Professional qualifications
What is the difference between a professional qualification and academic qualifications and training?
Why do I need to stay in membership to keep the qualification I earned?
ACLIP Certification
What is ACLIP Certification?
Can I apply for Certification?
Can I see a successful portfolio?
Is ACLIP asked for by employers?
How much do I have to pay?
Professional qualifications
What is the difference between a professional qualification and academic qualifications and training?
Professional qualifications measure your development and recognize your achievements in your job(s). CILIP's qualifications ask candidates to reflect on their knowledge, experience and achievements to identify what they've learned and how they've applied their increased knowledge to benefit their workplace. This is why we ask all our candidates to submit a portfolio of evidence with an evaluative statement.
ACLIP Certification
What is ACLIP Certification?
Can I apply for Certification?
Yes: if you are working as a library or information assistant or other information job and want formal recognition
Yes: if you want to work towards Chartership but don't have an accredited qualification
If you've just started your job, you can Register straight away, build up evidence and submit your portfolio in two years.
If you've already been working for some time you can register now and may be eligible to submit a portfolio immediately.
Our notes on the body of professional knowledge tell you how your activities might be used in an application.
Can I see a successful portfolio?
Click here to view example submissions.
Also we send out copies to Candidate Support Officers who bring them to portfolio building courses and can lend them to candidates.
Each candidate creates a portfolio which demonstrates how they take part in training and development to improve their performance and offer their users excellent service.
Is ACLIP asked for by employers?
When employers include ACLIP in their person specifications, it means they are looking for candidates with good experience and evaluative skills. Some employers ask for ACLIP plus substantial experience and a commitment to Chartering for managerial and professional roles.
How much do I have to pay?
Registering to get started £25
Submitting ACLIP portfolio £25
The major fee is maintaining Membership of CILIP. You may incur other costs through training opportunities you undertake. However these are not mandatory and there may be free or cheaper alternatives.
MCLIP Chartership
Can I see a successful portfolio?
Click here to view example submissions
Also we send out copies to Candidate Support Officers who bring them to portfolio building courses and can lend them to candidates.
Can I apply for Chartership?
Yes: if you have a qualification accredited by CILIP
Yes: if you have ACLIP Certification
Yes: If you have an accepted overseas qualification
Yes: If you have approved professional level experience plus a non-library qualification at degree level
If you think you fit any of these descriptions, contact CILIP ro find out your next steps.
Also our body of professional knowledge defines what makes your work part of the library and information profession.
quals@cilip.org.uk
020 7255 0610
How much do I have to pay?
Registering to get started £50 Submitting your portfolio £50. The major cost is maintaining membership of CILIP
FCLIP Fellowship
Can I apply for Fellowship?
Yes: if you've been Chartered for six years and have six years work experience since Chartering
Yes: If you have completed two cycles of Revalidation
Yes: if as well as maintaining your professional development, you've made a significant contribution to the profession.
What constitutes a significant contribution to the profession?
For various reasons, including working out of the country, I haven't Chartered. Is it possible for me to apply directly for Fellowship?
If you have been practising at a senior level, have a degree and believe you have made a significant contribution to the profession, you may be eligible to apply directly for Fellowship. You can contact the CILIP office quals@cilip.org.uk to see if this is a viable route.
How much do I have to pay?
Registering for Fellowship £65
Submitting your portfolio £65
How many letters of support should I include in my application?
There is nothing in the regulations on this but most applications have three letters. It's useful if one or more can be from a current Fellow.
Can I see successful Fellowship applications?
Fellowship portfolios often contain primary evidence so aren't suitable to be added to the website. However if you contact the CILIP office we may be able to arrange for you to see a portfolio and talk to a successful candidate. On the website, you can see the citations made for Fellows over the last few years.
Will I have to Revalidate after I've gained Fellowship?
You will still have the option to Revalidate
Revalidation
When can I apply for Revalidation?
You can apply for Revalidation if you have been on a career break to show you have been maintaining your professional development. The three year cycle does not have to include full time employment as long as you have been in Membership for three years, have some professional level experience to draw upon and can meet the criteria demonstrating your reflection.
I didn't register to Revalidate after Chartering three years ago and I haven't been sending in my logs. If I register now, will I have to wait for another three years before I can submit my application?
You've met the qualifying requirements, so you are eligible to submit your portfolio as soon as you wish.
Submitting your portfolio
When will I get a result?
Board meetings are run throughout the year and we send portfolios to the Assessors as they arrive. We only advise that candidates and their mentors are assured the portfolio is ready for submission.
The majority of applications get a decision between two and three months. This may take longer when assessors consider the different options open to them. You can see the timeline on our website.
When does the Board meet? I want to make sure my portfolio arrives in time.
if they get their application to us up to a month before the Board we'll send it out to the assessors but this doesn't mean that the portfolio will be assessed at that meeting. Reminding her of this might change her mind about rushing the portfolio to us.
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CILIP have just announced that Biddy Fisher OBE has been appointed Conference Programme Director for CILIP’s Umbrella Conference 2013. Umbrella is CILIP’s flagship conference which takes place every two years. In 2013 it will be held in Manchester.
On hearing of her appointment, Biddy said, “I’m delighted to take up this post and I look forward to working with colleagues to create a dynamic conference that has appeal across and beyond the whole of the library and information sector.”
Biddy has had recent, successful experience in programme design and implementation including the organisation of the Library Theory and Research Section conference, which was part of the IFLA conference in Gothenburg 2010. In her role as programme co-ordinator she helped plan and create a programme comprising of practitioner and academic research to illustrate the impact of libraries and information services. She was also a member of the 2011 Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Local organising committee for the Manchester conference that was held in the summer.
As Umbrella Programme Director Biddy will be responsible for setting the overall themes for CILIP’s flagship conference and will help shape the final programme. Biddy has vast experience within CILIP; as a member of various Special Interest Groups, Chair of CILIP’s Library and Information Research Group, Chair of CILIP’s Defining Our Professional Future programme, as well as CILIP President in 2010. She has an in-depth understanding of CILIP and the library and information community. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role.
