Library organisations and sources of data
Library professional, policy and information organisations in the UK, and some of the main international library organisations.
UK library professional and policy organisations
- CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals)
- The leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in the UK and Ireland.
- CyMAL (Museums, Archives and Libraries Wales)
- CyMAL gives advice and financial support to local museums, archives and libraries, develops and implements policies appropriate to Wales and provides policy advice to government.
- WHELF (Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum)
- WHELF is a grouping of Chief Librarians and Directors of Information Services drawn from all the higher education institutions in Wales. It promotes the work of higher education libraries in Wales and provides a focus for the development of new ideas and services.
- CILIPS
- The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) is the Scottish arm of CILIP. This site replaces the web content that previously appeared on Slainte.
- LISC NI (Library and Information Services Council, Northern Ireland)
- The umbrella body for libraries and information providers from the public, academic, government, voluntary and commercial sectors.
- ARA (Archives and Records Association)
- The lead professional body for archivists, archive conservators and records managers in the UK and Ireland.
- Archives sector
- The website, provided by The National Archives, brings together strategic and practical resources for archives across the country to develop their collections and services and improve the experience of their users.
- ARLIS
- The professional organisation for people involved in providing library and information services and documenting resources in the visual arts.
- JISC
- The UK’s expert on information and digital technologies for education and research. JISC can provide expert help and guidance with institutional and cost management, research, the student experience and sustainable futures.
- LIS New Professionals Network
- LISNPN is a network for new professionals in the library and information sector, and a place to get help, advice, guidance and information, and participate in the discussion forum.
- MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council)
- The MLA was wound up at the end of September 2011. The website is no longer updated but remains a useful source on past policy guidelines and sector initiatives.
- NAG (National Acquisitions Group)
- The professional organisation for people responsible for or interested in the acquisition, management and development of library resources in libraries of all types.
- SCL (Society of Chief Librarians)
- The Society of Chief Librarians leads the debate on the future of public libraries and advocates for continuous improvement of the public library service.
- SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries)
- The organisation promotes excellence in library services in higher education and national libraries across the UK and Ireland.
- SLA (School Library Association)
- The SLA is committed to supporting everyone involved with school libraries, promoting high quality reading and learning opportunities for all.
National and international library organisations
- ALA (American Library Association)
- The leadership organisation for library and information services and a world-leading source of information, publications, tools and news for and about the profession.
- EBLIDA (European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations)
- An independent umbrella association of national library, information, documentation and archive associations and institutions in Europe.
- IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions)
- The leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. It has a Library Buildings and Equipment Section.
- LIBER
- The Association of European Research Libraries. The main research libraries network in Europe.
- Library Council Ireland
- A state agency providing advice, assistance and services to local authorities and central government in relation to public libraries in Ireland.
- NAPLE (National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe)
- An international non-governmental association pursuing the interests of the national library authorities in Europe. Its main aim is to promote principles and strategies for public library policies.
- UNESCO Libraries Portal
- Provides access to websites of library institutions around the world. It serves as an international gateway to information for librarians and library users and international co-operation in this area.
Sources of library information and market data
- CIPFA
- The primary source of performance data and research in areas of public policy and service delivery, with statistical reports on culture and leisure, archives and public libraries.
- Libraries and information services in the UK and Republic of Ireland
- The essential directory of public and university libraries, addresses and personnel, from Facet Publishing.
- Library World Records
- Web pages of author Godfrey Oswald describing 'the first specific book of its kind to be published in the world covering a wide range of library and book superlatives'.
- LISU
- An internationally renowned research and information centre for library and information services, based in the Department of Information Science at Loughborough University. It collects, analyses, interprets and publishes statistical information for and about the library domain in the UK, and undertakes research and consultancy projects for a wide range of organisations.
- A new chapter: public library services in the 21st century
- This report sets out the findings of research carried out by the Carnegie UK Trust which provides clear evidence about the current use of public libraries and public attitudes to libraries in the UK and Ireland.
- A new chapter: public library services in the 21st century - England factsheet
- This factsheet contains the report data which relates to England. Where relevant, comparison is made with data from other regions.
- UK Public Library Dataset
- A downloadable contact database in spreadsheet format listing the UK's 4,040 public libraries and their addresses.
- ALA Library Fact Sheets
- A source of statistical data on US libraries, and very useful fact sheets and bibliographies on a variety of topics – joint-use libraries, marketing for libraries, disaster recovery, library buildings, virtual reference sources, RFID and more.
Other useful links
- Arts Council
- The Arts Council has assumed the responsibilities for libraries previously undertaken by the MLA.
- ACE (Association for Cultural Enterprises)
- Promotes commercial best practice in the cultural, heritage and visitor attraction sector by providing training and networking opportunities.
- The British Library
- One of the world’s greatest libraries and preservation centres, providing resources and services for librarians, archivists, curators and information scientists.
- National Literacy Trust
- The importance of reading for pleasure is a fundamental belief at the National Literacy Trust, who work in partnership with libraries on programmes to target children, young people and families.
- Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964
- What the Act says (and doesn’t say) about libraries.
- The Reading Agency
- The advocacy organisation for reading whose programmes link books, libraries, publishers, young people and families.
