Public librarian : Training

In order to qualify for chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) , you must undertake further training as part of a continuing professional development (CPD) programme, and demonstrate evidence of appropriate skills gained through professional practice (usually for a period of around two years, although this varies slightly between authorities). Most members gain chartered membership two or three years after graduating. Chartered members are encouraged to go through a revalidation process three years after chartering and after each subsequent three-year period.

Fellowship, the highest professional qualification available to CILIP members, is open to any member who has been on the CILIP register and in professional practice for at least six years full time, or its equivalent part time. Chartered members who have completed two cycles of revalidation are also eligible for fellowship.

Post-experience Masters degrees for mid-career professionals are also available full or part time, or by distance learning, although it is unusual for employers to fund studies. Research degrees are also offered by all university libraries and information studies departments.

Staff may also be sent on in-house or external courses to develop specialist skills. CILIP offers around 90 short courses, conferences and seminars for practitioners in the following areas:

• cataloguing and classification;
• copyright and licensing;
• financial and performance management;
• ICT and internet skills; library and information management skills;
• management development; marketing and promotion;
• personal development;
• teaching and learning.