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Below are links to open consultations, and completed consultation responses, that relate to copyright law.
In December last year The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) published a consultation paper on amendments to UK copyright law. It is a follow-up to Hargreaves Report, Digital Opportunity, which was published last May. Several of the proposals in the paper would provide some significant benefits to librarians if they were to be implemented into UK law. These include an orphan works licensing scheme and an extension of statutory exceptions. It is also suggested that such exceptions should not be overridden by the terms of licences, as is often the case currently.
Date: 10th February 2012
As stated in evidence to the House of Commons BIS Select Committee Inquiry into the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property, LACA supports the concept of a DCE, beliving it would benefit users and creators alike. Libraries and archives could contribute significantly to such a project by making their cultural heritage and research output material available for licensing online.
Read LACA's response
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Library and information professionals are facing questions about their value to their employers and the communities they serve. The Campaigning Toolkit is a resource designed by CILIP to help you create an effective action plan to demonstrate your value as a library and information professional. Your campaign can be big or small - about the impact of the recession in your service; about a single staffed library or a corporate information service; about a large university library or public library authority - it's your campaign.
What's happening? Email campaigning@cilip.org.uk
Your Campaigning Guide
Your step-by-step guide to delivering a successful campaign.
Defining our professional future highlights key issues for the future of the profession.
The Library and Information Manifesto also provides guidance and key messages to support campaigning activity.
Your Campaigning Successes
Find out more about Chris Rhodes, winner of Special Libraries Association (SLA) Early Careers Award, and his role as a CILIP activist and an Enquires Executive, Statistics Resource Unit, House of Commons Library. He also advocates for the importance of having 'a forum for new voices and ... a beacon of new ideas in the profession'.
Your Campaigning Resources
Here are the resources that CILIP members can access and download to support their campaigning activities.
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Information about the definition of information literacy
Information literacy is knowing when and why you need information, where to find it and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.
This definition implies several skills. We believe that the skills (or competencies) that are required to be information literate require an understanding of:
These areas are explored in more detail below.
Understanding a need
Recognising that information is needed; understanding why information is needed, what (and how much; what kind of) information is required, as well as any associated constraints (e.g. time, format, currency, access); recognising that information is available in a wide range of formats in various geographical and virtual locations. The ability to articulate a question and so develop a focus for the research is an important skill.
Note: Information may be available on paper (books, reference works, journals, magazines, newspapers, etc), digitally (on CD-ROMs, over the Internet or the World Wide Web, on DVDs, on your own computer or network, etc), through other media such as broadcast or film, or from a colleague or friend. It may or may not be conveniently close to hand and easily accessible, and quantifying your need and making a decision about the use of an information source may be tempered by the ease and speed with which an answer can be obtained.
Understanding availability
Be able to identify what resources are available for exploitation, where they are available, how to access them, the merits of individual resource types, and when it is appropriate to use them.
Note: As suggested, this requires an understanding of types of resource (paper-based, electronic/digital, human, etc) and when to use each; what are the merits of individual resource types; what are the differences between them.
Examples
Understanding how to find information
An ability to search appropriate resources effectively and identify relevant information.
Note: Strategies need to be tailored to the resource being used, so as to get the best results from that resource. Users need to respond to search results – possibly because there are too few or too many – and know when to stop searching. An information literate person would also understand that, in addition to purposive searching, information can be acquired by browsing, scanning and monitoring information sources.
Examples
Understand the need to evaluate results
Be able to evaluate information for its authenticity, accuracy, currency, value and bias. Also, be able to evaluate the means by which the results were obtained in order to ensure that your approach did not produce misleading or incomplete results.
Note: This is not just whether the resource appears to answer the question, but whether it is intrinsically trustworthy.
Examples
Use prior knowledge of author, editor, series, publisher
Examine:
Understand how to work with or exploit results
Analyse and work with the information to provide accurate, presentable research results, or to develop new knowledge and understanding.
Note: To understand, compare, combine, annotate, and apply (use) the information found. Recognise and understand a possible need for further information searching.
Examples
Understand ethics and responsibility of use
Know why information should be used in a responsible, culturally sensitive and ethical (professional, business, personal ethics) manner. Respect confidentiality and always give credit to other people’s work. Understand the nature and uses of bias, in order to report appropriately. Where appropriate, provide a balanced (unbiased) report.
Note: This could include issues of intellectual property, plagiarism, unfair practice, fair use, freedom of information, data protection, codes of practice and ethical principles as set out by your employers, institution or professional body (e.g. CILIP).
Examples CILIP’s Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Practice for Library and Information Professionals
Understand how to communicate or share your findings
The ability to communicate/share information in a manner or format that is appropriate to the information, the intended audience and situation.
Note: This goes beyond analysis to the synthesis, organisation and/or creation of further information in an appropriate form.
Examples
Understand how to manage your findings
Know how to store and manage the information you have acquired using the most effective methods available. Reflect critically on the process and achievement as well as on the sources found in order to learn from the experience of finding and using information.
Note: Continual or ongoing management for yourself and/or others.
Examples
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These pages are about the value of special library and information services such as government libraries, law libraries, health libraries and corporate libraries. Here you can read and download our good practice pointers, 'Are you at risk?' checklist and resources lists.
Ten key aspects of current good practice in ILS provision in the special library and information services sector to help managers and staff reflect on the key question 'Are we delivering value for money to our organisation?'
A list of questions to help identify whether your library and information service is a possible candidate for staff and resource reduction (compiled by Sandra Ward of Beaworthy Consulting). The list covers:
Are you at risk?We have compiled a selection of resources that demonstrate the value of special library and information services.
You can also download a PDF of the complete list of resources and a PDF of selected resources.
The resource lists were produced by the CILIP Information and Advice Team in September 2010 (updated May 2011) in collaboration with Peter Griffiths, Sandra Ward and the Special Library & Information Services Sector Panel.
Queries relating to this resource including requests for articles to be added should be sent to the Information and Advice Team at info@cilip.org.uk .
