Come rain or shine: Preparing public libraries for the future with CILIPS

'Libraries can – and do – play a key role in tackling current societal issues be that adult literacy, digital isolation or early years learning. They can help people into employment, improve health and wellbeing and above all provide a safe, non-judgmental space for people of all ages, no matter who they are or where they are from. They are, in short, a vital part of our social infrastructure which is why we must be vigilant in protecting them for future generations. This report, and accompanying library futures toolkit, should help do just that.'

Baroness Sanderson of Welton in 'Come Rain or Shine: Preparing public libraries for the future in an age of uncertainty', a report for CILIP by Shared Intelligence.

Future Libraries is a two-part CILIP-wide initiative that aims to inspire library professionals to reimagine our sector in a world of rapidly evolving living and working patterns. Part One, the Come Rain or Shine report, provides strategic analysis of potential future scenarios and how these could and in some cases are already impacting libraries. Part 2, the Future Libraries toolkit, provides a practical guide and framework to help libraries undertake their own horizon scanning activities and strategically analyse possible future uses of their spaces.

At this unique in-person workshop, please join the CILIPS team as we support our members to engage with both parts of Future Libraries. After a complimentary light lunch, we will identify how key insights from the report apply in a Scotland-specific context, then work together to improve our 'Futures Literacy' in the face of uncertainty: formulating scenarios and undertaking a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of where our services are today and what practical steps are necessary to strengthen their resilience for the coming years, whatever the political and societal weather.

This in-person afternoon is free and open to all CILIP members, with limited spaces available. Please register via this page and let's prepare our libraries for the future!

Host or Publisher CILIPS