MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 19 December 2002
For immediate release  (Please copy to online discussion lists)

CILIP WELCOMES LIBRARY AND INFORMATION RESEARCH GROUP VOTE FOR ASSIMILATION 

New special interest group will press for vibrant research culture 

Research issues are to have their own special interest group within the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, following a decision by the Library and Information Research Group (LIRG).  At an extraordinary general meeting earlier this month, LIRG members voted nem con to achieve assimilation of the Group into CILIP from April 2003.

"This is good news," says CILIP's Chief Executive Bob McKee.  "Every successful profession needs a strong research culture and the establishment of LIRG as a special interest group of CILIP is a very positive step towards this."

LIRG must now make a formal application to CILIP's Professional Practice Committee and Council. "Biddy Fisher, current Chair of LIRG, will be leading the Group into this new exciting future with her customary energy and enthusiasm," said the Group's Vice Chair Eric Davies.  He acknowledged the contribution of a number of people from both organisations in getting to this stage, but stressed that the hard work was far from over.  When it comes into existence, he said, the special interest group will face "a formidable task of addressing a range of challenges related to the performance and application of research in order to sustain a vibrant research culture within the profession."

Contacts:       Sue Brown, Director of Member Services, CILIP.
                        Tel: 020 7255 0698.     Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

                        Eric Davies, Vice Chair, LIRG.
                        Tel: 01509 223070       Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

Notes to Editors

CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers, with around 23,000 members working in all sectors, including business and industry, science and technology, further and higher education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the voluntary sector, national and public libraries.

CILIP's goals are to: position the profession at the heart of the information revolution; develop and enhance the role and skills of all its Members; present and champion those skills, together with new ones which will be acquired through continuing professional development; and ensure that individuals, enterprises and not for profit organisations have ready and timely access to the information they need.

The Library and Information Research Group (LIRG) promotes the value of information research and links research with practice. The Group was formed in 1977 to bring together those interested in library and information research, and is currently an independent professional group working in association with CILIP.  
LIRG aims to raise awareness of information research by: increasing its profile and influencing its direction; promoting the dissemination of sound research methodology and results; assisting in the development of emerging researchers; and enabling networking between researchers. The activities of the Group are co-ordinated by an elected committee of researchers, research students, lecturers and practitioners in the library and information profession. 

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Tim Owen, Head of External Relations
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
7 Ridgmount St, London WC1E 7AE.
Direct line: +44 (0)20 7255 0652
Email: [log in to unmask]

Visit CILIP's Information Centre - an exclusive new facility for CILIP Members, providing excellent resources in comfortable surroundings.  Take a look at www.cilip.org.uk/infocentre for details.
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals - www.cilip.org.uk