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Details of all the consultations CILIP has responded to in 2012
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry into Library Closures
January 2012
The submission sets out CILIP's views on 'comprehensive and efficient' library services, the impact library closures have on local communities, the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 and the effectiveness of the Secretary of State's powers of intervention under that Act. CILIP believes that the impact of closures and reductions in levels of service and staffing will be significant and damaging. And that the front loading of expenditure reductions creates greater risks of breaches of the Act.
Link to CMS Committee published evidence (CILIP's evidence is no. 52 pp 234-241) via RSS Feed
Trustees of CILIP have elected three new officers. John Dolan will serve as Chair of Council, Emma McDonald as Vice Chair and Nick Poole as Treasurer. They will take up their roles with immediate effect until the end of 2012.
The Chair of CILIP’s Trustees acts as leader of Council, planning and chairing meetings and working closely with the Chief Executive. At CILIP, the Chair has the casting vote and therefore greater responsibility than any other member of Council. The Chair may also be the link between the trustees and the employees and represent CILIP at appropriate events. However, when it comes to making decisions about the charity, the trustees must take them together.
The Treasurer ensures that CILIP’s accounts are properly kept and will recommend financial and investment policies to Council. Working closely with CILIP’s Chief Executive and Director of Resources, the Treasurer will ensure scrutiny of CILIP’s finances and recommend the member subscription model.
The Vice-Chair of CILIP works with the Chair and deputises for their duties should they be absent.
Read biographies for the new officers
John Dolan
Emma McDonald
Nick Poole
Find out more about CILIP Council.
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Trustees of CILIP are so concerned about the dismissal of Mr Sreten Ugričić, Director of the National Library of Serbia, that they have written to the Serbian ambassador in London asking him to use his influence to reinstate Mr Ugričić.
Mr Ugričić is held in great respect by his colleagues nationally and internationally for his commitment to democracy and the right to freedom of speech. These principals are valued and shared across the world by library and information professionals.
CILIP President Phil Bradley said, “This dismissal appears to be politically motivated and a reaction to Mr Ugričić’s public appeal to protect freedom of thought and expression. I am shocked and saddened by this decision. On behalf of all CILIP members I am calling on the Serbian Ambassador to exert his influence and do all he can to reverse the decision.”
Mr. Ugricić has recently held several important positions at an international level including the Co-President of the Selection Board of the World Digital Library, Administrative Board of The European Library, Administrative Board of the Electronic Information for Libraries Consortium, Administrative Board of the Conference of European National Libraries, European Ethical Working Group and Next Page Foundation.
More details from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).
CILIP is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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Press contact:
Mark Taylor, Director of External Relations, CILIP
Tel: 020 7255 0654
Mobile: 07792 635 305
Email: mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
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Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, has been presented with hundreds of ‘Love your Library’ postcards from Welsh Women’s Institutes. The postcards began with “I Love Libraries because….” and have been filled in by WI members across Wales, sharing their messages about why libraries are important to them.
The Chair of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals in Wales, Karen Gibbins, spoke at the special Love Your Libraries event which took place at the Welsh Assembly, she said:
“The Love Your Libraries event has been a very positive opportunity to get together with WI and other parties who recognise how important it is that we support libraries in Wales and raise the profile of National Libraries Day on Saturday 4th February. The Minister Huw Lewis AM and other AMs showed a reassuring level of support for libraries at a Welsh Government level.”
Huw Lewis said, “Our libraries offer something for the whole family. They inspire our children to read, help people develop their computer skills and offer community events for the whole family. Our Libraries Inspire strategy outlines how we will continue to support Welsh libraries, such as modernising buildings, helping develop new services such as e-books and helping increase the opportunities for learning such as getting online for the first time.”
WI Wales Chair Margaret Lloyd Jones also talked about the WI’s Love your Libraries Campaign – which highlights the need to protect, value and use local libraries. She said:
“The WI has organised today’s event to reinforce the important role that libraries play in local communities and to celebrate National Libraries Day on Saturday, 4th February. As an educational movement, WI members clearly recognise the worth that local library services bring to communities, often in isolated areas, and believe that it is vital that they speak up for libraries”.
National Libraries Day on Saturday 4th February is a day dedicated to celebrating all types of libraries across the UK.
Library users new and old are being encouraged to go along to their local library and find out about the great services on offer – from book loans and homework clubs to advice on starting a business and how to get online. Regular users are being asked to bring a friend and give them the chance to speak to library staff and find out exactly what services are available locally.
It recognises the work done in school, college, university, workplace and public libraries to promote learning, literacy and the enjoyment of reading to all. It is supported by a range of twenty-five organisations including the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals, the Reading Agency, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, library campaigners and publishers.
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Welsh language version to follow
Press contacts:
Mandy Powell, Policy Officer
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Wales
Sefydliad Siartredig Llyfrgellwyr a Gweithwyr Gwybodaeth Cymru
Mobile: 07837 032 536
Email: mandy.powell@cilip.org.uk
About National Libraries Day:
Mark Taylor, Director of External Relations
The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals
Tel: 020 7255 0654
Mobile: 07792 635 305
Email: mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
About the Welsh Women’s Institute:
Sarah Thomas
Public Affairs Officer, NFWI Wales
Tel: 029 2022 1712
Email: s.thomas@nfwi-wales.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. CILIP’s vision is a fair and economically prosperous society underpinned by literacy, access to information and the transfer of knowledge. CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014. Visit www.cilip.org.uk for more information.
2. National Libraries Day is devoted to all types of libraries, library users, staff and supporters across the UK. It takes place on Saturday 4th February and the week leading up to it. www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk
Map and list of events: /www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/get-involved/add-your-event/
Logos and posters are available to download: www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/downloads/
Our supporters: www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/supporters/
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/149328731838191/
Keep up to date on Twitter using #NLD12 or follow @NatLibrariesDay
3. The National Federation of Women’s Institutes is the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK with more than 208,000 members in 6,500 WIs.
In Wales there are 16,000 members belonging to about 500 WIs. It plays a unique role in enabling women to develop new skills, giving them opportunities to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities, and provides wide-ranging activities for members to get involved in.
In June 2011, delegates at the AGM of the NFWI passed a resolution urging “H.M. Government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential local educational and information resource”.
