Like Frances I've been thinking hard about Bob McKee's posting, but now I
don't need to respond because she's said everything I wanted to, better than
I could have. I agree with every word.
I also like Sue's idea, and would be extremely happy to be involved in such
a project.
Diana Nutting
Information Liaison Manager
Business Link for London
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Lacey Bryant [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 25 February 2005 09:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Communication and advocacy
I was delighted to see Tim Buckley Owen's press release yesterday re Bangor
and to read from Bob McKee of CILIPs intention to better inform members,
publicising the work being led by Ridgmount Street more fully via the
website.
I'm conscious that a number of specailised information services, at least,
will face a similar challenge to CILIP - wanting to demonstrate the value
they add, when much of their really good work is 'backstage' and of a
confidential nature challenge. Also, of course, that members have tremendous
potential to modernise services, and transform organisations (and the lives
of individuals) through knowledge sharing, informaing decision-making with
high quality information, raising information skills and literacy (etc!) -
yet many services feel threatened.
So, I wonder if CILIP might grasp an opportunity here? In taking a strategic
approach, planned over time, to tackle the challenges that CILIP faces in
communicating the benefits it offers to stakeholders (us) might the central
team research, model approaches and then disseminate evidence about impact
and best practice, offer insights into what worked and what didn't. train
and mentor the membership, on how we can be more effective in meeting
comparable challenges at local and national level?
What do you think Bob? As you respond to the communication challenges of
what may be perceived as dwindling support and lack of engagement with
stakeholders (perhaps with the risk of the whole central service losing
funding and feeling sidelined) could CILIP take this forward as a form of
action research on behalf of the membership - making a commitment to roll
out the key lessons from "the CILIP experience" so that we can all 'raise
our game' too? Turning things round in this way would provide a launch pad
for CILIP (as a central staff and as a membership) to become more effective
at advocacy and communications, to improve the overall profile of
information professionals and the services we delive - and more than that to
safeguard their continued value and contribution to the outcome for
students, users, industry, public service, the economy ...
Sue
Sue Lacey Bryant - BA Hons, Dip Lib, MSc, MCLIP
Independent Information Specialist
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Mob: 0 777 34 77 55 2
"Knowledge is the ultimate weapon"
Zander, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
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