About us

The School Libraries Group (SLG) of The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) affirms that school libraries and school library services are fundamental to the development of a literate population able to participate fully in a thriving democracy, culture, civilization and economy. The SLG is therefore fully committed to enabling its members to achieve and maintain the highest professional standards, and encouraging and supporting them in the delivery and promotion of high quality library and information services responsive to the needs of users.

Strategic Objectives

• to act as advocates for school librarians and librarians working in School Library Services (Advocacy);
• to encourage and facilitate the continuing professional development of all members (Education);
• to improve links with other special interest groups within Cilip and organisations in the wider profession (Building communities);
• to rebuild a strong national committee and ensure the continuation of the regional sub-groups (Effectiveness);
• to improve communication with the membership (Effectiveness).

Aims

• to promote and support the development of well-resourced and professionally managed library resource centres in schools;
• to promote the development of reading for pleasure, of information literacy, and of e-learning;
• to enhance and promote the status of school librarians;
• to promote and support the role of schools library services;
• to provide appropriate advice, information, guidance and training opportunities relevant to school libraries;
• to liaise with local, national and international organisations in order to promote the role of school libraries, school library staff and schools library services.

Objectives

1. Education and Training

• to provide training opportunities through courses, seminars and talks at locations throughout the UK;
• to support the role of local branches and groups in providing training for members;
• to contribute an SLG agenda to the Umbrella Conference;
  to plan for an SLG national conference.

2. Promotion and Marketing

• to promote the role of school libraries and library services by initiating and responding to public debate on relevant issues;
• to support and raise awareness of educational change and national initiatives;
• to note the significance of appropriate conferences, exhibitions and national events;
• to maintain, develop and promote the SLG pages on the CILIP Website;
  to maintain the SLG Display Boards;
• to maintain the publication of 'School Libraries in View' ('SLiV');
• to remain in contact will all members of SLG to make them aware of the work of the Group.

3. Partnership and Advocacy

• to contribute fully to the work of the CILIP in promoting school library issues;
• to play an equal part in the management and work of CILIP/SLA Forum;
• to represent Group members through attendance at CILIP Council;
• to represent the Group at the Youth and Schools Panel of CILIP;
• to liaise with other CILIP Groups on areas of joint concern;
• to liaise with IFLA and other international agencies as
  appropriate.

4. SLG National Committee and Branches

• to continue to oversee and manage the development and financial viability of the group through quarterly meetings of the national (UK) committee;
• to continue to support the development of regional branches and groups.