IRRT Membership Committee

Statement of Role, Purpose, and Function

The committee is responsible for developing and implementing all membership activities for the IRRT.

Become an IRRT Member and Receive:

• a subscription to International Leads
• information on international opportunities available to US librarians
• a schedule of ALA programs featuring speakers from around the world

If you are already a member of the American Library Association, please consider adding the IRRT membership. Annual dues for IRRT are $15.00 (regular members), $5.00 (student members), $15.00 (organizational and corporate), free for international members. If you are interested in joining ALA and the Round Table for the first time or renew, please see the ALA Membership page for additional information.

For more information, please visit: http://www.ala.org/rt/irrt/irrtmembershipinfo/membershipinformation

Breaking Barriers Award      

The Breaking Barriers Award aims to engage emerging library and information science leaders from under-represented countries by awarding one year of ALA membership, with the possibility of an additional year renewal, to library and information workers in low and middle income countries for whom the ALA membership fee is out of reach.

Call for Applications for Breaking Barriers Award: Engaging Emerging LIS Leaders from Low and Middle Income Countries

The International Relations Roundtable (IRRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is accepting applications for the 2026 Breaking Barriers Award, which aims to engage emerging library and information leaders from under-represented countries. Library and information workers in low and middle income countries for whom the ALA membership fee is out of reach are invited to apply. 

The Breaking Barriers Award is for one year ALA membership with the possibility of a one year renewal. Membership will enable three awardees to benefit from resources and support offered by the ALA professional community.  

Eligibility Criteria

• Currently working in the library or information science field (excludes workers from institutions who receive funds for professional development and travel, for example school librarians at private K-12 schools).
• Resides in a country that is classified as low to middle income according to various reports published by (for example) UNESCO, IFLA, UN and the World Bank.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit an application stating how membership will assist their work in libraries and how they will contribute to our mission of ensuring reliable access to information for all. Application should include the following: 

• How will ALA membership support you in your professional work? (200-500 words) 

• Your full name (First; Surname/Family Name) 

• Institution/Employer

• Postal Address; City, State/Province, Postal Code; Country

• Email address 

• Phone (include international country code)

Applications should be submitted via email to intl@ala.org by February 28, 2026

Awardee Responsibilities

Successful applicants agree to

 • Participate remotely in one or more IRRT committees. 

 • Submit a report of 500 words in English by May 31, 2027. The report should include details of how the membership helped them connect with the international LIS community and furthered their professional goals. 

Co-Chairs

Committee Roster (Full contact information requires log in).

Would you like to join this committee? Request Appointment to an IRRT Committee (You will need to log in)

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