NEWS FEATURE ‘‘
Political volatility is not new for libraries… for the past 20 years our concerns following council leadership changes usually centred around funding, cuts to staff or opening hours, service funding or library closures. These concerns are still there, especially with so many councils facing the threat of bankruptcy... – Viv Hill
ethics, relying on our voices along with that of CILIP and other organisations to speak with one voice and purpose. I think this is where the new Libraries Alliance will also immediately prove it’s worth. She said: “Yes we work within our own local council’s pol-
icies and rules but we also have laws of the land provided by national government and our own professional ethics and guidance and it is easy to forget that when you are caught up in everyday working.”
Isobel Hunter.
inordinate amount of time to manage and review. Com- plaints are not always factually correct about the content or the physical positioning of the book. When the press or social media pick up on it then facts can get very muddled.”
Moving targets Whichever, party is in power, the volume of change means it is hard to evaluate investments in political connections. Local Gov- ernment Reorganisation means lots of newly elected shadow councils with no guarantee they’ll be politically aligned to the council that gave birth to them. Like Surrey where two Lib Dem shadow county councils have been elected while the sit- ting county council is Conservative. Inexperienced politicians and inexperienced council offi cers will be overseeing a very complex Local Government Reorganisation while juggling all the other issues facing local authorities. So, anyone trying to forge political connections will be expending more energy than usual on the task – with less certainty over the value.
Professional defence Power vacuums, political misalignment and inexperience mean that public librarians will face moments of uncertain- ty. They also face hostility. In June, Libraries Minister Baroness Twycross said: “I am clear that the tone in which politicians talk about our public libraries can also have a chilling effect, and I am also clear that our libraries should be for everyone.” Viv said: “We may face situations where our local leaders are not on side… or maybe they feel pressured to follow a national party rhetoric. That’s where, for individuals and the local library service, being part of a local workplace union and a professional body like CILIP is vital. We can tap into and highlight our professional
June-July 2026 Ethical defence
Similarly, Isobel said Libraries Connected provides ongo- ing guidance and support to members on issues including LGR and censorship. This includes consideration of the legal, professional and ethical aspects.
She added: “CILIP’s professional ethics are very interest- ing now too, they’ve really come into play in the last couple of years.”
Viv said looking outside of the UK was important, but added: “The setting up of the new Intellectual Freedom committee (
https://tinyurl.com/CILIPintellectualfreedom) is fantas- tic and will give us a much-needed lead and guide within CILIP. Locally I know services are checking and rewriting their stock policies, nudging local school librarians to do the same, making sure they are fit for purpose particularly on censorship. They’re talking to their leadership explain- ing that as library professionals we work within our profes- sion’s ethical principles first and foremost. As individuals it’s vital for us to encourage other colleagues to consider being part of a workplace union and a professional body like CILIP who will give us the support we need.” For exam- ple CILIP’s ethical framework (
https://tinyurl.com/CILIPethical) and safe and inclusive spaces resources (
https://tinyurl.com/ CILIPsafe). IP
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 13
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55
