CILIP the err.. library and information association.

I noticed a tweet today:

Librarian game time: Go onto @cilipinfo site (https://t.co/1kFAdSfTjM) and, without using Search, try and find the acronym "CILIP" defined.

— Phil Gorman (@philbgorman) February 28, 2017

He's quite right. It's very difficult to find, and I was only able to see 'Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals' in the title of the site and in some images. In fact, if you look a bit further, it seems to have changed its name. And the logo. And the colour of the logo. And the font...

It appears that the 'Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals' no longer exists. No discussion, no voting, no long, angry meetings, nothing. It's an impressively soft launch. And when I say 'soft launch' I mean 'let's not mention it to *anyone*' and see how long it takes them to notice. I am in quiet hysterics here, I really am. All that pain, anguish and quite honestly pure hatred of a few years ago, and for what? I'm sure someone is going to mention the new abbreviation could be LAIA, which is pretty close to La-la, but I'm only doing it because someone is going to, and it may as well be me.

I actually like the strapline - it's got 'library' and 'information' in there, so it's good for those that like to hark back to our roots and look forward. I'm less impressed with the logo, with it's clipped right corner which is not clever branding or artistic; it's just irritatingly sloppy. The blue is best described as 'meh-blue', because it's neither one thing or another, but hey, anything is better than that god awful pink, right? And of course, it IS just a strapline. CILIP remains, but is now a pointless acronym for a phrase that doesn't exist any more. Necessary, because the 'Chartered' bit is very important, and there's only so far that you can go without involving the Privy Council, or consulting members of course. So, if you want, you can still argue that CILIP retains the name CILIP, but as for what that means, well, that's an entirely different story.

I'm already imagining the conversations - 'Yes, I'm from CILIP, the library and information association'. 'Oh right, so what's CILIP then?' 'Well, umm, it's er... well, the library and information association'. 'So what does CILIP stand for?' 'Well, we don't like to talk about it really...' That conversation could run and run.

I'm fully expecting all of the people who took up arms last time around to do so this time. After all, last time, there were consultations galore, this time it's more a case of 'we're doing this and hoping to keep it quiet', so Nick Poole had best be on the look out for flaming brands and pitchforks outside of Ridgmount Street. It's ok - I checked, they haven't moved the offices to Harrogate or the Outer Hebrides, it's still in the same place. And there's still a President, so that's ok. Though, given the way this was done... who knows?

I'm happy with the changes; it certainly works for me. I'm slightly less happy with the fait accompli nature though. Seriously - not a single communication? Not even an update anywhere? Not a news item? Nothing? That does tend to smack of arrogance and a 'f*ck you' attitude and complete disregard for the member vote we had on the name change a few years back. If I'd argued against it, and voted against it, I would be hopping mad right now, and I'm just wondering if CILIP Council is hoping that people are just too damn tired, scared, worried about other things and worn out to do anything - perhaps the most we'll see is a quiet little 'meh, whatevs' response. But in general....

Well played, Library and Information Association. Well played. I shall now get myself a bucket of popcorn, sit back and crank Twitter up to 11. 

Comments

[A CILIPS Member]

I prefer the new scottish CILIPS version. Check out their better strapline. What's that shade of blue they're using I wonder? ;-)

[Leon Bolton]

Phil, like you I actually prefer the new 'title'. As a vociferous opponent of the name change last time around, which led to me establishing my blog, I'm in favour of the change. In fact this was the name many members suggested as part of the debate.

But also, like you, I have reservations around how it has been done without wider consultation with the membership. For the moment my pitch-fork and brand will stay firmly in the cupboard but hope CILIP/LAIA don't play the 'get out of jail free' card too often!

[Wendy Foster]

To be honest I'm glad that I'm retiring at the end of this year. I won't renew my membership after that because why would would I want to? The organisation I joined so many years ago has long since ceased to exist and this CILIP clearly doesn't consider itself to be an organisation representing members - if it did, it would consult them.

[Roddy MacLeod]

Phil, it's the same with CILIP Update magazine, the latest issue of which just came through my letterbox.