Introduction to Chartership

Chartership is CILIP's professional qualification. It's more than earning the right to have MCLIP after your name. Chartered Membership opens up new career opportunities and gives Members the skills and approach needed to develop their roles and make good job applications. By honing evaluative and professional skills through Chartering, Members also add value to their organizations and can advocate effectively on behalf of their services.  

Read the Qualifications Blog and follow Qualifications on Twitter 

You can contact the Qualifications and Professional Development team on 020 7255 0610 or quals@cilip.org.uk

"I signed up for Chartership to help me progress in my career" 

“Take every opportunity that comes your way. Chartership enabled me to exchange ideas and widen my knowledge base.”
Feedback from succesfully Chartered Members of CILIP

Did you know?
You can apply for Chartership whether you are a new professional or have been practising for years. Because it's a professional development qualification it's designed to fit your career 

Vote local, vote libraries

Help ensure libraries are on the agenda for upcoming English local elections

English local elections take place on 5 May. Find out if there is an election in your area where the council has responsibility for the public library service and get suggestions of questions to ask your local candidates.

Find out how you can get involved now

Vote Local, Vote Libraries

"Public libraries make a huge contribution to society and are at the heart of many communities." Annie Mauger, Chief Executive, CILIP.

Local elections take place on 5 May.

Have your say in the English local elections 

Find out what you can do 

Public libraries are the responsibility of English local authorities. On Thursday 5 May, there will be local elections in the major towns and cities outside London. And in a number of unitary authorities in more rural areas. There are national elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Where are the English local elections?

Metropolitan Boroughs and Unitary authorities have elections. There are no council elections in London or for County Councils. The Shire Districts also have elections but they do not have responsibility for the public library service.

Some authorities may only be electing by thirds: a third of the Council is up for re-election rather than the whole Council.

 List of local elections where the council has responsibility for the library service

Libraries are a local issue

The elections give you an important opportunity to:

• Engage in the local political debate
• Canvass candidates to limit the cuts and invest more in their library service

The stakes are high as most authorities have announced major cuts to their service. A recent survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) showed that 83% of local authorities planned to cut libraries. 16% plan to cut them disproportionately.

Research by CILIP, Public Library News, Voices for the Library and others, have shown that up to 500 library or mobile services in the UK are threatened with closure or being transferred to community management (i.e. run by volunteers).

Where this is not happening, major cuts to opening hours and stock funds are being proposed. In both cases extensive staff redundancies - anything between 4,000 and 6,000 - could be lost, including important specialists.

You can find out what is happening in your authority by visiting the library closure map on Ian Anstice's Public Library News blog. 
 

What you can do 

• Raise libraries as an issue when you're canvassed, whether on the doorstep or in the street.
  
  
• Attend hustings, you could ask one of the questions below.
  
  
• Participate in phone-ins and contact local press. Keep the debate going about local library issues using radio and local newspapers.

  Short guide to contacting local media  

• Newspaper society database: Results of searches of this database give detailed information about local newspapers and circulation figures
• ISBA maps daily: Interactive information maps about daily newspapers 
• ISBA maps weekly: Interactive information maps about weekly newspapers 
• Get local groups to take up the issue
  
  
• Support local library user/campaign groups. Find out here (Voices for the Library website) if there is a local group in your area.
  
  
• Consider voting for the candidate most likely to support libraries if elected to the council
  
  

Questions to ask your local candidates

You may have your own questions about local libraries. If not, here's some suggestions:

1. Will there be any library closures?

2. What are your plans for libraries in the future?

3. Will you maintain the quality of service and not get rid of specialists?

Specialists include children's librarians, local studies librarians, reader development staff and information specialists.

4. Will you at least maintain, if not extend, opening hours?

5. Will you ensure that the schools library service is kept?

If there isn't a schools library service you can ask what library support can be given to primary schools particularly. Check here to see if your authority provides a schools library service.

Resources

Our resources can help you when standing up for local libraries:

Vote local, vote libraries information sheet (includes suggested questions to ask candidates)

 What makes a good library service?

Statement on public library service in England (issued on Save our Libraries Day, 5 February 2011)

One-minute messages about the importance of public library services and professional staff.

Library Cuts Wall of Shame: Voices for the Library are collecting information about which of the local councillors standing in the local elections have voted for library cuts and closures in their wards during the 2011 local budget and Comprehensive Spending Review processes.

Got a few minutes to spare?
See what you can do using our sliding scale of spare time.

