PEOPLE Val Walker V


al Walker, a distinguished librarian with decades of experience within Edinburgh’s Public Library service has died at the age of 76. Born in 1949, Val became a valued member of the library profession contributing a huge amount and holding significant roles across Edinburgh. Having first become a chartered librarian over 30 years ago, Val went on to be a both a mentor support officer and CILIP Assessor. Alison Turiff said: “We worked closely together to provide advice, support and deliver training courses throughout Scotland. Val was always very keen to support colleagues in


developing professionally and did so with great warmth, commit- ment, sensitivity and tact. We learned so much from attenders at these courses and Val encouraged an atmosphere of positive enthusiasm, humour and energy. Her professionalism and dedica- tion was evident in everything she did and she is sadly missed.” Val worked in libraries in Lothian Region during the 1990s and transferred to the City of Edinburgh Council in 1996’s local govern- ment reorganisation. Angela Ross, a colleague at the time remembers the turmoil caused by the reorganisation, saying: “Val’s positive attitude helped us all pick ourselves up again and start afresh.” Angela adds: “Everyone who knew Val appreciated how gener- ous and kind she was professionally and personally. “Val was all you could wish for in a deputy – excellent abilities, loyal, supportive, keen to take on new initiatives to improve the service, hard-working, discreet and always had your back.” Former CILIPS President Cleo Jones worked with Val at


Maurice Nauta B


orn in 1947 to Dutch parents, who had moved to England after the Second World War in Europe, Maurice attended Library School at Aberystwyth, where he met his future wife Pauline. They were part of a talented cohort of future influential library leaders including Tim Williams, John Hicks and Verna Taylor. Maurice and Pauline married in 1968.


Following Aberystwyth, pursuing his specialism of Children’s Librarianship he moved to firstly Cambridge, then Norfolk and Hertfordshire. During this time also, along with Pauline, Maurice spent six months working as a Children’s Librarian in Brisbane, Australia. Maurice was renowned as a brilliant com- municator with children and young people, his enthusiasm and total rapport shone through in all he did. In 1988 Maurice made the move from Hertfordshire to Lincolnshire where he spent 19 years completing his time there as County Librarian running and improving libraries, including the redevelopment of Lincoln Central Library, and the building of a number of other new libraries. As well as the Public Library Service he also took responsibility for Youth Services, Community Education and Community Grants.


He retired in 2007, but instead of settling into a quiet retirement in 2013 he became a leading force in “Save Lincolnshire Librar- ies” championing the public’s fight against his former employers proposals to move 32 libraries to community ownership, and


hand the remaining services over to Greenwich Leisure. His active campaigning included writing to the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, and although ultimately unsuccessful in his efforts his fight ensured that that a judicial review was carried out, and the principle of local authorities carrying out meaning- ful public consultation became enshrined as a requirement for future changes everywhere.


Maurice was a keen ornithologist and with his former deputy, Brian Chapman, was very active in the RSPB, and also his local Nettleham Woodland Trust. Mention must also be made of his great love and wide knowledge of horse racing and his annual (and usually successful) expeditions, along with his daughter Marianne, to the Cheltenham Gold Cup Meeting, as well as his part ownership of horses via the Elite Racing Club. A keen European traveller, with friends, making regular excur- sions to cities and regions of Europe taking a keen interest in all things cultural, great food and wine, of course the local ornithol- ogy, and some amazing scenery and places, although at times some of the navigational arrangements went awry. Maurice faced being diagnosed with Alzheimers with bravery and determination, and fought the disease over a four year period. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pauline; their children Marianne and Paul; and grandchildren Rose and James.


Mike Hosking, Chair, Crofty Education Trust.


For obituary submissions and guidance please email rob.green@cilip.org.uk with subject “obituary”, or write to us at Obituaries, CILIP, 5th Floor, Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 2HQ.


Autumn 2025 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 63


Edinburgh libraries for over 25 years, and said: “Val could be depended on in challenging situations and always wanted to do what was best for the service and our shared vision. I always had confidence that she would shine in any situation that she was representing the service in. Val was highly regarded by both education and library colleagues and always brought professional- ism and knowledge to any partnership. I was delighted when her son Niall become school librarian at Queensferry High School. She was rightly proud of him, but he had knowledge and skills baked into his DNA, through being with Val.” Val retired in 2014, but her love for libraries remained. She was made an Honorary Member of CILIPS in 2016, and after being elected as a local councillor in Edinburgh in 2022 she spent the last three years as Convener of the Culture and Communities Committee. Evelyn Kilmurry, Head of Edinburgh Libraries, said: “She was such a wonderful champion for libraries – both for school and public services – and was so enthusiastic and genuinely interested in any new developments and ways to support people to access library services, especially those who would benefit the most from libraries. She would always champion our initiatives and make time, regardless of how busy her packed diary was, to support the service in any way she could.” Among the many people who were mentored by Val, were CILIP Scotland Director Sean McNamarra and Sector Development Manager Kirsten MacQuarrie.


Obituary compiled with contributions from Alison Turiff, Angela Ross, Cleo Jones, Evelyn Kilmurry and Sean McNamara.


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