Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is a chartered professional body dedicated to uniting, supporting, and advocating for librarians, information professionals, and knowledge managers across all sectors in the United Kingdom.[1] Formed on 1 June 2002 through the merger of the Library Association, established in 1877, and the Institute of Information Scientists, founded in 1958, CILIP holds a Royal Charter that emphasizes fostering education, training, research, and the promotion of information science and library services.[2][3][4] Headquartered at 7 Ridgmount Street in London, it operates as the sole chartered institute worldwide focused exclusively on this profession, providing professional registration pathways including Certification, Chartership, and Fellowship to validate members' competencies and experience.[5][6] CILIP advances the profession through advocacy for library and information services, development of ethical frameworks emphasizing trust and professional integrity, and initiatives to enhance skills via continuing education and accredited qualifications.[7][8][9] It publishes resources like the Information Professional magazine and champions the sector's role in knowledge management amid challenges such as declining public library funding and evolving digital information landscapes.[10] Notable achievements include establishing a structured professional development framework that supports career progression and establishing itself as a key advocate during sector crises, though membership numbers have faced ongoing decline, reflecting broader pressures on the profession.[11] The organization has encountered internal controversies, including failed rebranding efforts in 2014 that were rejected by members and debates over award selections, such as the 2017 Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, which drew criticism for perceived biases in judging criteria.[12][13] Additionally, CILIP has pursued equity initiatives, including a 2017-2020 action plan to address underrepresentation of Black and minority ethnic staff—comprising only about 2% of members despite higher proportions in the general population—which underscores efforts to confront demographic imbalances amid critiques of institutional priorities.[14][15] These elements highlight CILIP's role in navigating professional standards while responding to both internal governance reviews and external societal expectations.[16]
History
Origins and Predecessor Organizations
The Library Association (LA), CILIP's principal predecessor, was founded in 1877 in the United Kingdom to advance librarianship amid the expansion of public libraries following the Public Libraries Act 1850.[17] It emerged partly in response to the American Library Association's formation the prior year and the first international librarians' conference, aiming to standardize practices, provide training, and lobby for professional recognition.[18] By the late 19th century, the LA had established examinations and a registry for qualified librarians, growing to represent thousands of members across public, academic, and special libraries.[19] The Institute of Information Scientists (IIS), the other direct predecessor, was established on 23 January 1958 to address the distinct needs of professionals handling scientific documentation, abstracting, and information retrieval in an era of rapid technological and scientific growth post-World War II.[3] Unlike the library-focused LA, the IIS emphasized emerging disciplines like information science, including classification systems and early computing applications for data management, attracting members from industry, government, and research sectors.[20] Over four decades, it developed qualifications and networks, such as the UK Online User Group, reflecting the divergence between traditional librarianship and specialized information handling.[21] These organizations represented complementary yet overlapping domains: the LA rooted in public and cultural access to knowledge, and the IIS in technical and scientific information processing, setting the stage for their eventual unification to encompass the broadening information professions.[22] No earlier unified body predated the LA as a national entity, though regional or specialist groups existed sporadically before 1877.[23]Formation in 2002 and Charter Status
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) was established on 1 April 2002 through the merger of the Library Association (LA), founded in 1877, and the Institute of Information Scientists (IIS), founded in 1958.[24][25] The unification created a single professional body to represent practitioners across library services, information science, and related fields, addressing overlapping roles and fostering collaboration amid evolving digital information landscapes.[22] The LA brought established advocacy for public and academic libraries, while the IIS contributed expertise in information management and retrieval systems; the merger integrated these strengths without dissolving regional branches, such as the LA's Scottish counterpart, which later rebranded as CILIP in Scotland.[2] CILIP's charter status derives from the Royal Charter originally granted to the LA on 17 February 1898 by Queen Victoria, which recognized the profession's role in advancing education and knowledge dissemination.[26][25] As the LA's successor, CILIP operated under this charter from inception, with revisions approved in 2002 to expand its objects beyond traditional librarianship to encompass broader information professions, including skills in data handling and digital services.[27] Subsequent amendments, such as by Order in Council on 5 November 2014, refined governance while preserving core powers to regulate membership, award qualifications, and maintain professional standards.[26] This status uniquely positions CILIP as the sole chartered institute worldwide dedicated to these fields, enabling designations like Chartered Member (MCLIP) for qualified professionals demonstrating advanced competence.[1][28]Key Milestones Post-Formation
