CILIP Conference 2024 - Event Review

CILIP NE Committee are delighted to share the following event review from Amy Austin (Northumbria University) who was the recipient of the CILIP North East Conference Bursary.

CILIP Conference 2024

 The annual CILIP Conference is aimed at anyone working in the library and information sector who is passionate about leadership, innovation and driving the profession forward to reach its full potential. My participation wouldn’t have been possible without receiving a generous bursary from CILIP North East, to whom I’m incredibly grateful. I really enjoyed the opportunity to step beyond my role as a Reading List Library Assistant at Northumbria University and engage in the big conversations happening in my profession.

Day One:

The 2024 CILIP Conference kicked off with a powerful keynote address by Daniel Gorman, Director of English PEN, part of an international writer’s association advocating for human rights. Gorman underscored the importance of freedom of expression, a cornerstone of the PEN Charter, but also emphasised the need to exercise this freedom responsibly in order to safeguard the rights of all. Against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the world, Gorman drew a powerful link between books, libraries, and the defence of human rights, highlighting the ability of information professionals to take single actions that collectively create significant impact. One such example was the collaborative effort of librarians in London, facilitated by BookAid, to send books to war-torn Ukrainian libraries. This was a sombre but powerful reminder that, over 100 years on from the inauguration of PEN, libraries remain a vital tool to safeguard intellectual freedoms across the world.

 Next up was an informative session on AI and its potential impact on the digital humanities. This session showcased the ability AI has to open up collections by uniting data from disparate sources (such as research outputs, transcriptions and images), and to engage more users through the development of interactive AI tools that enliven historical collections. I found this session truly eye-opening, as it showed just how transformative AI can be for our sector if harnessed correctly, but also explored the ramifications of this powerful tool and the need for its considered application.

   The next session discussed the sustainability of transformative agreements, involving perspectives from academic publishing and a HE library. This ‘both sides of the coin’ approach provided a comprehensive insight into the purpose, value and consequences of transformative agreements, as well as potential alternatives for the future. Later, a session on cybersecurity jointly delivered by Experian and The British Library explored the threat of ransomware, which has evolved from a singular crime to an established business model with its own supply chain and increasingly sophisticated tactics. I found these sessions incredibly eye-opening, as it highlighted the value our sector holds to attackers and how academic publishing could change in the future.

   A lunchtime keynote on the alarming trend of truth decay in Europe reinforced the responsibility we have as library and information professionals to be proactive in turning the tide against mis- and disinformation in public discourse. Finally, in an interactive workshop aimed at developing futures literacy, we worked in groups to complete practical exercises which showed how any library or information service could prepare for a range of future scenarios (good or bad).

   Packed with big conversations that sought to restate the purpose and priorities of our profession, the first of the conference fostered a sense of collective purpose, reminding us that by embracing innovation and collaboration, we can drive our profession forward in a rapidly evolving world.

   Finally, I couldn’t finish up Day One without mentioning the Presidential Dinner, which was a fantastic night all round. I had a truly memorable time discussing the day’s events with fellow delegates from across the sector, as well as dancing to an amazing funk-soul band!

Day Two: Reimagining libraries - and the library leader - for a changing world

   The second day of the conference was all about change and innovation, and, fittingly, opened with the announcement of a new CILIP policy on Intellectual Freedom by CILIP CEO Louis Coiffait-Gunn. The sessions and keynotes that followed encouraged us to reimagine the library and information sector for the future, and advocate for its place at the centre of our organisations, our users’ experiences, and our society at large.

   My biggest takeaway from the morning was that ours is an inherently trusted profession. This trust gives us a powerful social capital that can be leveraged to situate libraries at the forefront of positive change in their community. With a new government incoming, there was a renewed sense of change and optimism for our profession, if only we would harness the opportunity before us.

   Accordingly, the opening keynote by Janet Peden explored the physical and cultural transformation Ulster University Library has recently undergone. The new library building is oriented around collaborative, active learning and the library service has visibly realigned itself with the institution’s wider strategy, restating its position as an active partner to the University in achieving its teaching, learning and research objectives.

