CILIP | CILIP PAY AND STATUS SURVEY COULD BECOME PATTERN FOR FUTURE : Workplace sector survey developed into "snapshot in time" of information workers in 2002

Workplace sector survey developed into "snapshot in time" of information workers in 2002

News 10/04/03

What began as an initial attempt to gather some general data about the current state of information professionals working in the various workplace sectors quickly developed into a general "snapshot in time" of how information workers felt in 2002, says CILIP's Workplace & Solo Adviser Lyndsay Rees-Jones, compiler of CILIP's newly released Pay and Status Survey. Now available on CILIP's website, the survey contains a wealth of detail on salaries, benefits, working arrangements and views on how information professionals are perceived.

The overwhelming majority of respondents - 428 out of 513 - were CILIP members. "Of those who responded, 257 are Chartered and a further five are Fellows of CILIP, meaning that over half (51%) recognise the validation that the process adds to their skills and marketability," the report continues.

Over half the respondents felt themselves either "valued" or "very valued" in the workplace although, as the survey pointed out, this was not necessarily reflected in the salaries paid. "A sense of value is frequently acknowledged by library and information professionals," the report said, "even though it doesn't translate into financial reward".

Of the 513 respondents, over 300 fitted either into the £15,000-£20,000 or £20,000-£25,000 salary bands. While warning that it was important not to look at these figures in isolation, the report agreed that they were "disheartening". "Given the levels of responsibility and the skills required … this is not acceptable," it said.

"Interestingly, the first fully completed questionnaire was submitted within eight minutes of the survey hitting the lists," says Lyndsay Rees-Jones. Of those who returned the questionnaire, some 343 said that they would be prepared to help CILIP further in its mission to improve the pay and status of library and information professionals, she added. "This is 67% of the total response rate, and belies previous assumptions about the (un)willingness of people to actually commit to working towards a shared objective."

CILIP's Workplace and Information Services Panel has recommended that a similar survey be conducted annually. With a suitably adjusted questionnaire, and the ability to use new software via the web, the future collation of survey results can be faster and more efficient. "What is very evident is the need for a long-term approach to gathering data on the state of work for library and information professionals," the report continues. "Current, regular and accurate statistics on the reality of 21st century working are a powerful weapon in CILIP's armoury as it goes about its work of raising the status and profile of its members and of the wider information sector."

CILIP's Pay and Status Survey 2002 can be found on its website at www.cilip.org.uk/jobs_careers/paysurvey2002.html. The full report is also being broken down into individual sector reports, and they will be available after Easter.

Contact: Tim Buckley Owen, Head of External Relations.
Tel: 020 7255 0652.
Email: tim.buckleyowen@cilip.org.uk

Notes to Editors

CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers, with over 23,500 members working 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.

Updated: 09 August 2004