Campbell announces Chair of the Northern Ireland Library Authority

Culture Minister Gregory Campbell today announced the appointment of Dr David Samuel Elliott as the Chairperson of the Board of the new Northern Ireland Library Authority.

Welcoming the appointment of Dr Elliott, Minister Campbell said: “I am very pleased to be making this appointment. We are entering a new era for public libraries with the creation, in April next year, of one library service across Northern Ireland, and the transfer of responsibility to the Library Authority. The successful establishment of these new arrangements will bring benefits to all citizens as potential users of this vital public service.

“I am confident that Dr. Elliott, as the first Chairperson of the Library Authority, will bring the necessary strategic leadership to the Board at this challenging time.”

The new arrangements will achieve greater focus for the library service from the creation of a dedicated, single issue body to manage and deliver it. A unified library service will be better placed to secure equity of provision across Northern Ireland, and improved quality of service through transmission of best practice.

The Northern Ireland Library Authority will provide a central point for establishing professional and partnership links with a range of interests and sectors to reflect the many functions of public libraries in meeting peoples’ needs and enriching their lives. Such links include local government, education, adult learning, health, advice services and community provision.

The Chairman’s annual remuneration will be £12,000 per annum.

Notes to Editors:

Biographical Details of new Chairman

Dr Elliott is currently the Regional Manager for DELL Computers in Northern Ireland. He was a member of the Basic Skills (now Essential Skills) Committee for Northern Ireland (chairing the basic Skills Targets and Measures Taskforce) and was on the Board of OFCOM in Northern Ireland until February 2008. For five years he managed the Electronic Libraries. He was also a School Governor with Grosvenor Grammar School. His academic achievements include a PhD and MBA. He is a Chartered Physicist and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Physics.

1. The Northern Ireland Library Authority is a statutory body set up under the Libraries Act (NI) 2008. It will be become responsible for the management and delivery of the public library service from 1 April 2009.
2. The Library Authority will be managed by a Board of up to 19 members. The Chair of the Board was appointed by Gregory Campbell, the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure. The appointment took effect on 1 December 2008 for a period of four years.
3. The appointments process was carried out in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. A selection panel, which included an independent assessor as required under the Commissioner’s Code, considered the suitability of all candidates. The final decision on the appointment rests with the Minister.
4. 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 requirement for the political activity of appointees (if declared) to be published. No political activity was declared.
5. Media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 90 258902 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk
6. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.