CEO ‘‘ A


S we head into the second half of 2025, I’ve been reflecting on the journey so far – the conversations, challenges, and wins we’ve shared as a profession. It’s been just over a year since I joined CILIP, and one thing has


become clear: what this profession does matters. It matters now more than ever. In a world saturated with misinformation, AI-generated content and social division, libraries and knowledge professionals are uniquely placed to make sense of complexity. Whether you’re nurturing early readers, equipping job seekers with digital skills, or helping researchers navigate oceans of information, your work empowers people to think critically, act confidently, and grow together. As we build momentum toward Green Libraries Week this autumn, it’s a good time to spotlight one of our most inspiring collective efforts – the Green Libraries Partnership. Now in its third year, and going from strength to strength, the campaign has become a vibrant expression of how libraries are helping to build a more sustainable future. This year, we launched a £1.2 million Green Library Hubs programme, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. This will scale the work across ten services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – embedding climate literacy at the heart of community life. But environmental literacy is only one dimension of the wider social value that libraries offer. We inform. We support. We empower. We don’t just connect people with content – we connect them with possibility. From my time with CILIP so far, I’ve seen three powerful truths about our profession.


1. We change lives


Libraries open doors – to culture, to learning, to opportunity. We give people the tools they need to navigate a sometimes overwhelming world, and we do it with integrity, care, and professionalism.


When it comes to the major issues of our time – from the climate crisis to economic inequality, from misinformation to declining trust – we are not on the sidelines. We must be at the table, alongside other professions, as equals. Our contribution is distinctive, necessary and often overlooked. We know things nobody else knows. We care about things others forget or only recognise as vital once they’re lost. When machines fall short, librarians remain the trusted guides, interpreting, questioning, and helping others understand.


2. We are trusted


In today’s world, trust is rare. And yet, people trust us. They trust us because of our professionalism, our values, and our care


Autumn 2025


Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO of CILIP, at Westminster with Libraries Champion Bobby Seagull.


INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 3


In today’s world, trust is rare. and yet, people trust us. they trust us because of our professionalism, our values, and our care for the communities we serve.


Louis Coiffait-Gunn Chief Executive Louis.Coiffait-Gunn@cilip.org.uk


for the communities we serve. They trust us because we strive to be impartial, and because we are guided by an ethical framework that puts fairness, truth and transparency first. In contrast to other sectors that “move fast and break things”, we move thoughtfully. We consider where information comes from, who owns it, and what impact it might have, especially on the most marginalised.


If the tech sector are plumbers, then we are sommeliers. We


don’t just deliver the information people want – we deliver what they need, and help them understand and appreciate its value.


3. Our impact is too often invisible


And that needs to change. We all know we make a difference. But are we showing it clearly, confidently, and convincingly? We need the right stories and stats. We need to speak in ways that resonate with employers, funders, and ministers. And we need to keep doing it, even when the system seems too noisy or crowded. That’s where CILIP can help. Through our campaigns –


Libraries Change Lives, Trust Libraries, and the CILIP Connect advocacy toolkit - we’re making sure your voices are heard. Our work has helped trigger parliamentary debates and hold government to account.


And as we co-create the 2026–30 strategy, we’re doing it by listening to members, non-members, partners and critics alike. We want to build something bold and shared. This is the first of my new regular column in Information Professional magazine and I want it to be driven by you. Share your stories, your impact, your ambitions. Let’s keep learning from each other and showing the world just how much this profession matters.


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