Chartered Institute Of Library And Information Professionals Research Articles

Facing Threats to Libraries and Cultural Heritage in the Russia-Ukraine War: A Case Study and Comparative Review of the Library and Information Community’s’ Responses to the Conflict

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded and began a war in Ukraine. After it commenced, the international library and information community began responding. Specifically, formal public-facing response on the conflict were released by the American Library Association (ALA), Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA), Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), Danish Library Association (DLA), European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), Library Association of Latvia (LAL), and New Zealand Library Association Inc. (LIANZA). Chronicling and describing the international library and information community’s first public-facing responses addressing Russia’s war in Ukraine is the main objective of this article. Drawing upon a combined policy and thematic analysis of some of these first formal public responses, the article aims are to help account, review, and contextualize the ways in which this community considered the war during its first week and, in turn, reveal areas or issues of convergence or divergence between them. Specifically, it provides a snapshot in time revealing the international library and information community’s immediate perspectives and positions on the war during its earliest stages. For instance, the formal public responses released by the ALA, ALIA, CFLA, CILIP, DLA, EBLIDA, IFLA, LAL, and LIANZA during the war’s first week demonstrates international concern about the conflict and its affects on their Ukrainian counterparts and cultural heritage. Broad thematic convergence surfaces across the responses. Almost all plead for solutions to and resolution of the war. A majority offer solidarity for Ukrainian colleagues and all Ukrainians, support democracy and freedom of expression, asseverate for spreading accurate information about the war, and condemn Russia’s assault. Additional themes appearing in some of the responses include assisting Ukrainian refugees and displaying dismay regarding threats confronting Ukrainian cultural heritage.

A quantitative review of LIS programs accredited by ALA and CILIP under contemporary technology advancement

PurposeAdvancements in technology have led to many changes in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). As global communications and technology continue to become more available and sophisticated, LIS programs need to prepare students for employment in rapidly changing and globalized LIS professions.Design/methodology/approachData from a total of 63 programs from the American Library Association (ALA) and 32 programs from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) was collected through openly accessible websites of these programs. Areas explored include program name, name and level of the academic unit offering the program, credit hours, required courses, percentage of required courses and capstone measurements used within the different LIS programs.FindingsA majority of programs still preserve the keyword “Library” in their name, but not the academic units offering them. Most programs in ALA and CILIP follow a semester-based program. Research methods, internships, practical experience, combined with traditional library core and information technology requirements were found to constitute the major subjects in general. Comprehensive exams were replaced by e-portfolios among ALA programs while a dissertation remains the preferred choice of capstone requirement for CILIP.Originality/valueScant studies compare accredited LIS programs worldwide, motivating the study of the similarities, differences and trends of LIS programs under the current globalized technology-driven knowledge economy. This paper seeks to fill the literature gap and promote a global discussion and understanding of LIS curricula in different regions of the world, guiding potential students to select their suitable LIS programs.

"Insufficient Degrees of Representation": Examining Racial Diversity and Book Prizes in UK Children's Publishing