For further information visit www.theWI.org.uk
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Smartphone users up and down the country are being encouraged to celebrate UK public libraries by ‘putting their library on the map’ this weekend.
‘Put Your Library on the Map’ is a campaign led by the Collections Trust, with the support of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) to encourage people to show their support for their local libraries, and to find out about the exciting range of services they offer.
Using the cross-platform ‘Find a Library’ app www.findalibrary.org.uk, people go to their local library with their mobile, click ‘Use my Location’, select their library and then ‘Put Library on the Map’. This will ensure that their library is included in the national database of public libraries, which is freely available to all Internet users and includes information provided by the BBC and the national UK Online initiative.
Speaking about the initiative, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP said, “This campaign is a great way to encourage people to make use of their public library services. Libraries provide invaluable opportunities for literacy and learning and I really hope that people get behind this campaign and put their local library on the map. I will certainly be doing so for my local library.”
‘Find a Library’ includes basic information for 4,300 libraries in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
On Saturday 4 February libraries across the UK will be celebrating National Libraries Day with a range of events for library users and supporters to enjoy.
The day is a celebration of the work done in school, college, university, workplace and public libraries to promote learning, literacy and the enjoyment of reading to all. It is supported by a range of twenty-five organisations including the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals.
Library users new and old are being encouraged to go along to their local library and find out about the great services on offer – from book loans and homework clubs to advice on starting a business and how to get online. Regular users are being asked to bring a friend and give them the chance to speak to library staff and find out exactly what services are available locally.
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Press contact
To arrange an interview with Nick Poole, Collections Trust CEO, please contact:
Katie Smith
Tel: 0207 942 6080
Email: katies@collectionstrust.org.uk
Notes to Editors
‘Put Your Library on the Map’ is led by the Collections Trust, with support from library organisations including the Society of Chief Librarians and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
‘Find a Library’ is a website optimised for smartphones, which allows users to find libraries by location. It is free to use, and the information is kept up-to-date by UK librarians. It can be accessed online at http://www.findalibrary.org.uk.
The Collections Trust helps make museums, archives and libraries more accessible for the public to use and enjoy. We have developed online apps and websites which open up the richness of UK collections. For further information, visit http://www.collectionstrust.org.uk.
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Unfortunately the Office may not inform the candidate which stage their application is at because all outcomes remain possible until a final decision is reached. Here are the stages an application may follow:
If you have a mentor, agree with them that portfolio is ready to be submitted or take advice
The process
The office sends copies of your portfolio to a pair
of assessors (applications will not be sent out within one month of a Board meeting to allow assessors time to complete assessments)
The pair assesses portfolio individually and then discuss it
The decision
The pair may:
Accept
or
Reject
or
Ask for more information through an
addendum or interview
Accept
The portfolio application is officially accepted at the next Board Meeting
(we cannot guarantee which Board will make a decision on an application because of the variables described here)
The candidate is informed of the result and becomes a Chartered Member of CILIP
Reject
Application is seen by second pair
Second pair rejects
Decision to reject is approved at the next meeting of the Board
or
Second pair accepts or recommends another outcome – this is a split decision and the Portfolio is seen by all the members of the Board
All Board
Portfolio is seen by whole Board and discussed at the next Board Meeting
the Board may reject, accept, ask for more information
the candidate will be informed of the decision ask majority of the Board
Further information or interview
Candidate is asked to write an addendum or attend an interview. Once this is completed the application is assessed as above
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Dr Ben Goldacre – author, broadcaster, medical doctor and academic – has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at a UK conference for librarians and information scientists this summer.
Dr Goldacre has written the weekly Bad Science column in the Guardian since 2003. He specialises in unpicking scientific claims made by government reports, pharmaceutical corporations, journalists and PR companies.
Dr Goldacre's presentation on research, evidence bases, decision making and policy will conclude a day devoted to considering the role of research in supporting library and information services provision.
He will be contributing to the programme of conferences and workshops that comprise the Developing Research Excellence and Methods (DREaM) project. DREaM is led by Professor Hall of Edinburgh Napier University, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and supported by the Library and Information Science Research Coalition.
The conference takes place at the British Library Conference Centre on Monday July 9th 2012. See the full programme.
Dr Goldacre will also make a presentation to the winner of the Library and Information Science Practitioner Researcher Award at the conference. The award is for either an individual librarian or information scientist, or a team that has made a substantial contribution to LIS research since 2009. The award winner will receive a £500 prize and a plaque.
Conference registrations will open in the spring. To pre-register please email Professor Hazel Hall hazel.hall@lisresearch.org.
Nominations for the Library and Information Science Practitioner Researcher Award should take the form of a 500-word statement that demonstrates the research excellence of the candidate, or candidate team, and refers to evidence of their research output e.g. published articles, blogs, conference papers, presentations on SlideShare. The deadline for nominations is 30th April 2012. Nominations should be sent to hazel.hall@lisresearch.org. The judging panel will be formed by the LIS Research Coalition Board of Directors.
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Press contact:
Hazel Hall, Library and Information Science Research Coalition
Tel: +44 (0)7969 078181
E-mail: hazel.hall@lisresearch.org
Web: www.lisresearch.org
Twitter: @lisresearch
Notes to editors:
1. Dr Ben Goldacre
“Bad Science” the book (4th Estate) has sold over half a million copies worldwide, reached number one in the paperback non-fiction charts, and is being published in 25 countries.
Ben has won several awards, including the Royal Statistical Society’s first Award For Statistical Excellence in Journalism, the Faculty of Public Health DARE Prize Lecture, an honorary doctorate from Herriot-Watt University, “Best Freelancer” at the Medical Journalists Awards 2006, the Healthwatch Award in 2006, “Best Feature” at the British Science Writers Awards twice, and he was shortlisted in the Samuel Johnson and Royal Society literary prizes 2009.
In addition to writing Ben has appeared on television and radio and speaks regularly at conferences and events. He was trained in Medicine at Oxford and London, and now works a full-time doctor.
