Library, Information and Knowledge professionals make a significant contribution to the overall aims of the organisations that they serve. And yet, their skill set is often over-looked and this contribution is under-valued.
In 2015, CILIP commissioned the University of Salford to undertake a piece of research to identify what evidence exists to support the employment of trained and professionally registered library, information and knowledge professionals.
The research identifies that:
Public library and information professionals contribute to:
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A good return on investment (between 1:4 and 1:5)
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Helping people improve their education, health, employment prospects and their sense of belonging to a community
- Improved attitudes to reading and potentially improving reading ability
Schools library and information professionals contribute to:
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Improved student achievement
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Positive pupil engagement
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Improved reading skills
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Facilitating student learning
Academic library and information professionals contribute to:
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Improved retention
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Better grades or degrees
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Improved skills for coursework, assessments or research
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Better research, researchers and research achievement
- A good return on investment for the University
Health library and information professionals contribute to:
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Improved clinical decision making
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Improving patient centred care
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Aiding risk management & safety
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Health service development or delivery
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Helping to demonstrate efficiency/cost-effectiveness (including saving health professionals time)
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Assisting healthcare professionals in pursuit of CPD
