Dreuchd Ùr a’ Gealltainn Cothroman airson an Coimhearsnachd
New appointment promises to increase community access to unique Gaelic collection
The Western Isles Library Service is delighted to confirm Finlay MacLennan as Senior Librarian, Gaelic and Outreach. Finlay has been in the role since the start of January 2025, bringing enthusiasm and dedication to this important position, which plays a key role in enhancing the library’s Gaelic provision and outreach efforts.
A fluent Gaelic speaker and father of two, Finlay is passionate about promoting the Gaelic language and culture. In his role, he focuses on developing Gaelic resources, supporting Gaelic-speaking library users, and leading outreach initiatives that connect the library service with the wider Gaelic-speaking community.
Speaking about his role, Finlay said:
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of the Western Isles library service in this capacity. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make Gaelic more accessible and visible within our libraries. I’m committed to ensuring that Gaelic remains a vibrant and integral part of our services. I’ve joined the service at an exciting time and am already involved in a number of interesting projects that will improve the service we provide and increase the visibility of Gaelic through the service, including reviving the ‘Gaelic Resource Database’ into a contemporary digital library accessible from anywhere in the world, coordinating library events for Seachdain na Gaidhlig and the recruitment of a Gaelic Arts Officer in partnership with An Lanntair and CnES Employability who will work alongside me to develop Gaelic resources and programmes.”
Renee Mason, Libraries Manager at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, highlighted the significance of the position:
“Finlay’s appointment marks a significant development for our library service. The creation of the Senior Librarian Gaelic and Outreach role reflects our commitment to supporting Gaelic and the vital role we play in preserving and promoting Gaelic language and culture. Finlay’s expertise and passion for the language will be invaluable as we continue to grow and adapt our services for the future.”
Since starting in January, Finlay has been working on plans for our Islands Literacy Symposium in March, the launching a new digital resource improving access to the unique Gaelic and Local History collections later in the year, and the recruitment of a new Gaelic Arts Officer to support promotion of Gaelic in partnership with an Lanntair and CnES Employability.
His work will ensure that the Comhairle library service remains dynamic, accessible, and responsive to the needs of its Gaelic-speaking users.
Tha dreuchd ùr a’ gealltainn gun àrdaich e cothrom coimhearsnachd air cruinneachadh sònraichte Gàidhlig
Tha Seirbheis Leabharlainn nan Eilean Siar air leth toilichte Fionnlagh MacIllinnein a dhearbhadh mar Àrd Leabharlannaiche, Gàidhlig agus Ruigsinneachd. Tha Fionnlagh air a bhith san dreuchd bho thoiseach an Fhaoillich 2025, a’ toirt dealas agus dealas don t-suidheachadh chudromach seo, aig a bheil prìomh àite ann a bhith ag àrdachadh solar Gàidhlig an leabharlainn agus oidhirpean ruighinn a-mach.
Tha Fionnlagh fileanta sa Ghàidhlig agus athair do dhithis, agus tha e dìoghrasach mu bhith a’ brosnachadh cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig. Na dhreuchd, tha e ag amas air a bhith a’ leasachadh ghoireasan Gàidhlig, a’ toirt taic do luchd-cleachdaidh leabharlainn le Gàidhlig, agus a’ stiùireadh iomairtean for-ruigheachd a tha a’ ceangal seirbheis leabharlainn ris a’ choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig san fharsaingeachd.
A’ bruidhinn mun dreuchd aige, thuirt Fionnlagh:
“Tha mi air leth toilichte a bhith nam phàirt de sheirbheis leabharlainn nan Eilean Siar mar seo. ‘S e cothrom air leth a th’ ann Gàidhlig a dhèanamh nas ruigsinniche agus nas fhaicsinniche sna leabharlannan againn. Tha dealas agam dèanamh cinnteach gum fuirich a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt bheothail agus riatanach de ar seirbheisean. Tha mi air tighinn dhan t-seirbheis aig àm air leth inntinneach agus tha mi mar-thà an sàs ann an grunn phròiseactan inntinneach a leasaicheas an t-seirbheis a tha sinn a’ toirt seachad agus a chuireas ri faicsinneachd na Gàidhlig tron t-seirbheis, a’ gabhail a-steach ath-bheòthachadh an ‘Gaelic Resource Database’ gu bhith na leabharlann didseatach co-aimsireil ruigsinneach bho àite sam bith air an t-saoghal, a’ co-òrdanachadh tachartasan leabharlainn airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig agus a’ fastadh Oifigear Ealain Ghàidhlig ann an com-pàirt leis An Lanntair agus CnES a bhios ag obair air goireasan agus Goireasan Gàidhlig a leasachadh.
Thog Renee Mason, Manaidsear Leabharlainn aig Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, cho cudromach sa bha an suidheachadh:
“Tha dreuchd Fhionnlaigh a’ comharrachadh leasachadh cudromach don t-seirbheis leabharlainn againn. Tha cruthachadh dreuchd Gàidhlig is Ruigsinn an Àrd-leabharlannaiche a’ nochdadh ar dealas airson taic a chumail ris a’ Ghàidhlig agus an àite deatamach a th’ againn ann a bhith a’ glèidheadh agus ag adhartachadh cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig. Bidh eòlas agus dìoghras Fhionnlaigh airson a’ chànain air leth luachmhor agus sinn a’ cumail oirnn a’ fàs agus ag atharrachadh ar seirbheisean airson an ama ri teachd.”
Bhon a thòisich e san Fhaoilleach, tha Fionnlagh air a bhith ag obair air planaichean airson Co-labhairt Litearrachd nan Eilean againn sa Mhàrt, a’ cur air bhog goireas didseatach ùr a leasaicheas ruigsinneachd air na cruinneachaidhean sònraichte Gàidhlig agus Eachdraidh Ionadail nas fhaide air adhart sa bhliadhna, agus fastadh Oifigear Ealain Ghàidhlig ùr gus taic a thoirt do adhartachadh na Gàidhlig ann an com-pàirteachas leis an Lanntair agus Cosnadh CnES.
Nì an obair aige cinnteach gum bi seirbheis leabharlainn na Comhairle fhathast beothail, ruigsinneach, agus a’ freagairt air feumalachdan luchd-cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig
