Contact: Michael Dowling, Director
International Relations Office, ALA
312-280-3200
mdowling@ala.org
For Immediate Release
November 26, 2003
The American Library Association (ALA), and the Guadalajara Book Fair (FIL) are pleased to announce the renewal of the successful collaborative ALA-FIL Free Pass Program, a grants program that supports the development of Spanish-language collections in all types of libraries in the United States. ALA and FIL have signed a new five-year collaborative agreement to continue the program through 2008.
“The ALA-FIL Free Pass Program has been instrumental in helping to make libraries more accessible to Spanish-speaking users around the country by diversifying collections, and we are pleased to renew our commitment to this initiative,” said ALA President Carla Hayden.
Currently in its seventh year, The ALA-FIL Free Pass Program provides an opportunity for ALA member librarians who work in the area of Spanish-language acquisitions and/or working to build their Spanish-language collection to attend the Guadalajara Book Fair. The programs allows librarians to learn more about the cultures of their growing Spanish-speaking communities, as well as review and acquire materials from Spanish-language publishers from around the world.
“This program will help to maintain the links between FIL and ALA-member librarians, who will benefit from our professional activities and will find in Guadalajara the largest, most comprehensive selection of Spanish-language books in Latin America, said FIL director Nubia Macias.” But most importantly, this is an agreement that shows that collaboration among institutions is making a difference for Spanish-speaking residents in the United States.”
Beginning in 2004, the ALA-FIL Free Pass Program will provide 150 ALA member librarians with three days lodging, breakfast, registration, plus a $100 travel stipend.
The 17 th Annual Guadalajara Book Fair, will take place November 29-December 7, 2003.Over 400,000 visitors attend the Fair each year, which is open to the public. This year 1,300 publishing houses will be represented from 32 countries with the guest of honor being Quebec. In addition to the expo, the Guadalajara Book Fair, includes academic and literary forums.