by Jennifer A. Devine

Going into the CILIP Conference, I expected to explore where my interests lie within the library profession, to learn and to meet some like-minded people.  What I did not expect was to be so moved and to feel such a strong sense of pride and camaraderie at being part of this profession. 

Though the keynote speeches with the discussion of professionalism and the future of libraries were fascinating and informative, it was in the first two elective sessions and the keynote by Tracie D Hall where I found the strongest connection.  The level of activism and advocacy within the profession is extraordinary.  While I knew this in theory from CILIP’s PKSB, the use of language in CILIP’s Ethical Framework and from coursework in the Masters, to see how these principles played out in practice was inspiring. 

The first elective session was “Libraries for Sustainability – the Role of Librarianship in a Green Economy”.  The three speakers (Bridget McKenzie, Harri Saharvirta and Dr Petra Hauke) spoke of specific interventions and the role of libraries in education and promotion of a green economy. 

Bridget McKenzie spoke of the need for libraries to be looking for ways to promote green practices.  She gave examples of how libraries could develop eco-capacities, promote a regenerative economy as well as demonstrate a ‘possitopian’ mind-set.  The ‘possitopian’ mind-set is one which explores a range of possibilities without being either dystopian or utopian.  ‘Eco-capacities’ refer to a range of abilities from eco-literacy, to physical skills.   Some interventions for libraries to be a proactive part of sustainability would be: to provide space for activism, to create maker spaces, to expand the concept of the library of things, to establish gardens of knowledge.

Harri Sahavirta shared the results of a study conducted in his home country of Finland.  The work explored what roles libraries could play in the green economy.  The conclusion of his work was that in terms of actual practices, the impact that librarians could have on structural issues was limited.  However, the great value lay in the promotion of education, clarifying the message, providing high quality information, making sure goals are clear and reiterating the message that every deed matters. 

Dr Petra Hauke made the link between the United Nation’s [UN] Sustainable Development Goals [SDG] and the role for libraries. UN SDG 13 refers to climate action, but Dr Hauke showed how many of these goals were linked.  She shared the IFLA’s Map of the World where libraries can share projects tied to specific UN SDGs. Examples were shared of effective projects.  In Ireland, the keys to success for the ‘Think Globally, Act Locally’ campaign at a University library were identified as: having specific goals, creating strong signage that carried this message, using email and social to inform public and promote campaigns.  In Croatia, One library promoted a rolling programme of ‘greentivities’, including workshops about recycling, reusing and minimising waste.

In the second of the elective sections “The everyday activists of our profession who are driving change”, three presenters each explored an aspect of inclusion and how they are promoting change in their libraries.  The CILIP document ‘Libraries, Information and Knowledge Change Lives’ was referenced as a driver for these projects.

Marilyn Clarke shared the project at Goldsmith’s with her work de-colonising the curriculum, including how to engage students, promote the project and make it transparent.  She also shared how resources were selected and procured.

Adenike Johnson explained how she promotes more inclusive spaces for the BAME community in her Islington library, including ensuring that there is not just Black History month, but that resources and projects are highlighted all year round.  Angela Short spoke about how libraries support people who are unemployed or on universal credit in their search for employment.  The need to upskill applicants and provide access was underlined as a key factor to encouraging people to re-enter the workspace.  To implement a fully supportive parallel programme, she recommends: staff training, promoting partnership with relevant agencies, having procedures in place, remembering that any increase in confidence is significant and that libraries are a lifeline.

The opportunity to hear all the speakers during the day, but especially these 6 speakers in the first 2 elective sessions, was heartening, inspiring and empowering.  Since the conference, I have sought out not only some of the speakers to make contacts, but also have begun to examine many of the position papers and documents referenced in the talks. I look forward to taking this new knowledge and understanding forward into my dissertation and my professional life.  I would like to thank the CDEG committee for the opportunity to attend this conference.