-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Buckley Owen [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 09 May 2003 11:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: HIGHER EDUCATION WHITE PAPER "FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ROLE OF
LIBRARIES"


MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 9 May 2003
For immediate release  (Please copy to online discussion lists)

HIGHER EDUCATION WHITE PAPER "FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ROLE OF LIBRARIES"

CILIP response to The Future of Higher Education offers broad support
but says funding must be directed to learning support as well as
teaching

CILIP has expressed disappointment that the Government White Paper on
the future of higher education fails to address the changing roles of
library and information staff in facilitating learning.  In a formal
response that broadly supports the White Paper's recommendations, CILIP
nevertheless believes that insufficient recognition is given to "the
important contribution that other professions operating within higher
education institutions make to the achievement of students or the
success of universities."

In a comprehensive response covering research, the knowledge economy,
widening participation & access, funding and fees, CILIP notes the shift
from the earlier 'Learning and Teaching' emphasis to a more
teacher-focused model.  "CILIP feels that this is a retrograde step,"
the response continues.  "Without this student-centred approach the
Government aim of a workforce constantly updating its skills cannot be
achieved."

CILIP further presses this point in its comments on the knowledge
economy.  Emphasising the imperative need for information literate
citizens who can operate effectively in an information society, the
response makes clear that "information literacy as an explicit skills
base should be added to the core skills listed in section 3.23 of the
White Paper."

Academic libraries' research role comes in for particular scrutiny in
the response.  "The concentration of research resources in specific
institutions will affect the ability of a number of universities to
service the needs of the Government's regional agenda," CILIP warns.
Highlighting the ability and willingness of libraries in the UK to
co-operate on access to resources for learners and researchers, the
response nevertheless makes clear that "increased research investment
should be paralleled by increased funding to libraries and ICT as an
integral part of the infrastructure to support research."

Widening participation and the increased use of technology impacts on
the ways in which learning is delivered, CILIP points out.  "Students
will be studying in a variety of modes, creating demand 24/7.  Both
aspects will have financial implications for institutions and therefore
funding must be directed to learning support as well as teaching."  

Although CILIP welcomes the White Paper's emphasis on the need to
improve parity of esteem between teaching and research in higher
education, it also notes that there is no suggestion of the rewards and
improvement in pay and working conditions that are promised to academics
and researchers being extended to academic related staff.
"Approximately one third of our membership operates in the wider
academic sector, directly supporting learners and developing
environments and resources to aid learning and personal development,"
points out Kathy Ennis, CILIP's Post-16 Learning Adviser and the author
of the response.  

Welcoming the possibility of future engagement in the debate, Ms Ennis
specifically invites an expression of interest from the Department for
Education and Skills to work with CILIP in developing guidelines for the
provision of library services for higher education students studying in
further education colleges.  The response concludes: "The suggestions we
have made are in the spirit of support for the White Paper's overall
aims."

Contact:        Tim Buckley Owen, Head of External Relations.
                Tel: 020 7255 0652.     Email:
[log in to unmask]

Notes to Editors

The text of the response is available at
www.cilip.org.uk/advocacy/responses/090503.html.  CILIP: the Chartered
Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading
professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge
managers, with over 23,500 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.

- Ends -



Tim Buckley 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]

Looking for library and information consultants? Contact CILIP
Consultancy Services for experienced consultants who understand
information - www.cilip.org.uk/consultancy
<http://www.cilip.org.uk/consultancy>.

CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals,
7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7255 0677