CILIP: a twenty-first century association for the information profession?

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role, purpose and effectiveness of CILIP in the UK. Design/methodology/approach - The paper provides a review of key issues in relation to the library and information profession in the UK based on available documentary evidence. Findings - The paper establishes an evaluative framework for assessing the concept of professionalism, and the role of professional associations, in relation to the contemporary library and information profession. It discusses the work of CILIP post-2002, and assesses the extent to which it meets the criteria for a successful professional association. The paper concludes that, whilst CILIP has a number of useful strategies in place, it is too early to evaluate its long-term prospects. Originality/value - This review is a useful source of information in assessing the contemporary role of professional associations.