CILIP/IFLA Aspire Award

In memory of Bob McKee

Jointly sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and IFLA.

IFLA and CILIP, with the support of his family, have launched the Aspire Award in memory of CILIP's Chief Executive Bob McKee, who died in August 2010. The Award will support Bob's strong interests in developing new professionals and strengthening international relationships. It will provide bursaries for new professionals to attend CILIP and IFLA conferences.

The creation of the Award was announced at a special event to celebrate Bob's professional life, held in London on Thursday 28 October 2010, which was the date when Bob was due to hold his retirement party. IFLA's Secretary General, Jennefer Nicholson and CILIP's President, Biddy Fisher launched the Award.

IFLA will provide an international bursary to support a new professional. The scope of the international bursary has now been widened to include the whole library community. The initial timescale for the Award is four years.

CILIP will provide a UK bursary to pay for attendance at either its biennial Umbrella event or its annual New Professionals Conference. 

It is hoped the Award will be funded by donations, which can be made through CILIP or IFLA. 

Additional information is available in the Press Release.

Award winners

• 2012, Yulia Kashpruk
• 2011, Oksana Rozmirovska

Last update: 20 March 2013