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.

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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