It was established in 2002 as a merger of the Library Association (LA, sometimes LAUK) and the Institute of Information Scientists (IIS).
CILIP in Scotland (CILIPS) is an independent organisation which operates in Scotland in affiliation with CILIP and delivers services via a service level agreement.
CILIP's 2020 goal is to "put information and library skills and professional values at the heart of a democratic, equal and prosperous society".