PEOPLE Graham McKenna G


raham was born in Wrexham in 1943, but moved to Leeds when young. After a degree and professional qualifications in Liverpool and London, he returned to Leeds City Libraries, where he completed his Librarianship MA and moved up the career ladder for 18 years. In 1984 he was appointed Chief Librarian of the British Geological Survey (BGS) Keyworth, and Head of Profession for the parent body, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), until retirement in 2003. BGS Library Keyworth had been a branch of the Institute of Geological Sciences Library (IGS) in Exhibition Road, London, but on restructuring and relocation, became the


site for the new BGS HQ Library. Graham helped in its design and transfer of some 500,000 volumes, 200,000 maps, archives, photographs and serials from London, and later from other BGS regional outposts. The job also involved the appointment and oversight of an expanded professional library team. The Library was already connected to the Joint Academic Network (JANET), and used some Information Retrieval software, but as specialist Library software developed from the late 1980’s, Graham oversaw the purchase of new Library Management packages. These allowed the creation of accessible online catalogues for many of the often unique book, serial, record, map and photograph collections. BGS was possibly the first major UK map library to digitise its catalogue. Several thousand geological photographs were scanned with help from outside funding. The collections were enhanced when he secured the relocation of the British Association (BAAS)


Ceris Sladdin C


eris Sladdin (31 May 1973 – 5 November 2025) started her career in librarianship as a trainee in Exeter University Library – she had already gained her BA Geography there in 1994 – and embarked on a path that she relished for the rest of her life, her interest piqued by her time spent working in the Law Library.


Born Ceris Williams in 1973, she grew up in Alsager, Cheshire, and attended local prima- ry at Cranberry Lane (now Academy), then spent seven years at Alsager Comprehensive before heading to Exeter. After her trainee- ship she studied for her MSc (Econ) Library & Information Studies at Aberystwyth, 1995-96, impressing staff and fellow students with her outstanding organisational skills.


She then moved to London and, following a chance letter to Loyita Worley, then Secretary of BIALL, got a job as Assistant Librarian at the law firm Richards Butler where Loyita was Head of Library, Information and KM. Ceris always remained deeply grateful for what she called “Loyita’s watchful eye” and for her ongoing encour- agement; she gained Chartership in 1998 and became involved with professional organisations such as BIALL, attending many of its conferences and completing the BIALL lecture programme for law librarians at the University of Westminster, and also joining the


editorial board of the then Law Librarian magazine. After three years in London, Ceris moved to Leeds and worked at Eversheds for one year before moving to Pinsent Curtis (now Pinsent Mason) as Information Officer from 2000-2005. At this point she took a career break to marry Julian Sladdin, a solicitor at the firm, and start a family: she and Julian set up home in the village of Follifoot, North Yorkshire, and had two children, Hugo (2006) and Rosie (2009). While her children were young Ceris volunteered in the local primary school library as well working on other local community charity and fundraising projects. In 2017 she returned to work as Librarian at Harrogate Ladies’ College, a new role that Ceris relished. She set up a thriving pupil librar- ian scheme, a popular break-time book club and participated in a local literary quiz, The Battle of the Books. As Ceris staunchly said, “no book was off limits” and she loved working there, deeming it one of the best things that she’d ever done, not least as it also gave her the chance to use her professional skills whilst still having time to enjoy time with her family. Ceris leaves her husband Julian, her children Hugo and Rosie, and her parents, Eirwen and Barrie, all of whom were much loved by her and in turn were very proud of her indeed.


Francis Muzzu For obituary submissions and guidance please email rob.green@cilip.org.uk. Winter 2025 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL 49


photographs, for which he became Hon Curator. His responsibilities also included the valuable Geological Archives, kept in a secure strong room. Library staff knew well that this was one of his favourite retreats (perhaps from his somewhat untidy office!?), and recall his delight at finding an original Charles Darwin signature. He maintained an enjoyment of reference work and sharing his knowledge of the resources. His help was clearly appreciated, as evidenced by the many thank you letters received from researchers around the world.


On the wider professional front he was a member of several Working Parties and Committees at various times, within NERC, other Research Councils, and the then Library Association. These included President of the East Midlands Branch for two years and a member of the Chartership board for seven years. Graham was a kind man, who cared about the welfare and profes- sional development of his staff. He met and married Heather when both worked in Leeds Libraries, and was deeply affected by her early death in 2011. He enjoyed walking and travelling before and after retirement, and retained good friends in Europe and elsewhere from his travels. Locally he was actively involved in the Catholic Church, where his contributions were greatly valued. Following a number of strokes in his last two years, Graham moved to a Care Facility near his eldest daughter in Portsmouth, where he sadly died a few months later in August 2025. He had always enjoyed family time with his three daughters and four grandchildren, with whom he was in regular contact in spite of their geographical separation within Britain, and by whom he is now much missed.


Obituary by former Deputy, Jennifer Anderson, with help from other former colleagues


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