CILIP Conference 2023 landed in Birmingham in July, bringing people together to discuss new developments, share ideas and make new connections. The main theme was leadership – but speakers and delegates did not always fit into a traditional notion of leadership. Instead. it was about recognising that anyone can be a leader, no matter what their job title.

Marlène Rak shares her experience of being a first-time speaker at this year’s CILIP Conference.

THE event gave new leaders, aspiring leaders and everyday leaders the chance to connect with others and share their experiences, while learning from others. It provided a platform for leadership stories in all their forms and helped to breakdown barriers to leadership within the profession, offering delegates the chance to view leadership from new and different perspectives.

Conference also had its fair share of established leaders, with job titles to match, helping to provide a mix of views and experiences. And no matter where delegates were on the career path, Conference was a welcoming space with a free exchange of ideas. As part of that recognition that leaders can emerge at any stage in their career, CILIP introduced its New Voices, New Ideas strand at CILIP Conference 2022 in Liverpool. The idea was to create a space at Conference for first-time speakers, providing them with an opportunity to address colleagues from across all sectors of the information profession.

This year’s New Voices strand continued with the theme of leadership, with three presentations each looking at different aspects of what it means to be a leader. Topics included How might leadership adapt to support change and foster both individual and organisational resilience? And how can good leaders develop their empathy and support for their colleagues?

MARLÈNE RAK, Subject Support Librarian, the University of the West of England (UWE) says sessions like this, which give new voices a chance to talk to sector-leaders and experts “is a testament to the maturity and responsiveness of our profession at large”.

I had not imagined being able to present at a conference so early in my career. I started employment as an academic librarian at the University of the West of England (my very first position as a professional member of a library and information service) only 18 months ago; talking at a national event in front of industry experts was something I thought might happen at a much later stage in my professional journey, not as a newcomer in the field. Yet here we are, a few days past the CILIP Conference 2023, and I can happily report that taking part in the New Voices, Big Ideas: Leadership for Changing Times session was an exhilarating experience that I would recommend to anyone who is considering it.

The amount of support received along the way was just right, without ever becoming overbearing or intrusive. I appreciated the fact that all those involved took the time to get in touch and introduce themselves prior to the event so that it felt a bit like catching up with old friends by the time we got to meet in person, right before the event. The atmosphere was professional yet relaxed, facilitated by our warm and personable Chair, John Vincent. We all commented on how much bigger than expected the keynote room looked. The set-up, however, was impeccable and backed up with faultless tech support, which immediately put us at ease.

The session was well attended yet ¬another testament to the commitment and dedication of our fellow practitioners. The level of engagement shown after the talks, along with the nods spotted along the way, was rather encouraging. It demonstrated the value in holding such events face-to-face. The circumstances of the world we are living in are still very much being described as post-pandemic and, despite the many recent advancements in spheres like generative AI, the effects and implications of Covid-19 on our profession as a whole are palpable.

These implications were brilliantly examined by my two fellow speakers, Deborah and Sarah, who looked at network activities (in Deborah’s case) and mentoring (in Sarah’s case) through the prism of leadership for changing times. Indeed, two key elements of modern librarianship stood out from their presentations: being kind and demonstrating the ability to listen, respectively. This emphasis on leadership with a human face (or rather, a human touch) resonated in me as well as the audience, for what is the role of a good leader if not to inspire and demonstrate fairness and understanding?

Support, cooperation and innovation are, I believe, the necessary drivers behind the implementation of any and every successful measure. I chose to focus my paper on some of the incredible work that has been taking place at UWE these past few years, to engage its stakeholders and adopt a flexible and dynamic approach that is both sustainable and inclusive. Empowering our students by providing them with the right platforms (notice the plural form) for all their voices to be heard; diversifying not only our collections, but also our student body and workforce, and eradicating gaps in attainment. All this whilst also working in partnership within our region to address educational and social inequalities – as enshrined in UWE’s Strategy 2030: Transforming Futures – encouraging our communities to speak up and challenge others when something doesn’t feel right. Also giving employees ample CPD opportunities as well as promoting wellbeing amongst colleagues (and students) through the promotion of learning days, craft events, staff networks, history months, etc. These are just some of the initiatives in place to foster this sense of belonging and forward push.

You will have noted that many of these mechanisms are in place to benefit staff and students equally. I mentioned, during the live session, the holistic approach fostered in UWE’s craft events and the almost cathartic effect it has on some of the attendees. This takes us back to the central role of humanity in everything that we do, and ties in with the themes of personal resilience, attracting and retaining talent and fostering psychologically safe environments that were examined during the Conference. Some of you have asked me, Deborah and Sarah, about how to address and combat occupational burnout. There is, sadly, no magic recipe, but having supportive and forward-looking leaders certainly goes a long way. And remember that there is a leader in every one of us, so don’t be afraid to listen to your inner voice, suggest, propose, and work hard towards those goals you wish to see come true.

The very fact that sessions such as this one are in place to offer new professionals the opportunity to voice their thoughts and ideas in a truly welcoming and conducive setting is a testament to the maturity and responsiveness of our profession at large. Being able to present at the CILIP Conference represents a real milestone in my life as an information professional.

Thank you.

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