   Next, ‘The Entrepreneurial Leader’ was a refreshing session that explored how library and information services may benefit from emulating the world of business. Using the example of LEGO’s transformation from the brink of bankruptcy in the 1990s to a hugely profitable business today, libraries can succeed by retaining an understanding of our core offering (our LEGO ‘brick’) and by building our services and collections around it. I was impressed by the enterprising spirit of the speakers, who are driving engagement with services, spaces and collections through innovative practices, like offering free tickets to households in postcodes that currently produce no visitors, taking the big-picture view that this initial contact may convert underrepresented communities into committed users, a far more valuable asset in the long-term than the price of a single admission.

   After an interesting workshop on CILIP’s Professional Registration pathway, the conference culminated in a panel discussion on Inclusive Collections, exploring the role of librarians in decolonising the collection. In a full circle moment, the panel echoed Daniel Gorman’s point about the singular actions librarians can take to make a positive change. “Decolonising is about adding to collections, not taking away from them” struck a chord with me, as it showed me that by including more voices and resources in our collections, we can remedy stereotypes and provide a truer picture of all cultures across the world, while improving our collection and ensuring it meets the needs of our community.

   Once again, I am incredibly grateful to CILIP North East for the opportunity to participate in this year’s CILIP Conference. I’ve had such a fantastic experience connecting with others and hearing diverse views on the biggest innovations and challenges impacting the sector. I’ve come away from this year’s conference feeling inspired and energised about my profession, my own development and the possibilities that are open to us when we connect with one another. I highly recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to attend.

Amy Austin
Reading List Library Assistant, Content Delivery and Copyright
July 2024

Beyond the Horizon 2024: Emerging Issues

We're delighted to share this write up of the Beyond the Horizon 2024 conference held in May 2024. Thanks to Dr Chidinma Onwuchekwa Ogba for sharing their experience of the day

Beyond  the Horizon 2024: Emerging Issues

The North-East group of CILIP (NECILIP) held their annual online conference “Beyond the Horizon” on the 20th of May 2024. This was a half-day event that focussed on major topics like: Building connections: a personalised Library welcome for academic and research staff;  Copyright and AI;  don’t touch my hair; knowledge in the shadows; getting started right away: experience, reflections and the impact of delivering an essay writing skills module; North-east school Librarians network; reimagining the academic Librarian’s role at Cardiff Metropolitan University; there’s more to life than books you know; and Pathways - a journey into the centre of libraries. NECILIP which is an arm of CILIP centred in the Northeast region of England annually organises this conference to keep its members updated on emerging issues and best practises around them.

The event started immediately at 1pm with a welcome note from the chair of the event, Dr Biddy Casselden, from Northumbria University. Dr Biddy informed participants that she is retiring this summer and is stepping down from hosting Beyond the Horizon conferences and from the CILIP NE committee after a long involvement in CILIP. Dr Biddy would surely be missed because of the ease and laughter she brings in while chairing and many other qualities which have been seen reflecting through her.

The conference started with a short talk from Nicki Clarkson of the University of Southampton. Nicki talked about building connections through a personalized library welcome for academic and research staff. It was realised that while there were welcome activities for students, many libraries do not intentionally provide any for new academics. It was therefore important to reach out to them through any formalised medium and give them support in settling down. This move was seen as a means of building connections, providing Library services, and initiating a future synergy that would benefit students and staff; as a result, the library would need to ensure that they are formally informed when new academic staff  are employed.

