CILIP's "clear and compelling" messages (2)

Since they failed to get someone on Newsnight a few weeks ago, CILIP have become obsessed with the idea of "rapid response" in case of future media requests and building a more general campaign of advocacy in the face of likely cuts. However, they apparently believe that most librarians are incapabable of making a lucid case on their own and have therefore begun to produce a series of one-sheet lists of "compelling" arguments "to help CILIP members and library advocates".

The two lists produced so far take a bullet point approach to defending our profession and, sadly, are of the same standard as earlier CILIP documents we have highlighted.

We can't help thinking that merely parroting that "libraries change lives" will impress no-one, whilst claims that they "act as a cost-saver for society by combating ignorance, alienation, isolation, division and the lack of aspiration" or "stand for important values in our society including intellectual freedom, equality of opportunity, engaged citizenship, informed democracy, and a society in which people have the chance to achieve their potential" are both ludicrous and meaningless. Worse still is the assertion that we "enable learning and literacy from cradle to grave" - not least because it blithely appropriates a phrase associated so closely with the founding of the NHS. And surely it is dangerous to talk of "essential services" such as "author events and exhibitions" at a time when many truly essential services will be reduced.

All sectors will face cuts. These are big claims to make. How about some evidence?