In 2014, CILIP established the Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB), a comprehensive framework delineating the core knowledge and skills required across library and information professions, designed to facilitate professional registration, career mapping, and competency demonstration.[29] This tool, developed by an expert working group, addressed the evolving demands of digital information management and served as a foundational element for certification processes.[30] By 2016, CILIP revised its definition of information literacy, expanding it to encompass abilities such as critically evaluating online sources, ethical use of data, and navigating complex digital environments, in response to technological advancements and shifting societal needs.[31] This update, led by the Information Literacy Group, aimed to equip professionals with tools for promoting user empowerment amid misinformation challenges.[31] In 2018, following extensive member consultation including a 2017 survey on principle importance, CILIP introduced a streamlined Ethical Framework comprising seven principles—such as concern for the public good and impartiality—and an updated Code of Professional Conduct, replacing the prior 12 principles to offer more actionable guidance in contemporary ethical dilemmas like data privacy.[8][32] The framework emphasized professional judgment while maintaining commitments to intellectual freedom and equity.[33] The PKSB underwent a significant refresh in September 2021, incorporating new areas like data ethics, artificial intelligence applications, and sustainability competencies to align with sector-wide transformations in knowledge management.[34] In 2023, CILIP's Green Libraries Partnership transitioned into the Green Libraries Campaign, broadening efforts to integrate environmental sustainability into library practices through funding advocacy, self-assessment tools, and sector-wide collaboration on reducing carbon footprints.[35] This initiative built on prior green library conferences and responded to institutional pressures for ecological accountability in public services.[36]Organizational Structure
Governance and Leadership
The governance of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is primarily exercised by its Board of Trustees, which holds ultimate responsibility for the organization's strategic direction, financial oversight, risk management, and compliance as a registered charity under UK law.[37][38] The Board consists of up to 15 trustees, elected or appointed for terms typically lasting three years, with members drawn from diverse sectors including academic, public, and special libraries, as well as information management and related fields.[39] As of October 2025, the Chair is Kate Robinson, University Librarian at the University of Bath and a former CILIP President in 2022, who assumed the role in January 2024; other trustees include professionals such as Prof. Alison Brettle (health information expert at University of Salford), Liz Jolly (Chief Librarian at the British Library), and Jonathan Waterfield (charity finance specialist).[37][40] Trustees are tasked with approving key documents such as the annual budget, strategy action plan, and risk register, while ensuring alignment with CILIP's charitable objectives to promote library and information services.[41] Supporting the Board are specialized committees, including the Audit Committee (chaired by the CILIP President) for financial scrutiny and the Resources Committee (chaired by the Treasurer) for operational resource allocation; these bodies report directly to the Board and address areas like compliance, performance monitoring, and awards processes.[41] The Presidential Team operates in an ambassadorial capacity, distinct from the Board's fiduciary duties, with the President elected annually to represent CILIP externally, champion a strategic theme, and oversee ceremonial functions such as awarding Presidential Citations.[42] As of 2025, Sue Lacey Bryant serves as President (succeeding from Vice President role), a knowledge management consultant and Visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University with prior experience as Chief Knowledge Officer for NHS England; the Vice President is Carryl Allardice, Chief Librarian at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.[42][43] Operational leadership is provided by the Chief Executive Officer, Louis Coiffait-Gunn, who heads the Senior Management Team responsible for day-to-day execution of the Board's strategy, staff management, and policy implementation.[42] Devolved governance accommodates the UK's nations through dedicated chairs for Scotland (Richard Aird, Director at University of Stirling), Wales (Jamie Finch, librarian at Cardiff Metropolitan University), and Ireland (Julie Reid, Deputy Head of Services for Libraries NI), who lead respective national committees or trustee boards—such as the separate CILIPS Trustee Board in Scotland—to tailor activities to regional contexts while aligning with overarching CILIP goals.[42][44] This structure balances centralized accountability with localized input, with trustee elections held periodically to refresh expertise, as seen in the addition of five new Board members in January 2024.[45]Regional and Special Interest Groups
