CILIP’s response to the Comprehensive Spending Review
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals has expressed grave concerns about the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on UK library and information services.
Annie Mauger, CILIP’s Chief Executive, commented: “In times of hardship, the benefits that library and information services bring to society are needed more than ever. I don’t believe that the government wants the legacy of demolishing our library and information services. No government should want to lose something so fundamental, and all it represents to a free, fair and democratic society.”
It seems likely that the cuts announced in the CSR will impact on all sectors of the library and information community, and in every part of the UK.
Ms Mauger stressed CILIP’s unique role “as an independent voice for the library, information and knowledge sector and those who work in it”. CILIP will support the library and information profession, and advocate their value to decision makers and influencers. CILIP will campaign for the value of good libraries and good information. CILIP will campaign on how bleak the future would be without the tools that people need for literacy, access to information and growth of knowledge.
CILIP will continue to respond to the CSR and in a variety of ways, as the impact of the announcements becomes clearer. A panel has been set up to monitor the impact of the recession on all sectors of library and information services in England. Members can report service cuts and the panel will then judge them against a published set of criteria. If proposals for cuts do not measure up to the criteria then further action includes lobbying decision makers, partnering with other groups and generating publicity.
Annie Mauger delivered her reaction to the CSR at the CILIP Public Libraries Authorities Conference. Read the full speech. The conference attracts Heads of Library Services and local authority leaders from across the UK.
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Press contact:
Mark Taylor, Head of Corporate Marketing and Media Relations, CILIP
Tel: 020 7255 0650
Mobile: 07792 635 305
Email: mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk