Thursday 13 July 2023

CILIP Conference 2023 - Day Two

The second day of the conference kicked off with words of welcome from the CILIP CEO, Nick Poole. He called for suggestions on the grand challenges in the field of library services that are going to spur us to new levels of creativity and innovation as a profession. He emphasized three challenges that he anticipates:

  • supporting leadership - a fundamental belief in the power of change is integral. How are we fostering the development of our new leaders?
  • increasing diversity - real progress in diversifying the library service workforce still eludes us
  • tackling information inequality in the UK - How poverty and limited access to digital technology affects the ability to obtain information

Next was the keynote speech made by Masud Khokhar, University of Leeds on re-designing leadership for a digital world. It was based on his personal views and observations. It was a thoroughly packed session and I fear I may not do it justice but here goes. During his presentation, he gave a brief summary of his institution and professional experience, with a special focus on higher education. He emphasized the significance of addressing and offsetting any biases in one's leadership narrative. He talked about cognitive theory but what stood out to me was his reference to cognitive limitations and the human brain's capacity to process information properly and absorb it being 120 bits per minute, making multitasking a challenging task. He talked about instincts that highlight our inherent biases as well as how biased algorithms can affect outcomes.

Masud stressed the necessity for making a conscious effort and being intentional about stepping out of our professional silos to form genuine connections. Breaking barriers and fostering collaboration will require deliberate action towards building fruitful relationships. He linked his talk to resilience,  the biopsychosocial model (and how we were affected by the pandemic), fatigue, and frustration then brought it all to bear on leadership. He highlighted three leadership challenges:

  • human transition at scale - creating empathetic structures and plans and prioritizing culture over KPIs. 
  • a mindset shift - moving from learned helplessness to optimism, moving (and helping others move) from the basement of despair to a balcony of hope
  • own the transition - taking ownership of the knowledge gap, digital gap, and innovation gap is critical for libraries
He concluded by urging library and information professionals to expand their reading beyond just library-related topics, in order to bring in diverse knowledge and apply it within our services.

The next session I attended was on developing yourself as a leader: overcoming imposter syndrome and building a personal brand. It was chaired by Jessica Pawley, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and she shared her own personal experience of searching for the negative even in positive comments as well as comparing herself to others (Something I can relate to but just so you know Jessica is awesome). She also pointed out how equating leadership with management can lead to restrictions in professional growth and development. Jo Walley, Jo Walley Coaching was next to talk to us about imposter syndrome. She stressed the importance of being comfortable in your own skin and gave an example of an experience she had speaking to someone she admired and how it surprised her to find they had moments of self-doubt. "There will always be something that the say you are too old /young /underqualified /X for" she said. Trying to conform also brings its own challenges e.g. wearing uncomfortable clothes to " fit in". Be your amazing self. Next was Stephen Phillips, SmartIM Ltd on building a personal brand. What will make you stand out whilst being true to yourself? How would you like others to perceive you? Build on your strengths, values, beliefs, and goals. Reflect on what motivates you, talents you possess that bring you a sense of pride, and tasks you relish. Ensure that your brand statement is aligned with your team, service, and organization as a whole.

  • raise your visibility - talk to stakeholders about what they want and how you can help them get it
  • get involved in communities
  • be consistent, authentic, and genuine

Next was a fireside chat with journalist and author, Sathnam Sanghera chaired by the precious CILIP president, Kate Robinson on the value of libraries and librarians. It focused on his publications, particularly Stolen History, as well as how his experiences in libraries as a child shaped him. Libraries offer access to lifelong learning and equip you with the necessary skills to navigate the world. They take you on a voyage of discovery that cannot be replicated by the internet. Moreover, libraries serve as a defence against misleading information, making it vital to have a reachable one. Sathnam raised the question on how to evaluate information sourced from the internet versus that sourced from a library. 

I went to the session on generative AI and the future of academic libraries by Nick Woolley, Sheffield Hallam University. I admit I felt overwhelmed with information but I still managed to take away some points. The employment of AI in the student learning experience and research was addressed, as well its potential limitations. Nick highlighted the possibility of AI perpetuating harm through misinformation and emphasized the crucial role of academic libraries in guiding the competent and effective use of AI. He pointed out the importance of libraries working in partnership to develop value proposition on quality and trust. Librarian roles in implementing AI will comprise of stewardship, leading literacy, and driving readiness for an uncertain future.

My next session was on evidence and impact chaired by Kate Robinson, previous CILIP president. Philip Marshall, The London Library, shared work on the impact of the service on the UK publishing industry. The outcomes derived were used in press releases and served as supporting case for fundraising. It also helped communicate the value of the service to stakeholders and gave confidence for future planning. Krystal Vittles, Suffolk Libraries, talked about their work on measuring social value, i.e. wellbeing changes we experience, which revealed a £6.07 return in social value for every £1 invested.

Nick Poole's closing remarks was on changemakers of the future. He requested that attendees reflect on the knowledge they acquired from the conference and consider what they could implement in their services. After a recap of the conference topics, he raised a call to action in four areas:

  • e-book pledge
  • green libraries manifesto
  • join CILIP
  • take something you already have ... think big, start small
Attendees then had the opportunity to share personal and professional insights from the two days. Some were sent in to Nick to read whilst others expressed their thoughts in person. One thing that really resonated with me was the fact that as librarians we hide our labour, so we are not valued for it and don't get the support or funding we need. I tried to keep the blog brief but do follow the twitter hashtag #CILIPConf23 for more from other professionals who were in attendance.

My considerations for the near future
It is essential that I take out time for investing in the broader professional community. Time is a precious resource but dedicating an hour a week or even a month would be better than nothing at all. I intend to:
  • Focus on resting and recharging
  • Explore AI further and get my team onboard
  • Make the most of opportunities to share positive and negative experiences, and what I learnt from them
  • Practice research more actively and not just offer support or teach

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