The CILIP Professionalism Definition
CILIP believes that what makes someone a professional is the knowledge, skills, attitude, behaviours and values that they bring to their work. You can read and download the full Professionalism Definition (in English and Welsh) and the consultation
reports below.
Download Full Definition & Supporting Documents
Download the Professionalism Definition overview (English PDF)
Download the Professionalism Definition (English)
Download the Professionalism Definition (Cymraeg/Welsh DOCX)
Download the Consultation Report November 2019
Download the Consultation Report January 2020
About the Definition
The professionalism definition was developed in consultation[1] with the information, knowledge and library workforce as part of the Professionalism Review, led by Liz Jolly, Chief Librarian of the British Library.
It re-states clearly and positively, the contemporary definition of librarianship, information and knowledge management as an open, inclusive and progressive ‘profession’. The definition is designed to inform and underpin CILIP workforce development
strategies and associated CILIP activities for the profession.
Full CILIP Professionalism Definition
Definition 1: ‘Profession’
CILIP believes that people working in libraries, information, knowledge and data are united under one ‘profession’ (the ‘information profession’) based on their identifiably overlapping skills and shared values.
Definition 2: ‘Professional’
CILIP defines a professional as someone who:
- Places information professional ethics at the centre of their work
- Delivers quality information services for the benefit of their communities
- Champions their profession and its societal benefit
- Has evidenced formally recognised information professional knowledge
- Applies and reflects upon their professional knowledge in practice
- Aspires to excellence
- Develops and maintains their skills
- Supports their colleagues and engages with the professional community
- Leads at all levels and instigates positive change
Definition 3: ‘Professionalism’
CILIP subscribes to the definition that ‘professionalism’ refers to “the competence or skill expected of a professional”.
Further detail on the supporting ideals for the Professionalism Definition
| CILIP Definition |
Supporting Ideals |
Definition 1: ‘Profession’
CILIP believes that people working in libraries, information, knowledge and data are united under one ‘profession’ (the ‘information profession’) based on their identifiably overlapping
skills and shared values
|
A ‘profession’ is a community of people working in the same trade or occupation who come together to formalise the skills, qualifications and regulation of their work
The profession has a code of ethics and a recognised
body of professional knowledge and works to deliver quality information services for the public good
CILIP is committed to diversifying the library, information and knowledge workforce and ensuring that our profession
is truly representative of the communities we serve. As part of this commitment, we are working to open up pathways into the profession, ensuring that qualifications, experience and apprenticeship are all regarded as valid
routes according to the circumstances of the individual practitioner
|
Definition 2: ‘Professional’
CILIP defines a professional as someone who:
- Places information professional ethics at the centre of their work
- Delivers quality information services for the benefit of their communities
- Champions their profession and its societal benefit
- Has evidenced formally recognised information professional knowledge
- Applies and reflects upon their professional knowledge in practice
- Aspires to excellence
- Develops and maintains their skills
- Supports their colleagues and engages with the professional community
- Leads at all levels and instigates positive change
|
What makes someone a professional is the knowledge, skills, attitude, behaviours and values that they bring to their work. From this definition, we are clear that an individual practitioner needs to evidence that they have engaged
with a formal body of professional knowledge, applied it in practice and is committed to ongoing learning. Qualifications, membership of a professional association and Professional Registration, are an excellent and advised
way of demonstrating this.
CILIP recognises the value and importance of formal teaching and learning in Library, Information and Knowledge Management (LIKM) and related disciplines, and that working towards an academic
qualification can provide an excellent broad-based understanding in the theory, science and practice of LIKM. Our aim is not to undermine the value of LIKM and related qualifications, but to ensure that they do not unintentionally
present a barrier to entry to the profession. Experiential routes (Professional Registration) and Blended Routes (Vocational and Apprenticeships) are valued as valid and externally verified routes to demonstrate knowledge,
applied practice and a commitment to learning.
Delivering quality services for the communities we serve is a key driver for professional behaviour. Our professionals connect users to information for the public good.
CILIP can:
- Support people to develop themselves as a professional through CPD, networking and peer support;
- Maintain and update a Skills Standard (the Professional Knowledge and Skills Base) to ensure that individuals and learning providers have access to a syllabus or skills framework that is designed to meet the current and
future needs of employers and is rooted in best practice and LIKM science;
- Provide an accreditation service (Professional Registration) which enables people to demonstrate their status, abilities, knowledge and experience as a member of a profession through inclusion in a Register of Professionals;
- Support LIKM schools and other learning providers in providing qualifications and on-the-job training to help people maintain their professional skills;
- Encourage employers to recognise and value professionalism in their staff and to support them in their professional development.
We understand that there are people working in libraries, information and knowledge who regard it as a job rather than a profession or a career. We recognise professional behaviours can be exhibited across the workforce, not just by those described by
Definition and we recognise the importance of support, learning and development for all. We believe it is beneficial for people applying professional practice in LIKM to be recognised as a profession. Our definition of a ‘professional’
is not exclusive; it values the variety of routes individuals can actively take to become an LIKM professional. We believe it is important for all those who want to do so to have access to effective services and support and
to be able to evidence their professional skills to others, including employers.
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Definition 3: ‘Professionalism’
CILIP subscribes to the definition that ‘professionalism’ refers to “the competence or skill expected of a professional”
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Based on our definition of ‘professional’ above, it follows that an individual practitioner can demonstrate professionalism whether or not they are a member of CILIP, or are included in the Register of Practitioners. They do need
to evidence they have acquired a body of professional knowledge and are applying it in reflective practice. Whilst the definition is not prescriptive in how they do this, qualifications, membership of a professional association
and Professional Registration, are excellent and advised ways of demonstrating this.
What CILIP can do is provide the means for people to develop their professional skills, signal their commitment to the shared ethics
of the information profession and to demonstrate their professionalism to others.
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[1] The consultation took the form of a “Discussion Paper” released in October 2019 with an online survey to collect feedback from the information, knowledge and library workforce. The feedback was collated in a report in November
2019 which includes the original “discussion paper” definition and a new version, revised according to the survey. The revised definition was then tested in two open consultation sessions in December 2019 and January 2020, led by Liz Jolly and including online and in the room participation. This final definition was informed by those
consultation sessions.
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