John Pateman worked in public libraries for over 40 years in several different roles ranging from Library Assistant to Chief Librarian. He was Chief Librarian of three library systems in the UK and Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer at Thunder Bay Public Library, Canada. John has published a number of books, including Understanding Public Libraries. John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and a founding member and editorial collective member of Information for Social Change.