NEWS
New workforce strategy highlights profession and ethics
A NEW public libraries workforce strategy puts ethics and professional development front and centre to face the sec- tor’s many challenges and opportunities. CILIP, working alongside Arts Council England, Libraries Connected and Libraries Rising, want the strategy to be used as “a toolbox, designed to strengthen the skills of the public library workforce.” In its introduction, the Developing the future public library workforce: Realising our shared ambitions (
https://tinyurl.com/work- forceambition) strategy says that public library skills are “constantly evolving” in response “to ongoing societal change”. It adds: “Under- pinning these evolving skills and practices are the ethics and values of the library and information profession, such as inclusion, impar- tiality, access to information, and freedom from censorship.” The strategy sets out a response focusing on widening access and creating clearer routes into the profession. This includes an emphasis on attracting younger people through pathways such as appren- ticeships. It also emphasises the need to promote library careers to a broader and more diverse range of people. It focuses on five key areas for action:
l Planning for a diverse and future-ready workforce; l identifying skills needs; l development pathways; l leadership; l preparing for the future.
Each section provides practical ideas and goals for library lead- ers. It then does the same for sector organisations. Each section also provides links to relevant resources, some developed specif- ically for the libraries sector like Future Libraries (
www.cilip.org.uk/ future-libraries) but also outside the sector However, there are gaps in understanding the sector’s workforce including no centralised approach to workforce data collection with most data still coming from the CILIP 2015 and 2023 Work- force Mapping surveys. Different recruitment approaches at local authorities, pay and long-term reductions in staffing are all challenges that sit beyond the scope of the report, which said: “This work is a starting point. We are committed to continuing this journey collectively and working with partners to advocate for further research and improved, consistent data collection.” Sonia Ramdhian, Chief Development Officer for CILIP, said:
“This co-created practical framework supports workforce develop- ment across the public library sector. It promotes multiple entry routes into the profession and cross-sector learning to support a broader and more diverse talent pipeline.” Luke Burton, Director Libraries, Arts Council England, said: “Enabling library workforces to develop and strengthen their skills through coaching, training and research and via peer net- works so that they are ready to face the sector’s current and future challenges is paramount to ensuring that public libraries can con- tinue to meet, and exceed, the needs of their users.”
The last of the Information Commissioners
THE Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has con- firmed that John Edwards, the Information Commissioner, has resigned following an investigation into his behaviour. He will be the last Information Commissioner as the post is due to be abolished later this year under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Edwards was appointed in August 2021 under a Boris Johnson government to lead a reformed ICO following Brexit. At the time the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) – then the sponsoring department of the ICO – said the new commissioner was “empowered to go beyond the regulator’s traditional role of focusing only on protecting data rights, with a clear mandate to take a balanced approach that promotes further innovation and economic growth”. Last month, in a statement, Mr Edwards said: “I have accepted
that there have been occasions where I exercised poor judge- ment and made attempts at humour that were inappropriate and caused offence.” After his resignation Secretary of State for Science Liz Kendall, said: “I have seen evidence of the vulgar and highly sexualised language that was used in his interactions with his staff and am extremely concerned that he continues to describe these inci- dents as misplaced humour, including on his social media post announcing his resignation.”
June-July 2026
John Edwards. The post of Information Commissioner and the ICO itself is set
to be overhauled this year. Asked about plans for replacing Mr Edwards, a spokesperson for The Department for Science, Indus- try and Technology (DSIT) – the sponsoring department since 2023 said: “DSIT and the ICO have continued to work together on the transition to the Information Commission whilst the inde- pendent investigation was taking place. We have not confirmed a date for the transition, but work is well advanced to ensure a smooth transition.”
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