Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)

Introduction: 

The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP) is the 

leading professional body for librarians, information specialists, and knowledge managers in the

 United Kingdom. CILIP was formed on 1st April 2002 by the merger of the Library Association 

(abbreviated as LA or sometimes LAUK) – founded in 1877 and the Institute

of Information Scientists, founded in 1958.

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) is 

the Scottish arm of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. 

CILIPS is the professional body for librarians and information specialists working in Scotland 

and represents members from across sectors: academic, public, and school libraries as well as 

commercial, health, and voluntary organizations.

Aims and Objectives: 

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) 

CILIP’s vision is a fair and economically prosperous society underpinned by literacy, access 

to information, and the transfer of knowledge. CILIP’s policy is to improve all aspects of 

professional practice through its work in education, maintaining a framework of universally 

recognized qualifications, and providing a wide range of opportunities for Continuing Professional 

Development (CPD).

Membership: 

Membership is not compulsory for practice, but members can work towards 

Chartered Membership which entitles them to the postnominal letters MCLIP, and subsequently

 toward Fellowship (FCLIP). Affiliated members can also obtain ACLIP upon completing 

certification. Honorary Fellowship (HonFCLIP or FCLIP (hc), a qualification akin to an 

honorary degree, is granted to a small number of people who have rendered distinguished 

service to the profession. CILIP has 13,470 members as of May 2014.

Functions and Activities: 

The functions and activities of CILIP’s are

a) Resource Description and Access: 

 The American Library Association, the Australian 

Committee on Cataloguing, the British Library, the Canadian Committee on Cataloguing, 

Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), and the Library of Congress 

constitute Joint Steering Committee. The Joint Steering Committee for Development of RDA (JSC)

 is responsible for maintaining Resource Description and Access (RDA). JSC was previously 

responsible for the maintenance of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR). 

RDA is published by the American Library Association, the Canadian Library Association, 

and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

b) Accreditation of Degrees in the UK: 

CILIP accredits degree programs in library and information

science at universities in the UK, including Aberystwyth University, City University, London, 

Loughborough University, the Manchester Metropolitan University, the Robert Gordon University, 

the University of Sheffield and University College London.

c) Seminars / Conferences: 

CILIP hosts a conference every two years called "Umbrella" 

The title is abbreviated from "Under One UmbrelLA" (containing 'LA' the acronym of the Library 

Association).

d) Awards: 

CILIP is best known to the general public for awarding the Carnegie and Kate 

Greenaway Medals for children's books.

e) Publications: 

CILIP publishes a monthly magazine, including listings of job vacancies. 

CILIP Update contains news, comment, and features from the library and information sectors

Lisjobnet (http://www.lisjobnet.com) is the magazine’s recruitment website, 

providing the latest online library and information jobs. CILIP also runs a publishing imprint,

 Facet Publishing.

Conclusion: 

CILIP’s policy is to improve all aspects of professional practice through 

its work in education, maintaining a framework of universally recognized qualifications. 

In 2002 CILIP undertook a review of its qualifications framework. The new Framework of 

Qualifications were launched in April 2005. It is designed to be flexible and adaptable, 

as the areas will evolve and develop over time to accommodate changing needs. 

The framework consists of four levels – certification, chartership, revalidation, and fellowship. 

Certification provides recognition from the association for library and information work 

by para-professionals. Chartership is CILIP's standard for information professionals. 

Chartered members are entitled to use post-nominal letters and describe themselves 

as qualified library and information professionals.

Reference:-

 Barman, B. (2020). A comprehensive book on Library and Information Science. New Publications.