Liesl Rowe immediately took over and talked about “Copyright and AI”. This was a talk about AI with a different perspective on its merits and demerits. Artificial intelligence (AI) was seen to have its strengths in following classic essay prompts, analysing specific excerpts, and producing references that look superficially convincing and yet misleading. AI was seen to be poor in case studies, information retrieval, empirical assessment and lacks the ability to state strong conclusions. It also lacks the ability to seek for permission before using copyrighted resources; and as a result, is immersed in major copyright issues. It’s inability to have copyright of any resource and cannot have copyright on its own means that it’s misleading to cite it as an author of a work used [my thoughts]. More so, it was stated to constantly hallucinate; a major issue that would make anyone using it for research purposes to reconsider. Except if an academia intends getting concepts, keywords and ideas that would lead to a critical search, using AI for purpose of research and learning is misleading [my thoughts]. Maybe this stance would change in the future if its developers were able to address these issues and more as it relates to copyright. As a result of its diverse complications that relates to using resources without permission, scholars were advised not to send their copyrighted documents to AI for whatever purpose or assistance, this is because it has inbuilt ability to retain information and to reuse them as it deems fit; without the assurance that the author would be recognised; hence it breaks every provision of copyright. This has a major implication for the academic library, which is to take seriously, the teaching of information literacy for learning and research.

Naomi Smith talked briefly about “Don’t touch my hair: hair microgressions in the library”. This talk focussed on empirical research carried out on librarians from African origin. The research pointed at the character of putting focus and attention on African hair, which is no different from any other hair; and most times, touching indiscriminately and making comments that likens it to a pet, as being demeaning and undignifying. Moreso, it becomes a reminder to humiliations faced historically by African women who were placed in the same category as animals for sightseeing because of their looks; and hence a thing of pain. If the hair of other people of different origin does not attract such attention and comments, it then becomes a wonder on how black hair would arouse such sentiment even in a professional environment [my thoughts].  

Daniel Lyons talked about “Knowledge in the shadows: the shadow organisations and why it is important”. This centred around recognising innate skills in employees and horning them for their development and that of their employers. Hence when skillsets are identified in an organisation, it should be connected to the right roles and jobs; and linked to places where they would satisfy need.

Lisa Eveson talked about their library experience in delivering an essay writing skills module for students. The writing module was said to be impactful as students registered; and their lecturers who noticed the improvement in their students ensured that other students registered as well. Challenges that were found in the process were as it relates to getting an expert with a writing and study skills background, and the fact that students were not so much interested in completing activities because they will rather devote that time to modules that have assigned credits. Immediately after the second comfort break, Jackie Dunn from the Newcastle University talked about the Northeast School Librarians Network and the need for many librarians to get involved in the Community of Practice. It was to be an avenue of developing together and supporting school librarians.

Aimee Jones and Marie Lancaster talked about “Reimagining the academic role at Cardiff Metropolitan University”. This was another short talk that explained how roles were reimagined and their titles changed. Roles were reimagined to fit into new job titles; and since the strengths and limitations of library staff were already known, it was easy to assign them to their new titles and broadened roles. Hence several job roles that have similarity and can be handled by a person were brought together; thereby preventing wastage and ensuring that every job is attended to.

Lisa Anderson and James Bywater talked about “Pathways, a journey into the centre of Libraries”. This focussed on how library services can constantly emerge to suit needs of students; and ways of responding to their unspoken needs just by imagining those needs and providing services in response; services that would not always have to shout “LIBRARY, BOOKS” but those that attract them and still educate and develop their skills. Sarah Munks talked about “There’s more to life than books…”. This talk focussed on book clubs constantly organised for primary school teachers as a way of training them in the act of reading children’s books for the purpose of education.

Dr Chidinma Onwuchekwa Ogba
Teaching & Learning Librarian
QA Higher Education

Beyond the Horizon 2024 - Speakers

We're delighted to share the confirmed speakers (so far) for Beyond the Horizon 2024 - the CILIP North East RMN annual conference. 

A full programme of talks and abstracts is now available.

