John Dean the creator of the DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris series of crime novels has been appointed a Libraries Champion for Scotland by  The Crime Writers’ Association.

John Dean said:

“Libraries are precious and at a time when public sector cutbacks threaten so many of them in the UK, writers need to do all they can to support and celebrate them.”

Key elements of the Libraries Champion role include

1. linking libraries who want crime writers as speakers with the CWA’s local chapter convenors
2. encouraging libraries to spread the word about the Crime Readers’ Association
3. supporting libraries under threat via social media where appropriate, while remaining apolitical
4. seeking further ways to build closer links for the good of libraries and CWA members and including independent libraries wherever appropriate.

John is one of three CWA Library Champions, the other being crime writers Priscilla Masters and  Jan Newton . Cilla lives in Staffordshire and writes about DI Joanna Piercey and coroner Martha Gunn.  Jan, like her character DS Julie Kite, is based in Mid Wales.

The trio take over from Ruth Dudley Edwards, the CWA’s very first Libraries Champion.

Martin Edwards, Chair of the CWA, says:

“Creating the role of Libraries Champion was an important and practical signal of our commitment to and support for libraries. Ruth has done sterling work in building closer relations between libraries and CWA members nationwide, and we’re now moving into an exciting new phase of the programme, as John, Cilla and Jan seek to build on those firm foundations.”