engage with such topics in a civil way. “As for evidence-informed decision making, I’ve spent years of my life trying to leverage relevant evidence and exper- tise into policy making, typically working with academics and other researchers. That’s included everything from education recovery after the pandemic, to grammar schools, to Britain’s place in the world. It’s great to be in a community of people here that share my passions around those three values.” Those values have always been a part of CILIP, and the Library Association before that. They have underpinned the activity and the direction of the organisation for over 125 years and will continue to inform CILIP’s work as it moves forward. And while there is an immediate and very visible focus on the election period, work will continue to ensure that mem- bers are supported now and into the future. That work is rooted in those three priorities highlighted by Louis – alongside CILIP’s established and growing network of influence.
Louis Coiffait-Gunn.
experienced the profession’s renowned helpfulness.
He says his early encounters have shown him that “it’s a very welcoming community – everyone wants CILIP to do well and go on to even better things. “There’s a lot of loyalty and hope for the organisation. And it’s generally an incredibly warm and supportive com- munity. Which isn’t surprising given it’s made up of professionals dedicating their careers to helping others.” Louis says that CILIP’s position as the only body that unites information pro- fessionals from every sector across the profession leads to an element of chal- lenge as “different groups of members want different things from CILIP. It’s a broad church, but that’s also a strength, and one we’re going to build on.” So, how to start that building work? Again, it comes down to collaboration and finding the areas that unite us – helping to create a solid foundation. One aspect of that is looking beyond CILIP, and to the myriad of stakehold- ers and partners it currently works with, as well as some exciting new ones. Louis reveals: “Beyond CILIP staff, volunteers, and members, there are many key external people I’m meeting, some of whom I knew already. We clearly have a unique and prominent place among the various library sector bodies and we’ll continue to build on that. But more importantly, I want to encourage the sector to know when to act in unison with one persuasive voice.
June 2024
“I’m also keen for CILIP and the sector to develop some key strategic partnerships. For example, could we do more alongside other creative industries or as part of our world-class higher education sector?” So while there are sub-sectors that have their own needs, there are also strong shared values that drive CILIP, its members and the wider profession for- ward. These core principles help to bring individuals and organisations together to deliver common goals. Louis identifies social justice, intellectual freedom, and evidence-based practice as three crucial areas that cut across the profession. He says: “Those three values at the heart of CILIP have also driven my own career.
“My work in education policy first sparked my passion for social justice. You only have to see the different experiences of children in society to get a sense of the injustices many face, even in a relatively developed and wealthy country like the UK. Lots of those indicators have been getting worse, primarily thanks to auster- ity and the pandemic. And librarians have to be part of the solution.
“CILIP’s focus on intellectual freedom also resonates strongly with me, a lot of culture war politics unfairly targets groups of people in our society who already face disadvantages. I suspect the new government will prioritise other things and take some of the hot air out of that debate but it will rumble on, especially given events in the USA. Again librarians have a crucial role in helping society
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 17
Louis says: “Now more than ever, the skills and values of library and informa- tion professionals will be crucial. CILIP’s members are providing vital services in all walks of life – from education and lifelong learning to delivering critical information at just the right time to clinicians in health settings; from supporting businesses in building a sustainable economy to helping local communities to thrive and prosper through the public library network. “Information professionals are embed- ded throughout society, often working behind the scenes, but always adding value through the many services they provide. CILIP is here for each and every one of you and we hope that you will be an active part of that generous and support- ive community that is the bedrock of all of CILIP’s work.”
Louis adds: “If I have one message for our members and all those working in the profession, it is this – join us, and be a part of CILIP. The election is a pivotal moment for society and this profession has an opportunity to contribute to developing new policies and delivering positive change. The best way to do that is by speaking truth to power, informed by evidence, and informed by our ethics. I’m excited about it.” IP
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