Comments on: You’ll miss it if it goes

By: Sue Taylor

Sue Taylor — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 12:56:10 +0000

In reply to Frank Daniels. Definitely Frank - when has CILIP ever supported library workers fighting for their jobs. They are largely irrelevant to most of us on the ground and will become ever more so as more and more library jobs are taken on by volunteers

By: Glyn Sutcliffe

Glyn Sutcliffe — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:44:27 +0000

I agree with Frank. What other ‘profession’ has had its work handed over to unqualified volunteers? All these unimplemented reports are totally ineffectual. Very little has ever happened in the development of a comprehensive and consistent provision for School Libraries in the UK. There is no prospect of any change. The words ‘Librarianship’ and ‘Chartered Librarian’ hardly appear on the CILIP website. I appreciate Ian’s diplomatic position in trying to encourage revival of the profession, but I cannot see a way back, unfortunately. The fact that there are so many consultants is testimony to the fact that such expertise is not being delivered in-house by qualified practising professions in post and in relevant sectors. The 1964 Act urgently needs revision. CILIP was campaigning for this, but no one in authority pays any regard to CILIP.

By: Frank Daniels

Frank Daniels — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:44:52 +0000

You say Cilip would be missed if it ceased to exist, and that it is the only body independent of government or unions fighting the corner in which librarians find themselves, especially those still left in the public sector, but I disagree.

I told you years ago that Cilip acquiesces with whatever policies the governemnt wishes to enact, even when those policies ride roughshod over the professional ethics that Cilip professes to stand for.

Here’s a principle I stand for: a professional librarian should be able to do the professional work he/she is being paid to do and not have that work privatised out from under him/her with no discussion and no protection from Cilip. I won’t bore you with the details…maybe you remember them.

By: Glyn Sutcliffe

Glyn Sutcliffe — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 06:53:49 +0000

CILIP does not accredit qualifications, it endorses the qualifications of other awarding bodies. The LA was an examining body whereas CILIP is not. CILIP does not have the same stance towards qualifications as, for example, the Institute of Chartered Accountants or the Institute of Civil Engineers where ‘Chartered Accountant’ and ‘Chartered Engineer’ remain recognised standards unlike ‘Chartered Librarian’ which has no meaning to employers or the public. It is a question of recognised professional standards not ‘rigid academic routes’. Library employment is now just a free for all where anything goes. There is no framework for an aspiring professional and that is why CILIP numbers have declined.

By: Glyn Sutcliffe

Glyn Sutcliffe — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 06:34:25 +0000

One has only to look at the decline in membership of LA/CILIP and the reduced state of Public Libraries to see that there is now no library profession. Many in charge of Libraries in all sectors have no library qualifications either academic or professional. Many take degrees and see no reason to join CILIP to further their careers. Who can blame them? Community hubs etc. are simply a political way of disbanding libraries whilst giving the appearance of keeping them open. Pure Machiavelli!

By: Barbara Band

Barbara Band — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 20:29:15 +0000

In reply to Ian Anstice. I'll accept excellent work LOL!

By: Ian Anstice

Ian Anstice — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 20:08:05 +0000

In reply to Barbara Band. Indeed. Let's go with excellent work! Well done Barbara :-)

By: Barbara Band

Barbara Band — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 20:00:46 +0000

In reply to Glyn Sutcliffe.

If you investigate the routes into many other professions, you will see they have changed and you know no longer have to follow a rigid academic path.
CILIP still accredits qualifications – except these are wider ranging as befits the 21st century (and also, shock horror, include aspects of IT!!!) – and, as a mentor, I know the professional qualifications are most definitely practically based.

By: Barbara Band

Barbara Band — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 19:52:58 +0000

Ian! I think your comment “some good work on school libraries” is a bit condescending!
This report is a huge step forward and represents a lot of work by a lot of people. The School Libraries Data Group was set up several years ago to collect much needed evidence on the provision of school libraries and I don’t think I’ve ever been involved with a project that has brought so many interested parties to the table.
One of the issues we faced was lack of funding as, if we did this in-house, we knew we would be faced with criticism.
Fast-forward and the Great School Libraries Campaign was formed with the School Libraries Data Group becoming part of this. We received funding from the Foyle Foundation which enabled us to carry out the survey.
The survey is very important as it provides a baseline for any future surveys and the data is robust. Such evidence on school libraries has not been collected in previous years. so it gives an interesting, unique and current view on school library provision.
More than just “good work”!

By: Glyn Sutcliffe

Glyn Sutcliffe — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 19:05:48 +0000

CILIP lost its way years ago around the time it changed from being The Library Association. The big loss was when it ceased to accredit qualifications and in effect the academic and practically based standard of Chartered Librarian was superseded by degrees and control passed into higher education and away from a centred cohesive profession. Unfortunately, this coupled with the tidal wave of IT has destroyed what could have been a vibrant future for LIBRARIANSHIP in all aspects and through all information media. Just accept there is no way back now and the cause is lost, especially in Public Libraries.