Elections and voting

The local elections process is fairly complex. Use the links below to find more information from external websites:

About my vote
What can I vote for and what kind of council do I have? 
Find out here (using your postcode) if there is an election in your area (Shire Districts have elections but do not have responsibility for the public library service.)

Direct.gov: List of local councils

House of Commons Library briefing: Local elections 2011

Ordnance survey: Electoral maps of constituencies and wards

Elections in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Elections take place on 5 May for the National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament. There are no local elections in Wales and Scotland. There are elections to local councils in Northern Ireland (but local councils do not have responsibility for the public library service).

• CILIP Wales/Cymru
• CILIP in Scotland

London

A list of courses in London accredited by CILIP

Centre for Information Science,  City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB
Tel +44 (0) 20 7040 0239 or 0248
Fax +44 (0) 20 7040 0233
Email: pgenquire@soi.city.ac.uk
Web: http://www.city.ac.uk/lis

Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Information Science.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation April 2013.

Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Information Management. Post-experience course.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation April 2013.

Postgraduate Diploma/MA/MSc Library Science.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation April 2013. 

MA/MSc in Information Management in the Cultural Sector.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation April 2013.


UCL Department of Information Studies, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
Tel: 020 7679 7204 direct; Fax: 020 7383 0557
E-mail: k.michaels@ucl.ac.uk
Web: www.infostudies.ucl.ac.uk/

Postgraduate Diploma/MA Library & Information Studies.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation April 2013.

Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Information Science. Post-experience.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation April 2013. 



Department of Applied Social Sciences, London Metropolitan University, Ladbroke House, 62-66 Highbury Grove, London N5 2AD
Tel: 020 7133 4200
Email: admissions.north@londonmet.ac.uk
Web: www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/dass/subjectareas
/informationmanagement/ 

Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Information Management.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation July 2013.

Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Information and Knowledge Management.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation October 2015. 
No longer recruiting.  Successful graduates are eligible to proceed towards Chartership.


University of West London 
St Mary's Road, Ealing, London W5 5RF
Tel: 020 8579 5000 Fax: 020 8566 1353
Email: learning.advice@uwl.ac.uk
Web: www.uwl.ac.uk

Postgraduate Diploma/MA Library and Information Management.
Full-time & part-time - Next accreditation April 2014
No longer recruiting.  Successful graduates are eligible to proceed towards Chartership.

CILIP Response to Healthy Lives Healthy People consultation

Find out about our latest response to the government's Public Health White Paper

LIS Research Coalition impact and evaluation

It is now two years since the LIS Research Coalition was established and the Coalition has initiated a review of the Coalition’s value and impact.  

To encourage a wide contribution to this review, an online questionnaire has just been launched- http://bit.ly/review_survey. 

It will take no more than 15 minutes to complete and provide you with the opportunity to comment on your familiarity with the Coalition’s work, your assessment of its activities and achievements so far, its value to your own work, and your comments on plans for the next 12 months

The survey will remain open until 17.00 on Friday April 8th 2011.

Facet Publishing launch their first e-book editions

Facet Publishing today announced that a selection of their titles are now available as e-book editions through the library vendors MyiLibrary and Dawsonera.

CILIP Chief Executive Annie Mauger said “This is an exciting move into the digital space that will allow libraries to offer Facet Publishing titles to their users as e-books”

Initially, twenty two titles will be available to libraries and institutions through the web-based portals of the two popular vendors.  Facet will continue to add to the list of available e-book editions in the future and customers will be notified about new additions through the monthly Facet Publishing e-bulletin and other channels.  The titles available as e-books are: 

Access, Delivery, Performance edited by Jillian R Griffiths and Jenny Craven
 
Blended Learning by Barbara Allan
 
Building an Electronic Resource Collection by Stuart D Lee and Frances Boyle
 
Competing with Knowledge by Angela Abell and Nigel Oxbrow
 
E-books in Libraries edited by Kate Price and Virginia Havergal
 
Evaluating the Impact of Your Library by Sharon Markless and David Streatfield
 
Evidence-based Practice for Information Professionals edited by Andrew Booth and Anne Brice
 
How to Give Your Users the LIS Services they Want by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths
 
Introducing Information Management edited by Elena Macevičiütè and T D Wilson
 
Libraries Without Walls 5 edited by Peter Brophy, Shelagh Fisher and Jenny Craven
 
Libraries Without Walls 6 edited by Peter Brophy, Jenny Craven and Margaret Markland
 
