Obituaries I
Isobel Bitner
sobel Bitner, 90, of Hilton Head Island, died 3 February, 2021. Born of Scottish parents, and raised in Rugby, England, Isobel graduated with an M.A. in History from Edinburgh University, one of the United Kingdom’s top rated research universities. She did post graduate train- ing in Library Science while working in the public library at Manchester.
She came to the United States on a one-year internship at the public library in Toledo, Ohio, a job which evolved into positions in corporate and late university libraries. She spent 20 years in New York, where she married and raised her twin children, a girl and a boy.
Isobel retired to Hilton Head In 1989. After attending an Ian Burley I
t is sometimes a shock when one of our number is taken so early in life, and that is certainly the case with the passing of Ian Burley, Community Support Librarian at Staffordshire Library Service.
A graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University, Ian started his career in libraries while still a student in 1990. He worked his summers at Bretton Hall Art College as a stock pro- cessor being paid £90 per week, cash in hand. On graduating he obtained a position at Burton Upon Trent Library in 1993, and soon made a name for himself with his willingness to get stuck in. He specialised in family history and had an encyclopaedic knowledge which he shared with local groups through public speaking and promotional events. He was a great
public speaker – calm, confident but able to weave jokes and humour into his talks that enthralled his audience. Ian worked for Staffordshire libraries throughout his whole career, working in a variety of posts and libraries. In 1995 he moved to Tamworth Library and there met his wife Jackie whom he married in 2003.
As Library Development Officer at Tamworth Library, he led numerous events and activities, which put his library
on the local map, and he became well known in the local community. His friendly persona with the public meant that he knew lots of local groups and individuals, and residents were willing to volunteer their time for him. In this role he was responsible for delivery of Newsplan and was heavily involved in its organisation. He was also instrumental in the creation of a volunteer IT Buddy scheme at Tamworth Library, which led to him being involved in other volunteer led schemes. He was down to earth and approachable, and loved by his volunteers.
His experience with volunteers paid dividends and he secured the role of Community Support Librarian, primarily responsible with supporting the creation and operation of Community Led libraries. Even through the difficult Covid times, Ian kept in contact with his volunteers, and was keep- ing them onboard up until the end. Of my friend, I can say this, he was fiercely loyal, loved a glass (or two) of wine, was hugely funny and entertaining, and loved nothing better than recycling old jokes. If his jokes made your eyes roll, even better. I was a student with Ian and over 30 years we laughed, argued, joked and got into numerous scrapes together. Ian was only 50 when he passed away in September 2020 and his loss so suddenly has left a deep impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Andrew Farthing, Localities Team Manager, Sefton Library Service
Open House at the Heritage Library, she decided to organise and expand the genealogy material she fell heir to from a cousin on her side, and from her husband’s grandfather. She became hooked, and started volunteering at the Library in 2000. Isobel had also served on the Board, describing the role as “a great way to combine a hobby and career experience”. She also volunteered at the Bargain Box and Volunteers in Medicine.
Isobel is survived by her twin children, Neal Bitner and Anne Redman.
Neal Bitner (son).
For obituary submissions and guidance please email
infopromag@cilip.org.uk or write to us at Obituaries, 7 Ridgmount Street, London, WC1E 7AE.
52 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
September 2021
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