Modules include:
l Understanding search engines and algorithms;
l spotting fake news and online bias; l using advanced search techniques;
l evaluating the credibility and reliability of sources;
l the ethical use of information and AI.
Critical thinking CILIP Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn says the new Super Searchers programme will help to build confident and bet- ter-connected communities. He says: “In an era where all of us are consuming vast amounts of fast-moving information online and where false and inaccurate information can spread faster than facts, media and information literacy is a civic necessity. From making health decisions and understanding elections to completing school work or job applica- tions, digital information is embedded in every part of modern life.
“Librarians and information profession- als have long been champions of critical thinking. Specialists in judicious informa- tion analysis, our members have the skills and expertise to support people from across society to find accurate and useful information and make informed decisions with confidence.”
CILIP’s deep-rooted ethics and values, which underpin its membership, skills and training offer for library, information and knowledge workers, align closely to the goals of Google’s Super Searchers ini- tiative. Search skills help to deliver those goals, and the idea of equitable access to trusted information and resources - a key tenet of library philosophy. By improving people’s search and evaluation skills, the Super Searchers programme will help to expand that equitable access.
Economic impact
And those skills, help to set people in practical ways that have real-world im- pact. Much of the House of Lords’ report is concerned with structural barriers to accessing digital resources, such as cost of an internet connection, poor rural con- nectivity and lack of a connected device. However, the skills gap is also cited as a significant barrier to accessing digital ser- vices and tools, and the report also notes that poor skills are harming productivity and other outcomes.
The report uses data from the Lloyds Bank’s 2022 Consumer Digital Index (
https://tinyurl.com/IPSum25SS2), which ranks users ability in a range of “foundation tasks”. According to Lloyd’s research: “In the UK today, around 10.2 million adults (20 per cent) are unable to complete all eight of the Foundation tasks needed to set someone up for using the online world. Approximately
Rewired 2025
five million (10 per cent) cannot use an app, and around 4.5 million (eight per cent) cannot turn on a device and enter login information by themselves. Around 2.4 million (four per cent) are not able to do any of these core task.” Worryingly, the Lloyd’s research also
finds that this skills gap is prevalent in a significant number of working people are not able to complete the tasks, with a claim that five million workers will be “acutely under-skilled in basic digital skills by 2030”. The report goes on to say: “Basic digital capability is set to become the UK’s biggest skills gap: five million workers are likely to be ‘acutely under-skilled’ in this area by 2030, according to the Industrial Strategy Council. The Government has said overall digital skills shortages cost the UK £63 billion each year. “Anthony Walker, Deputy Chief Exec- utive of techUK, said the Government and industry tended to focus on high- end technical skills, without sufficient acknowledgement of bottlenecks in basic digital skills for life and the workplace. He argued that ‘you get to that third point only if you are doing the other two’.”
What makes a Super Searcher Based around improving information literacy skills, the programme has already been delivered in a number of countries, using materials created by Google. Google’s decision to partner with CILIP for the UK launch underscores a long-standing relationship with librarians. Google’s Zoe Darme, Director, Knowledge and Information, Trust, said: “Providing equitable access to information and empow- ering people to be able to learn anything with Google is paramount to our mission. We are proud to partner with CILIP to launch our Super Searchers programme in the UK, and continue to equip young people with the tools and skills they need to access, understand, and critically evaluate the infor- mation they’re searching online.” That trust in librarians was echoed for the launch of the American Library Associa tion’s programme, with Google saying: “For centuries, librarians have been pillars of communities. By helping people find and identify reliable informa- tion, they became guardians and go-to sources of trusted information.”
Training delivery
Building on Google’s experience from previous Super Searchers Programmes in other countries, a key aspect is the notion that training can be cascaded. Using a ‘train the trainer’ model, the scheme will initially focus on a small cohort of library workers who will then pass on that knowledge. Beginning this summer, the aim is to have around 1,500 trained Super Searchers across the public library network by November 2025. Jo Cornish, CILIP’s former Chief Develop ment Officer, said: “Super Searcher is about empowering people of all ages with the skills to question what they read, understand where it comes from, and search more effectively.
“Working with Google, our members, and in collaboration with broader library and information sector specialists, CILIP’s professional standards and ethical prin- ciples align to and underpin the training programme so information specialists will be equipped to confidently enable informed, engaged communities.”
Search and AI literacy
Advances in technology mean that users need to continue to develop their litera- cies around using them. In a connected world the growth of AI is impacting digital and search at every level, and the Super Searchers programme recognise the need to update skills and knowledge. The latest incarnation of the Super Searchers programme reflects that by including modules on AI generated search results, and how these are generated and how they should be interpreted.
Taking part
The scheme is open to library workers across the UK, and the first tranche of trainers will be selected in summer by a board consisting of representatives from CILIP, Libraries Connected, MILA and SLA.
To find out more about the Super Searchers programme and how your ser- vice can get involved, visit
www.cilip.org.uk/ SuperSearchers. IP
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