It was formed in 2002 by the merger of the Library Association (abbreviated to LA or sometimes LAUK) – founded in 1877 as a result of the first International Conference of Librarians[1] and awarded a Royal Charter in 1898[2] – and the Institute of Information Scientists, founded in 1958. Membership is not compulsory for practice, but members can work towards Chartered Membership which entitles them to the postnominal letters MCLIP, and subsequently toward Fellowship (FCLIP) [sic]. Affiliated members can also obtain ACLIP upon completing certification. Honorary Fellowship (HonFCLIP or FCLIP(hc)), a qualification akin to an honorary degree, is granted to a small number of people who have rendered distinguished service to the profession.