Welcoming the appointment of Dr Elliott, Minister Campbell said: “I am very pleased to be making this appointment. We are entering a new era for public libraries with the creation, in April next year, of one library service across Northern Ireland, and the transfer of responsibility to the Library Authority. The successful establishment of these new arrangements will bring benefits to all citizens as potential users of this vital public service.
“I am confident that Dr. Elliott, as the first Chairperson of the Library Authority, will bring the necessary strategic leadership to the Board at this challenging time.”
The new arrangements will achieve greater focus for the library service from the creation of a dedicated, single issue body to manage and deliver it. A unified library service will be better placed to secure equity of provision across Northern Ireland, and improved quality of service through transmission of best practice.
The Northern Ireland Library Authority will provide a central point for establishing professional and partnership links with a range of interests and sectors to reflect the many functions of public libraries in meeting peoples’ needs and enriching their lives. Such links include local government, education, adult learning, health, advice services and community provision.
The Chairman’s annual remuneration will be £12,000 per annum.
Biographical Details of new Chairman
Dr Elliott is currently the Regional Manager for DELL Computers in Northern Ireland. He was a member of the Basic Skills (now Essential Skills) Committee for Northern Ireland (chairing the basic Skills Targets and Measures Taskforce) and was on the Board of OFCOM in Northern Ireland until February 2008. For five years he managed the Electronic Libraries. He was also a School Governor with Grosvenor Grammar School. His academic achievements include a PhD and MBA. He is a Chartered Physicist and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Physics.