"Insufficient Degrees of Representation":Examining Racial Diversity and Book Prizes in UK Children's Publishing Rhiannon Tripp (bio) Measuring the success of a book is a difficult task. Does success mean high sales figures? A large readership? Review space in national media? The idea of success is inherently intangible; a book can sell over a million copies, yet still be considered "dull and poorly written" by critics, as was the case with E. L. James' Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy (Dowd). Book prizes seem to offer a solution to this problem as they confer financial and critical acclaim upon one book above all others. However, book prizes raise their own set of problems, namely, who gets to choose which books are consecrated and what external factors influence the consecration process. It is in answering these questions that the issue of representation arises, and in particular the question of whether authors of color1 are fairly represented. The lack of representation of people of color within children's literature has long been acknowledged in the United States—particularly with the We Need Diverse Books campaign, publisher Lee and Low's diversity baseline survey and the annual publishing statistics provided by the Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison—but the issue has only recently come to prominence in the United Kingdom. The quote in the title of this article is taken from a 2018 report published by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), which examined the representation of people of color in UK children's books ("Reflecting Realities 2017"). Their follow-up 2019 report established that, of the children's books published in the UK in 2018, only 7 percent featured BAME characters, and 4 percent featured a BAME main character ("Reflecting Realities 2018" 5). When compared with the fact that BAME children make up 33.1 percent of the UK's school population, it is clear that children of color are being underrepresented. [End Page 136] Melanie Ramdarshan Bold has described the lack of representation as a cycle, which means that if children of color do not see themselves as main characters or authors of books, it becomes less likely that they will grow up to write books of their own, centered around their own stories ("Representation of People of Colour" 13). Furthermore, American scholar Rudine Sims Bishop states that books function both as windows that allow children to see into another world, and as mirrors through which they can understand their lived experience as "part of the larger human experience" (ix–xi). Books are therefore a vital part of children's development and every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. I work as a children's bookseller at Waterstones, and I have seen the impact book prizes can have on encouraging customers to either buy or talk about a particular book, specifically the Waterstones Children's Book Prize (WCBP) and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)'s Carnegie Medal (CM). The WCBP is heavily promoted within all Waterstones branches, with shops dedicating either tables or full displays to it for over a month. Booksellers are encouraged to talk about the prize with customers, and the winning book becomes a Book of the Month, with large displays devoted to it. Waterstones does not promote the CM to the same extent as it promotes its own prize, however the winning books are re-issued by the publisher with a gold stamp on the cover and this can help customers identify the Carnegie winners more easily. In my experience, informing customers that a book has won an award makes them more likely to buy it—especially parents overwhelmed by reading lists who can use awards as a way to choose the "higher quality" books. Thus, the exclusion of authors of color from this form of consecration implies that their stories are not important, and this can have a negative impact on children of color. Sims Bishop states that if children do not see themselves reflected in books, they learn an enduring lesson about how they are "devalued in the society of which they are a...

Rare Book and Special Collections in Overview: Producing a National Directory

Describing library collections by location is nothing new. In the mid-nineteenth century, Luther Farnham published A Glance at Private Libraries, about libraries in the Boston area of the United States. Reginald Arthur Rye produced his highly praised Students’ Guide to the Libraries of London in England just over fifty years later. That we, no less than our forebears, value such discovery tools collocating collections is evident from their continued publication, whether in print or, more recently, electronic form. National, annual library directories still produced include The American Library Directory. In Britain, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)’s Libraries and Information Services in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a list of libraries by sector with contact details, remains available.

Mapping the UK information workforce in the library, archives, records, information management, knowledge management and related professions

ABSTRACTA workforce mapping project was carried out in the UK between August 2014 and October 2015. It was commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and the Archives and Records Association (ARA) to enhance understanding of the nation's workforce in Library, Archives, Records, Information Management, Knowledge Management and related professional roles. Based on the statistical analysis of secondary data sources such as the UK Labour Force Survey, as well as responses to an online survey, a long‐needed data baseline was produced by a project team of six from Edinburgh Napier University. Key findings relate to an estimated population of 86,376 workers, their general demographics, qualifications and memberships and the diversity of the population as a whole. Of particular interest are the findings on pay differences and seniority according to gender, and the low ethnic diversity of the population surveyed.

Association for Library Collections and Technical Services Annual Report 2010–11

This was a productive year for the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), with some outstanding offerings in continuing education that energized and engaged the membership. Second Annual Preservation Week April 24-30, 2011, was the second annual Preservation Week, sponsored by ALCTS in cooperation with the Library of Congress and the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Preservation Week aims primarily to advocate for preserving the cultural heritage of families and individuals, thus helping to preserve the nation's cultural heritage. More than one hundred libraries (up from seventy the first year) contributed their events to the Preservation Week website (www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alcts/confevents/preswk), and more than 1,800 people attended the free webinars on selecting and preserving digital memories, protecting and saving family treasures, and protecting future access. These webinar recordings continue to be available free on the ALCTS webinar site (www .ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alcts/confevents/upcoming/webinar). The third annual Preservation Week will be held April 22-29, 2012. Continuing Education The ALCTS webinars have been extremely popular. Twenty-nine webinars on a wide variety of topics, including Resource Discovery and Access (RDA), institutional repositories, intellectual property issues, collection management, weeding, copyright, electronic resources, and linked library data, were held this year, with more than 4,000 attendees. ALCTS continues to offer four online web courses throughout the year, which also have been well-attended. Most popular by far have been the ALCTS e-forums, held about once per month. These two-day online chats with defined topics are free and open to all. They have attracted participation from both members and nonmembers and covered topics such as job hunting, patron-driven acquisitions, digital preservation, and cataloging research. This model for engaging the library community in discussions has now been emulated by our colleagues in the United Kingdom, who initiated their own Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Cataloging Interest Group (CIG) e-forum to discuss RDA after consulting with the ALCTS e-forum coordinator. ALCTS Serials: Library Resources and Technical Services and ALCTS Newsletter Online ALCTS' peer reviewed journal, Library Resources and Technical Services (LRTS), is making strides toward becoming available electronically. We hope to announce its availability to members in the fall. Peggy Johnson continues as editor. The ALCTS Newsletter Online (ANO) is issued quarterly to provide news to the ALCTS membership. Mary Beth Weber completed her two terms (six years) as editor in June 2011. Division Reorganization The results of last year's member survey on reshaping the division structure were examined by a task group, which recommended moving forward with incremental steps rather than drastic changes. The steps taken this year include reorganization and streamlining the Collection Management and Development Section (CMDS), which became the Collection Management Section (CMS) in June 2011. The Council on Regional Groups disbanded and reformed as the ALCTS Affiliate Relations Committee effective July 2011. The Cataloging and Classification Section (CCS) became the Cataloging and Metadata Management Section (CaMMS) at the same time. Dale Swensen accepted appointment as the first ALCTS Interest Group Coordinator for a three-year term. …

