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The second History of Libraries in Scotland seminar was held at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen on Friday 16th April. This seminar explored the history of Business Libraries in Scotland. It discussed the development in the provision of library and information services for Scottish industry in the twentieth century. This seminar is part of a series run by the History of Libraries in Scotland and is sponsored by the Scottish Centre for the Book at Edinburgh Napier University and the Library and Information History Group (CILIP). Janice McFarlane is Head of Partnerships and Professional Advisor at the National Library of Scotland. Janice has been working in libraries for over 35 years and worked in library services in the oil industry between 1980 and 1993.
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Working in the oil sector:the views of an industrial librarian;
1980-1993
Janice McFarlaneHead of Partnerships & Professional Adviser, NLS
History of Business/Company Libraries in ScotlandRobert Gordon University, 16 April 2010.
History of a company
BNOC: nationalised body formed in 1975. Privatised 1982-1985 to form:
Britoil. Bought by BP in 1988 to become part of:
BP Exploration
Company libraries pre-BP
Glasgow HQ:ExplorationEngineeringBusiness InformationAll combined in 1985/86
Aberdeen: Safety LibraryLondon: mainly business & government.
My career:
1980-83: Engineering Librarian
1983-86: Established Business Information Library
1986-1990: Engineering & Business Information Officer
1990-93: Head Librarian
A Library in a large company
Benefits:Terms & conditionsReward cultureWell-equippedGenerous budgetsAutonomyInteresting & demanding work
Downside?Commercial impacts (oil price etc)
Management policies (outsourcing)
Professional isolationInsecurity‘Macho’-land
Library collectionsBooks & serialsConference papersMaps & plans
TopographicalGeologicalAdmiralty charts & pilots
Trade catalogues Standards (print & microfilmPatents
Government publicationsCompetitor & industry data
Stockbroker reportsAnnual reports
Company dataWell logsTechnical data sheets
Online databases
Library services‘Library’ tasks
Stock acquisition (not just for the Library)Cataloguing (AACR2) & classification (UDC)
Initially on card, but purchased LMS in 1985/6.
Stock issues/returnsInter-library loans
‘Information’ tasksJournal circulationSDI servicesSubject enquiriesOnline searchingManaging records management contract
PLUS:Staff & financial management
An ‘Information-Hungry’ Environment
Answers needed yesterdayTechnical knowledge & understandingOnline searching in a pre-web ageMulti-disciplinaryLibrary as ‘arts’ hub
Staffing Issues
Grading & statusThe fight for recognition of ‘professional’ status
Terminology: Library v Information CentreStaff training (professional & technical)Line ManagementJob security
Line management SWOTStrengths
Closer links with senior managers.
Technical input
WeaknessesFrequent changesPoor professional
awareness
OpportunitiesOpen to persuasionNo professional
‘blackspots’.
ThreatsDoesn’t recognise
value of services.Seen as first choice
for cuts.
Benefits v Security
Benefits:Challenging workGood payExcellent pensionBonusesProfit sharingFree lunchesSocial/sports club
Insecurity:PrivatisationTake overRedundanciesOutsourcingContracts
OVERALL?
BENEFITS WON
PARTICULARLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN EXPERTISE IN A WIDE
RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL WORK
