Iraq librarian honoured

CILIP has given an honorary fellowship to Saad Eskander, the director-general of the Iraq National Library and Archive (INLA) at a special ceremony at the British Library.

'Dr Eskander was appointed at a time when fire, looting and the actions of the previous regime had left INLA as the most damaged cultural institution in Iraq,' explained CILIP chief executive Bob McKee, 'While operating under conditions of unimaginable difficulty Dr Eskander has succeeded in restoring INLA to some semblance of professional normality.'

Lynne Brindley, chief executive of the British Library said, 'The British Library has been working with Saad Eskander to collaborate in the reconstruction of the Iraq National Library and Archives since 2004. He is a very special man; an inspiration and a role model for our profession.'