Special Libraries Committee

The Special Libraries Committee is a Standing Committee of the Council of The Library Association.

Standing Committees are by Council to advise it on policy and other matters. Subject to the need to seek prior approval of Council for major changes in policy and for decisions which have significant cost and staffing implications, each Standing Committee has delegated authority to act on matters within its terms of reference.

Suzanne Burge  (National Councillor) (Chair)
Jim Basker  (Industrial and Commercial Libraries Group)
Susan Howard  (Health Libraries Group)
Bruce Madge  (National Councillor)
Kayla Tomlinson  (Branch Councillor - Berks, Bucks & Oxfordshire)
Sue Westcott  (Government Libraries Group)

The Honorary Officers of The Association (ie the President, the Honorary Treasurer, the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee and the Chair of the Council) are ex-officio members of all standing committees.

The Honorary Officers for 2001 are:

The Committee is augmented by co-opted members from special interest groups of The Association, and by observers representing other interests and relevant expertise.

Co-opted members

Diane Dewar, in a personal capacity
Ann Greenwood
Fiona Henderson
Margaret Hurcombe, from Community Services Group
Fay Owston

Observers

Kate Arnold, representing the Association of UK Media Librarians
Chris Catton, representing the voluntary sector
John Miller, representing BIALL
Penny Leach, representing City Information Group
Jenny Martin, representing the broadcasting  sector
Catherine Silverside, representing IIS
Malcolm Weston, representing the Construction Industry Information Group
Margaret Forrest

The Special Libraries Committee is mainly serviced by the staff of the Member Services Directorate. These staff are divided into teams which reflect the responsibilities of Sectoral Committees. A Professional Adviser heads each team, is the officer expert specialising in the sector concerned and acts as Secretary to the Committee. Mark Field is the first point of contact for corporate and health sectors;  Lyndsay Rees-Jones, the first point of contact for industrial, government and voluntary sectors.

This Committee shall advise Council and develop the policies of The Association in relation to library and information services to specialised communities including those in industry and commerce.

Panels may be appointed by standing committees, boards or subcommittees within authorised expenditure limits to constitute a source of advice on a specific area to be called upon in an informal manner.  It is expected that panels will normally conduct their business without meetings.     

There are currently 4 active panels for this committee: Salary Guides Panel, Workplace Libraries Panel, Knowledge Management and National Science Week Panel.