Libraries Without Walls 7 edited by Peter Brophy, Jenny Craven and Margaret Markland
 
Managing Information Resources in Libraries by Peter Clayton and G E Gorman
 
Managing the Crowd by Steve Bailey
 
Planning and Implementing Electronic Records Management by Kelvin Smith
 
Qualitative Research for the Information Professional by G E Gorman and Peter Clayton
 
Setting up a Library and Information Service from Scratch by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths
 
Supporting E-Learning edited by Maxine Melling
 
The Library in the Twenty-first Century by Peter Brophy
 
The Public Library by David McMenemy
 
Transformative Learning Support Models in Higher Education edited by Margaret Weaver
 
Web Accessibility edited by Jenny Craven

-ends-

Press contact:

James Williams, Marketing Manager, Facet Publishing
Tel: +44 (0)20 7255 0597
Email: james.williams@facetpublishing.co.uk 

Notes to editors: 

1.    Facet Publishing e-books are available from www.myilibrary.com and www.dawsonera.com.

2.    Customers can sign up to the monthly Facet Publishing e-bulletin at www.facetpublishing.co.uk to receive updates about the Facet e-book programme.

3.    Print copies of Facet Publishing books are available from Bookpoint Ltd, Mail Order Dept, 39 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4TD | Tel: +44 (0)1235 827702 | Fax: +44 (0)1235 827703 | Email: facet@bookpoint.co.uk | Web: www.facetpublishing.co.uk.  Books are available in the US and Canada from Neal-Schuman Publishers www.neal-schuman.com

4.    Facet Publishing, is the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is the leading publisher of books for library and information professionals worldwide. At the forefront of library and information development, Facet Publishing has a comprehensive list covering all the major areas of professional activity.

Public libraries and services for young people at the sharp end of cuts

Latest survey shows where local government savings to be made

Public library services and services for young people are set to see the greatest budget cuts of all frontline services, according to the Local Government Association (LGA). The LGA Budgets, Spending and Saving Survey is based on responses from 131 local authorities in England.

16% of local authorities said they are looking to make proportionately larger savings in 2011/12 on Libraries, cultural services and community learning and 22% on Services for young people. Download the survey.

“I’m afraid this paints a pretty bleak picture,” said Annie Mauger, CILIP’s Chief Executive, “services for children and young people and libraries, in particular, look like they will see the greatest cuts. Public libraries are incredibly well used by children and young people. Nearly 80% of 5-10 year olds use libraries. Children’s book borrowing from libraries has risen year on year for the last six years. A huge number of children, young people, families and communities will be hit hard by these cuts. Ministers across Westminster need to sit up and take notice; we’re in danger of failing the next generation.”

-ends-

Companies in membership of Suppliers Network

Listed below are the companies who are members:

2CQR Ltd

3M UK Plc 

ADLIB Information Systems

Axiell (formerly DS Ltd)

Bailey Solutions Ltd

Bibliographic Data Services Ltd 

BioMed Central

Bowker (UK) Ltd 

Civica Plc

Conservation by Design Ltd   

d_Skin UK 

Demco Interiors

EOS International Ltd 

FG Library Products Ltd

Harwell Document Restoration Services

Infor  

Innovative Interfaces

Insight Media Internet Limited

Intrepid Security Solutions Ltd 

IS Oxford    

Nielsen Book Data Limited

OCLC

Point Eight Limited   

SirsiDynix

thedesignconcept

Softlink Europe 

Soutron Ltd

For further information, please contact:

Angela Krzyzanowska
Suppliers Network
CILIP
7 Ridgmount Street
London
WC1E 7AE

Tel:    020 7255 0553
Email: angela.krzyzanowska@cilip.org.uk

This year's librarian loved books for children and young people

Shortlists announced for UK’s most prestigious children’s book awards – the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals

The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded for outstanding writing and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for outstanding illustration.

The prestige of the awards is rooted in the unique judging process which pools the professional expertise of children’s librarians from across the UK, who nominate books for the two Medals.

Twelve librarians from CILIP’s Youth Libraries Group then meet to discuss the long lists and agree on outstanding titles for each shortlist. Members of the panel combine an in-depth knowledge of children’s books with daily experience of working and reading with young people.

Honorary Fellowship - Criteria and Application

Please download Criteria and Nomination Form.  Completed nominations to be returned to Desirée Chapman, PA to the Chief Executive (desiree.chapman@cilip.org.uk) by Friday 6 May 2011.  Nominations may also be returned by post to: Desirée Chapman, PA to the Chief Executive, CILIP, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE.

