International Relations Committee (IRC)

HISTORY AND COMPOSITION
Created in 1923. Functions approved by Council in 1931. Made a Board Committee in 1942 and continued as a standing committee under the reorganization of 1956. Became a Council Committee in 1972. Charge revised June 1993. Size changed from 8 members to 12 members, June 1993. Committee composed of 11 members with two-year staggered terms, with chair appointed annually.

CHARGE
To have full responsibility for the Association's international relations programs and initiatives; to work with the International Relations Round Table ( IRRT), division international Relations committees, and other units of the Association in promoting the exchange of professional information, techniques and knowledge, as well as personnel and literature between and among libraries and individuals throughout the world; to advocate the recognition of the international aspects of the library profession and its priority within ALA; to recommend international relations policy for Council approval and to take the necessary steps for implementation; to make recommendations to the ALA Executive Board for appointments or nominations to international organizations ( IFLA, etc.) and other agencies concerned with international library and information services (IREX, etc.); to administer programs of the Association focused on international relations (awards, recognition, exchanges); to promote program and publication activities on international relations by the Association and its divisions and committees; to maintain communication, when appropriate, with other library and information service organizations concerned with international relations; to represent the Association's view to organizations and agencies outside the ALA that are concerned with international relations of libraries; to encourage active participation by US librarians in the work of international organizations.

Chair
Dr. Blanche Woolls (2007-2008)
E-mail:  bwoolls@slis.sjsu.edu

International Relations Committee Roster (Full committee roster requires log in)

SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS

STAFF LIAISON
Michael Dowling, Director,  International Relations Office, inside U.S. (800) 545-2433, ext. 3200, outside U.S. 312-280-3200, Fax: (312) 280-4392, mdowling@ala.org

ALA Divisions with International Relations Committees

International Relations Committee Documents

Click here to return to the list of ALA and Council committees

Click here to return to the INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE

International Relations Committee (IRC)
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2795
USA
Email: intl@ala.org

History and Composition

Created in 1923. Functions approved by Council in 1931. Made a Board Committee in 1942 and continued as a standing committee under the reorganization of 1956. Became a Council Committee in 1972. Charge revised June 1993. Size changed from 8 members to 12 members, June 1993. Committee composed of 11 members with two-year staggered terms, with chair appointed annually.

Charge

To have full responsibility for the Association's international relations programs and initiatives; to work with the International Relations Round Table (IRRT), division international Relations committees, and other units of the Association in promoting the exchange of professional information, techniques and knowledge, as well as personnel and literature between and among libraries and individuals throughout the world; to advocate the recognition of the international aspects of the library profession and its priority within ALA; to recommend international relations policy for Council approval and to take the necessary steps for implementation; to make recommendations to the ALA Executive Board for appointments or nominations to international organizations (IFLA, etc.) and other agencies concerned with international library and information services (IREX, etc.); to administer programs of the Association focused on international relations (awards, recognition, exchanges); to promote program and publication activities on international relations by the Association and its divisions and committees; to maintain communication, when appropriate, with other library and information service organizations concerned with international relations; to represent the Association's view to organizations and agencies outside the ALA that are concerned with international relations of libraries; to encourage active participation by US librarians in the work of international organizations.

Committee Roster

Chair

Sha Li Zhang (2010-2012)
UNC at Greensboro Libraries
Greensboro, North Carolina
E-mail: slzhang@uncg.edu

International Relations Committee Roster - Full committee roster (ALA members only)

Staff Liaison

Michael Dowling, Director, International Relations Office, inside U.S inside U.S. (800) 545-2433, ext. 3200, outside U.S. 312-280-3200, Fax: (312) 280-4392, mdowling@ala.org

Initiatives & Projects

ALA Ahead 2015 - In June, 2010, the American Library Association adopted a new strategic plan. ALA 2015 outlines strategic goals and objectives for the next five years, and sets priorities for the association that will strengthen libraries, the profession, and the public’s access to information.

International Meetings and Programs during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas, Texas. January 20-24, 2012

 

News

IFLA's 78th Annual Conference - The World Library and Information Congress 2012, 78th IFLA General Conference and Assembly, will take place at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre in Helsinki, Finland. The ALA membership number to use for your IFLA Conference registration is US-0002.

Bogle Travel Award - accepting applications for the 2012 Bogle Pratt International Library Travel Fund sponsored by the Bogle Memorial Fund and the Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science. An award of $1,000 is given to an ALA personal member to attend their first international conference. Deadline: January 1, 2012

Humphry Award - Nominations Sought For Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award for International Librarianship. The award consists of a prize of $1,000 and a certificate. This award is given to a librarian or person who has made significant contributions to international librarianship. Deadline: January 1, 2012.

 

IRC Subcommittees

ALA Divisions with International Relations Committees

International Relations Committee Documents

Social Networking

IRC-Wiki (opens a new window)

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) Opens in a new window.

Related Sites



If you have any comments or questions about this page, please contact the International Relations Office at intl@ala.org