Meet our new Libraries Lead
David Main has recently joined the team as Libraries Lead.
David has worked in libraries for almost 25 years, starting in Lancashire as a library assistant and then as a librarian in York. His early career was spent in Reference and Local History and primarily involved enabling access to many unique documents, including witchcraft and prisoners exiled to Australia.
He moved to Scotland in 2010 and spent 8 years working as a senior manager in Aberdeen City Libraries. There he created an online resource of the library’s heritage collections which remains the most frequently used digital service connecting family historians all over the world with their Aberdeen ancestors.
In 2018, David moved to West Dunbartonshire as the head of Libraries and commenced a programme of renewal following significant service reductions. As well as navigating the minefield of Covid, he says his main achievement there was the reversal of a decades-long decline in visits and issues.
David also told us: “I am a chartership and leadership mentor with the professional body of libraries (CILIP), and also a peer assessor for the How Good Is Our Public Library Service framework. I was part of the panel that assessed Angus back in 2017 and so I first met a few of the Angus libraries team then.
“Angus represents my fifth local authority and I’m very excited to be joining the team. I aim to bring my knowledge and experience of the wider profession to help find new ways for Angus Libraries to thrive in these difficult times.”
On a personal note, David said: “I have three children – the youngest of whom is autistic. My boy is extremely challenging, but also incredibly brilliant. He has probably taught me more than anyone else I have ever met. I’m a big believer in supporting people to help them overcome obstacles in order that they can thrive. This is my mission at work and at home.
“I am a (not particularly fast) ultra-runner and a half-decent open water swimmer. I’ve done some pretty big running challenges for charity over the years, including running coast-to-coast from Ardnamurchan to Peterhead in 2015, and running three marathons in one day in 2017. I’m currently preparing for a 100km mountain ultra in the Lakes in July – with ascent equal to all three of the highest mountains in the UK combined. I even paid to take part!
“I would describe myself as being unnecessarily tall and unnecessarily thin. I regularly have a number of blisters and I eat way more than you’d think.
“Finally, I am a very open and honest person, sometimes to my detriment. Like many people, I have had to face my own demons in the past and I am now extremely open about the importance of positive mental health.
“I’m always happy to offer a friendly ear to anyone who needs it. Especially if cake is involved. My family, my work and my running all help keep me in a good headspace and I feel very privileged to love what I do for a living.”
