Election 2024

This summer’s general election will result in a change in government – with potentially hundreds of new MPs joining the House of Commons for the first time. Whichever political party they represent, we believe libraries should be a priority for any politician.

Trust Libraries: our ten pledges to the incoming Government

Trust Libraries: 10 pledges sets out how CILIP, and the profession we represent, will keep libraries and their place in society as a trusted and essential service at the top of the new Government’s agenda.

Our pledge to the public and the next Government: Trust Libraries

1. To deliver trustworthy information and access to culture
2. To inform better decisions (including in business, health and government)
3. To offer a warm welcome and a safe place for all
4. To champion the right to read and intellectual freedom
5. To enable learning at the heart of communities and institutions (from high streets, online, and in prisons, to schools, colleges and universities)
6. To open a world of opportunities, inspiration and ideas
7. To fuel the future green economy with data and skills
8. To support diverse and resilient start-ups
9. To help unlock new research and innovation
10. To be ethical partners committed to social justice

Share the pledge

Show your library's commitment to the sector and share the pledge on social media using the hashtag #TrustLibraries.

Share the pledge in your library, on your library’s website, and across your local networks to show your passion for our profession.

Download Pledge as PDF for printing / Lawrlwythwch Addewid fel PDF i'w argraffu

Download pledge as JPEG for sharing on socials/web/email / Lawrlwythwch addewid fel JPEG i'w rannu ar ddigwyddiadau cymdeithasol / gwe / e-bost

Download pledge as high resolution JPEG / Lawrlwythwch addewid fel JPEG cydraniad uchel

CILIP writes to new MPs

CILIP CEO Louis Coiffait-Gunn is writing to relevant appointees in the new government to highlight the vital role libraries play in our democracy. We have also written to all incoming MPs as they settle into their roles.

CILIP writes to Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy

CILIP Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn has written to Secretary of State Lisa Nandy MP to highlight the vital role libraries play in our democracy.

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Congratulations sent to new PM and Government

CILIP Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn has written to new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to outline how libraries and information professionals can support the new government.

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CILIP Responds to party manifestos

As part of our activities we are reading party manifestos and providing responses to those that mention libraries or the over-arching sector of culture, sports, and heritage.

CILIP response to the Labour Party Manifesto

There are some positive proposals from the Labour Party manifesto. It recognises the importance of knowledge and information as key components for the nation's future economic prosperity.

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CILIP response to the Green Party Manifesto

CILIP welcomes the Green Party manifesto's focus on funding libraries and other cultural organisations with an additional £5bn.

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CILIP response to the Conservative Party Manifesto

Although CILIP welcomes the Conservative Party's Manifesto's focus on leveraging in philanthropic funding for museums and libraries, this has to be on top of sustainable, long-term public funding, [...]

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Pre-election guidance for librarians and knowledge and information managers

Download our list of resources that provide guidance for professionals working in academic, college, school, public, NHS, charity, and other contexts who wish to publicly support CILIP’s Libraries Change Lives and Trust Libraries campaigns, to make sure such activities are compliant with pre-election rules.

From a Candidate's Perspective

What activities do prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) undertake during the pre-election period? What are their main considerations when they are campaigning, and what do the rules say about what they can and cannot do? 'From a Candidates Perspective' provides context on the work of PPCs to support your campaigning for libraries in the build-up to the general election.

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Libraries Change Lives

Libraries Change Lives enables library staff to evidence to the new set of parliamentarians a strong message about the positive impact library services have in their communities.

The campaign is currently gathering case studies and impact stories from libraries across the country, which will form part of a parliamentary event in the latter half of 2024. The campaign is also running a social media and press campaign in the week of 24-28 June.

Get involved and find out more about the campaign: