We want to be CILIP Fellows!

Welcome to our blog which will chart our progress as we attempt to become CILIP Fellows. We are 5 Library and Information Professionals based in the North of England who have decided to work as a group and support each other through the Fellowship application process. Here is a bit more info about who we are and why we want to apply to be CILIP Fellows:

Rachel Fell, Senior Assistant Librarian, Manchester Metropolitan University

I chartered in 2007 and have revalidated every year since it became an option as it's something which is important to me. Towards the end of last year I was flattered to be asked whether I would like to be part of a small group of people working towards CILIP Fellowship. My gut reaction was to say no but part of me thought it might be time for a challenge. What's the worst that could happen?I've always thought Fellowship was something for people who were a lot further ahead in their career and working in quite a senior position. It seems CILIP are aware of this and trying to make it more appealing to chartered members.I am apprehensive but I have already found working as part of a group with two supportive Mentors to be a worthwhile CPD experience.Wish me luck!

Dan Livesey, Library and Knowledge Service Manager, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

In 2014 I decided to apply for Chartered status of CILIP and I found that the process was a really positive experience. It helped guide me through a big transition in my career, moving from public libraries in to the health sector. After Revalidating my MCLIP status twice, I started to look towards the next stage in professional registration.Fellowship is a really exciting but also daunting experience. I was unsure whether I had enough experience or had the time to even submit a portfolio but working towards FCLIP as a group has been really useful. I'm looking forward to the support which our group offers to its members. We're a diverse bunch of information professionals from a variety of sectors and I think this is really beneficial to our CPD.We'll look forward to sharing our progress as we work our way towards becoming CILIP Fellows.​

Dominic Gilroy, NHS LKS Development Manager – Yorkshire and Humber Healthcare Libraries Unit North

I've thought about Fellowship for a few years but its one of those things which it is easy to procrastinate about. When commencing my current role with Healthcare Libraries Unit North Fellowship came to the fore once again . Since HEE's Library Leads promote active membership in CILIP it would seem only right to take this next step on the professional registration ladder.Several of my colleagues have tackled Fellowship together recently as part of small groups and spoke positively about it. Therefore when I was invited to be part of a similar group it was too good an opportunity to miss.Meeting regularly with colleagues on the group has helped me to stay on task and accountability to my peers on the group certainly helps encourage progress. Having access to two experienced mentors is a great bonus. Bye for now!

Padma Inala, Teaching and Learning Librarian, The University of Manchester

I joined CILIP in 2003 as a student member when studying for my Librarianship Masters and I remember at the time being very excited at being part of a professional organisation. After a spell of work in the commercial sector as a Law Librarian, I chartered in 2008 when I returned to work in HE.

Fellowship had been on my radar but I have never sat down and thought seriously about it until a good friend, and my previous chartership mentor, kind of ‘volunteered’ me. I think she calls it being ‘voluntold’.

Anyway, so here I am. I am excited and scared all at the same time, but essentially I think that reflecting on my 15 years as a librarian, looking at my skills, knowledge, experience and achievements is probably a good thing. Most us of barely get time to do this and I think it is important for us as professionals to do be able to do this. I also love this group approach as it helps to keep me motivated and there’s much needed support available too. Looking forward to the journey….. (I think!)

Becky Williams, Library & Information Resources Manager, Bradford District Care NHS Trust

I have worked in NHS libraries since 2002 when I completed my MA in Librarianship. I am passionate about evidence based practice and the role of librarians within the NHS. It is a real honour to work with such fantastic colleagues and to see the difference that the librarians can make to patient care.

I chartered in 2004 and assumed at that point that I had completed my professional qualifications. I was therefore flattered when my colleagues suggested to me that I could consider fellowship. So here I am! I’m a bit nervous but very excited to start the fellowship journey.

As I have looked through the requirements for fellowship, I have realised that some elements will be more challenging than others. Since completing my professional qualifications I have only worked in NHS libraries – the big learning curve for me is to re-discover other sectors. Being part of a fellowship group will really help with this and it is great to work with colleagues from other sectors. The group will also help to keep me motivated with deadlines and agreed tasks – I hope! It is hard to combine work and study, so this will really help to keep me on track.