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International Relations Office

50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2795
USA
International Phone: +1 312-280-3201
Inside USA: 1-800-545-2433 ext. 3201
Fax: +1 312-280-4392
Email: intl@ala.org

Mission

The mission of the International Relations Office (IRO) is to increase ALA's presence in the global library community, to implement ALA policies concerning international librarianship, to promote greater understanding of international librarianship and international library issues within ALA, and to manage international library activities on behalf of the ALA.

To accomplish its mission the IRO coordinates ALA activities in support of official ALA delegations to international events such as book fairs and congresses; promotes international library exchanges and partnerships; recruits international librarians to become members of ALA and attend ALA conferences; responds to international inquiries concerning library issues and activities in the United States; serves as a point of contact for ALA's routine communication with international organizations to which ALA belongs, including IFLA; and provides support for the ALA International Relations Committee (IRC) and the International Relations Round Table (IRRT).

Initiatives, Projects & Highlights

ALA 2009 Midwinter Meeting - Early Registration. Don't miss the opportunity to save money when you register for both Midwinter 2009 and Annual Conference 2009 with a savings of up to 20% based on the type of registration.

International Meetings and Programs Schedule at ALA Midwinter - List of international meetings and programs during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Denver, Colorado, January 23-28, 2009.

Call for International Poster Session - This is a forum for librarians from around the world to highlight their libraries and to share their successful ideas with colleagues by presenting a research study, a practical problem-solving effort or an innovative library program.

Annual Conference Registration - The 2009 Annual Conference will take place in Chicago, IL July 9-15, 2009 at McCormick Place Convention Center. Early registration is now open.

International School Library Month - Celebrate with us the International School Library Month. This year's theme is "Literacy and Learning at your school library".

IRRT Free Links Project - An Emerging Leaders Project providing access to free professional development opportunities for ALA members around the world. (opens in a new window)

 

 

International Events & Meetings

ALA-FIL Free Pass Program - ALA and the Guadalajara International Book Fair are partnering for the ninth year to provide support for ALA members to attend the 21st Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) from November 29 - December 3, 2008. For a list of exhibitors at the book fair, please visit the Guadalajara Book Fair site.(opens in a new window)
IFLA 2009 Conference - Milan, Italy (opens in a new window)

Popular Resources

  • IFLA Website - The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession.(opens a new window)
  • IFLA GLAD Programme -  GLAD is designed to strengthen the individual skills and competencies of library association officers to operate library Associations through a mentor-mentee program.
  • Campaign for the World's Libraries - The Campaign for the World's Libraries is a public education campaign of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the American Library Association and libraries around the world to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. It is designed to showcase the unique and vital roles played by public, school, academic and special libraries worldwide. Join today! (opens a new window)



Social Networking

Wikis (following pages will open in a new window)

  • International Relations Round Table (IRRT) - This wiki is one tool that seems ideally suited to help the Executive Board and committee chairs share ideas, draft documents and collaborate without endless email exchanges. It is hoped that as members edit documents they will find this wiki a valuable forum where all can participate in a collegial atmosphere.
  • Sister Libraries Initiative - To promote the concept of a global community of libraries, the American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging U.S. libraries to form partnerships with libraries in other countries.
  • Global Outreach Database -  The purpose of this database is to track participation of North American librarians in the worldwide library community allowing you to search international activities of librarians.
  • Library Student Twinning Project - The objective of this wiki is to connect students studying at library schools in the United States and Canada, (which ALA accredits), with library students in programs in other parts of the world.
  • Twinning Programme-IFLA (GLAD) - A mentor-mentee program designed to strengthen the individual skills and competencies of library association officers to operate library Associations.

Discussion Lists (following pages will open in a new window)

International Discussion Lists -
ALAWorld (IRRT) - The purpose of the ALAWorld Listserv is to foster international cooperation and understanding between libraries by providing a forum for sharing news, including educational and exchange opportunities, about libraries around the world and international entities affecting libraries.

Subscription instructions:

  1. Go to http://lists.ala.org (opens a new window)
  2. Click on “Login” (First time users will need to get a password)
  3. Click on "List of lists"
  4. Click on ALAWORLD
  5. Select “Subscribe”

SYMPA-ALA Mailing List Service - This server provides you access to ALA's mailing lists.  You can perform subscription options, unsubscription, archives, and list management. (First time users will need to get a password)

Weblogs

IRRTBlogspot - Engage, Communicate, Participate! (opens a new window)
ALA Weblog Service - This blog automatically aggregates all posts from all other ALA blogs. This allows you to easily track everything that is posted on this system. (opens a new window)




Staff

Michael Dowling - Director
mdowling@ala.org
Tel: 312.280.3200 / 800.545.2433, ext. 3200

Delin R. Guerra - Program Officer
dguerra@ala.org
Tel: 312.280.3201 / 800.545.2433, ext. 3201