Martyn Wade,
National Librarian and Chief Executive

Welcome

The National Library of Scotland is, in the words of one customer, a treasure trove. We are proud to be Scotland’s largest reference library and a major research centre in Europe. Our collections of more than 24 million items of books, manuscript, music, maps and film span the centuries, from the first printed works to the digital age, and continue to grow rapidly.

Whilst the main purpose of the library remains relatively constant from year to year, the context in which we work is changing rapidly. We are proud to have enabled many people to read, watch, hear and work with our collections for the past 89 years and we continue to strive to enhance our customer pool. However, over recent years the impact of technology has led to greater demands for easier and faster access to information; the use of our online resource is growing rapidly and the balance of our intake of new materials is shifting from physical to digital.

In order to ensure that the library adapts to these challenges, we are formulating a 30 year vision, with a strategy for the first six years due to be published in December.

The Library budget, funded from Scottish Government Grant in Aid in 2012 - 13 was £17.5 million, with a staff total of 301. In order to make our strategy happen, we have to be creative, innovative and self sufficient, including seeking to enhance these limited resources through generating funding from non government sources. There will be a significant increase in project funded work and it is important that we have effective financial forecasting and planning embedded in our corporate plans.

The Head of Finance, as the senior financial professional in the organisation and a member of the Corporate Leadership Team will play a critical role in ensuring that the Library develops a sustainable financial model for delivering its strategic objectives.

I would like to thank you for your interest in fulfilling this role, and encourage you to visit our website for further information on the library’s purpose and activities. I hope you are able to find all the information you require and look forward to receiving your application.

Martyn Wade
National Librarian and Chief Executive