IN DEPTH ‘‘
Rob Green is Editor of Information Professional.
I work for a diverse, deprived community, and I truly believe these tools will help me to advocate for them more effectively in the coming years. I think all operational and strategic managers would benefit from this training. – Molly Smith
New Skills for the Future Library Leader
CILIP’s Arts Council England funded New Skills for the Future Library Leader is free train- ing for public library staff in England. It offers a targeted training approach, helping to deliver skills where they are most needed. We look at what’s on offer and speak to some of those who have already completed the training.
BUILDING on Art’s Council’s Future Libraries project and 2023’s Come Rain or Shine report, New Skills for the Future Library Leader was designed to meet challenges head on. Future Libraries and Come Rain or Shine looked
to the future and asked libraries to identify challenges, opportunities and change that would impact ser- vices. One of the key themes that came out of that work was the need for a leadership succession plan, focused on early years professionals and giving them the skills needed to thrive in a changing landscape. New Skills for the Future Library Leader is the first set of commissioned training from CILIP to help meet those needs. The training has been funded by Arts Council England and covers two themes – Digital Skills and Futures Literacy. Each theme is broken down into smaller bite-size learning, making it easier to participate.
Hinna Vayani, CILIP’s Associate Project Manager, said: “The New Skills for the Future Library Leader course has been designed to equip aspiring and emerging leaders in the public library workforce with the strategic leadership skills they require to assess service users’ needs, tailor their approach, and influence service delivery, while aligning local strategies with global trends and context.”
Focus on the future
The course’s two elements were designed with a clear focus on delivering adaptable skills that can be
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adapted after the training has ended. The aim is to equip public library staff with the ability to grow and change as circumstances move forward. Digital Skills – simultaneously as an enabler and a social connector in a rapidly changing society driven by digital trends. It is instrumental in supporting the case for the relevance of the public library.
This module aims to: l Support learners in understanding the role of the library as a portal for digital access and how they, as emerging and aspiring leaders, can help facilitate this role; l demonstrate how digital skills and knowledge link to the goals and values of libraries, including equity and inclusion, ethics, and being a safe and support- ive space for all; l equip learners with the strategic skills and confi- dence needed to contribute to digital transformation in their libraries; l help learners understand the role of digital trends and technologies including AI and explore their potential impact on the delivery of the library services.
Futures Literacy – is a vital skill at a time when uncertainty about the coming decade is high, and agile thinking and strategy is critical.
This module aims to: l Help learners understand the concept and benefits of Futures Literacy in the planning and delivery of their work in public libraries;
February-March 2026
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