Society, clients and employers have become more demanding and sceptical of the library information and knowledge professional. The increasingly complex and international nature of society, pressures on clients from information overload and scarcity of time, and constantly changing emphases of political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental (PESTLE) factors on employers are continuing to increase expectations of professional skill and behaviour. Meanwhile accountability of some professionals, lack of transparency, perceived self-interest and examples of poor performance and behaviour in some sectors are being increasingly forcefully reproached by those whom professionals serve.

Nothing less than a guarantee of skills, knowledge and a deep and ethical commitment to engaging with the most difficult, ‘wicked’ problems is required from clients and stakeholders.

CILIP Members work alongside those belonging to other professional bodies. Many are also members of other professional bodies. Stakeholders hearing the word ‘professional’ will assume high standards and confident practice irrespective of the particular profession a practitioner belongs to. Proving our right to be a CILIP professional begins with a qualification as the most important indicator of achievement and commitment. It is the start. The professional registration programme supports Members with a range of qualifications and tools to ensure you continue to prove your right to be a CILIP professional.

For some years the Portfolio has been increasingly widely adopted by professions as their main way of assessing applications to practise as a professional. It has been a foundation of CILIP's professional registration programme for a decade. What benefit does this bring to society, clients and employers?

The Portfolio is a record of the journey you have been on to date, including your academic study and training. However, it is much more than this. It is a gallery in which your developing professional inquisitiveness, reflection and personality can be shown. Once you have qualified, it is there to be developed and drawn upon through your career, including when you apply for a higher level of CILIP professional registration. It will help you to plan your professional development, reflect on your professional journey to date, and spot opportunities to exploit and weaknesses to fix.