Isobel Hunter named new SCL chief executive

Isobel Hunter has been appointed as the first chief executive of the Society of Chief Librarians.

Hunter joins the organisation as it makes the transition from private company to registered charity.

Hunter previously worked at The National Archives where she was head of archives sector development, serving a national constituency of 2,500 archives. During her time there, Hunter led the development of Archives Unlocked, a new government vision to address resilience, digital capacity and impact in the sector.

The SCL has also appointed Mark Freeman as president elect. Freeman is currently libraries and information services manager in Stockton-on-Tees and has worked in libraries for over 35 years. In June he will take over as president from Neil MacInnes who has occupied the role since June 2016.

Hunter said she was “delighted" to have the opportunity to lead SCL alongside the new president at the beginning of an "exciting new chapter" in the organisation’s history.

"I share SCL’s vision of the value of libraries to build strong communities and change people’s lives. As the first chief executive of SCL, I will work with members to ensure we continue to deliver this vision and to represent, connect and support public library leaders up and down the country", she said.

Freeman added: "Libraries have always been part of my life and I’m passionate about the potential they offer to communities across the world, so I’m truly honoured to be the next president of SCL. I’m really looking forward to working with Isobel, our new chief executive, and with my colleagues as we become an organisation which supports and helps to develop our public libraries for future generations."