25 November 2025
At a time when questions of free expression, censorship, and access to information are increasingly contested, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is launching a new Intellectual Freedom Committee to champion everyone’s right to read, think and speak freely.
Chaired by Dr David McMenemy, Reader in Information Studies at the University of Glasgow, the new Committee will bring together eight experts from across the information profession and beyond to provide strategic, national leadership on key issues of intellectual freedom. It will empower all those working across library, knowledge, data and information roles to better serve their user communities. The Committee will cover public, school, college, university, health, government, law, prison and all other library and information services.
Dr McMenemy brings extensive experience. With over 25 years as an academic in library and information studies and more than a decade working before that across the profession, including in public libraries, he brings a thorough understanding of past, current and future intellectual freedom challenges. He has clear ideas about the ethics, knowledge, and actions that can help the library and information profession successfully navigate the most controversial issues of the day on behalf of all their service users.
For the public, intellectual freedom means the right of everyone to access information, ask questions, learn, explore ideas and express opinions without undue restriction. A healthy democracy depends on people being able to think for themselves, challenge and interrogate ideas, and participate fully in cultural, educational and civic life. Recent news stories include school and public librarians being asked to remove books, such as LGBTQ+ titles from shelves following complaints, and universities navigating free speech and academic freedom issues with visiting speakers and modified US data sources.
The Committee will take collective responsibility to deliver tangible, positive impacts on issues relating to intellectual freedom, beyond the remit of their own work, sector and experiences. Some of these issues are likely to be complex, contested and unclear, requiring sound judgement, a collaborative approach, and the ability to balance different viewpoints transparently and clearly. It won’t get everything right nor please everyone, but it will work as openly as possible and in good faith to benefit the public, supporting CILIP’s Charter and charitable purpose.
Working closely with the CILIP Board, staff team and future funders, the Committee will help shape and lead an evidence-informed work programme to promote these values across the sector and beyond, ensuring every UK citizen is informed by a wide range of trustworthy information and empowered to use it as they wish.
Dr David McMenemy, Chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee said: “It is very exciting to now be at the point of recruiting members for this essential new committee. Intellectual freedom is such an important democratic value and as one of CILIP’s key ethical principles it is vital that we can provide a robust and inclusive approach to advocating for freedom of access to information and freedom of expression that we can all stand behind as a profession.
“Consider putting your name forward to serve on the committee to ensure we have the widest possible committee membership representing a diversity of experience from across and beyond the profession. The work of the Intellectual Freedom Committee will be important and impactful for our members and for wider society, please consider being a part of it.”
Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO at CILIP commented: “The CILIP Trustee Board’s ongoing commitment to intellectual freedom is clearly illustrated by the creation of this new Committee. With David’s expertise and inclusive approach, the Intellectual Freedom Committee will take evidence-informed actions to provide strategic leadership, practical support, and persuasive advocacy on this critical issue.
“In an era of AI-amplified disinformation and falling trust in many institutions, society needs strong, confident and trustworthy voices speaking up for everyone’s rights, including access to information and freedom of expression. With David at the helm, the new Committee will ensure these values remain central to our profession and visible in public life.”
CILIP provides every single expert library professional, regardless of career stage or sector, with a strong ethical framework to help counter the disturbing effect of censorship. This is accompanied by strong policies such as CILIP’s Intellectual Freedom Policy, Ethical Framework, and guidance such as Managing Safe and Inclusive Library Services.