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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

Call for International Papers - The American Library Association, International Papers Committee invites proposals for presentations to be made at the next ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC, June 24-29, 2010.

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.

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 22nd Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) from November 28 - December 6, 2009. For a list of exhibitors at the book fair, please visit the Guadalajara Book Fair site.(opens in a new window)--DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED


IRRT's 60th Anniversary - 2009 marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the International Relations Round Table. To celebrate the richness of relationships developed over the years between U.S. librarians and other colleagues abroad, the IRRT leadership is embarking on a Sixty for Sixty campaign to create an IRRT endowment. Join us in this celebration!

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)



Oversight Groups

International Relations Committee (Standing, Council) - IRC sets ALA priorities in the international area, promoting a global exchange of ideas, knowledge, personnel, and literature. Committee members represent Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Eurasia and Central Asia, Near East and South Asia, Europe and the Americas.

International Relations Round Table - IRRT is your link to ALA. Round table members organize international programs for ALA Conferences, sponsors international discussion lists, match sister libraries, and produce the quarterly International Leads newsletter.


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 22nd Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) from November 28 - December 6, 2009. For a list of exhibitors at the book fair, please visit the Guadalajara Book Fair site.(opens in a new window)

International Events and Conferences - Current list of events and conferences throughout the world. If you wish to include an international event, please send an email to intl@ala.org.

IFLA 2010 Conference - August 10-15, 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden (opens 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)

ALA International Resolutions

International Resolutions - The American Library Association deplores the destruction of libraries, library collections and property, and the disruption of the educational process by that act, whether it be done by individuals or groups of individuals and whether it be in the name of honest dissent, the desire to control or limit thought or ideas, or for any other purpose. (ALA Policy 53.7 Intellectual Freedom- Destruction of Libraries)

Social Networking

ALA Connect


ALA has replaced the old Online Communities service with ALA Connect, offers a virtual, collaborative, workspace online. Any member can create new communities (unofficial ALA groups) without any staff assistance, so the site will combine association work with communities of interest in one place.

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 - List of international discussion groups and listservs.

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)

Facebook, Twitter, and Weblogs

Follow the International Relations Office on Facebook and for recent updates on Twitter. (opens a new window)

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)

Flickr - Take a look at some of the pictures that our members have taken throughout the years, including the International Librarians Reception and IRRT's 60th Anniversary Celebration. (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

International Relations News

IRRT's 60th Anniversary

Contribute to the IRRT Endowment Campaign in honor of the 60th Anniversary. Donate Now!