Dr Saad Eskander, director of the Iraq National Library and Archive (INLA), was awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) in recognition of his distinguished service at a ceremony hosted at the British Library in December 2008.
You can hear a sound recording of the event – see the link at the bottom.
Dr Eskander is known to many for his online diary, describing the challenges of running the National Library and Archives in Iraq, which ran on the Library's website in 2006-07.
Members of CILIP were joined by BL staff, readers, and other invited guests to celebrate this honour and learn about the incredible commitment and bravery of those working in the National Library in Baghdad.
Dr Eskander received a standing ovation after giving a powerful presentation about his efforts to rebuild the organisation after fire, looting and the actions of the regime had left INLA as the 'most damaged cultural institution in Iraq'.
He showed some distressing images of the devastation of the collections and buildings, and of the difficult conditions that he and his staff had faced working in the middle of a conflict zone. These included pictures of broken windows and bullet holes in his car windscreen, a demonstration of the risks he and his staff face every day.
See some of Dr Eskander's photos
Dr Eskander then went on to celebrate their achievements in creating a modernised library within a few months. They now welcome over 900 readers a month as well as hosting regular exhibitions and events for visitors.
Lynne Brindley said: "The Library has been working with Dr Saad Eskander to collaborate in the reconstruction of the Iraq National Library and Archives since 2004 and I am delighted that we have been able to provide digital copies from our collections to assist in the reconstruction of the INLA.
"Dr Eskander is a very special man – an inspiration and a role model for our profession – and I am delighted that CILIP has conferred upon Saad its highest honour."
Hear a recording of this event (MP3, 52min 46sec, 21.1MB)
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