Society was on the cusp of major change and the library network was seen as the key to developing understanding and managing and using technology to the best of our ability.
Nothing in that statement has changed today and CILIP is leading the way in articulating key professional standards through the PKSB, through a brilliant training offer, through driving work on green issues through the Green Libraries project, and through commissioning reports such as the Libraries Futures report which is shortly to be published. The recent practical guide to Managing Safe and Inclusive Public Library Ser- vices produced in partnership with Arts Council England as national development service for our public libraries, is a beacon of excellence in very difficult times. Freedom of speech and freedom from censorship are values that we have championed as a profession for centu- ries. In the last 50 years, we have been lucky to live in a democratic society where those freedoms have been par- amount. However, when I look at the current situation in North America and the growth of censorship, I feel that it is so important that we as a professional body have clearly stood up for those principles.
Underpinning all of this is a need for a robust data strategy and CILIP is work- ing with key partners on developing a blueprint for this. Without robust data libraries cannot prove their worth and after all, libraries are all about verified and verifiable data.
In addition, I have been very excited to see CILIP develop their conference offer, adding such successful gatherings as the Green Libraries Conference and the Libraries Rewired conference at Code Node last autumn, to the annual CILIP conference in Birmingham.
Big Jubilee Read 2022, promoting reading for pleasure during the Jubilee of Elizabeth II. CILIP is also unique in offering a home
to all library staff across all library sectors, supporting them to grow and develop in their careers. The special interest groups that CILIP supports and who in turn drive and support the work that CILIP does, give so much scope for everyone in our profession to get involved in developing and shaping it. CILIP’s full training offer supports library staff to grow and develop. The CILIP 125 group, nominated and chosen as emerging leaders and influencers in our profession last year as part of the CILIP celebrations of that 125 years, are such a beacon of hope for the future. And let’s not forget Facet, CILIP’s publishing arm which contributes
Book launch of Perfect Daughter by Amanda Prowse.
so strongly to thought leadership in the profession.
It is in this climate that I want to work to dispel the image of library services as old fashioned or outdated and to be loud and proud about the contribution that all our libraries across the sector can make to our social infrastructure.
Where would our students be without academic libraries, where would our doctors and nurses have been during the pandemic without library staff to collate the reams of up-to-date information on immunisation and treatment, where would our politicians be without the House of Commons Library to support their understanding of key issues and where would our older people and our young families and our passionate readers be without our public libraries? For many children, attending a Read and Rhyme time is their first experience of being part of an audience and starts them on a cul- tural path that enriches their entire lives. It will be my mission as President of CILIP to help to take this wonderful organisation forward, to look to increase membership and engagement from within and to shout from the rooftops that our contribution within society is huge and should be recognised as such. I hope that all of you will help me in doing that. I am looking forward to it immensely and to meeting as many of you as I can in my time as President. IP
*Sue will be writing a regular col- umn in Information Professional to help keep you up to date with her work over the year ahead.
January-February 2024 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 15
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