In 2023, Arts Council England funded the Future Libraries project. The accompanying report 'Come Rain or Shine' identifies Leadership Development as an important opportunity to renew the public library workforce especially for those at
early career stages.
CILIP has developed a leadership-based online training programme to equip the public library workforce in England with skills in two specific areas:
Digital skills — recognising the role of the library as a portal for digital access, from basic skills and digital information services to understanding and interacting with AI.
Futures literacy — using the UNESCO Futures Literacy framework and the CILIP Future Libraries toolkit, this module supports the development of strategies to meet future local needs.
To develop the content for these modules, CILIP commissioned Artefacto to develop and design the training, based on sector research conducted by Evidence to Action earlier this year. New Skills for the Future Library Leader was commissioned
by CILIP with funding from Arts Council England.
The modules
Each module incorporates a baseline assessment framework to evaluate participants' understanding of the topics before and after the training, ensuring measurable learning outcomes. The training will be delivered through our online training
platform and is self-paced.
This module aims to:
Support learners in understanding the role of the library as a portal for digital access and how they, as emerging and aspiring leaders, can help facilitate this role.
Demonstrate how digital skills and knowledge link to the goals and values of libraries, including equity and inclusion, ethics, and being a safe and supportive space for all.
Equip learners with the strategic skills and confidence needed to contribute to digital transformation in their libraries.
Help learners understand the role of digital trends and technologies including AI and explore their potential impact on the delivery of the library services.
This module aims to:
Help learners understand the concept and benefits of Futures Literacy in the planning and delivery of their work in public libraries.
Provide learners with tools to support the development of agile strategies for future development.
Help learners recognise the value of imagination and creativity in improving resilience and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
Help learners practice testing their own library strategies against future scenarios.
Watch this short video for an overview of the training
This training is aimed at all emerging, aspiring and current leaders in public libraries in England.
We encourage your head of service or line manager to support your application. You will be asked to add their name when you fill out the form. Please ensure that you have confirmed this with them before expressing your interest.
Register now to be enrolled onto the training courses.
Once you have registered, your account will be created within 48 business hours. You will then receive an email from our online learning platform to access your courses.
Project links related to New Skills for the Future Library Leader:
Emerging, aspiring and current leaders in public libraries in England only.
Submit your enrolment here. Please note, it is encouraged
to have the support of your line manager to attend this course. Please confirm this before submitting your enrolment form.
The course is free to attend for all public library staff members in England only and funded by Arts Council England.
The goal of the New Skills for the Future Library Leader course is to equip aspiring and emerging leaders in the public library workforce with the strategic leadership skills they need to assess service users' needs, tailor
their approach, and influence service delivery, while aligning local strategies with global trends and context.
The course will equip public library workforce with two key skillsets - Digital Skills and Futures Literacy.
Future Libraries is based on UNESCO's Futures Literacy framework that allows people to better understand the role that the future plays in what they see and do. Futures Literacy is based on the premises that the future
does not yet exist and can only be imagined, and that humans have the ability to imagine.
The training aims to create a new generation of leaders in public libraries in England, helping them to influence strategic decisions and align their library services with local, regional, national, and global priorities.
Participants will learn how to link digital skills development with core library values, including equity, ethics, and inclusion, while helping lead the digital transformation of their services.
After completing the training participants will be able to anticipate and respond to emerging community needs, test strategies against possible future scenarios, and cultivate imagination and creativity as tools for resilience.
The New Skills for the Future Library Leader training will offer library staff aspiring to be in leadership roles fresh ways to think and problem solve and will add greater flexibility in their team skills matrix, while
enhancing their project management and strategic thinking skills.
This training contributes to your professional development and can be counted towards your CPD requirements as a librarian.
No, you do not need to be a CILIP member to enrol. Arts Council England funding has secured free provision of this course via CILIP. But there are many great benefits to being a CILIP member including much more CPD. You
can learn more here.
The courses are self-paced, allowing you to complete all activities in small, manageable chunks. You're welcome to return to them or repeat any section as often as you like.
Each module is made up of four sections, and we recommend setting aside around 30 minutes for each one. This gives you time to reflect and get the most from every activity.
As a guide, the Digital Skills module takes around two hours to complete, while Futures Literacy can be finished in about one and a half hours.
Digital Skills features videos with current library professionals sharing their experiences and advice. You'll also find valuable resources, interactive and reflective activities, and downloadable materials to support your
learning.
Futures Literacy includes short videos that introduce the main concepts, interactive and reflective activities inspired by real-life examples, plus useful resources and downloadable materials you can keep for future reference.
Yes, you will receive a downloadable certificate and e-badge upon completion of the course.
CILIP membership includes access to learning resources, journals and communities. You can find out more here.
If you are a funder working in the sector or a partner organisation with a great idea for a collaborative project, we want to hear from you. Send us a message using the contact us form.
100% of our project partners would recommend working with CILIP!
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