CILIP organizes its regional structure through member networks in England, encompassing nine primary regions: East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humberside.[46] These networks deliver localized support, including events, advocacy, and representation for members within their geographic boundaries, such as the East of England network's focus on continuing professional development for librarians in that area.[47] Sub-networks exist within some regions, for instance, the Kent sub-network under the South East, which emphasizes regional representation and professional opportunities, and the Thames Valley group covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire with regular meetings.[48][49] In Scotland, CILIP supports members via a separate framework of branches and groups, coordinated through the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS), which handles localized activities while aligning with CILIP's national objectives.[50][51] This structure ensures tailored engagement, such as the School Libraries Group Scotland, which promotes professional interests specific to school librarians.[52] Complementing the regional networks, CILIP's Special Interest Groups (SIGs) form thematic communities centered on professional sectors, skills, or topics, enabling members to connect, share expertise, and participate in targeted events.[53] Key SIGs include the Academic & Research Libraries Group, which supports librarians in higher education and research settings; the Commercial, Legal & Scientific Information Group, focused on specialized information management; the Community, Diversity and Equality Group, addressing inclusivity in library services; the International Library and Information Group (ILIG), dedicated to global librarianship; the Youth Libraries Group, advocating for children's and young adult services; the Knowledge & Information Management Group; the Library & Information Research Group; and the Metadata & Discovery Group, which publishes the quarterly Catalogue & Index journal (ISSN: 2399-9667) since 1966.[54][55][56] SIGs operate under CILIP's group rules outlined in its general regulations, emphasizing their role in building vibrant professional communities and contributing to sector-wide knowledge dissemination through journals, conferences, and collaborations with bodies like SCOOP.[57][58] These groups enhance member value by addressing niche needs not fully covered at the national level, though participation remains voluntary and tied to CILIP membership.[53]Mission, Ethics, and Standards
Core Objectives and Ethical Principles
The core objectives of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), as defined in its Royal Charter granted in 2002, center on working for the public benefit by promoting education and knowledge through the establishment, maintenance, and development of libraries, information services, and related resources.[59] This foundational purpose aligns with CILIP's refreshed statement of purpose, which emphasizes uniting, supporting, and empowering information professionals across sectors to foster a professional community dedicated to improving lives via quality information services and expertise.[60] Strategic priorities include strengthening professionalism through standards and certification, building knowledge communities via networking and collaboration, supporting leadership development, promoting a diverse and inclusive profession, advocating for the sector, and expanding membership to enhance collective impact.[60] CILIP's mission positions it as the leading membership association for professionals in information, knowledge management, libraries, and allied fields, with priorities such as delivering member services, securing professional interests through advocacy, advancing skills development, and driving innovation in information practices.[61] These objectives underpin efforts to elevate standards in libraries and information services, ultimately aiming to improve education, literacy, and societal prosperity.[61] Ethical principles form a cornerstone of CILIP's framework, guiding members' conduct and updated in 2018 to comprise seven core principles alongside a code of professional practice.[62] Members are required to uphold these in their work, with CILIP acting as steward to support implementation and address breaches through disciplinary processes.[62] The principles are:- A1: Human rights, equalities and diversity, and the equitable treatment of users and colleagues.
- A2: The public benefit and the advancement of the wider good of the profession to society.
- A3: Preservation and continuity of access to knowledge.
- A4: Intellectual freedom, including freedom from censorship.
- A5: Impartiality and the avoidance of inappropriate bias.
- A6: The confidentiality of information provided by clients or users and the right of all individuals to privacy.
- A7: The development of information skills and information literacy.[62]
Professional Knowledge and Skills Base
The Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB) serves as the sector-wide skills standard for professionals in information, knowledge management, libraries, and data, established by CILIP in collaboration with employers, practitioners, and subject experts to define the foundational competencies required across the field.[64] It functions primarily as a self-assessment and development tool, enabling individuals to identify personal training needs, prepare for performance appraisals, support career progression and job applications, and demonstrate alignment with professional benchmarks.[64] For organizations, it aids in workforce skills analysis, staff training programs, and mapping career pathways, with adaptations used by public sector employers for internal capability frameworks.[65] The PKSB's structure encompasses core ethical principles and values, alongside generic skills and specialized professional knowledge areas, organized into categories such as knowledge management, customer focus, leadership, and strategy development.[64] These elements are designed to reflect the evolving demands of the profession, including transferable skills like information governance, resource discovery, and compliance, which align with international standards such as ISO 30401 for knowledge management systems.[65] Sector-specific guides extend its applicability, for instance, tailoring components for healthcare roles through partnerships like that with Health Education England, emphasizing practical self-assessment for specialized contexts.[65] Integral to CILIP's professional registration processes, including Certification, Chartership, and Fellowship, the PKSB requires candidates to map their experience against selected criteria—typically 10-12 subsections for qualifications—to evidence competence and support revalidation.[28] A refreshed version launched in September 2021 incorporated updates to numbering and content for greater relevance, with ongoing evolution informed by member feedback via CILIP's ideas platform, ensuring it remains a dynamic tool rather than a static checklist.[34] Access is provided through an online interactive tool for members, downloadable PDFs in English and Welsh, and premium team assessment options for up to 50 users, promoting broad adoption for both individual and collective professional growth.[64]Code of Professional Conduct and Intellectual Freedom
