National Librarian Dr John Scally and Scottish Enterprise's Research Manager Emily Wilson at the formal signing of the partnership agreement

NEW PARTNERSHIP USES KNOWLEDGE TO POWER SCOTTISH BUSINESS

Businesses across Scotland are set to benefit from an important new partnership that will ensure they can access high quality information to help them grow and prosper.

The National Library of Scotland has signed an agreement with Scottish Enterprise that will see both organisations working closely together to deliver first class business support services.

It will combine the strengths of Scotland’s largest library, which has an extensive range of business information including global company data and market research tools, with Scottish Enterprise’s Business Gateway service that provides assistance and advice to firms of all sizes.

In addition to providing information and publicising where companies can access it, the agreement will involve the National Library and Scottish Enterprise working together to acquire new business-related resources to ensure Scottish companies have the most comprehensive information at their disposal. Training will also be developed across both organisations to enable high quality services to be delivered and standardised for all users   

National Librarian Dr John Scally said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to get the information they need, when they need it. By aiding their decision making and maximising their competitive ability, we will be contributing to the economic success of Scotland. We are very pleased to be working with Scottish Enterprise in this exciting new partnership which combines the strengths of both of organisations for the benefit of Scottish business.”    

Scottish Enterprise’s Research Manager Emily Wilson said: “Scottish companies need high quality, authoritative and reliable research to identify opportunities, target new markets, make informed decisions and accelerate business growth. By sharing the expertise and experience of both Scottish Enterprise and the National Library, we can ensure we deliver effective and impactful research support for all Scottish companies.”

Details of the National Library’s business services – much of which is available online - can be found here https://www.nls.uk/business

Contact Information

Bryan Christie

0131623 3738

07904791002

b.christie@nls.uk

Notes to editors

The National Library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland is a major European research library and one of the world’s leading centres for the study of Scotland and the Scots - an information treasure trove for Scotland’s knowledge, history and culture. The Library’s collections are of world-class importance. Key areas include digital material, rare books, manuscripts, maps, music, moving images, official publications, business information, science and technology, and modern and foreign collections. The Library holds more than 26 million physical items dating back over 1000 years in addition to a growing library of e-books, e-journals and other digital material. The collection includes over four million books, eight million manuscripts, two million maps and over 45,000 films and videos. Every week the Library collects around 3,000 new items. Most of these are received free of charge in terms of Legal Deposit legislation. www.nls.uk / @natlibscot /facebook 

Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency and aims to deliver a significant, lasting effect on the Scottish economy. Our role is to help identify and exploit the best opportunities for economic growth. We support ambitious Scottish companies to compete within the global marketplace and help build Scotland’s globally competitive sectors. We also work with a range of partners in the public and private sectors to attract new investment to Scotland and to help create a world-class business environment.

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