The Super Searchers initiative has been created to empower young people with the tools they need to critically evaluate and contextualise online information, understand AI-generated content, and improve information literacy.

Developed by Google in 2022, Super Searchers is active in North America, Europe, India, Japan and Australia and has reached over 1 million individuals to date. The UK programme will be delivered for free through CILIP's network across public and school libraries.

Programme Modules

The training programme includes modules on:

• Understanding search engines and algorithms
• Using advanced search techniques
• Evaluating the credibility and reliability of sources
• The ethical use of information and AI

As an interactive training programme, Super Searchers builds digital resilience, information literacy and search confidence. It aligns with CILIP's Ethical Framework, which champions the principles of trust, transparency, equitable access to knowledge and information - creating a platform for the profession to empower citizens to be confident and informed about their digital activity and the benefits it can deliver.

Leadership Statements

Louis Coiffait-Gunn, Chief Executive Officer of CILIP said:

"In an era where all of us are consuming vast amounts of fast-moving information online and where false and inaccurate information can spread faster than facts, media and information literacy is a civic necessity. From making health decisions and understanding elections to completing schoolwork or job applications, digital information is embedded in every part of modern life.

"Librarians and information professionals have long been champions of critical thinking. Specialists in judicious information analysis, our members have the skills and expertise to support people from across society to find accurate and useful information and make informed decisions with confidence."

Jo Cornish, Chief Development Officer at CILIP said:

"Super Searchers is about empowering people of all ages with the skills to question what they read, understand where it comes from, and search more effectively.

"Working with Google, our members, and in collaboration with broader library and information sector specialists, CILIP's professional standards and ethical principles align to and underpin the training programme so information specialists will be equipped to confidently enable informed, engaged communities."

Zoe Darme, Director, Knowledge and Information, Trust at Google said:

"Providing equitable access to information and empowering people to be able to learn anything with Google is paramount to our mission. We are proud to partner with CILIP to launch our Super Searchers programme in the UK, and continue to equip young people with the tools and skills they need to access, understand, and critically evaluate the information they're searching online."

Programme Implementation

CILIP will begin piloting the programme in Summer 2025. Under the train-the-trainer format, the programme will extend across the UK so the library workforce is equipped to help people in their community strengthen their information literacy skills in order to discern and use online information more confidently. The training will reach up to 100,000 public and school library service users by December 2025.

Super Searchers Project Board is being appointed to provide overall oversight, assurance and guidance. The Board will be made up from CILIP Special Interest Groups including Public and Mobile Libraries Group, School Libraries Group, Information Literacy Group, CILIP representatives in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and experts from organisations across the information and library sector including Libraries Connected, School Libraries Association (SLA) and Media and Information Literacy Alliance (MILA).

This initiative forms part of CILIP's wider mission to promote ethical, inclusive, and informed engagement with knowledge — from early literacy through to digital citizenship.