Can you categorically state that CILIP has no plans to develop other services which it plans to charge members of the profession to access. Also that it does not plan to introduce charges to CILIP Members for any new services. I do have e-mails in my possession that suggest otherwise so I would be grateful of clarification.
My main point was missed in your reply, in that CILIP are restricting the use of information gathered on behalf of the profession and which could be of use to the profession at large, (and would be a good way of promoting itself and its services), but it is restricting access to this information to its membership only.
As a member I was put in the invidious position of receiving information that I knew would be of use to Lecturing Colleagues and other Library Colleagues, Library Assistants for instance, but was forbidden by my own Professional Body from using this information.
This as I say is against the professional code of conduct that I signed up to with the Library Association when I chartered and further affirmed, I thought, when I became a fellow. Did I misunderstand the Code of Conduct? Is it now to be replaced? Please Advise.
I have as I said this year joined the ILTHE which has now become part of the Higher Education Academy. This very professional organisation which includes Librarians has its own Annual National Conference, its own Journal and weekly updates and costs at present just £50 per year for membership.
Unless CILIP moves from its complacency, (the reply seemed to say we are doing very nicely thank you! you are all wrong!!!), can I may suggest that other Colleagues in HE might like to consider looking at membership of the HEA in the future. I would be happy to give further details.
Equally should CILIP start once again to act a professional association again, FOR THE PROFESSION, not just for its members, I will happily consider rejoining.
Ta!
Steve
Steve Lee
Information Librarian
Applied Sciences
LRC
University of Glamorgan
Pontypridd
Mid-Glam
CF37 1DL
Tel 01443 483391
e-mail [log in to unmask]
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-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Buckley Owen
Sent: 09 August 2004 17:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Value of CILIP
From Tim Buckley Owen, Head of Membership, Marketing & Media, CILIP
Email: [log in to unmask]
There's been quite a lot of discussion on LIS-LINK recently about the value of CILIP to academic librarians specifically and to the profession in general, and I'm very happy to respond to the points made. The very wide range of contributions seems to boil down to the following issues - although do please respond if you think I've missed any...
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CILIP's qualifications are being ignored by many of the employers who used to demand them.
CILIP doesn't recognise that many able and well qualified people don't need Chartership.
Over 2,000 people are undertaking Chartership at the moment, and CILIP has some 13,000 Chartered members in all, plus around 1,000 Fellows - i.e. more qualified members than the total membership of most other library and information organisations operating in the UK. Nobody would undertake or continue their Chartership if they didn't perceive it as being of value for their employability and continuing professional development. Nevertheless, significant changes to CILIP qualifications are on the way, to ensure that they do continue to meet the needs of employers who recognise the value of employing appropriately qualified staff, for the rapidly changing and expanding nature of library and information roles. The nature of qualifications required is changing, which is why CILIP is introducing, from next April, a new Framework of Qualifications. From the consultation process, which elicited over 1,000 responses, it is clear that members approve of this move, which not only maintains Chartered Membership and Fellowship, but will also introduce a Certification scheme covering administrative and paraprofessional posts and a Revalidation scheme for Chartered members. It will provide alternative routes to Chartership, reflecting alternative career paths and recognising other qualifications and experiences - as well as, of course, supporting the more traditional routes to Chartered membership. Finally - outside the UK, CILIP's professional qualifications are highly valued in academic and other sectors, even where there is also a national library association with its own awards.
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CILIP still pays too much attention to 'librarians' and not enough to 'information scientists'
CILIP doesn't offer value to 'traditional' librarians
The fact that both views have been expressed during this discussion might suggest that CILIP has probably got the balance about right. If you compare the old catalogues of LA Publishing and LA Training with the current Facet Publishing and CILIP Training offerings, you'll find significant changes to the range on offer - largely into the information science and technology fields. The same can be seen to be true if you compare 'Update' with 'Library Association Record' or 'IIS Inform'. And many of CILIP's special interest groups address specifically information issues. Of course there's much more that could be done. But, while not ignoring the importance of 'traditional' library skills, CILIP has extended its range well beyond their boundaries over the two and a half years of its existence.
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Members should draw up a wish list of issues they would like CILIP to address
CILIP's current Corporate Plan (due for revision in 2005) was based at least in part on just such a wish list. In addition, CILIP's member-led Policy Committee is constantly reviewing the policy issues in which it believes CILIP should become involved, and instructing officers accordingly.
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CILIP needs to offer a lot more to the regions
As a recent coincidental posting from one CILIP Branch to LIS-LINK demonstrates, CILIP is active in the Regions, through its Branches, as well as maintaining separate offices in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. In addition, the new Framework of Qualifications will mean that CILIP Branches will have a much more active role in the qualifications process, which will be accompanied by increased opportunities to participate in training and development activities. The expected new CILIP web site will shortly enable CILIP to provide a great deal more content to members online, lessening even further the need for personal visits. With regard to training, CILIP has made strenuous efforts in the past to run workshops in the regions, but by and large they have attracted insufficient bookings. A useful alternative is for branches and regional groups to take training workshops on a franchised basis and run them themselves in their area.
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CILIP has started charging for access to information, against its own code of conduct
CILIP has not started charging for any information that was previously free to members, so we asked the contributor to the discussion for further details of his concern. What the contributor is actually referring to is CILIP's email Daily News, Weekly Information World and monthly International Bulletin. There is in fact no question of charging members for these; they are available free to all members on sign-up via the CILIP website. The contributor was objecting to the fact that we tell members that these bulletins are for their personal use only and should not be forwarded to anyone else. This is because they are a specifically CILIP member benefit, paid for by CILIP member subscriptions.
