This Festschrift celebrates and commemorates the work and career of Professor Peter Brophy, who retired in 2008 as the Director, Centre for Research in Library and Information Management (CERLIM), Department of Information and Communications at Manchester Metropolitan University. It both identifies and honours his contribution and acknowledges his distinguished career over more than 30 years in the field of libraries, information management and information science. The collection of writings in this work is written among others by: close academic colleagues, those who worked for and with him, people whom he inspired and peer colleagues of high international repute. It weaves an impressive account of achievement and respect for his abilities. It also gives an insight into his character.

In an introduction of this kind the requirement to reflect on Peter's career and achievements might unwittingly seem more like an obituary, or Gedenkschrift, rather than a Festschrift. On the contrary, Peter retires from his post at the zenith of his career, indeed, he constantly likes to remind me, and anyone who will listen, that he is actually younger than me (only four days though!).

I begin this introductory chapter on a personal note but with some reason. To be asked to write this introduction is a privilege and an honour. I am equally aware that contributors to this book were eager to honour Peter and his importance in the profession, and to record his achievement, which will stimulate the next generation, their research and their practice.

The second chapter in this work refers to the time before I knew him. It provides an insight to Peter's contribution during the early days of his career from 1971 to 1973. Written by Michael Buckland, the eminent professor, it is worthy of note that he should describe Peter as having a ‘distinguished career’. The chapter introduces us to the innovative work of the Library Research Unit at Lancaster University, which Buckland headed and where Peter was a research associate. It is a timely commentary both as a review of the work of that Unit and Peter's role in its success, and as an introduction to his professional career.