CILIP Assessment Panel (CAP)

The Assessment Panel and the Chartership Board have now joined to form the Qualifications Board

CILIP Assessment Panel Agendas and Minutes

Qualifications Board

Reports to: Council

Terms of Reference:-

• To manage all matters relating to applications for admission to Chartered Membership and Fellowship of CILIP (excluding Honorary Fellowships), Certification and Revalidation
• To assess applications for Chartered Membership and make decisions on their acceptability
• To assess applications for Fellowship and make decisions on their acceptability
• To assess applications for Certification and make decisions on their acceptability
• To assess application to Revalidate Chartership and Fellowship and make decisions on their acceptability
• To advise Council on any matters relating to admission to the Register of Chartered and Certified Members including the regulations governing the award of Chartered Membership, Fellowship, Certification and Revalidation

Date Constituted: 3 April 2002.

Secretary: Michael Martin BA DipILS MCLIP(michael.martin@cilip.org.uk) 

Chair: Kath Owen BA FCLIP

Members:-

Jonathan Brown BA DipILM MCLIP
Jeanette Castle MA(Hons) DipILS MCLIP
Christine Coley MLib FCLIP
David Copsey MA DipLib FCLIP
Andrea Drewett FCLIP
Janet Fileman BA FCLIP
Graeme Forbes BA MA MBA MCLIP
Fiona Forsythe BA(Hons), MSc(Econ) MCLIP
Anna Herron MA DipLib MCLIP
Rachel Hewings BSc DipLib FCLIP DMS FHEA
Penny King BA FCLIP
Lesley Kumiega BA DipLib MCLIP
Pam Martindale BA DipLib MCLIP
Sally Parker BA FCLIP
Kate Parlain BA (Hons) MA MCLIP
Carolynn Rankin MA BSocSc DipLib ILTM MCLIP (External Examiner)
Vivien Robertson BA MCLIP
Kate Robinson JP BA DipLib MA MCLIP (Joint Vice Chair)
Caroline Rock BA MA MCLIP
Michael Smith BA(Hons) MSc MCLIP~
Martin Stone DipLib MCLIP (Joint Vice Chair)
Alison Turriff BA MEd PhD FCLIP
Jo Webb MA MLib MBA FCLIP FHEA FRSA (External Examiner)

Meeting schedule for 2012

Wednesday January 18th
Wednesday March 14th
Wednesday May 16th
Wednesday July 11th
Thursday September 13th
Wednesday November 14th

• Agendas and Minutes of the Chartership Board and Qualifications Board
• Agendas and Minutes of the CILIP Assessment Panel

New Teaching Schools should have professionally staffed school libraries

CILIP CEO Annie Mauger writes to the National College

Annie Mauger has asked that designated Teaching Schools have professionally staffed school libraries.

In a letter to Chief Executive of the National College, Steve Munby, Annie Mauger says that the important role played by a school library should be one of the criteria used to assess a school’s suitability for Teaching School status.

Within the best schools, the school librarian should be a key driver in supporting pupils and students become confident independent learners. The librarian should also be seen as having an important role in supporting the continuing professional development needs of teaching staff.

Statements

Policy statements issued by CILIP

2011

In February 2011 CILIP issued a statement on the role and value of school libraries. It sets out the core entitlements that every child, school's teaching team and wider school community should expect to receive and provides an overarching case for a properly resourced, professionally staffed school library.

Statement on the position of the public library service in England 

The statement was prepared by CILIP on Save Our Libraries Day, 5 February 2011. The statement includes:

• The current situation and concern about the level and extent of proposals which could add up to the closure of up to 20% of library service points and a probable 4-6,000 reduction in the number of staff
• Information on community managed libraries and other proposals
• Actions required by Government and what CILIP will continue to do

2010 

Community development and social justice

In November, CILIP Council endorsed a statement on community development and social justice put together by CILIP's Community Services Group.

Libraries play an important role in the way communities shape themselves and the statement sets out how we define community development and how libraries contribute to community engagement. It proposes actions library authorities need to ensure are embedded in their operations to confirm their contribution.

•  Read the community development statement

Data sharing

In November 2010 CILIP Council agreed a statement on data sharing between public bodies

• Read the data sharing statement 
  
  

Use of volunteers

In October 2010 CILIP Council agreed a short statement on the use of volunteers in public libraries

• Read the volunteer statement

Library and Information Manifesto

In March 2010 CILIP published its Library and Information Manifesto

The CILIP Manifesto set out six priorities for the Westminster government, elected after the May 2010 General Election, to ensure that quality library and information provision, delivered by skilled and committed practitioners, continued and improved.

Our view is that quality library and information services are fundamental to the success of our society and we said the government must:

1. Make school libraries statutory
2. Promote and protect the rights of users within copyright law
3. Build a successful knowledge economy
4. Preserve the UK's digital cultural heritage
5. Fund and enable the effective co-ordination of health information
6. Develop a set of library entitlements for public library users

User Privacy in Libraries

In March 2010 we published User Privacy in Libraries - Guidelines for the Reflective Rractitioner and in May 2011 we revised the Guidelines.

• More about the Privacy guidelines

Previous policy statements

•  Policy statements from 2005-2008 (including
  the Conway report on professionalism and public libraries)
  
  
• Historical reports

CILIP and trade unions

What is the difference between CILIP and a trade union?

CILIP is a personal membership organisation. We support our Members in terms of qualifications, careers, professional practice, information, advice and continuing professional development. 

The main service a union provides for its members is negotiation and representation. The purpose of a trade union is to protect and improve pay and conditions of employment, and to offer legal representation if their members have a problem at work.

It is advisable to be a member of a trade union as well as a member of CILIP. However, some employers do not encourage trade union membership.

Academic
UCU - the University and College Union, formed by the amalgamation of the AUT - the Association of University Teachers and NATFHE - the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education

Charities and Special libraries
Unite - The largest union they have an Administration, Professional, Managerial and Supervisory sector. Formed by the merger of Amicus and the GMB.

Government
FDA - the union for senior civil servants
Prospect - the union for engineering, scientific, management and professional staff

Public
Unison -   UNISON represent the majority of the 27,000 of library staff employed as librarians, library assistants and managers in all library authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.  To find out about joining UNISON call UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845.  Alternatively, log inot their website

Schools
Unison - the public service union

Librarians who are also teachers join some of the teaching unions such as:

NASUWT - the National Association of Schoolmasters / Union of Women Teachers
ATL - the Association of Teachers and Lecturers

The trade union you should join is the one that is recognised by your employer.

Mentor Training

Training will be held in all regions.

The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a background to mentoring, a basic framework for conducting mentoring both long and short term. The focus of the event is to enable participants to develop effectively as mentors in the context of the CILIP professional development scheme, their workplace and career development.

Members who have previously attended a course on mentoring skills may attend the afternoon only to join in the elements relating to the CILIP scheme.

Please see the PTEG mentor training pages for forthcoming events

Promoting library and information careers

Can you help promote careers in library and information work?

If you are attending a careers fair or talking to people who might be interested in a library and information career, we now have materials to help. You can order a pack of postcards and download a poster.

Postcards are available in packs of 30. Email marketing@cilip.org.uk to request your pack and don't forget to tell us where to mail them to!

Download a black and white A4 poster

Download the postcard

The postcards are targeted at people who don't know anything about working in the library and information sector. They are designed to provide a quick introduction and point people towards the careers gateway for more information.

What does the 2011 Budget mean for library and information services?

A reaction from CILIP

Read CILIP's reaction to the Government's 2011 Budget. (PDF)

The reaction provides an overview of CILIP's primary concerns about issues facing:

• Public libraries
• Schools Library Services
• School libraries
• University libraries 
• Health and Government libraries
• National libraries

Contact CILIP Update

To contact the CILIP Update team, please use the email links below

Head of Publications: Gary Allman

Managing Editor: Rachel Middleton

Senior Reporter: Rob Green

Production/Design Editor: Richard Gibbons

Advertising Manager: Angela Krzyzanowska

Contributing Editor: Elspeth Hyams

Products and Services News Editor: Debby Raven

Hon Book Reviews Editor: Diana Dixon

Not sure who to contact? Use Update's central email address

CILIP Update
7 Ridgmount Street,
London
WC1E 7AE

Tel: 020 7255 0585
Fax: 020 7255 0581
Email: update@cilip.org.uk

Editorial Board

Briony Birdi, Cara Clarke, Kate Colvin, Christine Ellis, Anoja Fernando, Anne Littlewood, Wendy Lynwood, Danielle Worster (Chair).

Opinions expressed in CILIP Update are not necessarily those of CILIP.

