Slides to support a workshop discussion at the CILIP Member Network Policy Seminar.

1. Carnegie UK/CILIP Policy development:
Privacy & the Library & Information
Sectors
Nick Poole
CILIP Policy Seminar
31/10/2016

2. Our ‘embedded’ profession
Consulting/independent information professionals Prison
Further Education/Colleges Public
Government and Armed Forces Research
Health Care School
Social Care Special Collections
Higher Education (including LIS teaching staff) Industry (Extraction)*
Law Industry (Manufacturing)**
Museums, Archives, Galleries and Heritage Industry (Commercial Services)***
National Libraries Not working****
Not for profit/3rd sector/Charity Other
* Any extraction industries, for example: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Quarrying
** Any Manufacturing industries, for example: Pharmaceutical, Aerospace, Automotive
*** Any commercial service industries: Business, Finance, Communications, Hospitality, Retail
**** Unemployed/Retired/Full-time Student/Career Break

3. As a profession we are committed to the Universal Right to
Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers.”
- Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

4. As a profession we are bound by a Code of Professional Practice
and Ethical Principles
“Respect for confidentiality and privacy in dealing with information users.”
- Principle 8. CILIP Ethical Principles

5. Personal privacy is critical to the exercise of free speech
As a profession, librarians have historically played a critical role in promoting
and enabling access to a very wide range of published materials, supporting
educational advancement, acquisition of knowledge, open access to
information and civic and democratic participation.
At the same time, the library, information and knowledge management
profession is diversifying – meaning that many CILIP members work in
contexts where these principles may not be recognised.

8. We have a professional and ethical mandate to promote policy
and practice which promotes the rights and freedoms of
information users
To what extent is this mandate reflected in current practices?
To what extent is the public aware of this role?
What is the position of information professionals working in security contexts?

9. Proposed outcomes:
Changes in professional policy & practice
• Revisit & strengthen the Ethical Principles in relation to privacy
• Improve evidence-based practice in the sector
• Revisit guidance for library & information professionals
Public policy outcomes
• Public awareness of the role of librarians & information professionals in privacy
• Improve ability of professionals to help the public navigate privacy issues
• Establish clear advocacy lines on privacy-related legislation
Social changes
• The public are supported to improve their ability to navigate security, privacy and
information management issues online

10. Key questions:
• Are the higher-level principles (Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of
Expression) generally accepted as our ‘core’ proposition?
• To what extent can we articulate a common sector-wide agenda on privacy vs. a
sector-specific view?
• What should CILIP’s approach be to ensuring that the concerns of information
professionals and information users are reflected in public policy & legislation?
• How can we better support the profession in putting these principles into practice (eg.
through an updated Guideline)?
• Is there scope/value in developing a UK equivalent of the ALA Library Bill of Rights?