CONTENTS NEWS
5 Libraries Alliance Libraries from all sectors come together to advocate with one voice.
6 Better by design A new conference from Designing Libraries will take place this summer, highlighting how good design helps to deliver good services.
7 Libraries through the lens The latest instalment takes us to Geneva’s Botanical
Gardens Library.
8 Open Access MoU Two organisations pushing for improved Open Access in publishing have signed a memorandum of understanding to help push the agenda.
9 Libraries Change Lives Week
Start planning for this year’s Libraries Change Lives Week and celebrate the National Year of Reading and the impact of libraries on reading and literacy.
10&11 Designing Libraries: Good design fits every library
Designing Libraries Director Ayub Khan looks at how clever better services.
12&13 News feature: A new dawn for public libraries? What can we expect from a new library strategy. Will it be more of the same, or is a new recognition of the role
David Prosser. Page 15
of public libraries in society just round the corner.
INTERVIEW 15 David Prosser
RLUK Chief Executive David Prosser looks at the state of play between UK higher education and publishers as financial pressures and licensing deals clash.
44 Kathleen Riach and Kirsten MacQuarrie Kirsten MacQuarrie, Editor of Facet’s new book Feminist Librarianship and contributor Professor Kathleen Riach on menstruation and menopause in the workplace.
IN DEPTH
26 Trust in the machine? Beth Montague-Hellen looks at how libraries are dealing with calls for new AI tools amid concerns around trust.
30 Morals and AI Where do new AI tools sit with personal morals and professional standards.
Rebecca Flook, Lawrie Phipps and Michael Webb discuss.
34 A place in Government Rebecca Dorsett on infor- mation management in a government setting.
38 Censored
Carol Webb and Alice Leggatt look at the issues surround- ing the recent high-profile case of AI-influenced censor- ship in a Manchester school.
47 COVER Carnegies shortlists
This year’s CILIP Carnegies shortlists.
COMMENT
56 Mediawatching Zig-a-zig ahh.
COMMUNITY 50 Obituaries Beatrice Doran.
51 AGM announcement 53 What’s on
Your Guide to CILIP events.
INSIGHT 18 Scripturient
Lessons from a valedictory.
24 K&IM Matters Project Hail Mary. 29 UKeiG
A slippery slope to slop. 33 HLG
Partnering in leadership. 41 Schools
Making a move to FE.
43 LGBTQ+ Network Book bans are mirroring the US playbook.
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www.cilip.org.uk/empoweringimpact Banned books: Where’s the sense in censorship. Page 38 4 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL April-May 2026
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