An Leabharlann: The Irish Library

I have recently taken over as Editor of An Leabharlann/The Irish Library.

It is hoped to publish a second issue in October this year. Thereafter, we intend to publish two issues per year. To enable the Editorial Board to do this, we need contributions from you, the practitioners.

Exciting developments have been taking place across Ireland in recent years. We have seen new library buildings, including award-winning ones, in all sectors. There have been examples of consortia purchasing in the academic sector where economies of scale have been achieved. There are numerous examples of best practice in Knowledge Management in the corporate sector.

Academic and public libraries have been involved with a variety of cultural heritage and digitization projects to make the vast richness of library collections available to a virtual public.

The current issue includes the Code of Ethics adopted by the Library Association of Ireland (LAI) in 2007. The Address of the LAI’s President, Deirdre Ellis-King, at last year’s Joint Annual Conference is also published. We have a timely article on leadership in the public library service by John Mullins. The subject will have resonances fro librarians in all sectors, especially the issue of succession planning.

The Yeats Exhibition at the National Library of Ireland is described by Ciara Kerrigan. The exhibition introduces us to the poet’s work and some of the influences on his writings.

The influences on another writer are also explored in Micheál Ó hAodha’s interview with Gabriel Rosenstock. Rosenstock informs us that he writes for those who came before him.

There are three conference reports which I hope will be useful to colleagues. The theme of leadership recurs in the Welsh Libraries, Archives and Museums Conference which is reported on by Michael Plaice. Developments in copyright and advocacy were topics discussed at two conferences in The Netherlands. In the issues planned over the next 18 months, it is hoped to carry various conference reports especially those from international conferences.

Details of the Associateship of the Library Association of Ireland (ALAI) and an application form to join the Library Association of Ireland are also included. Please join the Association if you are not already a member.

There are three book reviews in this issue. It is intended that there will be regular book reviews. The number in each issue will depend on availability of suitable titles and space considerations.

I sincerely hope that you will have found something of interest in An Leabharlann/The Irish Library. At the very least, you will have engaged in some Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by reading thus far. Anyone interested in submitting an article on any relevant topic will be very welcome.

I am indebted to all contributors who have kept to the deadlines. This made my work easier. I also wish to record my thanks to Editorial Board members especially Professor Mary Burke and Beatrice Doran. The logistics were managed by LAI Development Manager, Marian Keyes, to whom I am most grateful.

I would like to thank the former Joint Editors, Brendan Teeling (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) and Crónan Ó Doibhlin (University College, Cork).

Marjory Sliney editor@libraryassociation.ie.