Much of the guidance found throughout this toolkit is relevant to delivering a successful local studies service in Scotland. The aim of this section is to provide additional information relating specifically to the Scottish context. This section does not aim to be exhaustive, but to provide a concise account of the key information relevant to local studies throughout Scotland. It focuses on organisations and resources that are relevant to all or most of Scotland. This does not include those with a narrower regional scope, excellent though they may be.
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS)
The Scottish professional organisation for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. CILIPS is affiliated and works in partnership with CILIP, the UK-wide organisation.
CILIPS delivers a diverse programme of development activities every year, which includes an annual conference, Autumn Gathering and a range of online learning sessions. Different areas of Scotland are covered by a network of regional branches and different aspects of the profession are represented by a range of Special Interest Groups, including one on local studies.
CILIPS is additionally a key force at a national level in advocacy for the value and potential of libraries and information professionals and runs a host of associated campaigns. The objectives of the organisation are set by its Trustee Board and shaped by the advice of the CILIPS Council, formed by representatives from the above branches and groups.
Local Studies Scotland (LocScot)
The CILIPS Special Interest Group focused on local studies.
LocScot is devoted to the care and dissemination of local and family history material in Scotland and to encouraging its use for the public good. The group aims to support individuals working in this specialism, run events throughout the year and represents local and family history interests in a wide variety of Scottish cultural and historical forums.
The group’s committee consists of librarians from around Scotland and involvement from new voices and new areas is welcome and desired. Membership of and involvement in the group is open to all CILIPS members.
LocScot is the Scottish sub-group of the CILIP Local Studies Group (LSG).
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)
The independent advisory body to the Scottish Government on library and information related matters. SLIC was formed in 1991 and provides a leadership focus for Scottish library and information services. The organisation seeks to lead and promote development in the library sector and monitor standards of provision. It also undertakes research promoting innovation and a greater understanding of the library and information sector in Scotland.
SLIC’s aim is to support Scottish library and information services through service innovation, funding provision and informative research.
It is a vital source of funding for Scottish library projects, runs its own high profile projects and develops national strategies and evaluative frameworks that relate to local studies provision and the wider library and information sector.
The Scottish Book Trust
A national charity that believes books, reading and writing have the power to change lives. This organisation states that a love of reading inspires creativity, improves employment opportunities, mental health and wellbeing and is one of the most effective ways to help break the poverty cycle. Their Live Literature programme is a significant part-funder for author events for organisations across Scotland, including for events with a local studies focus.
The Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has a huge influence on the planning, delivery, and evaluation of public services in the country. The overall goals of the Scottish Government are outlined in their National Performance Framework. There is strong potential for local studies to contribute to the national outcomes of this framework. The national outcomes can serve as top-level rationale for local studies work. Additionally, local Community Planning Partnerships, important organisations for local studies services across Scotland, take their lead from this national framework.
The National Library of Scotland (NLS)
The country’s national library and the only legal deposit library. The NLS’s collections range from rare historical documents to online journals and covers every subject. It specialises in Scotland’s knowledge, history and culture.
Beyond their vast reference collection, including much material concerning local areas, there is a wide range of eResources available to all Scottish residents, important in-house digital provision such as their Map Images website, and an interest in collaborating with local public libraries on innovative projects.
The latter includes the NLS’s involvement in the British Library created Living Knowledge Network. This network represents one way public libraries can collaborate with the NLS and other UK national libraries.
The Moving Image Archive
Scotland’s national collection of the moving image. The collection, formerly known as the Scottish Screen Archive, is part of the National Library of Scotland.
The Moving Image Archive collects, preserves and promotes access to films capturing Scotland and its people, from the early days of filmmaking to the present day. Their collection numbers over 46,000 items including film cans, videotapes, and digital files.
They are the foremost collection of this specialist type of material in Scotland. Their expert knowledge in this area, and exceptional collection, make them a vital organisation for Scottish local studies.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
The lead public body set up to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment. Local studies librarians should be aware of their significant collections, their range of useful online resources relating to the country’s historic environment (detailed below), and the organisation’s ongoing role in managing Scotland’s historic environment.
National Records of Scotland (NRS)
The national archive for Scotland. The NRS is a Non-Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government and their purpose is to collect, preserve and produce information about Scotland’s people and history, making it available to inform current and future generations.
Their collections and digital provision make them a key organisation for local studies librarians. The NRS hold the most significant Scottish family history records, alongside a range of other important historical records. Their family history website, ScotlandsPeople (detailed below), is one of the key digital resources for Scottish family and local history.
Additionally, the NRS provide authoritative guidance on a variety of Scottish historical records – Research Guides A-Z. These are of great help for local studies librarians, for understanding the wider Scottish context, and for providing guidance to members of the public requiring help.
It should be noted that records relating to Scotland are also held by the UK National Archives. It is important to be aware that relevant information may be held at Kew rather than Edinburgh or Glasgow. The excellent research guides from both organisations provide information on this.
Scottish Local History Forum (SLHF)
A membership organisation which aims to stimulate and encourage interest in local history and heritage in Scotland and to advance education and research in Scottish local history. The Forum can be joined by individuals or organisations such as libraries, museums and archives.
The Forum is a useful network allowing librarians to connect with people and groups interested in the subject area beyond public libraries. Additionally, it can be used to promote events, projects and collaborative opportunities and to learn what is going on in Scottish local history, including about new publications.
The chair of LocScot sits on the Forum’s Advisory Committee.
Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) Geographic Museum Forums
Regional groups which are run independently though they receive support from MGS representatives. Their focus is on museums of any size, but the membership is open to any organisation with a heritage interest, including public libraries. These forums cover most of Scotland and can be good networks for peer-support, training, opportunities for collaboration, the sharing of news and to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Local heritage partners
This is not limited to Scotland, but it is vital to establish what other heritage organisations are active in one’s locality and how they relate to local studies provision. This potentially includes local authority colleagues in museums, archives, registrars, planning and archaeology. These services may have varied formal and informal links to the library service.
Additionally, it is vital to develop an understanding of the non-council heritage related groups, including those with tangential connections to heritage such as art, reminiscence, nature, community, and environmental groups amongst others, as well as family history societies and local heritage organisations. Groups such as the abovementioned Geographic Museums Forums from Museums Galleries Scotland can be useful for developing this understanding and building rewarding relationships with compatible organisations.
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CILIP Local Studies Group 