CILIP Update is printed in Great Britain by Headley Bros Ltd., The Invicta Press, Ashford, Kent, and London.

Contributing to CILIP Update - Guidelines

If you would like to contribute to CILIP Update, please read the following guidelines.

1. Editorial values

CILIP Update is the magazine and journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. It’s passionate about libraries, and supports information professionals whose role is to help the public – or their user group – get  the best out of the information revolution, online and print resources.

Mission: CILIP Update aims to keep busy library and information professionals and their partners in the supplier community up to date with the issues, policies and technological developments that affect their workplace and professional practice.  It’s a useful current awareness tool that informs continuing professional development (CPD), as well as reflecting the concerns and aspirations of the CILIP community.

CILIP Update tries to reflect the broad range of opinions of our members and community in a balanced and responsible way. That means it also reflects CILIP’s own vision, mission and professional ethics, in accordance with the public interest and CILIP’s charitable purpose.

2. Guidelines for contributors

For news items there are no hard and fast criteria other than relevance and significance for our audience of library and information practitioners and their partners, funders and user communities.

We may cover library and information work in all sectors, information resources, knowledge or records management and related technologies, or management, marketing, research awareness, the internet and web technologies, electronic publishing and communications, or relevant social and economic policy matters.

As the journal of a professional body that focuses on professional qualifications, training and CPD, we are also interested in relevant professional education, training, recruitment and employment issues. 

Space is tight. We may not always be able to publish all the news and features we are grateful to receive. The editors will always have the final say.  

If you think you have news of interest to our readers, contact the Senior Reporter, Rob Green (rob.green@cilip.org.uk) or Products and Services News Editor, Debby Raven (debbyraven@btconnect.com) to discuss. Or send news copy or press releases to update@cilip.org.uk

We commission many feature articles (in depth pieces) to tie in with our editorial agenda (see out list of themes here). If you would like to contribute on any of these or other topics, please contact Update, (update@cilip.org.uk) to discuss your idea, and possible treatment.

Style and content:

If you propose to write for us, ask yourself what would make you want to read on:

1. Are you reporting on something that is currently topical, or ought to be? 
2.  Has there been anything similar to your proposed piece in recent issues of CILIP Update? (And if there has, how is your piece different?) 
3.  Does it make a significant point, with implications for practitioners in their jobs, and if so, can you identify how? 
4.  Does it cast new light on a core concern? 
5.  Does it solve a problem that is currently exercising your peers? 
6. Would it entertain or amuse your fellow professionals?

Remember, we are not a peer-reviewed academic journal.  So do cut straight to the chase.  Tell readers why they need to read this article.  Do not bury ‘the point’ somewhere at the end of the article. We are a practitioner’s journal and busy people will only read on if they know that what they find will inform them – or make them laugh. CILIP Update favours an accessible, direct, clear conversational style of writing.
Feature articles are generally between 800 and 1500 words in length.  A column or soapbox piece is 400-500 words.

If you have some interesting material to share with the community, but do not see yourself as a natural author, CILIP Update may be able to work with you. Please contact Update (update@cilip.org.uk) to discuss. Please note that unsolicited articles that do not meet any, or a sufficient number of, editorial criteria may not be accepted for publication. The Editor’s decision is final.

Pictures

If you supply images, please ensure they are copyright-cleared and that you – and we – have permission to use them. Figures and images can be submitted electronically as jpeg or tif files at a resolution of 300 dpi. Please send them to Production/Design Editor Richard Gibbons richard.gibbons@cilip.org.uk, or the relevant editor, indicating which story they accompany.

Copyright in the text

Feature articles submitted to the journal should be original work and not under consideration by any other publication at the same time. CILIP Update does not republish articles that have already appeared in other publications for the library and information profession, except in very exceptional circumstances.

CILIP Update requires exclusivity for the first three months of publication, and it requests the option to publish in both print and electronic media. If authors decide to republish the article they have contributed at a later date (for example, on a company intranet, or in another professional body’s journal) we ask that they acknowledge the article’s original publication in CILIP Update.