He has appeared on The Today Programme, Newsnight, Start the Week, The Now Show, Loose Ends, PM, Quote Unquote, Watchdog, Nightwaves, and many more. He made The Rise of the Lifestyle Nutritionists, and the two part documentary The Placebo Effect for BBC Radio 4, and is in the process of making a three part documentary series for the BBC World Service. He has given about 150 lectures in various schools and universities over the past couple of years.
2. DREaM
The DREaM project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). It is based at Edinburgh Napier University and supported by the LIS Research Coalition. Follow the DREaM project on Twitter at @LIS_DREaM.
3. The Library and Information Science Research Coalition
The LIS Research Coalition was established in March 2009 with the remit of facilitating a co-ordinated and strategic approach to Library and Information Science (LIS) research across the UK. To find out more visit http://lisresearch.org
4. The Arts and Humanities Research Council
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) supports world-class research that furthers our understanding of human culture and creativity. Each year the AHRC provides approximately £112 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK: www.ahrc.ac.uk
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Joint release from The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals and The School Library Association
Two leading professional bodies, the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP) and the School Library Association (SLA), have called on Hertfordshire County Council to review its decision to close the Schools Library Service. The Council announced in December 2011 that it would close the service on 31 March 2012.
CILIP and SLA have contacted school Head Teachers in Hertfordshire and asked them to urge the Council to re-think their decision and consider alternatives to closure.
“I am incredibly concerned about the impact that the closure will have on children’s education and attainment,” said Annie Mauger, Chief Executive of CILIP, “The service has a well-deserved reputation for excellence and its closure will be a blow to hundreds of schools and thousands of children across Hertfordshire. The decision to close the service has been taken at short notice and I can see no evidence that the Council has considered alternatives, such as restructuring. Hertfordshire is a truly outstanding service and deserves to be fought for.”
Tricia Adams, Director of the SLA added, “With so much national attention focused on improving literacy standards and the importance of reading to support educational achievement this should not be the time to close a service that helps schools address these issues.
Schools Library Services help schools promote reading for pleasure and develop pupils’ research skills. They provide expert advice on the planning and management of school libraries and the learning resources available to support the curriculum. They enable schools to buy print and e-resources at discounted prices. The service is especially important for primary schools as they do not have a professional librarian on their staff as most secondary schools do. ”
Schools Library Services (SLS) are run by local authorities for schools. The way services operate varies across the country.
A Times Educational Supplement survey of SLS provision in 2011 showed that an estimated 600,000 children around the country no longer have access to the work of a Schools Library Service
To help schools see where their nearest SLSs are available the SLA has produced an interactive map. The map gives a clear picture of the distribution of SLS across the country and highlights those areas without any service available to them. The SLA has produced a map of Schools Library Services www.sla.org.uk/sls-map.php.
CILIP and the SLA are supporting the campaign to SHOUT ABOUT school libraries and Schools Library Services.
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Press contacts:
Mark Taylor, Director of External Relations
The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals
Tel: 020 7255 0654
Mobile: 07792 635 305
Email: mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
Tricia Adams
Director, School Library Association
Tel: 01793 791785
Mobile: 07532 231946
Email: tricia.adams@sla.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Hertfordshire Schools Library Service (SLS) provides professional support to schools in the county on a traded basis. In 2011/12 approximately two thirds of SLS income will come from direct buy in from schools. The current trend of buy in is declining, resulting in a fall in income and a predicted deficit for 2011/12 of £41,000[1].
Approximately a third of SLS income comes from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) centrally retained education budget. Proposed national changes to school funding has led to uncertainty regarding the amount of funding the SLS will receive from central education budgets in the future[2]. The preferred option is to delegate as much of possible of the budget that remains with local authorities to schools, and if this option is implemented there will be no prospect of further DSG funding for the SLS after 31 March 2013.
On October 19th 2011 The Schools Forum was asked to consider whether it would increase funding from centrally-retained budgets to keep the SLS going[3]. The Forum agreed to fund the service at the existing rate for 2012/13, but cannot provide additional funding to underwrite current or future deficits[4].
On December 7th 2011 a report written by Andrew Bignell, (Head of Libraries, Culture and Learning) and Michele Murphy, (Principal Librarian: Customers & Communities), was discussed at a meeting of the Hertfordshire Local and Libraries Cabinet Panel. The report stated that the combined effect of declining levels of buy-in and the unavailability of additional funds from the DSG would increase the SLS budget deficit further, making the service unviable. It recommended that the SLS should close on 31 March 2012[5]. The decision to close the SLS was ratified by the Cabinet on 19 December 2011.
2. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. CILIP’s vision is a fair and economically prosperous society underpinned by literacy, access to information and the transfer of knowledge. CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014. Visit www.cilip.org.uk for more information.
3. The School Library Association (SLA) is an independent charity that believes that every pupil is entitled to effective school library provision. The SLA is committed to supporting everyone involved with school libraries, promoting high quality reading and learning opportunities for all. www.sla.org.uk
[1] Future Funding of the Schools Library Service. Report of the Director of Health and Community Services. Author Michele Murphy (Principal Librarian: Customers & Communities). 19 October 2011
[2] Consultation on school funding reform: proposals for a fairer system. Department for Education. July 2011 (consultation closed October 11th)
[3] Future Funding of the Schools Library Service. Report of the Director of Health and Community Services. Author Michele Murphy (Principal Librarian: Customers & Communities). 19 October 2011
[4] Future of the Schools Library Service. Report of the Director of Health and Community Services. Authors Andrew Bignell, (Head of Libraries, Culture and Learning) and Michele Murphy, (Principal Librarian: Customers & Communities), 7 December 2011
[5] Ibid
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Librarians often provide copyright advice for others within their organisations who wish to copy resources. Increasingly organisations are taking advantage of new technologies to deliver teaching and training, such as by using a virtual learning environment.
Many librarians in education will teach information skills using a range of e-learning tools. This programme provides an overview of a range of copyright issues and e-learning including using multimedia and web 2.0 tools.
By the end of the day participants will have:
This programme will be of benefit to library managers, copyright officers, IT staff, learning technologists, educational developers who want up to date topical information for their organisation and for those new to the role.
