IRRT International Papers and Projects Committee

Statement of Role, Purpose, and Function

Founded in 1999, the committee's charge is to encourage the scholarly exchange of ideas on library issues between U.S. librarians and their colleagues from other countries; to develop a venue that fosters discussion and the exchange of opinion; to disseminate a global view of the library profession that will enrich and broaden the views of U.S. librarians; and to encourage our foreign colleagues to learn more about our professional associations and concerns.

Goals and Objectives

• To select a theme for the annual call for papers that reflects the focus of the presidential theme
• To announce and disseminate the call for papers
• To review and select 4-5 presenters from foreign countries who represent a wide diversity of opinions and approaches to the library
• To promote the international papers session in the conference
• To work with other ALA committees to place foreign speakers on appropriate panels
• To evaluate the success of the yearly program

2023 IRRT Papers and Projects Program "Finding a New Normal: Library Policies and Practices"The American Library Association's International Relations Round Table (IRRT) Papers and Projects Committee invites everyone at the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, IL to the Program:

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Please see the program flyer for full details.

Past ALA Papers and sessions

2022 IRRT Papers and Projects session

Library Policies in a Time of Uncertainty and Controversy

Date and Time: Saturday, June 25, 2022 | 11:00am 12:00pm EDT
Location: Washington Convention Center, 147B

International presentations included:

The Evolution of Course Policies and Library Instruction at the American University in Cairo during COVID-19 Presented by Meredith K. Saba, The American University, Cairo, Egypt The presentation will examine how the AUC Library handled different instructional challenges over the past two years as the campus policies on COVID-19 shifted, and also what lessons were learned throughout the process while transitioning from an in-person model to all-online to a current hybrid/DD model. Policy successes, challenges, and suggested changes for the future will be discussed – specifically changes in AUC’s COVID policies overall and in the online learning policy that was developed for all courses.

Pathways to Practice Presented by Rae-Anne Montague, Chicago State University, Chicago, USA and Kuuleilani Reyes, Midkiff Learning Center at Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, Hawaii, USA The presentation looks at examples of models and resources currently in use in school and public libraries and reviews recent information literacy initiatives that have been implemented to address critical concerns, provide strategic support for diverse informational needs including working directly with students and community leaders, and enhance educational leadership efforts. The presentation also considers ongoing challenges related to policies, representation, access, literacy, and misinformation - as well as some potential options for improving approaches and augmenting future engagement.

Moderated by Brea Henson and Felicia Chan, Co-Chairs of IRRT Papers & Projects Session Committee IRRT Paper & Projects Session Committee Website: https://bit.ly/3tIfX2L ALA Website: https://2022.alaannual.org

2021 Papers and Projects Session

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IRRT Papers & Projects Session Library Policies in a Time of Uncertainty and Controversy Saturday, June 25, 2022 | 11:00am 12:00pm EDT Washington Convention Center, 147B International presentations include: The Evolution of Course Policies and Library Instruction at the American University in Cairo during COVID-19 Presented by Meredith K. Saba, The American University, Cairo, Egypt The presentation will examine how the AUC Library handled different instructional challenges over the past two years as the campus policies on COVID-19 shifted, and also what lessons were learned throughout the process while transitioning from an in-person model to all-online to a current hybrid/DD model. Policy successes, challenges, and suggested changes for the future will be discussed – specifically changes in AUC’s COVID policies overall and in the online learning policy that was developed for all courses. Pathways to Practice Presented by Rae-Anne Montague, Chicago State University, Chicago, USA and Kuuleilani Reyes, Midkiff Learning Center at Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, Hawaii, USA The presentation looks at examples of models and resources currently in use in school and public libraries and reviews recent information literacy initiatives that have been implemented to address critical concerns, provide strategic support for diverse informational needs including working directly with students and community leaders, and enhance educational leadership efforts. The presentation also considers ongoing challenges related to policies, representation, access, literacy, and misinformation - as well as some potential options for improving approaches and augmenting future engagement. Moderated by Brea Henson and Felicia Chan, Co-Chairs of IRRT Papers & Projects Session Committee IRRT Paper & Projects Session Committee Website: https://bit.ly/3tIfX2L ALA Website: https://2022.alaannual.org
The ALA 2021 Annual Conference papers session was a virtual experience with the Theme Strengthening Societies: Libraries as Critical Institutions in Helping Communities Manage Change. This session w moderated by members of the ALA International Relations Round Table Papers and Projects Session Committee. The committee welcomed speakers from China, Singapore, and the US! This session explored how libraries support their communities during times of unrest and uncertainty that can cause collective trauma. Speakers explored how their libraries play a role in keeping their communities strong and resilient, from disaster recovery, stepping up to address inequality, providing social and mental support, facilitating conversations and actions, whether it is social justice or bridging understanding, all the way to preparing for longer term changes in the way we deliver services and content. This session was not about COVID-19, as a pandemic, just one (albeit a very challenging one) scenario that can affect the fabric of society. In this session, participants acquired new ideas on how to support their own communities facing possible disruptions, such as pandemics, natural disasters, political instability, violence, or economic downturns; as well as to identify what resources (financial, technological, human) may be needed in order to support a community in crisis; and able (if they choose) to connect with the speakers and share experiences of their own libraries in supporting communities in crisis.

CHAIRS

Ms. Michele T. Fenton (Co-Chair, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025)

Members