Mailbox

CILIP Update has a lively letters page. The author of the best letter each month wins a £25 National Book Tokens Gift Card. Please email your letters to Managing Editor Rachel Middleton (rachel.middleton@cilip.org.uk). Word count: up to a maximum of 600 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Obituaries

Due to pressure of space and in order for notices to be timely, obituarists should aim to write no more than 500 words (if more is written, contributions may have to be cut). Please supply a high resolution photo if at all possible (hard copies can be scanned in and returned). Please check with Managing Editor Rachel Middleton (rachel.middleton@cilip.org.uk) before writing an obituary so that duplication can be avoided. Contact Rachel for copy deadlines and any queries. The following suggestions for inclusion may be helpful:

• Surname and full christian names or forenames. Marital status, maiden name where applicable.
• Date of death, date of birth
• Place of birth/upbringing, brief details of education
• First professional appointments; subsequent library & information appointments, giving job title and year of appointment
• Year of retirement
• Offices held in professional associations, giving years of office
• Appreciation of career. Contribution made to individual places of employment and to the profession as a whole
• attempt to convey the 'whole person' and her/his contribution to local community life
• details of spouse, mention of children
• finish the obituary with your name and current or former job title, or simply place of residence.

People

Send brief details of new job, and of previous job title and workplace. Photographs are welcome (high resolution, 300 dpi). Send to rachel.middleton@cilip.org.uk  If you would like to feature in My Week or My Job, please email Rachel to discuss.

Reviews

CILIP Update regrets that, because of constraints on space, it only reviews books and resources of direct relevance to the library and information profession. Guidelines are available from Diana Dixon, Honorary Book Reviews Editor – diana.dixon@cilip.org.uk Unsolicited reviews are not accepted.

Copyright posters and forms

Details of CILIP's copyright posters and forms

• copyright posters
• copyright forms

CILIP copyright posters

CILIP's A3 size copyright posters are available here to download. The posters advise on what may be copied safely under the 'fair dealing' rules in the UK. 

Copyright posters

The GOLD poster is intended for display beside photocopying and optical scanning machines.

The BLUE poster covers digital copying including downloading from portable databases and copying from the internet and is for display by computer workstations and printers etc.

We no longer sell the posters.

Download our A3 colour posters:

•  Photocopying (gold) 

UK use only

These posters are only suitable for use within the United Kingdom and should not be displayed in other countries.

Permission to use text

CILIP also gives library and information services permission to copy the text of the CILIP posters so long as the integrity of the text is maintained and there is an acknowledgement to CILIP in an appropriate place along the lines of:

"Text © CILIP, 2003. The text is reproduced with kind permission of CILIP: The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals."

Copyright laws

As of 31 October 2003, any previously issued Library Association or CILIP posters that you may have by your photocopiers, scanners, printers and computer workstations are out of date.

The European Information Society Directive (2001/29/EC), also known as the Copyright Directive, was implemented into UK law in 2003 by the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003 (SI 2003 No. 2498).

In particular, this legislation makes changes to the exceptions to copyright which allow for self-copying or downloading using the defence of 'fair dealing'.

Copying for private study
As far as copying for research or private study is concerned, people can only use the defence of copying for research for a non-commercial purpose or for private study. Private study is now defined as not including any study which is directly or indirectly for a commercial purpose.

Why have the posters?

Where fair dealing, rather than licensed copying, takes place in organisations and library and information services, there may be some possibility that self-copiers infringe copyright. Should this happen, in order to improve protection for library and information services and their employing organisations (such as councils, health authorities, universities and colleges), it is advisable that they display up-to-date posters about fair dealing copying. These can be displayed at places in the library or information centre and also throughout their employing organisations.

Ways to get involved

In this section you can find out about all the different ways you can get involved with CILIP

CILIP is an organisation built on the involvement of its members.  The opportunity to 'get involved' is open to you all!

What you can do

There are a variety of ways that you can get involved:

• Attend Branch and Special Interest Group events
• Become a committee member of a Branch or Special Interest Group
• Be a mentor, assessor, or member of a board or committee
• Join in the debates in Communities: our online space for connecting and sharing
• Use social networks, there are a range of routes available to CILIP members
• Register on CILIP’s Network of expertise and interests
• Put yourself forward as a person willing and able to talk to the media

Many areas of our work rely on the expert knowledge of CILIP members. For most areas we recruit volunteers on an 'as required' basis. We advertise on our website and in CILIP publications. But we welcome applications for mentors at any time and candidates for election to CILIP Council, the Office of the President and branch and group committees each autumn.

Links

The links below give more information about ways to get involved in the different areas of CILIP

• Branches and Groups
• Qualifications and professional development
• Council, Office of the President and Panel
• CILIP Update with Gazette
• Policy

Why get involved?

