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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  Email: [log in to unmask]

News from CILIP
Monday 19 April 2004
For immediate release  (Please copy to online discussion lists)

NEW E-MAIL BULLETIN KEEPS CILIP MEMBERS BRIEFED ON INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ISSUES

"Information society is a global society" says leading organisation for library and information professionals

European domain names, the World Summit on the Information Society and a new campaign to promote reading across southern Africa - just a flavour of the issues that library and information professionals can expect to read about in the new International Bulletin, being launched by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals at the Library+information Show on Thursday April 22.

Available by email every month, International Bulletin will enable any of CILIP's 22,000-plus members to keep abreast of developments in the information society and the knowledge economy worldwide.  The Bulletin's short, punchy reports will include links to web sites wherever possible, enabling users to follow up the details instantly.

"The environment in which information professionals operate is increasingly being shaped by global factors," says Julie Robinson, CILIP's International Officer and the Bulletin's editor. "The advent of the global village, and especially the Internet, mean that people and information have become connected in new, increased and exciting ways.  Many in CILIP are concerned about how the global information society is developing, and the socio-economic and political implications."

Each issue of CILIP's International Bulletin will focus on four main topics.  Information World will report significant news from the world of information, covering issues such as the Digital Divide and ICT in developing countries. EuroAlert will focus on the European Union as it approaches the single biggest enlargement in its history. There will be a watching brief on the World Summit on the Information Society, including the vital issue of Internet governance. And each bulletin will conclude with useful items such as links to funding opportunities in Europe, useful resources, and significant events coming up.

In addition, International Bulletin readers will have the opportunity to win a prize worth £20 by nominating their Website of the Month.  CILIP will give the winner £20 towards either purchasing a Facet publication or attending a CILIP training event.  "We're inviting readers to state in not more than 100 words why they think the site they have recommended should be chosen," says Julie Robinson. CILIP's International and Information Services staff will make the final decision.

 
International Bulletin joins the existing Daily News Bulletin and Weekly Information World as the third in CILIP's range of email alerting bulletins.  "It won't duplicate what already appears in the other email bulletins, or in CILIP's Update and Gazette magazines," Julie confirms.  Feedback to a recent survey on CILIP e-bulletins showed people asking for more international news, and the new bulletin is the result.  "Many CILIP members are interested in having an easy way to keep up to date with key international developments," she concludes. "Because the Information Society is a global society."

CILIP members can sign up to receive International Bulletin straight away by going to www.cilip.org.uk and following the link in the Sign-up! box to International Bulletin.

Contact:        Tim Buckley 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 around 22,000 members working in all sectors.  For more information about CILIP, please go to www.cilip.org.uk. CILIP's International Bulletin will be launched at the Library+information Show, which takes place at London's ExCel on 21st and 22nd April.  Come and join CILIP staff on stand B36 for coffee or a glass of wine, and find out more about how CILIP membership can keep you informed and employable.  For more information about the Show, go to www.lishow.co.uk.

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