CILIP Umbrella 2009-1

Some brief notes and thoughts about the four lectures I attended at the conference. 

The Information Society: Does it need the information professions- John Feather

 CILIP’s Body of Professional Knowledge (BPK) underpins the claims of our profession.  However Cilip’s strapline:  

“CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers.”

juxtapsoes professionals and information specialists.

The Information Society today is a golden age for access to information and “a library is no longer first choice gatekeeper of information”.  Therefore why do we need professionals?  A professional is more efficient with a greater knowledge of searches and systems and deeper than this, a professional has the ability to help identify a the needs of a client and satisfy them.

The core schema in CILIP’s BPK is generically applicable to other professions and acknowledges overlaps with other professions.  However we have a unique roll in relation to other professions.  Information Management Programmes don’t seek CILIP’s approval but should they?

The EPSRC website Digital Economy programme does not acknowledge the existence of an Information Profession.  The research agenda crosses out boundaries.  The Information Society needs the insight, knowledge and skills of the professional BUT we cannot bemoan deprofessionalisation as reconfiguration leads to no boundaries which is the defining characteristic of the Information Society.  The focus should shift from qualification to application of professed knowledge.

The World Wide Web has made everyone into an information manager and our knowledge and skills are being lost in a larger domain.  We have a unique contribution to make and need to reclaim the domain in an open-minded way.  We need to project more about what we can bring to the Knowledge Economy.  Research is needed to place our profession within the wider context of society. 

The Value of Collaborations and Partnerships: An International Perspective- Maria Cotera and Shane Godbolt

“Africa has a key role to play in the development of the world” Barack Obama 11th July 2009

Maria and Shane talked through their projects in Africa which fall under the strategic context of “Make Poverty History” and the Librarians contribution to international development in the key areas of EDUCATION, HEALTH and INFORMATION.  IFLA and Phi are doing some inspirational work through collaboration and partnerships.   These projects such as Training Trainers in Africa and the African Prisons Project are innovative, inspirational and allow those involved to gain a wider understanding and context of issues.

These projects illustrate the value of collaboration and emphasise the what is needed to build successful partnerships:

• Appraise local situation and context
• Needs assessment
• Realistic aims and priorities
• Build on what already exists
• Consider culture and religion
• Knowledge and understanding
• Need to work together, value each other and have a positive attitude
• Funding and resources- sustainability
• Advocacy, evaluation and outcomes

When working in collaboration you need to:

• Be flexible
• Locally tailored solutions
• SHARE
• The West can learn from low income country solutions

How can we help?

• Spread the word
• Start collaborations
• Become a friend of Phi
• Become a member of CDG/ ILIG
• Help fundraising
• Become a volunteer host

I found these two talks inspiring.  The first made me think- a lot about the different ideas.  I do value my Library qualification very highly and am currently going through the Chartership process so I like to believe that these have a worth and contribute to professionalism.  However I can fully understand that the boundaries of the job are blurring and we do need to rethink and shout up for our position in this ever-changing Information Society.

The second talk was for me something completely different.  It was inspiring to hear about the projects and the work going on internationally.  I would highly recommend everyone looking at the websites and thinking about small or large ways to help.  Additionally the comments and lessons about partnerships and collaboration were insightful and can be applied to all work daily.   Many of the traits listed for a successful partnership are skills we need to employ everyday, for example in partnership with our managers and clients.

Hello world!

Testing Testing!!  I’m very new to the blogging world so be patient and soon I’ll be unstoppable with insights into libraries, being a librarian and life in general!