Please note that the programme will incorporate some hands-on and activity sessions.
Dr Jane Secker
Jane Secker is Conference Officer for the CILIP Information Literacy Group, which organises LILAC - an international conference attracting over 200 researchers and practitioners in the information literacy field. She has a PhD from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and has worked on numerous research projects funded by the British Library, JISC and the University of London.
Sample programme
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Much has been written and discussed about the Google generations brains being wired differently because they have grown up with using the Internet and mobile devices. This one day course looks at how these new technologies can be used to support learning and information literacy.
E-learning already offers many opportunities for supporting students in this area, but other new technologies including the use of mobile devices, personal response systems and QR codes are now a key feature.
Participants will find out about a number of new technologies being used in their sector, for example schools and higher and further education to support learning and information literacy.
By the end of the course participants will have:
This programme will be of benefit to Subject Librarians in academic libraries, school librarians and further education librarians.
Special note: Participants will be asked to bring with them a mobile phone/smartphone which they use for work and/or their own personal mobile phone/smartphone since exercises using these are usually incorporated in the programme.
Jane Secker
Jane Secker is Learning Technology Librarian, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Sample programme
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This intensive one-day programme covers managing staff in the context of rapidly changing circumstances, achieving results through motivation, communication and delegation.
Participants will learn about the practical ways to manage others and encourage a motivated and committed staff within the organisation.
By the end of the course participants will have:
This programme will be valuable for staff who have recently been appointed or promoted to a management position in the organisation as well as those aspiring to be a manager in the future.
Beryl Morris
Beryl is the Director of Hudson Rivers, a management and training consultancy that helps organisations to improve their performance through training and development of their staff. She has worked at a senior level in higher education, local government and industry.
Sample programme
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CILIP one of twenty-five organisations supporting National Libraries Day
Libraries across the UK will be celebrating National Libraries Day on 
Saturday 4 February 2012 with a range of events for library users and supporters to enjoy.
The day is a celebration of the work done in school, college, university, workplace and public libraries to promote learning, literacy and the enjoyment of reading to all. It is supported by a range of twenty-five organisations including the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals, the Reading Agency, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, library campaigners and publishers.
Library users new and old are being encouraged to go along to their local library and find out about the great services on offer – from book loans and homework clubs to advice on starting a business and how to get online. Regular users are being asked to bring a friend and give them the chance to speak to library staff and find out exactly what services are available locally.
National Libraries Day is a great reason to visit the library – whether it’s for the first time or you go every week. We want as many people as possible to discover something new about their local library and sign up for some of the great opportunities on offer. Even if people can’t make it to their library, they can still get access to a range of services through library websites.
To celebrate National Library Day twenty-three of our most outstanding writers have contributed to The Library Book, published by Profile Books in aid of The Reading Agency’s library programmes. The authors describe libraries real or imagined, past, present, and future - why they matter and to whom. They include Julian Barnes, Alan Bennett, Stephen Fry, Lucy Mangan, Val McDermid, Caitlin Moran, Kate Mosse, Zadie Smith and Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers.
Kate Mosse said, “The brick and glass presence of libraries at the heart of our towns and cities gives the unequivocal message that books matter, that imagination matters, that the principles of free and fair access to literature and education to all matter. The most democratic of spaces, libraries are places where anyone - regardless of age or sex or background, their ambitions and opportunities (or lack of them) - is welcome and on an equal basis and for free. Libraries are home to the readers of today and the writers of tomorrow”
Lucy Mangan recalled her childhood experience of libraries, “I thought my dad was having me on when I was six or seven and he told me he was taking me to a building full of free books that I could take home, read and then return and swap them for more, forever. We trotted along the road - libraries need to be local so that paying a visit feels as natural and easy as popping to the shops, not like a big, extra effort to be confined to the occasional day when you have the time - and it turned out he was telling the truth. It seemed like a miracle and it still does.”
Alan Gibbons, children’s author and campaigner, originally called for National Libraries Day to take place, he said:
“The ability to read is at the heart of being a civilised human being. Research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of our social and academic success, even more important than our social class. Your local library is the place you can choose a book, use a computer, find out about local history, do research, attend literary events, access community facilities and so much more. Now here's the thing, it is free to use. Libraries and librarians make a huge difference.
National Literacy Trust research found that that a child who goes to a library is twice as likely to read well as one who does not. So what are you doing on Saturday, 4th February and the week leading up to it? Can you hold a story telling, a read-in, a poetry session, hold a talk about the history of your town? Could you have a party to celebrate reading? Pop down to your local library. Make sure you use it, love it, join it.”
From the Guille-Allès Library in Guernsey to Orkney Library, events are taking place across the country. In London at Canning Town Library on Saturday 4th February library users will be able to hear stories and songs from the Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson. The event starts at 2pm and free tickets can be booked through the library.
In Leicestershire, visitors to public libraries will be able to hire a DVD, CD or audio book for free. At Blackpool’s newly refurbished Central Library Carol Birch, 2011 Man Booker prize shortlisted author, will be speaking, and TV Book Club’s Matt Haig will be at Newcastle’s new city library. In Filey, North Yorkshire, Chinese New Year dragon-themed activities will be taking place with a treasure hunt and library quiz. The RNIB National Library Service will be running free ebook taster sessions for blind and partially sighted people at Stockport.
-ends-
Press contacts:
Mark Taylor, Director of External Relations
The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals
Tel: 020 7255 0654
Mobile: 07792 635 305
Email: mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
About The Library Book:
Ruth Killick
Profile Books Ltd
Tel: 020 7841 6307
Mobile: 07880 703741
Switchboard: 0207 841 6300
Email: ruth.killick@profilebooks.com
About Julia Donaldson:
Anwen Hooson
Tel: 020 3174 0118
Mobile: 07899 798885
Email: anwen@riotcommunications.com
Notes to editors:
1. National Libraries Day is devoted to all types of libraries, library users, staff and supporters across the UK. It takes place on Saturday 4th February and the week leading up to it. www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk
Map and list of events: www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/get-involved/add-your-event
Logos and posters are available to download: www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/downloads
Full list of supporters: www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/supporters
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/149328731838191
Keep up to date on Twitter using #NLD12 or follow @NatLibrariesDay
2. For more details about Canning Town library: www.newham.gov.uk/EntertainmentandLeisure/Libraries/LibraryDetails/CanningTownLibrary.htm
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In line with CILIP's Governance and Communication Principles, CILIP Members are actively encouraged to attend Council Meetings as observers. Below is some detailed guidance about attending meetings. If you have a specific area of concern please contact the Governance Unit at governance@cilip.org.uk.