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CILIP should not advertise vacancies at low rates of pay
We have a policy of not censoring job ads, even if they appear to offer unreasonably low rates of pay. Instead we give Members the facts, and let them judge for themselves. However we do include a disclaimer, warning that advertisements do not necessarily meet CILIP's recommended guidelines and explaining that CILIP makes representations to employers where advertised jobs don't meet recommended salary levels.
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CILIP doesn't support members with discussions about salaries
As a professional institute CILIP supports its own Members with the evidence and arguments they need in negotiations with their respective employers. CILIP offers guidance for effective pay negotiation for individuals, and suggests sources of further help, in its leaflet 'Negotiating for Pay'. We suggest arguments that Members can deploy in demonstrating to employers how library and information professionals contribute to the effectiveness of an organization, in the leaflet 'Library and Information Professionals: their value to employers'. We also offer special guidance to school librarians in 'Improving Pay and Status: a School Librarian's Self-Empowerment Pack'. Finally, INFOmatch can advise CILIP Members on current market rates for specified jobs - and CILIP's Advisers can help individual Members with specific issues.
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CILIP says it is not a trade union and will not pass comment on industrial disputes
CILIP and the trade unions have different but complementary roles. Trade unions support their members as employees, where a professional body such as CILIP supports its members as professional practitioners. CILIP members belong to a wide range of unions, including Amicus, Prospect, Unison, First Division Association, National Association of Schoolmasters / Union of Women Teachers, Association of Teachers & Lecturers, National Union of Teachers, and others. By and large, employers don't want to have to negotiate with a different union for each profession; they want to be able to agree pay and conditions with their entire workforce through as few bodies as possible. Trade unions are subject to complex regulations and requirements that are not appropriate to a professional institute, and the Government-appointed Certification Officer would be unlikely to recognise CILIP as a trade union under the statutory definition. However there are occasions when CILIP does meet the parties in specific industrial disputes, to try to demonstrate the value of employing qualified library and information professionals and not compromising service standards for the sake of short term cost saving.
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Is the subscription really worth the money?
As you probably know, CILIP is currently proposing reforms to the current subscription system, moving over a period to a flat rate system as the IIS had. At the moment, CILIP members see their subscriptions continue to increase as their incomes do, even though the range of services doesn't, and that's one of the issues this reform is designed to address. We'll also need to safeguard the interests of members who would otherwise face intolerable increases, so there will be a set of income-related lower rates for those who need it. Once we have the proposed system in place, then we'll be able to grow the membership, reducing the unit cost of serving members as a result. All this depends on a vote in favour at CILIP's AGM in October.
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The LA didn't allow monthly subscription payments
CILIP welcomes payment by Direct Debit in 10 instalments a year and expects to introduce reductions for Direct Debit payments from 2005, similar to the existing Early Bird discounts.
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CILIP should issue its new professional code of practice to government organisations responsible for regulating information.
[I'm still taking advice on this one from CILIP colleagues, so I'll respond to the list again when I have a definitive answer.]
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CILIP seems to have become no more than a training organisation
Training is a very important part of what CILIP does, and our workshops remain highly regarded and very well attended. We recognise only too well that other bodies provide training in this field as well, which is why we strive to ensure that our offerings remain relevant, cost-effective and competitive.
However, there's a great deal more to CILIP than just the training. The best way to see exactly how much is to explore the web site - www.cilip.org.uk <http://www.cilip.org.uk>. But to give an indication how much more there is than simply training, here are the services provided automatically to members within the cost of their subscription:
Qualifications and professional development
- Assessment and accreditation of undergraduate and postgraduate university courses in information and library studies.
- Advice on academic study, professional and other qualifications in library and information work.
- Chartership - full support from expert CILIP staff throughout the process of becoming professionally qualified.
Information and advice
- Dedicated enquiry service for members' personal queries - including free searching of selected commercial databases.
- CILIP Daily News, Weekly Information World and International News Bulletin - member-only email news and current awareness services, direct to CILIP members' desktops (online sign-up required).
- Online access to selected professional journals.
- Confidential one-to-one advice and guidance on professional issues and personal development.
News and comment
- Library & Information Update - CILIP's monthly magazine, with in-depth coverage of professional and industry news and features (also available separately on subscription).
- Library & Information Gazette - CILIP's fortnightly tabloid with news, views, comment and 12 pages of jobs (available to CILIP members only).
Networking and further support
- Free membership of your local CILIP Branch and two special interest groups (others can be joined at nominal charge).
- Exclusive use of CILIP's information centre, with its email and Internet facilities, meeting area and comfortable members' lounge (guests must be accompanied by CILIP members).
- Libex International Library and Information Job Exchange - clearinghouse for UK CILIP members interested in arranging job exchanges with library & information professionals in other countries.
- Online discussion lists for time-saving virtual networking.
- Discounts for members on other CILIP products and services listed below, plus a growing range of exclusive bonus benefits - information and lifestyle.
And here are the further services to which CILIP members have privileged access...
Facet Publishing
CILIP's own publishing house, widely regarded as the best source of quality, timely and useful books for library and information professionals worldwide. Buy currently available titles or see sample chapters online. 20% discount on all titles for CILIP members.
INFOmatch
CILIP's in-house recruitment consultancy, offering services to recruiters and jobseekers. Covers permanent, temporary and contract employment. Open to all, but also offers special job search advice services to CILIP members.
CILIP Training & Development
Comprehensive programme of training workshops and executive briefings, in-house and on-site. Up to 30% discounts for CILIP members.
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Tim Buckley Owen, Head of Membership, Marketing & Media
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]
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CILIP - more services, more advice, more support, more publications, more training, more jobs information, more meeting space, more members. Unbeatable networking opportunities.
Are you getting the most out of your membership?
www.cilip.org.uk - there's more to membership than you think.
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