CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
7 Ridgmount St, London WC1E 7AE.

Tel: 020 7255 0500 Textphone: 020 7255 0505 Fax: 020 7255 0501 E-mail: [log in to unmask]

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 15 October 2003
For immediate release (Please copy to online discussion lists)

JOB SWAPS ABROAD - NEW OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH CILIP

CILIP hosts LIBEX - the international job exchange scheme for library and information professionals

CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals has taken over LIBEX, the online clearing house for library and information staff looking for job exchange experience abroad. Previously run by the Thomas Parry Library in Aberystwyth, the service is now available exclusively to CILIP members at www.cilip.org.uk/jobs_careers/libex.html.

"We're very pleased to be able to offer this additional benefit to CILIP members," says CILIP's International Officer Julie Robinson. "LIBEX is a great way to help your continuing professional development - you can gain new professional experience and knowledge, and enjoy the personal enrichment that comes from contact with another culture."

Employers can benefit too. "Many staff have found the experience inspiring and returned with renewed enthusiasm for their job - and that must surely benefit employers," Julie adds. Knowledge transfer, exchange of expertise, and the opportunity to compare and contrast different information services - all these are ways to encourage innovation and positive change in the host organisation.

To register for LIBEX, CILIP members simply complete a LIBEX application (including their CILIP membership number) and return it to CILIP by email, post or fax. The current LIBEX database is then emailed direct to the member, who can scan it for posts of particular interest and make contact directly with the individuals concerned. There's no agent or middleman at this stage; CILIP members gain direct access to the contact details of other LIBEX participants.

"Managing LIBEX is an ongoing responsibility for CILIP," concludes Julie Robinson. "Besides hosting the LIBEX database, we will also support, develop and promote the scheme for the benefit of CILIP members."

Further information on LIBEX is available online at www.cilip.org.uk/jobs_careers/libex.html or you can email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.

Contact: Julie Robinson, International Officer, CILIP.
                Tel: 020 7255 0643. 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 well over 20,000 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 SHOWCASE: THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER, 10:30-13:30

You can find out more about CILIP's services for members, and meet staff over a coffee and a pastry, by visiting the CILIP Showcase event at Members' Day on Thursday October 23. CILIP services represented will include: Information; Training & Development; INFOmatch Recruitment; Facet Publishing; Membership, Careers & Qualifications; Members' Advice; International; Consultancy; and Marketing & External Relations.

The Showcase event is open both to existing CILIP members and to others with an interest in CILIP and its services, and runs from 10:30 to 13:30 at CILIP's offices at 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE. The event also features a free troubleshooting surgery with Internet guru Phil Bradley. For details of this and other CILIP Members' Day events, visit www.cilip.org.uk/member/membersday.html.


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