Keith Wilson
(to serve until 31 December 2014)
Postnominals
BA, FCLIP, HonF
Email
Keith.Wilson@cilip.org.uk
Biography
I didn't start my working life in libraries. After I left school I decided to be a deep sea fisherman training as a wireless communications and technology officer, and worked for a while out of Hull. But the combination of gruelling conditions and the first 'cod war' quickly led me to the view that I'd have a short life that would not be very mind broadening. I joined the Library Association's two year course at the still very new Newcastle Polytechnic after completing a one year traineeship with Northumberland County Library. I returned to Northumberland to help set up their new commercial technical and reference service and after Chartering completed one of the new Open University degrees. It was a very exciting time for public libraries – a national reorganisation of local government was taking place and there was a large investment in public libraries.
After five years I left and joined a large architectural practice as Information Officer. They had a refreshingly modern view of the value of libraries, information and knowledge and were prepared to commit to it – even during industry recessions. It was here that I gained my deep affection for architecture and the architectural profession. In 1990 I moved on to NBS - the National Building Specification , owned by the RIBA – who had an unique partnership with Newcastle University to develop a next-generation set of information handling tools for architects and surveyors. Over the following 20 years my role has covered librarianship, information work, sales, customer service, and now content in its broadest sense from information systems to publishing.
I've been a career-long CILIP member and activist. I've never come across another profession that leads people to improve and change themselves on their own terms, in their own way, at their own pace, and with such a combination of passion and modesty, as ours. Is this our downfall – widely liked and respected but badly underestimated? I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to play a part in the next stage of CILIP - to learn about, ask and help shape the directions we must head in.