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Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)

TRACY LONG

CILIP – What is it?

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the new professional body formed following unification of the Institute of Information Scientists (IIS) and The Library Association (LA). The new organisation emerged on 1st April 2002 with development plans continuing for the new organisation. The work of library and information professionals provides people with access to knowledge, supports lifelong learning and educational attainment, addresses social inclusion and supports economic development. The library and information professional is contributing in all sectors, with changing working environments being partly driven by the rapidly changing technology developments.  With this major external influence, the profession needs a strong professional body in order to raise the profile of library and information work and to support the needs of members. CILIP are aiming to become the membership organisation that is required by the library and information profession in the twenty first century.

There are currently over 23,000 members, linked by common skills and competencies. There are various categories of membership:

Member (MCLIP) - members who have met the standards for admission to our professional register through demonstration of professional competence.

Fellow (FCLIP) - for achievement and contribution to the profession.

Associateship is open to people eligible for election as Chartered Members but not yet Chartered.

Further categories (for those who do not yet qualify for election as Chartered Members) include Affiliates, Supporting Members and Institutional.

What CILIP does

The work of CILIP concentrates principally on the following areas;

Education – CILIP aims to develop and enhance the roles and skills of members by maintaining a framework of universally recognised qualifications, including the charter, as well as providing opportunities for continuing professional development. CILIP accredits all undergraduate and postgraduate library and information study courses throughout the United Kingdom.

Enterprise – the income generating arm of the professional organisation which provides publications, journals and training. CILIP keep members informed of employment opportunities via the fortnightly Appointments publication and through its in-house recruitment agency.

Advocacy and lobbying to position the profession at the heart of the information society by promoting the value of the profession and ensuring that good practice is shared. CILIP contributes in the formulation of policy and development of service delivery across the library and information profession. CILIP’s professional advisers cover all services and sectors of the profession from lifelong learning to knowledge management. The work of the professional advisers includes casework to promote the value of members to employers and other agencies. CILIP provides current awareness services on key issues and best practice to the members through the website and Members Information Service.

As the new organisation continues to develop, part of the resulting changes will include:

A new structure of qualifications

New arrangements for regional branches in England

New Code of Conduct and Ethics

New arrangements for Special Interest Groups

New subscription framework

New website

CILIP are working actively to engage and truly represent its members. The organisation is governed by its members through CILIP Council, supported by Committees, Panels and Boards. Membership to these committees is drawn from the membership of CILIP, usually through an annual election process. All members of CILIP are able to become involved in this process by either standing for office or by exercising the right to vote.

In addition, there are twelve CILIP Branches covering all areas of the United Kingdom and each member is assigned a Branch dependant on their work or home address. The Branches support the work of CILIP at a regional level, increasingly important with the government’s emphasis on regional development. Branches produce newsletters and hold regular meetings. There are over twenty Special Interest Groups to provide members with the opportunity to share professional concerns and issues, often on a service or sector basis.

CILIP is the organisation that represents the collective voice of the library and information worker at national, regional and international level. It can influence policies and proposals from government as well as supporting individual members with advice and good practice. CILIP have a clear role, enhancing the value of the profession. The Corporate Plan illustrates the range of activity that CILIP intend to achieve in the next three years. However as a membership organisation, part of the success will be governed by the involvement and contribution of individual members either through work with CILIP Council or their local branch, involvement in a group or through the opportunity to respond to membership consultation.

For further information visit the CILIP website www.cilip.org.uk.

It is also possible to visit CILIP Information Services at Ridgmount Street, London, in person as well as online enquiries.

Tracy Long
Dorset County Council
Weymouth Library
Weymouth
E-mail: T.Long@Dorset-cc.gov.uk