Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)

Abstract

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists, and knowledge managers in the United Kingdom. It has members both in the UK and in approximately 100 countries throughout the world. Its members work 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 was formed in April 2002 as a result of the unification of the Library Association (founded in 1877) and the Institute of Information Scientists. CILIP is the only body in the United Kingdom to accredit university courses in library and information studies, and its Royal Charter empowers it to award Chartered professional status to Members who fulfill its professional criteria. CILIP is governed by a Council and an Executive Board, supported by a number of special Committees, Panels, and Boards. It provides a full range of services to its members, details of which can be found on its web site at http://www.cilip.org.uk. In 2008 CILIP included approximately 21,000 members and offered its services to approximately 15,000 people engaged in library and information work who are regular customers of CILIP Enterprises