Reflections on CILIPS26: Enhancing communities, expanding knowledge, and promoting good change

Category: Blog

Reflections from Onyinyechi Agwu, School Librarian at OneRen – Renfrewshire Libraries

1.   Introduction

This article reflects on the Chartered Institute of Library Professionals (CILIPS) Annual Conference 2026 themed “Amplifying Impact,” I attended on 1st and 2nd June to explore current development in my professional practice. My appreciation goes to CILIPS for providing the CILIPS Professional Development Fund that made it possible for me to experience this year’s conference. It was extremely essential for my professional development, as I am currently on the pathway to my chartership.

2.   Programmes

The CILIPS26 featured a host of programmes that were centred on strengthening the influence of libraries and information professionals by sharing current developments, best practice, sector priorities, and professional networking and communication. The conference explored how we can demonstrate value and the positive impact information professionals have in Scotland and beyond.

2.1  Reading the Room: Thoughts on why literature and libraries matter – but that message isn’t getting where it needs to go, by Mairi Kidd.

Mairi’s presentation on the power of reading in the lives of younger adults was inspiring for me. She explained how people read books through two visual feature analysis, namely, lexical and non-lexical routes. Mairi also explained the issues surrounding younger adults with the inability to read and proffered solutions to them.

Her explanation got me thinking about my practice relating to reading with younger adults. She advised that if you want to advocate for reading, you need to get involved with children’s books as a reader and read beyond reading for pleasure.

2.2  The Impact of Scottish Public Libraries on Loneliness: A Research Journey by Jeanette Castle.

Jeanette highlighted how loneliness impacts on some people’s physical and mental health in the community. She stated that statistics have shown that being a library user has reduced loneliness in the community. Jeanette cited sources to read about loneliness as well as Scottish policies on loneliness. These sources include “Scottish care website on loneliness” and “Age Scotland (2025) The Big Survey.”

It was great listening to Jeanette, and it made me aware of the ongoing research to eradicate loneliness in the community through public libraries.

2.3  Professional Registration Insights by Gill Black and Elena Focardi.

Gill and Elena explained how to select evidence and the best approach to adopt when writing a reflective report. I enjoyed attending this session because it gave me more insight on how to progress with my chartership journey.

Some of the takeaways for me during this session are:

• Focus on a particular topic for each criterion.
• Make the evidence readable in 2 hours.
• Have approximately 12 pieces of evidence, max of 15-25.
• Compress the screenshots evidence into 1-2 pages and reflect on it on the same document.
• Ensure the references are consistent and cite them properly when writing your reflective report.

2.4  Tour of H.M.S. Unicorn

This day began with touring the H.M.S Unicorn ship. It was a grand experience, I got to know the history behind the Unicorn ship and was able to see some of the treasures therein.

2.5  Libraries: Centres of Empathy by Robin Ince

Robin’s expression on the role of school libraries in shaping readers’ decisions on book selection was great. He stated that there is not enough funding to operate library services, hence the challenge libraries face. In addition, libraries are safe spaces, and we need more of these safe spaces in our communities to be able to build empathy amongst younger adults. Robin highlighted that most writers visit the library to get inspiration on the next story to write, which got me thinking of how many stories in the world were written in a library space. Also, what made Robin’s talk more relatable to me was that empathy is part of the projects our school library service is currently working on.

2.6   Strengthening Europe Through Public Libraries by Klaas Gommers

According to Klaas, one of the aims of OMC Group is to promote the multiple roles of the public libraries in Europe. He opined that libraries are doing so much in society, but it seems that policymakers are not seeing their efforts. He further mentioned that the OMC group is working so hard for public libraries to be recognised by the EU, local and regional governments to enable them provide essential services to the public.

Klaas expressed that libraries are one of the most trusted and widely used institutions. From my research, Klaas statement is also evidenced in Gordon, J. et al, 2023, pp 21 who reported that libraries have been creating impacts on children’s literacy with programmes that complement but are very different from the learning literacy in the schools.

This session was insightful because it drew a direct link to the role school libraries play in offering programmes that support curriculum for excellence as well as promote literacy in younger adults.

2.7  Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH): Taking action, creating change with support from Scotland’s libraries by Sarah Grant and Claire Reynolds

Sarah and Claire stated that the SAMH strategy for 2025 – 2029 is to target communities that are experiencing mental health issues. They recently launched “The Nook” which is a walk-in network that delivers timely mental health support to people. The aim of SAMH is to reduce mental health and create awareness of people that are unknowingly suffering from it. They advised that we should reflect on our mental health using five ways to wellbeing: connect with people, be active, take notice, learn more, and give back to society.

Their advice made me reflect on how I have been promoting mental health in the libraries, and how the libraries have become safe places for students suffering from mental health issues.

2.8  Reading is for Everyone: How can we overcome barriers to pupils reading for pleasure? by Meg Davidson and April Ingram

During this session I learnt that there is a National Literacy Trust Survey that stores data about the frequency of how children and young people read for pleasure. This session also brought to light the benefits and barriers of reading. Meg and April’s action plan is to foster a reading culture, support literacy, and library staff development. Their plan aligns with our library services and can be evidenced from the programmes we organise and execute.

2.9  What Impact Did You Make? Tracing the impact of LIS graduates at the University of Strathclyde, Dr. Perla Innocenti and Kieran Robson

This session highlighted the ongoing research study on how Library and Information Studies graduates apply their knowledge and skills across a range of sectors: academic libraries, public libraries, school libraries, information management etc. Through the ongoing survey Dr Perla and Kieran are conducting, initial results have illustrated the vital role and values LIS graduates offer to their various sectors to support research, learning and community engagement. Dr.Perla encouraged people to share some of the impacts they have made in their organisations, which was more engaging for me. Their research has demonstrated how LIS graduates are using the knowledge, skills and experience they gained from their degree to impact society at large.

I was excited to see my photo in one of the slides as an LIS graduate of the University of Strathclyde, thanks to Dr. Perla.

3.  Conclusion

Finally, CILIPS26 on Amplifying Impact emphasised the importance of libraries and information professionals in enhancing communities, expanding knowledge, and promoting good change. The conference had many keynotes and sessions that demonstrated the factors that have been hindering the smooth operation of libraries as well as the impact libraries have in society. It also highlighted PKSB areas of information literacy and learning, leadership and advocacy, customer service focus and service design, and networking.

As the conference came to an end, attendees were equipped with the latest developments in different sectors of the profession. People also had the opportunity to network with fellow professionals.

Reference

Gordon, J. et al (2023) “Libraries for living and for living better: The value of public libraries in the East of England.” pp.21