Ministers to grab bigger say in way the National Library is run

SCOTTISH Government ministers want to exert more control over the National Library of Scotland (NLS) and the literary treasures that are housed there, it has emerged.

A bill that will change the structure of the way the library is run to give ministers the power to appoint all members of the board was published yesterday.

Currently, the board is appointed on the basis of a 1925 act, which allows for 32 members.

The Scottish Government is only involved in the appointment of the chairman and four other members. There are 11 ex-officio members, including the Lord President of the Court of Session, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, the lord provosts of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen and local MSPs and MPs.

In addition, the Faculty of Advocates, universities and local authorities are able to appoint representatives.

The National Library Bill, which is designed to take the Edinburgh institution into the 21st century, has been introduced because it was considered that a 32-strong board was too unwieldy when compared with more streamlined public bodies.

The bill calls for a board of between seven and 14 members, including a chair. There will be a fair and transparent process of selection based on merit, and the appointments will comply with public appointments procedures.

However, Patricia Ferguson, the former Labour culture minister, warned against giving too much power to ministers.

“The National Library is one of Scotland’s crown jewels and as one of the UK’s five deposit libraries is a valuable resource to researchers,” she said.

“There is a strong case for reform and modernisation, but it must be done in consultation with the trustees in order to protect its independence and unique status.

“It is possible to give too much power to ministers. That must not happen, and changes must be balanced with the academic freedom of the library to preserve our written heritage for centuries and generations to come.”

If passed, the legislation would allow the library to preserve, conserve and develop its collections, improve accessibility for study and research, and exhibit objects to visitors and online.

Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The NLS is one of Europe’s leading libraries and a world centre for the study of Scotland and the Scots.

“Its collections span the centuries, from the first printed book – the Gutenberg Bible of 1455 – to modern business directories, contemporary digitised music, photographs, films and maps, many of which can be accessed online.

“More than 150,000 people visited the library last year and there are over two million visits to its website every year.

“As the library continues to make more of its collections available online, in response to the changing needs of its customers, it is important that legislation keeps pace with the requirement to preserve and develop our national collections for generations to come.”

Martyn Wade, national librarian and chief executive of the NLS, said: “The library has changed immeasurably since the previous legislation was passed in 1925. The bill recognises and reflects our role in the 21st century, and is very welcome.”