Where are meetings held?
Meetings are usually held in the Ridgmount Street offices (7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE) but occasionally elsewhere. Please report to Reception on arrival.
What time do meetings start?
Members are asked to consult the CILIP Calendar about a week before the meeting to find out the start time.
What should I do when I get there?
Simply come in, take a seat in the observers seating area, and observe the proceedings. Observers may come and go as they please during the Open Session taking care not to make any unnecessary noise. Council meetings are formal affairs; therefore only the participants (Councillors, Presidential Team and Management Team) are permitted to contribute to the discussion.
What time do meetings end?
This varies depending on the amount of business, but typically any time between 3.30 and 5pm.
Will CILIP pay my costs?
Unfortunately CILIP is unable to pay any expenses but Members are welcome to use the Ewart Room to eat their lunches and the Members Information Centre.
What will I get out of attending a meeting?
You would hopefully gain a better understanding of the types of decisions CILIP Council makes, why it makes the decisions it does, and the processes involved in making those decisions. You could also view it as a networking opportunity, both with the Councillors and other observers (staff and members); and who knows, the experience could even encourage you to stand for Council yourself in the Annual Elections.
I have a disability - can I still attend?
Ridgmount Street meetings are held on the first floor accessible by a lift. Access to the building is by steps or ramp. Semi automatic doors service the main entrance. There is a stair lift for disabled users. We are an E, G, W, X venue (Artsline Access Codes - see the How to get to CILIP page for more info).
How will I follow proceedings?
The Governance Unit will provide Agendas with supporting papers for observers attending the meeting. If more observers turn up than there are copies available, please do share your copy with another observer. Alternatively you can print Agendas and supporting papers as well as decision sheets and minutes from the Council Meetings webpage.
I should like to attend a meeting. What should I do?
It would be helpful if you could register your interest in advance by
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(to serve until 31 December 2014)
Postnominals
BA, FCLIP, HonF
Biography
I didn't start my working life in libraries. After I left school I decided to be a deep sea fisherman training as a wireless communications and technology officer, and worked for a while out of Hull. But the combination of gruelling conditions and the first 'cod war' quickly led me to the view that I'd have a short life that would not be very mind broadening. I joined the Library Association's two year course at the still very new Newcastle Polytechnic after completing a one year traineeship with Northumberland County Library. I returned to Northumberland to help set up their new commercial technical and reference service and after Chartering completed one of the new Open University degrees. It was a very exciting time for public libraries – a national reorganisation of local government was taking place and there was a large investment in public libraries.
After five years I left and joined a large architectural practice as Information Officer. They had a refreshingly modern view of the value of libraries, information and knowledge and were prepared to commit to it – even during industry recessions. It was here that I gained my deep affection for architecture and the architectural profession. In 1990 I moved on to NBS - the National Building Specification , owned by the RIBA – who had an unique partnership with Newcastle University to develop a next-generation set of information handling tools for architects and surveyors. Over the following 20 years my role has covered librarianship, information work, sales, customer service, and now content in its broadest sense from information systems to publishing.
I've been a career-long CILIP member and activist. I've never come across another profession that leads people to improve and change themselves on their own terms, in their own way, at their own pace, and with such a combination of passion and modesty, as ours. Is this our downfall – widely liked and respected but badly underestimated? I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to play a part in the next stage of CILIP - to learn about, ask and help shape the directions we must head in.
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(to serve until 31 December 2014)
Postnominals
BA, MCLIP
Biography
Maria Cotera gained a Library and Information Science degree at Granada University, Spain, following which she spent three years working as a public librarian in sunny Tenerife, Canary Islands. She moved to London in 1999, gained her CILIP Chartership in 2002 and has been a really active and committed CILIP member ever since.
After a brief period working as a volunteer in Canning House Library to gain some work experience in the UK, Maria got a job as a project cataloguer at the London School of Economics Library, the major international library of the social sciences. In 2001 Maria moved to Library Services, University College London (UCL), London's leading multidisciplinary university. Maria left UCL at the end of July 2010 and, after a short period in the commercial sector in the City of London, she is now Branches Relationship Manager at the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Association of Taxation Technicians, where she provides advice, training and support to a large network of volunteers working in thirty Branches across the UK.
A registered CILIP mentor, currently working towards her CILIP Fellowship, Maria is passionate about CPD and professional activism. In 2002 she got involved with the Career Development Group (CDG) London & South East Divisions committee, where she served until her retirement in 2011. At national level, she was CDG Honorary International Officer (2004-07), moved to the presidential team in 2008, became President in 2009 and served as Past President in 2010. During this time Maria pioneered the concept of new professionals and organised the first New Professionals Conferences in the UK (2009, 2010) creating an enabling environment to make CILIP more inclusive, ensure fairer representation and unearth new leaders. She also developed the CDG activists network organising Activists Training Days, and worked towards growing CDG membership and a sound, transparent governance system by implementing clear election procedures, a more democratic decision making system and a new financial model, and represented CDG at CILIP Policy Forum (2009, 2010).
Before being elected to CILIP Council, Maria also served two full three-year terms on the International Library and Information Group (ILIG) committee, during which she organised ILIG Informals and an International Conference on Advocacy (2011), was the ILIG representative to the CILIP Umbrella Conference (2011) and coordinated international LIS visit from colleagues from a number of different countries.
