University Librarian John MacColl to retire

Elizabeth Andrews
Friday 26 June 2020
John and Tricia standing on cruise ship
John MacColl and Tricia on their cruise

Although I have been University Librarian here for nine and a half years, my time at St Andrews in fact began in 1979, before many of my colleagues were born, when I arrived as an undergraduate in a rainy October Presessional week. My four years as a student here were transformative in a way I can only imagine the best undergraduate experiences can be, particularly for young people transitioning into the adult world. St Andrews has remained in my heart ever since, and it was a joy to come back as University Librarian. Not that every moment has been plain sailing in the way my cruise in the Norwegian Fjords last year was! But it has mostly been hugely enjoyable, and with the major changes now facing the Library, I feel this is the right moment for me to join my wife Tricia in early retirement, and hand over the reins. We want to get back to travelling when we can – and to do some substantial walking in Spain and Italy (stopping off to visit her relatives in the north of Tuscany). We have our four grown-up sons and their partners to keep tabs on, and I may do some voluntary work – including continuing with a couple of library committee roles. Beyond that, my plan is to keep busy, finally get properly into our garden here in Cupar, pick up some new hobbies and resuscitate some old ones. I hope to keep in touch with friends in and around the University.

John MacColl, FRSE: University Librarian & Director of Library Services


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