MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 1 April 2003
For immediate release (Please copy to online discussion lists)
CILIP YEAR ONE - PLENTY OF PROGRESS BUT MORE TASKS AHEAD
CILIP's first President, Sheila Corrall, reflects on her year in office
Developing an improved, member-led interactive web site, implementing the new framework of qualifications to incorporate more flexible routes to chartership, and "repositioning the profession and CILIP in the wider information continuum" are among CILIP's priority tasks for the next two years, said the Institute's first President Sheila Corrall at a special reception to mark the end of her term of office.
Just over a year has passed since Ms Corrall addressed members and wellwishers at the launch reception for CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals at Shakespeare's UnderGlobe in London. A year on, she commented that, following necessary time and effort put into setting up the new organisation, there was now a clear list of priorities for CILIP over the next two years.
"Taking the lead on information literacy, in order to make people aware of its significance to education, business and society and of the importance of our professional contribution," was a further priority that Ms Corrall highlighted. "Championing good practice in information management by developing an Investors in Information standard, akin to the successful Investors in People standard" also ranked high on the list.
Paying more attention to the needs of new professionals - "the new entrants whom we must not only attract to CILIP but retain in membership after their period as students and through to Chartership" was another crucial requirement. Finally, there was a need to mobilise the membership behind this entire agenda, through reconfiguration of both Branches and Groups "to make them fit for purpose and able to sustain real professional engagement."
On a more personal note, Ms Corrall said that, during her year of office, she had tried to give priority to conferences and meetings with key issues on the agenda, "especially issues cutting across the traditional boundaries of the profession - such as information literacy, professional education and leadership development." She had also on occasions had to manage the expectations of CILIP members, some of whom had "rather fixed views, based on past practice - usually of the Library Association."
For the future, as she enters a new year in the honorary office of Past President, Ms Corrall concluded: "I look forward now to pursuing my key concerns more intensively over the next 12 months and I trust colleagues will join me in moving our profession forward."
Contact: Tim Owen, Head of External Relations.
Tel: 020 7255 0652. Email: [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 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.
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.
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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]
Umbrella 2003 ~ 3 - 5 July ~ UMIST, Manchester
The one event for information professionals you can't afford to miss - sessions, exhibition, plenaries, social events - see www.umbrella2003.org.uk. Register before 15 April to take advantage of the earlybird rates. Email <mailto:[log in to unmask]> for a brochure and registration form.
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