Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is a professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 2002 by the merger of the Library Association, founded in 1877, and the Institute of Information Scientists, established in 1958. The Library Association had been awarded a Royal Charter in 1898 and offered professional qualifications such as Associate and Fellow. CILIP’s headquarters are now in the British Library in London, having previously been based at 7 Ridgmount Street in a purpose-built 1965 building. CILIP is worth visiting because it represents a profession that puts information and library skills at the heart of a democratic society. Its campaigns include My Library By Right, which publicises local authorities’ statutory duty to provide library services. The institute also awards the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals for children’s books, recognising outstanding contributions to literature. CILIP hosts an annual conference with speakers such as Dr Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress in the US. Its publications include the monthly journal Information Professional and Facet Publishing. Visitors to CILIP find a professional body that supports continuing development through accredited degree courses and registration levels such as Chartered Member and Chartered Fellow. The institute maintains archives held by University College London Special Collections. CILIP in Scotland operates independently under a service level agreement, working with bodies like the Scottish Library and Information Council. Special interest groups organise conferences such as the annual Librarians’ Information Literacy Conference.