John Wickenden

CLIS 50th Anniversary Conference & AGM

18Apr2026

CLIS 50th Anniversary Conference & AGM - Keep Calm and Start a Theological Library

From 10:30 until 15:00

The Wesley Euston

81–103 Euston Street, London, NW1 2EZ

£10

John Wickenden / Email: [email protected]

We are pleased to announce that we are arranging our 50th Anniversary Conference and AGM in London on Saturday 18th April 2026. "Keep Calm and Start a Theological Library". We have two confirmed speakers, Freda Carey who will be speaking about her work in Pakistan in Theological Education, including theological college libraries, and Rosslyn Johnston Librarian of Yarnton Manor Theological Library. Please put the date in your diaries and watch this space for more information. At the AGM we will celebrating 50 years of the Librarians' Christian Fellowship (LCF) and Christians in Library and Information Services (CLIS). We will also be looking back at our history and also giving details of the theological libraries we have supported in Africa. PLEASE NOTE: The Agenda and Special Resolution at the AGM below.

Programme:
10.30 Refreshments.
11 Worship.
11.20 Freda Carey’s Talk.
12.30 AGM. (See Agenda and Motion below)
13.15 Lunch.
14.15 Rosslyn Johnston’s talk.
15.15 Discussion and Networking.
16.00 close.

CLIS Conference & AGM 2026

Please note that the payment will be to "Nicholas Horley"

AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF CHRISTIANS IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY 18th APRIL 2026 at 12.30 p.m. AT WESLEY HOTEL & ON ZOOM

  1. Apologies for Absence
  2. Approval of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Christians in Library and Information Services held on Saturday 29th March 2025
  3. Matters Arising
  4. Annual Report from the Chair and Secretary – Robert Foster
  5. Treasurer's Report for 2025 – Diana Guthrie
  6. Election of Officers
  7. Special Proposal regarding Future of CLIS - Robert Foster

The following motion is proposed by the CLIS Executive Committee:
 
1. On 31st December 2026, Christians in Library and Information Services (CLIS) will cease as an organisation with a register of members; the bank accounts will be closed and the committee members will stand down. 
 
2. The name, Christians in Libraries and Information Services, will continue to be used for the website, messaging group(s), a WordPress blog or equivalent; those who have been members of CLIS will be welcome to join these if they have not already done so. No personal data will be stored. The CLIS acting secretary will be the moderator of the online groups, as is currently the case.
 
 3. The CLIS website will remain the repository of the Christian Librarian journal and also the gateway to the blog, funds being paid before closure of the bank accounts to provide ongoing access for 5 years. 
 
4. After any administrative costs, such as paying the website host and our donation to the Evangelical Library for storage of the LCF / CLIS archive, the remaining balance in the CLIS bank accounts will be shared equally between Transform Work UK and the Evangelical Library.
 
Notes:

  1. In the New Year Letter and article 'The future of CLIS' (Christian Librarian, February 2026) I indicated that we could have a small committee continuing for a temporary period but without conferences or printed publications. The Executive Committee has come to the conclusion that this is not a practicable option. Please note therefore that point 1 of the motion will apply whether or not the proposal is accepted.
     
  2. A number of members have expressed reservations about using social media, particularly Facebook (we no longer use ‘X’ – formerly Twitter).  For this reason we are offering people who want to remain in touch the opportunity to keep in contact via group text-messaging as well as writing on the website blog.
     
  3. The possibility of merging with another organisation has been raised on several occasions and the Executive Committee has devoted some time in its meetings to this.  The problem has been finding another group similar enough to CLIS in its aims, one that is both specifically Christian and also library-focussed at heart.  A merger would have to be worth the time and energy which the process entails, and without a compelling candidate or the necessary committee members to carry this through we have ruled out this option.

 
If you are NOT intending to be at the Annual General Meeting you may vote by email or post.  If so, please place a cross by one of the following and send to the acting Secretary, John Wickenden (Email: [email protected])
Votes must be received by Thursday 16th April.
 
I am in favour of the motion
 
I am against the motion
 
I wish to abstain
 
8. Any Other Business

 

There are 50 places available.