Tag Archives: #CityLIS

Why Information Matters

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National Archives, UK

Natalie Ceeney joined our class in London yesterday to talk about how she sees the role of the modern information professional, from the perspective of the work undertaken by the National Archives at Kew, where she is currently CEO. If you are interested in facts and figures, or curious about what the archives do, their website is excellent and I won’t attempt to give my version here. Instead, I will offer a brief listing of some of the themes which arose from our session, which are relevant to all of us working as information professionals, or those hoping to in the near future.

  • professional silos such as ‘librarian’, ‘archivist’, ‘information scientist’, should be dissolved/merged so information professionals see themselves as members a cohesive body – perhaps under the umbrella of ‘knowledge and information management (KIM)’
  • technology has reduced the need for face-to-face consultation in many professions (e.g. most people book their own travel now) – this has implications for how information professionals work
  • physical ‘library’ spaces will continue to exist, but in a different way to that which we are used to – more people centered
  • choosing/selection is about content not media
  • there is (still) a need for good content management – file structuring and database design – it is better if information professionals are involved in this and are technologically competent (IT literacy is important)
  • the best way to keep up to date is to read a lot (yes)
  • information is a political issue now – see Information Matters
  • public spending is constantly under scrutiny – can information professionals offer cost savings and solve problems?
  • how can we use information to change society?
  • how do we define a record? (theory is important)
  • we now serve everybody, not just those used to or interested in research

Not for the faint hearted who cannot appreciate change – but certainly an indication of the opportunities for those interested in a career in information – whilst printed works will continue to inspire love and devotion in many of us, the virtual world provides us with many more challenges and employment prospects.

Thanks to Natalie for her time and expertise.

A Common Sewer for Rubbish – to celebrate the start of term..

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“Desultory reading is indeed very mischievous, by fostering habits of loose, discontinuous thought, by turning the memory into a common sewer for rubbish of all thoughts to float through, and by relaxing the power of attention,
which of all our faculties most needs care, and is most improved by it.

But a well-regulated course of study will not more weaken the mind than hard exercise will weaken the body; nor will a strong understanding be weighed down by its knowledge, any more than oak is by its leaves, or than Samson was by his locks. He whose sinews are drained by his hair, must already be a weakling.

Above all, in the present age of light reading, that is of reading hastily, thoughtlessly, indiscriminately, unfruitfully, when most books are forgotten as
soon as they are finished, and very many sooner, it is well if something heavier is cast now and then into the midst of the literary public.

This may scare and repel the weak, it will rouse and attract the stronger, and increase their strength, by making them exert it. In the sweat of the brow, is the mind
as well as the body to eat its bread.”

Julius Charles Hare (1795-1855) Archdeacon of Lewes, theologian and German scholar
From: Books by Gerald Donaldson 1981. Phaidon, Oxford.

International Accreditation for LIS Courses

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Updated 18/07/2016

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We are often asked by international students hoping to study in London, whether our #citylis masters courses at City University London are accredited internationally. Both our Information Science and Library Science masters courses are accredited by the UK professional body CILIP, and as such are recognised as having equivalent professional status in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

CILIP’s statement about accreditation is here.

LIS courses in the USA and Canada are accredited by the American Library Association, ALA, and their specific reference to international courses can be found here.

LIS courses in Australia are accredited by the Australian Library and Information Association, ALIA, and their specific reference to international courses can be found here.