CILIP membership is a gateway to a community of professional peers, working across the sectors within the knowledge management, information and library profession. And like any community, it achieves more when those individuals work together and support each other. Here Rob Green speaks to Jamie Finch, Chair of CILIP Cymru Wales about his involvement as a member and a volunteer.

Growing up in Newport, South Wales, Jamie Finch’s first career thoughts centred around the local industry – perhaps following his own father’s path as an engineer at British Steel, or “something in computer science”.

However his A-levels results suggested another option and he decided to study History at Swansea University. He says: “An early 90s recession-hit UK proved a challenging time to get a job, so I pivoted to study a business qualification.

“In 1996, as Pulp’s famous song puts it, ‘something changed’. That July, I put in a single application to Aberystwyth University, was accepted immediately with an EU grant, and began my Library Masters in September. I will be forever European and forever grateful to the European Social Fund for making my career possible. The good ship, Librarianship, seemed a perfect fit for all my talents and interests from art, history, and computing to business.”

Jamie, who is the current Chair of CILIP Cymru Wales, says that the idea of being part of a profession had always appealed to him, and so he was quick to join the CILIP community.

“I’d always wanted an actual career. I’d seen my father’s Professional Engineering magazine arrive on the doorstep every month. That journal was nowhere near as interesting as Information Professional, but I wanted letters after my name too! I joined CILIP as a student member in 1996, chartered as soon as I could in 2001, followed by fellowship in 2019. Like a stick of rock, I have CILIP running through my core.”

That relationship was strengthened in 2015 when Jamie took on a role with CILIP’s international group. He says: “In 2015, I got a new library job with global responsibilities so turned to CILIP for advice. Before I knew it, I was producing the newsletter for CILIP’s International Library and Information Group (ILIG), which marked the beginning of my voluntary work and my passion for global librarianship.”

Development

Jamie’s CILIP membership has run parallel to his career, and it has enabled him to continue his professional development – not just through his decision to pursue professional registration, but also through his choice to become a more active member of CILIP’s network of volunteers.

“For me, the essence of volunteering has been in making close friendships and networks with lots of people that I would not have met otherwise,” explains Jamie. “Apart from the obvious generic skills, like event management or leadership, I’ve learned about mobile libraries, about open access journals, Book Aid’s shipping container community libraries in Africa, and so much more.”

"The good ship, Librarianship, seemed a perfect fit for all my talents and interests from art, history, and computing to business."

"For me, the essence of volunteering has been in making close friendships and networks with lots of people that I would not have met otherwise."

Jamie adds that although he had been often taken advantage of events and training provided through CILIP’s groups, he had not realised how much work went into creating them.

“My earliest memories of attending CILIP events originate in the late 1990s. They include a London evening informal hosted by the late Bob McKee, and my first conference offered by the Career Development Group (CDG) on the hybrid library. CILIP’s Ridgmount Street was also there for certificated training on various subjects, including the then new-fangled Google. These are all, of course, invaluable to members, old and new. But I had no idea of the work that went into them, nor entertained any idea of speaking at them.”

Jamie says that being an active member of these networks has provided “a lot of career highlights have come from my voluntary work and probably would not have happened other wise. I’ve organised a Decolonising Libraries Conference in 2019 with Cardiff Metropolitan University and CILIP ILIG. As former Chair of CILIP ILIG, I’ve been a part of CILIP’s Working Internationally Project, helping judge funding applications and plan its conference. This year, I’ve been part of the CILIP Board and contributed to their next draft strategy, which will replace We Are CILIP.”

Jamie’s involvement with CILIP and its groups has developed over the years and he now sits as the Chair of CILIP Cymru Wales (CCW). Jamie is based in Wales, and he is quick to reveal that his connection to CCW stretches beyond his role as Chair.

He says: “From afar, I had long-admired CCW having attended their conferences in the 2010s. Special mention to Paul Jeorrett, past chair, a particularly humorous and memorable master of ceremonies. Post pandemic, I decided it was high time to join up and give something back to Wales and its libraries. After a stint redesigning their Team of the Year Award with Katrina Hall, Lou Peck handed the baton to me.”

Team effort

As with all of CILIP’s Member Network activity, success comes from a team effort and collaboration. Jamie says of his own involvement: “The role of Chair takes up several hours a week and involves being CCW’s lead officer. I work closely with the Community Development Manager (CDM) for Wales; last year, Sioned Jacques and now Sue Polchow. Sue and Sioned have helped me understand CILIP campaigns and how to adapt and amplify those for Wales.

“I have overall responsibility for our business plan, coordination of activities in its delivery, and financial position. Our mission is to increase CILIP membership and workforce development through training which includes support for professional registration. And to be the voice of the profession. A jewel in the crown of CCW is its Kathleen Cooks Fund, a legacy gift which lets us support training, collections and content creation costs for CILIP members in Wales.”

Commitment

Each of the roles that are available through CILIP’s networks will require different skills and different levels of commitment. It’s worth remembering that there are plenty of opportunities to get involved before taking on a formal role. The first step is to join some CILIP Groups and Networks, if you are not already a member, and look for events, training and activities that you can attend.

Start to build up your network within the group, and think about what opportunities would match your interests, what you can offer and what skills you want to learn and develop.

Jamie says that the best advice he could give is to put aside any worries you may have, and seek out opportunities that meet your needs. He says: “I would say just do it. Get involved. Put aside any imposter syndrome feelings. Our library communities, events, even CILIP itself, depends on volunteers. We must keep the flame of libraries alive for the next generation. That’s what matters. Go along to a committee meeting, test the water and see if you like them.”

Join

All CILIP’s Member Networks and Special Interest Groups are free to join for members. They provide a range of sector-focused activities, training and events, as well as a community network for you to join. Groups are open to all CILIP members, no matter what area of the profession you work in and can provide insights into different sectors for anyone considering exploring new career opportunities.

Find out more about CILIP’s Member Networks and Special Interest Groups here.

All volunteering opportunities are advertised on CILIP’s Information Professional Jobs website.