Why get involved with CSG?

 Jane Barnes, Reader Services Officer, RNIB explains why she decided to become a  committee member

One of my main objectives is to become more professionally involved in CILIP activities, not only for the chance to network and share common experiences but also to learn new skills and find out what’s happening in the wider library world. CSG was an obvious choice as I had been a continuous member of this group since 1993 and I thought it was time to give something back. Of all the special interest groups I’ve tried, my heart has always been with CSG. 

Making the first initial step isn’t the easiest thing to do, but my opportunity arose when I was fortunate to win a place in 2010 at the Libraries Change Lives Award, one of the major gems in the library world and something that CSG should be rightly proud of. Afterwards I wrote a piece for their quarterly newsletter. There was a plea at the end of one of their emails asking for volunteers to join the committee so I decided to take the plunge and quickly emailed back to say that I was interested.

The first meeting was daunting walking into a room of complete strangers for the first time but I was made to feel very welcome and felt better once I had an opportunity to join in on a couple of debates. I have attended 3 meetings so far. The February meeting had the added bonus of the Annual AGM and the workshop - Public Libraries and Social Justice - which gave everyone an opportunity to share good practice. I’ve also written an article on MANIL (Make a noise in libraries) for the quarterly newsletter. Although you don’t need to be a committee member to do this, I hadn’t considered contributing anything before. I’m hoping that the longer I’m on the Committee, the professional network links I make and the more knowledge I pick up about the internal workings of CSG, the more I will be able to contribute in the future.

The meetings are held at the CILIP HQ from around 11.00 to 4.00 and the travel fees are reimbursed. I am fortunate that I am given time off from work to attend. I’ve enjoyed my experience so far on being on the Committee. It’s a real joy to work with a group of people with real enthusiasm for CSG and the library profession as a whole. The meetings offers a platform for individuals to express their views and concerns and encourages healthy debate as we all have differing knowledge and experience to share.

Perhaps one of the biggest things I’ve picked up since joining the Committee is how much I’ve learnt about the workings of CILIP and the network of the special interest groups and local branches as a whole. The restructure and financial constraints of CILIP has meant that Special Interest Groups including CSG are now having to consider ways of having to redefine themselves in order to survive for their future.

I’ve joined at a challenging time for libraries with the massive budget cuts and the concept of “Big Society” overriding current policies and these could have a long term and damaging effect to the library world. Joining CSG is not just a way of professional development but offers a real opportunity to make a contribution towards the future of libraries in an era of uncertainty.