Short Talks

Building Connections: a personalised Library welcome for academic and research staff
Nicki Clarkson - Engagement Librarian, University of Southampton

Copyright and AI
Liesl Rowe - Senior Digital Library Advisor (Copyright), Leeds Beckett University

Knowledge in the Shadows - The Shadow Organisation and Why it is Important
Daniel Lyons - Head of Organisational Knowledge Management, Disclosure and Barring Service

English Public Libraries Data - No It’s Interesting, Really!
Luke Burton - Director, Libraries, Arts Council England

Getting Started, Write Away: experiences from delivering an essay writing skills module
Lisa Eveson - Academic Librarian, Teesside University

Reimagining the Academic Librarian Role at Cardiff Metropolitan University
Marie Lancaster and Aimee Jones, Assistant Head Librarian - Academic Services, Cardiff Metropolitan University

Pathways - a Journey into the Centre of Libraries
Lisa Anderson and James Bywater - Library Service Manager, University of Northampton

Lightning Talks

NE School Librarians Network
Jackie Dunn - Senior Outreach Officer, Newcastle University

Don’t Touch My Hair
Naomi Smith - Subject Librarian, University of West London

Student Publishing as a Learning Tool
Rachel Branson - Scholarly Communications Coordinator, Northumbria University

There’s more to Life than Books You Know, But Not Much More
Sarah Munks - Liaison Librarian, Leeds Trinity University Library

The event page is live so book your place now! It's free for CILIP members.

Upcoming Events at the Kittiwake Trust Multilingual Library

The Kittiwake Trust MultiLingual Library have over 19,000 books for adults and children in over 100 languages. We're so pleased that they now have a new site in Gateshead. 

View the flyer for contact details and opening hours of the Multilingual Library.

You can download the Flyer as a PDF

The Multilingual Library are holding some events in March 2024 and you'll find the details below.

Breaking Bread

21 March 2pm

All around the world different types of bread are a staple food.

In this afternoon session we will exchange stories and songs about bread from our various cultures as well as tasting breads and sharing the names of breads in many languages.

Bring your tastebuds and your stories and help create an artwork for our Library of Sanctuary.  In conjunction with The Comfrey Project and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

Library Celebration

23 March 2pm-6pm

We finally get to celebrate the re-opening of the Multilingual Library after more than a year of homelessness.

Our Patron, Professor David Crystal will join us via a Zoom link, and John Vincent, Networker from The Network will come up from the Deep South to speak.  John runs courses and lectures, writes, produces regular newsletters and ebulletins, and lobbies for greater  awareness of the role that libraries, archives, museums, and the cultural & heritage sector play in contributing to social justice. He is particularly interested in supporting the work that libraries do with people seeking sanctuary and other ‘new arrivals’ to the UK, young people in care, with LGBTQ+ people.

Visitors will have the chance to look round the library and talk to some of our volunteers. We will also have music and poetry from volunteers and friends of the library. 

Needless to say, we will also plug the fact that we were the first Library of Sanctuary in the North East - six months before the Newcastle City Library were awarded the same accolade.

Learn more about the Kittiwake Trust Multilingual Library

https://www.multilinguallibrary.org.uk/ 

High West Street (formerly The Gloucester)

Gateshead 

NE8 1EJ

Reflections on a CILIP Mentor Surgery webinar

CILIP have started holding mentor surgeries to supplement the initial training that all mentors complete. In December 2023, the surgery took the form of a panel of three CILIP Mentors of the Year (Sarah Elsegood, Jess Pawley and Sophia Richards) and Melanie Wood, Professional Registration Support Officer (PRSO) for the North-East, who had been invited to speak in her capacity as both a mentor and PRSO. Suzie Williams, Secretary of the CILIP North-East Member Network Committee and a CILIP mentor, also attended. This blog post is a short account of the event from both perspectives.

