What is the point of CILIP?
TLDR: CILIPs Pricing feels Exclusionary
Im about to have a bit of a rant but I hope others might feel the same: I’m debating on cancelling my CILIP membership at this point, librarians already don’t earn much, why am I paying a membership fee in order to gain access to events that cost £200 even though they are through zoom? It feels like they are trying to profit rather than be the charity they are supposed to be. Like having bursaries for your own events is wild. How am I supposed to develop my skills as a librarian if I’m being priced out? I constantly feel put out by the prices. Having it be that only those that can afford it can go is awful because it’s info all should be able to benefit from. At this point, I feel like I’m paying for a glorified survey (PKSB). The only reason I still have a membership at this point is just incase I need the discount to get a facet book…oh and don’t get me started on the fact that to get a certification (professional registration) it’s at the very least an additional £100 because it’s £50 to sign up, and then an additional £50 just to submit it! Reminder they are supposed to be a charity! If they were a workers union as well maybe it would be a bit different but they don’t even do that!
I’d love to know if others feel the same, but to me CILIP seem very classist or at the very least exclusionary.