http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.htm
 
http://www.ala.org/
 
One might consider joining a north american or european association - no need to be parochially british and belong only to CILIP ...
 
http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=Membership&Template=/CustomSource/Membership/Index.cfm
 
"Membership in the American Library Association (ALA) is available to individuals in the United States and abroad who are involved in librarianship or library work; those who are not in library work but wish to support the Association..."
 
http://www.libraryassociation.ie/
 

"The Library Association of Ireland (LAI), founded in 1928, is the professional body representing libraries and those engaged in librarianship and information management in Ireland. Objectives include the promotion of the professional interests of its members, and the promotion and development of high standards of librarianship in Ireland."

 
http://www.libraryassociation.ie/membership/index.htm#assoc
 
http://www.libraryassociation.ie/membership/index.htm
 
LAI "personal membership is open to persons employed in the profession of librarianship (including library assistants) while personal membership is open to those with an interest in the work, progress and welfare of libraries but who are not employed in the profession. "
 
adrian, headingley
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Chartered Library and Information Professionals [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jenny Delasalle
Sent: 11 July 2006 11:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Closure of this List

I am an ex-member, I confess! I joined CILIP when I first qualified and intended to charter. Then I got disillusioned with the chartership process and began to question what I got from my CILIP membership. I decided to take a break from my membership to think about what I actually wanted from my career.
 
My membership of this list (and others) is my way of keeping an eye on what CILIP are up to, in case I should decide that I want to join again. I'm glad that CILIP are revising the way they do things. I think it would be a shame if CILIP were to only engage with its current members, so I hope that they have a plan to keep in contact with potential members as well as offering the communities of practice for current members.
 
I do believe that its a good idea to offer members something that is not offered to non-members, because what do you really get for your membership fee? So I can understand why CILIP want to introduce closed communities of practice. But I think that CILIP should also make the most of all channels of communication with all LIS professionals, including using this list from time to time.
 
CILIP do not have to promote this list, or moderate it or endorse it in any way, but as has been pointed out they have no right to close it or prevent members or non-members' engagement with the list, and in my opinion they should really make the most of its existence in addition to the communities of practice.
 
I suspect that the real issue is that CILIP need to ensure that members do engage with the communities of practice as they will only be of benefit to members if people engage with them. If members are busy engaging with lists like this one, will they also engage with the communities of practice? Perhaps that is why CILIP don't want to support this list any longer.
 
I'm intrigued by the mention of rival organisations. Who are they?!
 
Jenny Delasalle