Melanie’s reflections

I initially regretted having agreed to being part of the panel: what could I speak about for eight minutes when I was following three Mentors of the Year? Topics such as how to ‘get it [Professional Registration] done’, organisation buy-in and turning failure into success were addressed by my fellow panel members. As a mentor, I like to have an initial informal chat with prospective mentees as building rapport helps me become genuinely invested in the mentee’s journey and makes for a more authentic mentoring relationship. I think it’s important to be flexible and responsive to mentees’ needs: it is their Professional Registration experience so not my place to dictate. Being willing to share my personal experiences and failures is something I do in the classroom when introducing students to rare books in my day job but it works well in mentoring situations too and, on the subject of failure, it’s important to help mentees understand that not everything they discuss in their portfolios needs to have been successful, it’s the learning and reflection that come from failure that counts. Indeed, helping mentees reframe failure and success can be useful; I advise mentors to celebrate success – big and small - throughout the mentoring relationship and not just the pass at the end of the process.

Wearing two hats

This is all well and good, but I haven’t been nominated for Mentor of the Year! What I do have is the added insights I’ve gained from becoming a PRSO. Through delivering webinars on ‘Getting Started with Professional Registration’ and ‘Reflective Writing’, as well as taking turns responding to enquiries about the process of Professional Registration, it is clear candidates don’t engage fully with the information and resources available to them and mentors are perfectly placed to signpost the handbooks and the many videos that are hosted in CILIP’s eLearning Hub.

Want to know how to approach the PKSB self-assessment? There’s a video for that. Thinking about the audience for the PRSO webinars, I realised that all my attendees have been candidates but there is no reason why mentors shouldn’t participate too. It would be a good way of keeping up to date with the Professional Registration process and ensuring that the support we provide is appropriate. Similarly, candidates can post questions about the process in the ‘Ask a PRSO’ forum but do mentors know that they can post queries here too?

CILIP mentors are expected to Revalidate their Professional Registration and some will take it a step further and aim for Fellowship. I’ve done that and, despite being a mentor, I benefitted hugely from being mentored myself. On becoming a PRSO and now, starting out as a CILIP assessor, I’ve continued to find benefit in being mentored. I also encourage other mentors to consider volunteering as PRSOs. The time commitment requires attendance at quarterly online meetings, filling a week-long slot in the enquiries rota two or three times a year and delivering two online training sessions, using pre-prepared content and with a PRSO buddy to share the load.

My PRSO role has made me more aware of things that candidates struggle with and the mistakes that are commonly made. I’ve learned new tips and ways of explaining things like what counts as evidence in a portfolio. Occasionally, a CILIP assessor will come to the PRSO meeting, or webinar, and that has given me greater insight for examples, into the things assessors look for; the most problematic assessment criterion; and the presentational pitfalls that cause some candidates to fail. All good learning that I can apply in my role as mentor. Being a PRSO also gives me a sense of belonging to a Professional Registration community that I didn’t have when I had the single role of mentor, bolstering my own enthusiasm for, and commitment to, supporting candidates.

It turned out that being invited to be part of the panel was an opportunity. It forced me to reflect on my effectiveness as a mentor; allowed me to learn from some of the best; gave me a forum to advocate for the PRSOs; challenged me to think about whether/how my role as PRSO differentiates me from non-PRSO mentors; and made me feel positive about the contribution I’m making to the wider profession.

Suzie’s reflections

Melanie has outlined the content of the webinar and in her reflections has detailed her valuable contribution to the session. Highlighting to mentees that your evidence doesn’t only have to be about things that have gone well, but also about failures too, is so important. For example, the pandemic meant many things happened which we didn’t anticipate, and this afforded valuable learning experiences to reflect on for Professional Registration.

I agree with Melanie that mentors should consider attending the webinars arranged for those doing Professional Registration as it is a really good way to keep up to date with the requirements of Professional Registration as well as to hear what kind of questions mentees are asking? As a mentor myself, I know the questions my mentees ask, but it is super helpful to hear what other people are asking as well. Having occasional mentor-only sessions is very useful as it gives you a helpful sounding board for any tricky situations you may encounter.

Useful tips for mentors highlighted in the webinar included:

-        Scaffolding the process, building in stages so the process isn’t open-ended.

-        Encourage the mentee to set their own deadlines – what are their motivations, and can that help with setting deadlines?

