International Relations Office (IRO)
ALA Disaster Relief Fund to support Caribbean islands, Mexico, Puerto Rico, library rebuilding efforts
[ en español ] CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) and the library community are supporting response and recovery efforts for libraries damaged by Hurricane Maria and the recent earthquake in Mexico through the ALA Disaster Relief Fund. “We...
Amed Demirhan receives 2017 John Ames Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award
CHICAGO — Amed Demirhan has been named the 2017 recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee’s John Ames Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award, given to a librarian or person who has made significant contributions to...
Registration now open for the 2017 Sharjah International Book Fair(SIBF)/American Library Association (ALA) Library Conference
Registration is open for the 2017 Sharjah International Book Fair(SIBF)/American Library Association (ALA) Library Conference at https://www.sibfala.com/registration/. The Library Conference is at the heart of an ongoing collaboration between the two...
IRO Mission
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...
Third Sharjah International Book Fair/ALA Library Conference wraps up in UAE
Librarians from across the Persian Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) gathered at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) November 8–10 for the third annual SIBF/American Library Association Conference. The...
ALA seeks internationally active mentors
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is looking for internationally active U.S.-based librarians to serve as mentors for 50 new career librarians in the U.S. from diverse backgrounds. The new career librarians received support from an...
Federal experts to walk libraries through government red tape and unfunded mandates at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference
ORLANDO, Fla.—Ever felt frustrated by the prospect of another unfunded mandate from the federal, local or state government? Empower yourself, your library and your community by learning to navigate major e-government resources and websites by attending “E...
Second Sharjah International Book Fair/ALA Library Conference attracts librarians from 20 countries
CHICAGO — Around 300 librarians gathered at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) in the United Arab Emirates Nov. 10-12 for the second SIBF/ALA Library Conference, ALA’s most ambitious international professional development event. Librarians from...
First Sharjah International Book Fair/ALA Library Conference draws more than 600 participants from 20 countries
CHICAGO -- The ALA’s largest ever international professional development event wrapped up November 13 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, where more than 600 librarians gathered on-site at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) for the first two-day...
Bogle-Pratt International Library Travel Fund winner announced
CHICAGO — Sai Deng is the 2014 recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee's "Bogle-Pratt International Library Travel Fund." An award of $1,000 is given to an ALA member to attend their first international...
First Sharjah International Book Fair/ALA Library Conference set for November 2014
CHICAGO -- The first Sharjah International Book Fair/ALA Library Conference is set to take place Nov. 11-13, 2014 at the Expo Centre in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, during the 33rd Sharjah International Book Fair. The two-day library conference will...
2014 John Ames/Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award winner announced
CHICAGO — Dr. Shali Zhang is this year’s recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee’s John Ames/Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award. OCLC/Forest Press donated the cash award of $1,000, which is given to an individual...
Participate in an international travel/service trip to Costa Rica
CHICAGO — Are you interested in a unique opportunity that combines the principles of sustainable tourism and educational travel with international community-based library service work? This trip, hosted by the ALA International Relations Office, is...
Which describes your situation?
Before you begin the process of joining or renewing, take a moment to read the following information. It will make the process quick and easy. Which best describes your situation? New Member? If you are sure you are a new member joining ALA for the very first time, click the Join Online button located in the right hand column of this page. Enter your email and you will be taken to our secure online membership form to make your selections. Renewing/Rejoining? If you are an ALA member now, or have been an ALA member in the past, click the Renew Online button located in the right hand column of...
IRRT participating at the Library 2.013 Conference
CHICAGO — The American Library Association International Relations Round Table will be presenting on the topic “ Internationalizing Your Library” at the online Library 2.013 conference at 2 p.m. Pacific time on Friday, Oct. 18. Beneficial for all...
Be part of the ALA/People to People library tour to Costa Rica
CHICAGO - For 50 years People to People’s Citizen Ambassador Delegations have been providing rewarding professional opportunities by taking your career out of the office and into the world. Now, People to People, in collaboration with the American Library...
2013 Bogle-Pratt International Library Travel Fund winner announced
CHICAGO - Araba Dawson-Andoh is the 2013 recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee's " Bogle-Pratt International Library Travel Fund." The Bogle Memorial Fund and the Pratt Institute School of Information and...
Call for nominations: The ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects
CHICAGO — Nominations are being sought for the ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects. Nominations must be submitted to ALA's International Relations Office by Dec. 1. The citation began as an ALA Presidential initiative...
Welcome ALA International Direct!
CHICAGO — The ALA International Relations Office (IRO) announces the launch of the international version of AL Direct, ALA’s popular and informative electronic newsletter sent weekly to ALA members and other subscribers. IRO’s ALA International Direct...
Jane Kinney Meyers receives 2012 John Ames Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award
CHICAGO — Jane Kinney Meyers is this year’s recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee’s John Ames/Humphry/OCLC/ Forest Press Award. OCLC/Forest Press donated the cash award of $1,000, which is given to an...