CILIP activists are key decision-makers at all levels within CILIP. Getting involved is a great opportunity to learn new skills and develop professionally and personally. You also have the chance to build a network that you can carry with your through your career.

Being an activist

Hearing about what other people have done and how much they benefited from the experience is a great way to inspire others. So we welcome your feedback and stories. Send them to getinvolved@cilip.org.uk and with your permission, we will include them on this page.

Now get involved!

As an organisation that promotes equal opportunities and diversity, CILIP is keen to encourage members from all backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups within the profession, to consider getting involved.

You may already be actively involved with us. If you’re not or you’re looking for a new challenge, click on the links to read about the ways to get involved in different areas. Check our home page and publications regularly for new opportunities.

Contact us

If you want to know more about our work, visit the relevant parts of our website or email us:

• To join CILIP and for enquiries about your membership: membership@cilip.org.uk
• For elections to Council and the Office of the President:
  governance@cilip.org.uk  
• For elections to Branch and Group committees:
  bng@cilip.org.uk 
• For policy: policy@cilip.org.uk
• For mentors, assessors and members of qualifications board:  Quals@cilip.org.uk

Qualifications and professional development

Find out here how you can get involved with CILIP's Qualifications and Professional Development area. Use your library and information professional knowledge as a mentor, regional assessor or member of a board or committee. You can see what requirements, training, support and time commitment are involved for each type of opportunity.

Mentors
CILIP mentors are volunteer professionals with demanding day jobs but willing to give up time to help those working towards CILIP qualifications. The CILIP Mentor Register has over 600 mentors already working with mentees. New mentors are volunteering all the time. They undertake mentor training and are in contact with other mentors to share ideas and issues.

The mentor is an essential role in CILIP’s framework of qualifications. They help mentees realise their own potential through encouragement and direction. Being a mentor involves commitment and responsibility but contributes to your professional development and broadens your network.

• Find out more about mentors and how to become one

REQUIREMENTS: CILIP Chartered Member plus those listed in the job description
TRAINING: Attending mentor training, following mentor process, commitment to mentees
SUPPORT: Mentor discussion list, Mentors on communities of practice
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies, but usually meetings every two months for about a year for each mentee

Regional Assessors
Members of the Qualifications Board assess approximately four hundred applications a year for Certification, Chartership, Fellowship and Revalidation. 

Regional Assessors support the work of the Chartership Board and the CILIP Assessment Panel by conducting interviews of Chartership, Certification and Revalidation candidates within their region.

Board and Panel members have the option to ask a candidate to attend an interview if the application does not meet the criteria but is close to doing so. Regional Assessors act as appointees of the Board or Panel to put the questions identified by them to the candidate. They report on the meeting, following agreed guidelines and may make a recommendation regarding the result to the Board or Panel.

REQUIREMENTS: CILIP Certified, Chartered member or Fellow (ACLIP, MCLIP or FCLIP) plus those listed in regional assessor job description
TRAINING: Occasional training or information sessions
SUPPORT:  From CILIP Qualifications department staff
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies, could be as little as one interview per year

Click here to see a full role description and to see how to apply to be a Regional Assessor, and you are welcome to send your CV to Michael.Martin@cilip.org.uk or call 020 7255 0625.

Qualifications Board
The Qualifications Board is made up of volunteers who are senior information professionals. Membership of the Board is one of the most challenging and demanding activities that members can undertake. They meet six times a year to discuss Chartership, Fellowship and Fellowship Revalidation applications. If there are vacancies on the Board, these are advertised in Gazette and on the CILIP website. 

REQUIREMENTS: CILIP Chartered member or Fellow (MCLIP or FCLIP). Certified Members are also eligible to join and will assess Certification portfolios.
TRAINING: Induction training plus occasional training and development activities
SUPPORT: From CPD department staff
TIME COMMITMENT: Six full day meetings in London a year, plus some additional time outside meetings

Accreditation Board
CILIP accredits undergraduate and postgraduate library and information courses in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Accreditation Board assesses courses submitted for approval and makes decisions on their acceptability. It also assesses training providers and events submitted for recognition, and awards the CILIP Seal of Recognition. If there are vacancies on the Board, these are advertised in Gazette and on the CILIP website.

REQUIREMENTS: Chartered Member of Fellow (MCLIP or FCLIP)
TRAINING: Induction training plus occasional training and development activities
SUPPORT: From Qualifications department staff
TIME COMMITMENT: Four half-day meetings in London a year, plus some additional time outside meetings