-        Encourage mentees to link up with others doing Professional Registration – buddy up with others to get peer support.

-        Use coaching techniques to encourage your mentees to reflect on their professional practice.

Show that you are human too! Start your meetings with ‘how are you’. Be appreciative and understanding of what else is going on in your mentees lives, it’s not just all about Professional Registration. Melanie emphasised the importance of developing an authentic relationship – it’s not a tick-box exercise – it is about developing personal self-awareness.

We strongly encourage both mentees and mentors to engage in webinars offered on Professional Registration. They are a welcome forum for learning hints and tips, and to engage with others involved in different aspects of Professional Registration.

About the writers of this blog:

Suzie Williams – Academic Liaison Librarian, University of Sunderland. CILIP Mentor
Melanie Wood – Special Collections Librarian, Newcastle University. CILIP Mentor and PRSO

Call for Speakers - Beyond the Horizon - CILIP North-East Conference - Monday 20th May 2024 (afternoon)

 Come and tell us something you’re excited about!

This annual event aims to showcase work and issues from across the library, information and knowledge professions. We hope it will inspire attendees with new ideas, share knowledge and good practice or hear about things you’re experimenting with and developing. 

You could be involved with a new project, a different way of doing something, or just feel you’re already doing something great and think others would benefit from knowing about it. This is your opportunity to share something you’re excited about with other professionals, so you could talk about completed projects as well as work in progress.

 We welcome thoughts and papers from any library sector. We particularly encourage those who are looking to present for the first time, and those who belong to under-represented groups and communities, including but not limited to BAME, LGBTQIA+, those with disabilities, and those who are neurodivergent.

 The conference will take place online.

 It is free to CILIP members and £35 for non-members. 

Sessions - There will be two types of session for the conference:

 

• Short papers - There will be 5 slots available for 20 minute talks, inclusive of Q&A opportunity.
• Lightning talks - There will be 6 slots available for 5 minute talks, so we are looking for short and snappy! If you’d like to present and haven’t done so before, or just want to introduce something briefly, then this is perfect for you.

 Proposals
To register your interest as a speaker, please complete this online form https://tinyurl.com/5h2ds26k. 

 

Deadlines

Monday 19th February 5pm - Deadline for all talk submissions

Friday 8th March - Successful proposers will be informed by email by this date.

Details about how to book to attend the conference will be available in due course.

If you have any queries, please email cilip.northeast@gmail.com

Illuminating the Future of Information Professionals: Revelations from CILIP Conference 2023!

Georgia McNally was the recipient of the North East RMN CILIP Conference Bursary this year. Thanks to Georgia sharing her experience with us.

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Bursary Note: I am incredibly grateful to have received a bursary from CILIP North East that allowed me to participate in the CILIP Conference 2023. This support has played an instrumental role in enhancing my professional development and enriching my experience at the conference. A special mention also goes to Beth Houlis, with whom I liaised closely for all the arrangements, ensuring a smooth and memorable experience throughout the conference

Delving into Information Expertise: Unravelling the Insights of CILIP Conference 2023

Step into the world of boundless possibilities and thrilling discoveries as we take you on a captivating journey through the realm of information professionals! On Wednesday 12th, and Thursday 13th of July, the Hilton Birmingham Metropole was buzzing with excitement as the annual Conference came to life. The stage was set, and everyone was eager to get started. This year's conference was an electrifying blend of cutting-edge ideas, collaborative endeavours, and eye-opening revelations that left an indelible mark on the information industry.

This blog post reveals the captivating highlights and key insights from the CILIP Conference 2023. Brace yourself for an adventure that transcends the ordinary and celebrates the limitless potential of information professionals as they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of knowledge and innovation.