CILIP's Ethical Framework, launched in October 2018 following a review process that included over 1,500 survey responses and multiple workshops, comprises a set of Ethical Principles and a supporting Code of Professional Practice for library and information professionals.[33] The framework aims to guide members in navigating contemporary ethical challenges, such as data privacy, technological disruptions, and access restrictions, by emphasizing professional judgment and accountability.[33] The Code of Professional Practice, originally issued in 2004 and amended in 2012, outlines member obligations across five categories: personal responsibilities (e.g., maintaining competence and ethical conduct); responsibilities to information users (e.g., ensuring unbiased access and confidentiality); to colleagues and the profession (e.g., promoting collaboration and reporting misconduct); to society (e.g., advancing equitable information access); and to employers (e.g., aligning professional duties with organizational goals while challenging unethical practices).[66] Central to the Code is the commitment to intellectual freedom, defined by CILIP as the right to access and express information without undue interference, aligned with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.[67] Members are required to protect user privacy, provide impartial services free from personal bias or censorship, and resist attempts to limit access based on subjective objections, while recognizing legal limits such as prohibitions on hate speech or incitement.[68] The policy, formally approved in January 2024, mandates professionals to actively promote and defend these freedoms, oppose both intentional and unintentional restrictions imposed by governments, institutions, or individuals, and engage in reflective practice to advocate within their workplaces.[68] In response to rising censorship pressures, CILIP established an Intellectual Freedom Committee on October 24, 2025, tasked with countering suppression of ideas and information deemed objectionable by various actors.[69] This initiative builds on prior resources, such as guidance for managing safe and inclusive library services, and underscores the organization's role in upholding unrestricted access as foundational to democratic societies, though it acknowledges proportionate restrictions must remain challengeable through legal and ethical scrutiny.[67] Violations of the Code, including failures to safeguard intellectual freedom, may trigger CILIP's disciplinary processes, potentially leading to sanctions against members.[33]Membership and Certification
Membership Categories and Requirements
CILIP provides individual membership categories designed to accommodate professionals at various career stages, including full-time workers, part-timers, students, retirees, the unemployed, and supporters outside the sector. Membership is broadly open to anyone with an interest in knowledge, information, data, or library services, without requiring formal qualifications for entry, though professional registration (such as Chartership) is a separate process for demonstrating competencies.[70] [71] Subscriptions are payable annually or in monthly installments via direct debit, card, or other methods, with rates set following member votes, such as the 2020 approval of increases and category adjustments effective January 2021.[38] The primary categories include standard, concessionary, student, part-time, and non-practitioner memberships, with voting rights generally limited to practitioner categories like standard and student. Non-practitioner and donor categories (Friend and Supporter) are non-voting and aimed at broader supporters.[72]| Category | Eligibility Requirements | Annual Fee (as of latest available rates) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Working in knowledge, information, data, or librarianship fields; open to all sector professionals regardless of experience level. | £172.80 (£14.40/month) | Full voting rights; baseline rate for full-time practitioners.[73] [74] |
| Concessionary | Low-income individuals (e.g., receiving Universal Credit), retirees, or unemployed persons in or connected to the sector; automatic for retirees upon renewal notification. | £103.68 (£8.64/month; 40% discount on standard) | Applies to qualifying standard or other practitioner memberships; supports accessibility for those facing financial hardship.[75] [74] |
| Student | Enrolled in librarianship, information science, or related accredited courses; standard student rate for non-accredited or general studies. | £64.80 (£5.40/month); £43.20 (£3.60/month) for accredited courses | Discounted to encourage early professional engagement; voting rights included.[76] [74] |
| Part-time | Employed part-time in the sector; self-identified based on reduced hours. | Approximately £138.24 (£11.52/month; 20% discount on standard) | Concessionary adjustment to reflect lower professional engagement or income.[72] |
| Non-practitioner | Individuals not currently working or studying in the sector but wishing to support CILIP's networks and activities. | Comparable to standard or concessionary rates (exact fee varies; non-voting) | For allies, retirees outside practice, or enthusiasts; no sector employment required.[77] [72] |