CONTENTS NEWS
5 Election results David Smith joins CILIP’s Board of Trustees, with Anoja Fernando taking on the role of Vice President for 2026.
6 Honorary Fellow and Presidential Citations CILIP’s highest award, Honorary Fellowship, recognises individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the
profession - find our who has made a difference this year.
7 Libraries through the lens The latest instalment takes us to Vorarlberger Landesbibliothek, Bregenz, Austria.
8 Reading inquiry launched The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into the fall in numbers of people, especially children who read for pleasure.
9 Welsh Team of the Year Find out who has won the CILIP Cymru Wales Team of the Year award.
10&11 Designing Libraries: Technological influence Designing Libraries Director Ayub Khan looks at how technology has an impact on library design.
12&13 News feature: Green Library Hubs Find out how Green Library Hubs are helping to deliver local sustainability for communities through a new CILIP-led project.
Ian Anstice on 15 years of PLN. Page 20
INTERVIEW 20 Ian Anstice
After 15 years at the help of Public Library News, Ian is calling it a day. We talk to him about running the go-to source for service updates.
24 Melanie Strong
As Guildhall Library celebrates its 600th anniversary, Melanie looks back at its history and its future.
IN DEPTH
16 Carryl Allardice We talk to incoming CILIP President, Carryl Allardice OBE, about her key themes for the year ahead.
28 The Info Pro Podcast CILIP has launched a new podcast, with the first two episodes live and ready to listen to, covering AI policy and ethics, and Intellectual Freedom.
31 Special interest Hear from more of CILIP’s Special Interest Groups.
INSIGHT
14 President’s View Sue Lacey Bryant. 18 K&IM
Desire paths for knowledge. 27 Schools
More than books needed for the National Year of Reading.
30 LGBTQ+ Network Meet the network’s new Chair.
36 RPG
The latest from CILIP’s RPG. 44 UKeiG
Incorporating AI into our lives.
Download the App for Apple and Android devices at
www.cilip.org.uk/InfoProApp
Twitter / X @CILIPInfo CILIP: established 2002.
Incorporated by Royal Charter 1898. Registered Charity 313014.
Chief Executive: Louis Coiffait-Gunn.
Member ship: enquiries to
membership@cilip.org.uk www.cilip.org.uk/membership
34 Community service How Hackney’s Community Library service is delivering for local people.
37 European partnerships The Europe Challenge brings libraries and community groups together to develop projects that deliver positive change.
42 Volunteer impact Lindsay Prestage reveals how well-managed vol- unteers are helping Kent Library services reach some its most vulnerable citizens and providing vital contact points.
COMMENT
50 Mediawatching Things can only get better.
COMMUNITY 46 What’s on
Your Guide to Members’ Fest 2026.
48 Obituaries
David Ball, Graham McKenna, Bill Simpson and Ceris Sladdin.
Winter 2025
www.cilip.org.uk/infopro
Published by CILIP. Printed in Great Britain by Manson, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Editor-in-Chief: Rob
Greenrob.green@
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Production/Design Editor: Richard Gibbons
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Cover picture: Guildhall celebration. Publication dates
Publication and copy dates for the next issue of Information Professional are:
FEB/MAR 2026: Published – 26 February; Features deadline – 15 January; News and Insights deadline – 29 January.
Guildhall Library celebrates 600 years. Page 20 4 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL
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Winter 2025
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