During her time at CDG and ILIG Maria has also served on several CILIP Task & Finish (T&F) Groups. These include CILIP Political Manifesto, CILIP's first ever political manifesto for the library and information profession, sent to all political parties before the UK general election which she co-wrote and promoted; CILIP/LIANZA Reciprocal Qualifications T&F Group, where she researched LIANZA’s professional qualification requirements for maintenance and development of skills and knowledge, mapped those to CILIP’s requirements and created a comparative table which informed the T&F Group report to CILIP Council; the Equalities Audit T&F Group where she contributed to the design and evaluation of an equalities questionnaire sent to all CILIP activists and to the recommendations to CILIP Council on institutional policy to encourage wider participation and make the Institute more inclusive; and the CILIP International Activities T&F Group where she help reviewing CILIP’s international budget and activities for 2011 in order to make recommendations to Council in advance of the 2012 budget.
Maria was the recipient of CILIP’s IFLA First Timer Award in 2004 and has actively participated on IFLA Annual Congresses ever since, developing her wider professional interests; these include advocacy for libraries, access to information as a human right, women empowerment though education, and diversity and equality issues within the profession. She translates these passions into her work as Education Advisor for the African Prisons Project, a small charity which works to bring dignity and hope to men, women and children in Africa; as Convener of IFLA Women, Information and Libraries Special Interest Group, which she founded in 2007, and as committee member (ex-officio) of IFLA Management of Library Associations Section (2007-)
In her spare time Maria likes travelling, going to shows, cooking and sampling dishes from around the world, and throwing tapas parties for friends at her home in North London.
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Defining our professional future is about the future of CILIP and the knowledge and information sector
In 2012 CILIP will be ten years old. In 2018 the library and information profession will have had Chartered status for 120 years.
Between April and June 2010 CILIP held a conversation about the future of the organisation and sector. More than 3,500 members and non-members contributed through social media, an online survey and focus groups.
The report provided clear and consistent messages about the future for the sector and CILIP. The report has been used by Trustees to create a new vision and mission for CILIP. The vision and mission will set CILIP's strategic direction and be at the heart of all CILIP's activities.
VISION
A fair and economically prosperous society is underpinned by literacy, access to information and the transfer of knowledge.
MISSION
CILIP exists to:
The Defining our Professional Future programme is made up of four projects:
Trustees agreed the roadmap at the March 2011 Council meeting. CILIP's new organisational structure will be published in June CILIP Update with an explanation about what this will mean for the future.
Find out more about the programme timetable.
A Project Board was established to manage and facilitate the consultation process. The Board is chaired by Biddy Fisher, the CILIP President, and members are drawn from the CILIP community.
Tasks for the Project Board:
The following official documents about the programme are available to download as PDFs:
Interim budget 2011 and Roadmap (23 November 2010)
Invitation to tender for a Productive Enquiry (18 March 2010)
Business Requirements Document (24 February 2010)
Project Board Call for Expressions of Interest (17 December 2009)
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I began my professional career working in public libraries in Dudley and during the time I was there, held the post of Reference and Local History Librarian. In 1965 I achieved Chartered Librarian status whilst working as a Librarian/Information Officer at the BBA Group in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. I then moved into teaching at City of Birmingham College of Commerce, later the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University) where I held various teaching posts from 1967 – 2003.
I taught a variety of subjects including Library and society, management and local studies. I retired from teaching in 2003 although I still retained an interest until 2009 as a University Orator researching, writing and delivering citations for Honorary Degrees.
I have chaired many validating panels within other Faculties in the University of Central England, including Masters Courses, in the Faculty of Health, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design and the Birmingham Conservatoire.
As Chair of the Library Campaign, I have spoken on behalf of the Campaign in Berlin, Southampton and Ely.
I have served on various professional committees such as the West Midlands Branch Committee, ISG, GLIG and the Local Studies Group and held various honorary positions within these groups.
My social interests include; my role as professional cricket umpire in various leagues in Warwickshire, Birmingham and Worcestershire and membership of the Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society, where I have assisted in recent productions of “Hello Dolly” and “Annie”.
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Lauren is a PhD student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. She has a BA Hons in English Language and Literature from the University of Leeds and an MA in Librarianship from the University of Sheffield. She is currently researching public libraries, democratic engagement and public policy.
Lauren has been an active campaigner for libraries and was a founding member of Voices for the Library, a highly acclaimed campaigning group of librarians and others. In 2010 Lauren was awarded the West Riding County Library Annenberg Prize for outstanding performance in public librarianship and in 2011, she received a Library Journal Mover and Shaker Award for her advocacy work (Library Journal Mover and Shaker 2011).
Lauren Smith can be contacted in relation to her role as Vice-President using her CILIP email address:
If you would like Lauren to speak at or attend an event you are organising, please check her availability before making contact:
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I am not by any stretch of the imagination a traditional librarian, but I view this as a definite positive, since it allows me to look at the profession in a slightly different way. I have always worked with librarians however, from my early days when I was an information officer for the British Council, through to providing technical support to libraries as UK and Europe Head, Technical Support SilverPlatter UK. Since 1995 I've been an internet consultant, training information professionals at home as well as around the world.
My main interest is Internet Search, and I've been involved with a number of different search engine companies looking at their product, most notably Microsoft, where I was one of their original 'search champs'. However, I'm also very interested in Web 2.0 and social media in all of its forms, and I enjoy spending time in libraries, and with librarians looking at how these resources can improve their value.
I have also spent much time writing about the internet and Facet Publishing have published several of my books. I also write columns for the professional press, including CILIP Update magazine, with my column running for over 10 years. When I'm not teaching or writing I speak at conferences on various aspects of the role played by the Internet in the development of library services.
When I'm not doing any of that - you'll generally find me playing on the internet - I have never lost my wonder for it, and to be able to link that with my love for libraries is perfection. I'm always keen to find out new information, to see examples of what libraries and information professionals are doing and to shout these out to the world at large, so please do let me know about anything that you're involved with which you find interesting and exciting.
Away from keyboards and the world of information I like taking photographs, reading science fiction, crime, American and military history. I also follow Everton Football Club for my sins.
Phil Bradley can be contacted in relation to his role as President using his CILIP email address:
During his Presidential year Phil Bradley will also be blogging regularly:
If you would like Phil to speak at or attend an event you are organising, please check his availability before making contact:
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