CDEG bursary recipient Corin Peacock shares their experiences of CILIP Conference 2022

Attending the CILIP conference as a soon-to-graduate library student has been the highlight of my degree. Having never attended a conference before – or any in-person CILIP event – I had no idea what to expect. It was like going to a museum for the first time as a child: I was almost overwhelmed by the range of new and fascinating things arrayed before me!

My first impression upon walking in was that it was like a freshers’ fair tailored to my interests. Thirty-one stalls showcased everything from the latest in library tech to specialist digital services. I felt very wide-eyed approaching the various stallholders, many of whom were clearly experts in their field, but they were all lovely and took the time to speak to me about everything they do. I learned about a wide variety of different services and opportunities, and I really value having been able to speak with people offering such a breadth of experience.

The conference was far more than just freebies, though, and the opening keynote from Sayf Al Ashqar was an immediate indication of the quality of the sessions I would enjoy over the next two days. Describing how the University of Mosul Library came back from destruction, Sayf stood as proof of the resilience, flexibility, and tenacity of librarians when it comes to fulfilling the needs of their community.

 This level of passion and talent continued to be displayed across all the sessions I attended. My favourite from the first day was Equality, diversity, and inclusion – practical advice for the workplace, led by Beth Montague-Hellen. It covered a broad variety of EDI issues and focussed on the practical steps individuals and groups can take to ensure all feel welcomed in the workplace. Three tips that will stick in my mind are:

1. When inviting questions, always ask a woman to speak first – studies have shown that this will lead to a greater number of women contributing in comparison to if a man speaks first. Alice Corble added on Twitter that this should ideally be a Black woman or woman of colour.

2. If you’re asked to speak at an event, check who else will be speaking. If they’re all like you, decline the invitation and suggest other qualified individuals who would introduce diversity into the line-up.

3. Ensure venues and workspaces are accessible for all. For example, they should be step-free, have gender-neutral and accessible bathrooms, maintain appropriate Covid-19 safety measures, and provide microphones and other acoustic support.

That evening, there was another treat in store: the conference’s drinks reception took place at the National Museum of Liverpool. This time, I literally was let loose in a museum of fascinating new things, but more interesting still were the people! Networking has always sounded formal and intimidating to me, but it turns out that – in the context of the CILIP Conference, at least – it means getting to talk to wonderful people who are just as enthusiastic about libraries as you.

The second day of the conference was filled with yet more inspiring people and incredible sessions. For me, the most impactful was Allyship in Action, led by Shirley Yearwood-Jackman and John Vincent, which facilitated small-group discussions about the meaning of being an ally. Through this discussion, it became evident that allyship is a constant process of actions – a journey, not a destination. This understanding is something that has stuck with me and will continue to guide me as I enter the workforce.

I additionally appreciated the opportunity to hear from fresh and diverse individuals in both the New Voices, Big Ideas session, and as part of Kate Robinson’s presidential address. Not only were these speakers articulate and inspiring, but the inclusion of alternative voices and new professionals made me confident that even my thoughts and ideas are valuable.

I had a phenomenal time at the CILIP conference; not only did I learn so much and meet so many kind, intriguing, and passionate people, but I came to feel like one of those people myself – like a real member of the profession. I am so grateful to CDEG for providing me with this opportunity; it has refreshed my love of librarianship and made me excited to enter the world of work. Fingers crossed the next CILIP conference I attend will be as a fully-fledged librarian!