Dynamic Day of Discovery and Empowerment: Unravelling the AI Revolution and Fostering Resilient Leadership 

This year's CILIP Conference 2023 shone a spotlight on the powerful convergence of information and technology, with a particular focus on the groundbreaking realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The event was initiated by an enlightening introductory speech given by Rebecka Isaksson, an experienced and visionary thought leader with a profound passion for technology, people, and behaviours, providing passionate insights into Content AI at Microsoft and igniting a fervour for exploring the uncharted potential of AI in the information landscape. Day one of the conference was a whirlwind of insightful sessions, inspiring attendees to embrace AI discovery, self-awareness, and resilient leadership, while delving into the challenges of talent acquisition and empowering thought, culminating in a joyful celebration of CILIP's 125th anniversary during the presidential dinner, reinforcing the spirit of unity and progress that imbued the conference.

The panel discussion on Data and AI explored generative AI and the promising future of MS Co-Pilot, revolutionising search capabilities and delivering time-saving benefits. AI discovery took centre stage, inspiring attendees to embrace technology's full potential. The session on Well-being for personal resilience and impactful leadership emphasised the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and seeking support to build trust, providing a foundation for resilient leadership. The discussion on Attracting, retaining, and developing talent delved into the challenges posed by COVID and the "great resignation," with strategies like employee value proposition offering insights for talent acquisition. The session on new voices, big ideas, and leadership for changing times delved into the significance of mentoring, the power of open-ended coaching questions, active listening, and empowering thought with the AWE question (and what else). The day culminated with a joyful celebration of CILIP's 125th anniversary during the presidential dinner, reinforcing the spirit of unity and progress that imbued the conference.

Empowering Personal Transformation: Unleashing Confidence and Purpose

Day two of the CILIP Conference 2023 ignited the flames of inspiration, forging a path towards continuous innovation and leadership in the ever-evolving information landscape. The day started with an enthralling keynote on re-designing leadership for continuous innovation. Madud Khokhar's insightful discourse on cognitive load theory and the digital innovation gap left a lasting impact. However, it was the session on "Developing yourself as a leader" and Jo Walley's talk on overcoming imposter syndrome that genuinely struck a personal chord and resonated deeply with me.

While discussing the issue of imposter syndrome, Jo Walley, esteemed Coach and Trainer/Facilitator, spoke in a way that deeply resonated with many information professionals who struggle with this phenomenon. Her words also hit close to home for me, as I often struggle with self-doubt. Her powerful insights and practical strategies for embracing our authentic selves within the information industry spoke directly to my heart. The realisation that I wasn't alone in battling these feelings of inadequacy gave me a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Throughout her talk, Jo encouraged us to recognise our worth, believe in our capabilities, and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for all information professionals. The experience served as a reminder to overcome our insecurities and embrace our responsibilities with self-assurance and genuineness. Her empowering message left an indelible mark on my journey, inspiring me to embrace challenges, seek growth, and be a voice for positive change within my profession.

As the conference continued, themes of sustainability and green initiatives highlighted how information professionals could drive eco-friendly practices, and discussions on the future of academic libraries fuelled the potential of AI in reshaping our industry. Embracing strategic workforce development through apprenticeships showcased the dynamic opportunities for upskilling and career transitions. As the conference drew to a close, the themes of green libraries, people-powered AI, and authentic leadership converged, emphasising the collective efforts to shape the change-makers of the future.

Igniting Purpose and Empowering Change: A Transformative Reflection on CILIP Conference 2023

Day two at CILIP Conference 2023 was not only a celebration of knowledge, growth, and empowerment, but it was also a deeply reflective experience that encouraged me to embrace my journey with newfound determination and a profound sense of purpose. The conference left a significant mark on my professional path, igniting a flame of inspiration that now drives my passion for leading and innovating within the world of information professionals. As I return to my work, I carry with me the invaluable insights and strategies gained, empowering me to make a positive impact and foster a more inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant future for our profession. With a newfound belief in myself and the limitless potential of our collective efforts, I stand ready to blaze new trails, guided by the spirit of unity and progress that permeated the conference. Together, as change-makers, we embark on a transformative journey, armed with the vision to shape a brighter tomorrow for information professionals and to pave the way for a world where knowledge knows no bounds.