership for the library profession in Scotland. For me, that is very important, as libraries are very important to the people of Scotland.
We heard Clare Adamson’s figures, which show how valued libraries are in Scotland. In difficult times such as we are in, libraries can offer much more for people. As a professional, I have to say that there are many different ways in which libraries can provide a vital public service nowadays. It is about access to information. It is not necessarily the buildings that are so important; it is about what we do with information and it is about making it as accessible as possible to people of all hues and abilities.
We have heard about rebellious librarians and eco-librarians. I want to end on a positive note. As a librarian, I am delighted to hear that the public’s affection for libraries is reflected across the chamber. Long may our MSPs’ and the Government’s commitment continue for our library services.
16:41
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02878, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on the National Library of Scotland Bill.16:05
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
I thank members of the Education and Culture Committee for their scrutiny of the National Library of Scotland Bill. Throughout the process, members have prov...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
I call Neil Findlay. You have up to seven minutes. Any time that you can save will be gratefully received. 16:15
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
In this era of huge change in information technology, with digital books, online resources, web-based learning, audio books and digital film, the role of mod...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I add my thanks to those of Neil Findlay to Stewart Maxwell and the clerks. Stewart Maxwell has convened the committee with his normal sense of humour, and w...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
We now move to the open debate. I regret to tell members that we are short of time, so if they can confine themselves to three-minute speeches, it would be m...
Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I thank members for their kind comments about my convenership of the Education and Culture Committee throughout the bill’s passage. I thank in particular the...
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Over the past couple of centuries, libraries have evolved to become important institutions at the heart of communities across Scotland and the United Kingdom...
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
The bill that is being passed today marks a new era for the National Library of Scotland, bringing its governance into the 21st century and freeing it to con...
Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
When I read the bill as introduced, I had genuine doubt as to the status in law of the proposed new entity. The existing governance was clear: there was a st...
Fiona McLeod (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the Government’s acceptance of an increase in the minimum board size, on which I commented at stage 1.I do not understand the positions of the othe...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I endorse Fiona McLeod’s concluding comments.We have finally managed to get Marco Biagi off the NLS board in order that he can spend more time with his famil...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I offer my congratulations to Orkney library and archive, too.16:44
Liz Smith
Con
The debate has been largely consensual, out of a need to ensure that we maintain and enhance one of Scotland’s great national treasures for exactly the reaso...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
Scottish Labour, too, welcomes the bill and recognises that reform of the structures that support our National Library is necessary. The fact that the existi...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I welcome the tone of the debate and the genuine respect that members across the chamber have expressed for the work of the National Library of Scotland.In r...
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
There is far too much noise in the chamber. I ask members to settle down.
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
When I met other culture ministers in Brussels last week, I heard some fascinating insights from Professor Nigel Shadbolt of the University of Southampton ab...