Methods for demonstrating the value of public libraries in the UK: a literature review

This paper summarises the findings of a report commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals' (CILIP) Library and Information Research Group (LIRG) to produce a comprehensive review of existing quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies for demonstrating the value of public libraries in the United Kingdom (UK). 
 A thorough literature review of existing research was carried out and an investigation into best practices for evaluating impact was conducted. A wide range of journals and books published within the fields of library and information science and social research have been consulted. Relevant White Papers and Reviews; such as those published by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC); the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the Department of Culture, Sport and Media (DCMS); and the American Library Association (ALA) have been analysed. Additional online searches helped to identify models of best practice; and the most up to date methods currently in use for measuring value outside of the UK. 
 During the early stages of the literature review it became clear that a limited amount of research has been carried out in the UK field of public library valuation. Although academic researchers at Loughborough, Sheffield and Strathclyde University have published various journal articles and reports on this topic there is a lack of evidence that local authorities have been implementing the methodologies that the academics have recommended. Although it is possible that some local authorities may be working in isolation to implement bespoke evaluation methodologies it has been difficult to uncover examples of best practice in the UK. Therefore, as the literature review progressed the author expanded beyond the UK public library sector, and into the broader areas of economics, sociology and psychology. This enabled a more thorough understanding of the increase in evaluations, incentives, benchmarking, objective setting, accountability; and social and economic auditing. 
 It is anticipated that the findings of this research will help the sector to develop more appropriate models for demonstrating the value of public libraries in the 21st century. 
 The original report was compiled in June 2010.

Recent Trends in UK Prison Libraries

The purpose of this article is to explore and explain the significant developments and trends in prison libraries over the last thirty years. The article includes sections on legislation affecting prison libraries, staffing arrangements, roles and responsibilities of HMP (Her Majesty's Prison) Service, and UK Local Authorities. The work of the Prison Libraries Group (PrLG) of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is examined in detail, as are the management of prison libraries and the methods of inspections and audits. The article examines the challenges of trying to engage an often disaffected population with diverse needs. Training requirements and opportunities for prison staff are investigated, as this is a crucial element in prison library work. The article concludes that the prison library is at the heart of the prisoners' learning journey by assisting in functional and emotional literacy. Not only can the prison library help to bridge the digital divide and increase prisoners ICT skills, it also can instill a love of books and reading through exciting reader development projects. The author hopes that funding for prison libraries continues at its present level in order to maintain an excellent service to prisoners and to ensure that providers are able to deliver an affordable service within a reasonable timeframe. The article will be of interest to prison library staff, local authority staff with responsibility for library services to prison facilities, and library and information science students.

EditorialKeeping information centre stage amid changing scenery

AbstractWith conference season upon us, consideration is given to the importance of subject‐specific and library association conferences. The biennial Health Libraries Group (HLG) conference meets both these criteria and takes place in Greater Manchester in July. The conference provides an opportunity for peer‐to‐peer learning, identifying new trends and professional rejuvenation. An open invitation is given to attend the Health Information and Libraries Journal‘Writing for Publication’ workshop at the HLG conference. An overview of three bursaries available from the Health Libraries Group and Library and Information Research, both groups of the UK Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is provided. The bursaries offer opportunities to cover the costs of registration and travel expenses to national and international conference.

