INTEGRATION AND THE NEW PROFESSIONALISM Bob McKee Chief Executive, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Visiting Professor of Information and Learning Services, University of Worcester University of Salford 8 July 2008

“Information skills are needed more than ever and at a higher level if people are to really avail themselves of the benefits of an information society” “Information behaviour of the researcher of the future”. Study commissioned by the British Library and JISC UCL, January 2008.

“The UK economy is fast approaching a point where the Knowledge Economy will contribute 50% of UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” “Developing the Future 2007: a report on the challenges and opportunities facing the UK software development industry”. Microsoft, City University, BCS, Intellect

“The technologies of libraries and computer services are converging and recognition of this convergence and the development of service strategies that accommodate and reflect this convergence, will result in a more rational and effective service for the user.” “The future development of academic information services”. Harris and Ellison. University of Salford (internal report) October 1987.

“There is a high degree of inter-dependence between all three of these areas (librarianship, information science, and information management) and the potential for mutually beneficial interaction is great indeed. The case for this potential being achieved more effectively via a single unified organisation….. must be very strong indeed.” “Towards a unified professional organisation for library and information science and services: a personal view”. Wilfred Saunders. L A Publishing

 advances in technology  improved services for customers  more effective use of resources  aggregation reflects importance Why converge (one)?

 growing need for structured corporate information  changes in teaching and learning  the changing nature of content delivery  rethinking academic library service “Taking stock of convergence” John Akeroyd. CILIP Update, September Why converge (two)?

“Ultimately it is people – not structures – who deliver services, and working together depends more on creating the right climate than finding the right design.” Sheila Corrall “The turn of the wheel: projects and politics at the University of Southampton” in “Managing academic support services in universities: the convergence experience” ed. Terry Hanson, Facet 2005.

“The vision of convergence… was and is predicated on the existence of a group of individuals who …exist….. in spite of the professional development routes….available.” Terry Hanson, Facet 2005.

convergence Information systems - computing Information services - libraries Information management - leadership Information behaviours – learning and teaching

 value of regulation  closer engagement with employers  competencies, currency, and CPD A new professionalism (one)

“Librarians teach…….. Our effectiveness and credibility as teachers will depend on our recognition that learning and teaching development is a core element of our professional identity. This also means that we should have teaching and learning as a key element of our CPD”. A new professionalism (two) Chris Powis, “Towards the professionalisation of teaching” in “Relay” (CILIP UC&R), April 2008.

“We are moving to a post-disciplinary world where traditional knowledge boundaries are being supplanted by a career and industry-led HE market, and where teaching and research become ever more linked to the needs of external stakeholders”. A new professionalism (three) David Bolton, Dean, School of Informatics, City University, in “Developing the future 2007”.

A new professionalism (four) CustomersConsequences behaviours (flexibility and adaptability) generic skills (e.g. around learning) core skills (e.g. information literacy) competencies currency CPD

 driving the knowledge economy  enabling learning and teaching  connectivity, content, competencies Information

 convergence: library, computing, media  unification: library, information, knowledge  technology transforming learning Technology

 information management  information services  information systems  information behaviours Transformation (one) – a new paradigm for provision

 cuts across traditional boundaries  gets closer to employers  gets out of its comfort zone  focuses on outcomes  centres on competency and currency  takes personal responsibility for CPD Transformation (two) – a new paradigm for professionalism

 convergence through institutional structures: information, technology, learning  unification through professional cultures: flexible, confident, can-do, go-to  information: driving innovation  professionalism: enabling enterprise Realising the vision

INTEGRATION AND THE NEW PROFESSIONALISM Bob McKee Chief Executive, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Visiting Professor of Information and Learning Services, University of Worcester University of Salford 8 July 2008