LIS researchers and practitioners: creating a research culture

The LIS research landscape: a review and prognosis, was a short research project initiated in response to a request from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). The overall aim of the project was to review LIS domain research over the past five years (1997-2002) and to make a prognosis for research over the next three years (2002-2005). This exercise identified a number of issues of concern to those involved in research in the LIS domain. One of the most interesting recurring themes to emerge was the need to ensure that research is disseminated effectively within and beyond the LIS domain and to provide mechanisms to allow findings to feed into practice. This article describes the issues surrounding this strand of the review.

Teachability: creating accessible learning and teaching in information skills

Teachability: creating accessible learning and teaching in information skills

Training and Learning – Outcomes, Not Outputs

Presents comments on selected findings of the Business Information Resources Survey 2004 in light of the experiences of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), which felt particularly satisfied that it emerged from the survey as the most popular training organization as it spent the first two years of its existence (following its creation from the merger between the Library Association (LA) and the Institute of Information Scientists (IIS)) trying to achieve this goal. The survey also confirms one of CILIP’s own findings, that the relevance/appropriateness of a topic is what determines the success of a course rather than the place or the price. It is the appropriateness of the programme that has attracted professionals from the special library sector, at the expense of traditional training sources such as Aslib and TFPL, and caused it to increase its profile significantly over the past two years. Although the BIR survey highlighted the fact that people want skills, not accreditation, many do find it rewarding to receive recognition for their commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) and this is why CILIP plans to introduce a new Framework of Qualifications, in March 2005, to enable more people to gain accreditation for their skills, knowledge and expertise.

Inspired! Award‐winning library marketing

Following restructuring at Oxford Brookes University Library, several functional groups – including a marketing group – were established. The marketing group’s successes include a highly effective outreach programme at Freshers’ Fair. Learning from its first stall in 2000, the group’s 2001 campaign focused on promoting the newly re‐launched Library Web site. The Inspiration Campaign used striking images of Newton’s apple, Rodin’s The Thinker, a penny dropping and a light bulb plus the message “inspiration … available now from the library” to promote the library’s Web address. This message was reinforced by library staff giving out apples and stickers at Freshers’ Fair. The campaign proved highly successful with the number of hits on the site tripling in a year. The Inspiration Campaign was entered in the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)/Emerald Public Relations and Publicity Awards for a “promotional campaign with a budget under £500”. The Inspiration Campaign won.

Raising issues of salaries and status for library/information professionals

Focuses on the issue of raising the profile and status of librarians, with emphasis on higher salaries and recognition through pay equity. Considers the issues taken up by Mitch Freedman, President of the American Library Association (ALA) and his Campaign for America’s Librarians. Expresses viewpoints on salary issues for librarians/information professionals in the context of the USA and UK, drawn both from an impassioned speech delivered by Mitch Freedman and from the findings of a pay and status survey conducted by The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and CILIP’s consequent response.

Doing the right thing: professional ethics for information workers in Britain

The absence of a formal code of ethics for librarians in Britain until 1983 meant that ethical values were passed on by example rather than precept. Increased interest in ethical issues in the 1970s, when the profession was seen as in crisis, resulted in discussions within the Library Association and a draft code was issued in 1981. Despite strong criticism of the draft, it became the basis of the formal Library Association code. It has seldom been tested as a disciplinary instrument. Renewed interest in ethical issues and the need for a Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) code, after the creation of the new organisation in 2002, have returned codes into the area of debate. It is suggested that a new code, rather than standing alone, might form part of a group of related codes from other organisations, all of which could be endorsed by CILIP. This would be intended to encourage ethical maturity in the profession, rather than simply acting as a basis for professional discipline.

The Role of Professional Body Accreditation in Library & Information Science Education in the UK

This paper first describes the accreditation instrument currently used by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), then considers some aspects of the future relationship between this professional body and Library & Information Science (LIS) education and training in the UK. A convergence of interests between CILIP and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education is discussed, notably with reference to subject benchmarking and the need to expand the traditional boundaries of LIS in order to encompass the interests of the archives, records management and museum communities. The paper also considers the impact on the information profession of certain aspects of Government policy in Higher Education, including lifelong learning and the expansion in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The paper concludes with reference to a scoping exercise to be undertaken by CILIP in order to redefine professional territory and establish a new accreditation instrument.