IRRT International Connections Committee

Statement of Role, Purpose, and Function

The IRRT International Connections Committee, formally Exchanges Committee, has as its purpose to collect information about library professionals and libraries worldwide seeking to establish study visits and exchange programs; to disseminate information to librarians about opportunities to enrich and broaden their career experience and the library profession by developing intercultural perspectives; to share educational and cultural interests, achievements, and developments in libraries and thus assist in the development of the profession and of friendly and peaceful relations with countries throughout the world.

2023 Call for Photo Contributions - Best Practices from World Libraries Photo Gallery

Hello Global IRRT Community,

Call for Photo Contribution - 2023 Best Practices from World Libraries Photo Gallery

The International Connections Committee (ICC) of the International Relations Round Table (IRRT) at the American Library Association (ALA) cordially invites you to contribute a photo from your library that best demonstrates the IRRT President's initiative this year, "The New Normal for Libraries Around the Globe". Share with us the services, initiatives, programs, displays, and grants your library provides and help us build the "2023 Best Practices from World Libraries" photo gallery.  The photos will be displayed via our websites, publications and/or social media outlets.

Examples from previous years:
ALA-IRRT International Connections

The deadline for photo submissions is April 25, 2023.

Please use the Google submission form to upload your image.  

If a Google account is not available, please email your submission to Sarah Sogigian at sarah@masslibsystem.org,  following the instructions, requirements, and format below.

General Email Submission Instructions/Format

Email subject title should read: 2023 Photo Gallery

In the email, please provide the following information:

1. Project title (a short title for your library's project)
2. Library and its affiliation (example: Fogler Library, University of Maine)
3. Library location (State/Province, Country; example: Michigan, USA)
4. Library type (select from the following: Academic library, Public library, School library, Special library or other)
5. Project description (in under 200 words, please describe why this project best demonstrates the value of libraries in rapidly changing world)
6. Project contact person and email (preferred but optional; the contact information will be publicly displayed)
7. Preferred attribution for the image (name of image owner)

*Image requirements: please provide the image with the highest resolution you have; a horizontal photo that is at least 5400 pixels wide with 300 dpi is preferred.

**Notice - With this submission, you grant the ALA, IRRT and ICC full permission to distribute, edit and build upon your work with attribution.

All questions can be directed to Sarah Sogigian at sarah@masslibsystem.org

2020 ALA Annual in Chicago, IL

Program: Leaning International: stories from the field

The IRRT  International  Connections Committee asked librarians who have worked abroad, in academic, school, government, public, or special libraries, to speak about their experiences on the Leaning International: stories from the field panel. The panel was held at ALA Virtual Conference .

Panel Description: For information professionals in all stages of their career who are interested in working internationally, this annual program hosted by IRRT’s International Connections Committee features American librarians discussing their own unique international experiences.  Sessions are split between prepared topics and audience Q&A time.  These interactive events have included such diverse topics as leveraging networks to find work abroad, pre-departure language and etiquette training, adapting to regional librarianship as well as cultural standards, the practicalities of life overseas, and more!

Documents

• Guide to Being a Global Librarian (PDF) 
• International Opportunities and Funding Sources for Librarians 
• Foundations and Organizations Supporting International Exchanges and/or Short-term Travel 
• Preparing for International Travel and Exchanges
• International Employment Opportunities for Librarians
• International Job Exchange: Bibliography
• Voices of Exchange

2017 ALA Annual Conference-Chicago: Leaning International: Stories from the Field

For MLS students through seasoned information professionals interested in working internationally, this annual program hosted by IRRT’s International Connections Committee features American librarians discussing their own unique international experiences.  Sessions are split between prepared topics and audience Q&A time.  These interactive events have included such diverse topics as leveraging networks to find work abroad, pre-departure language and etiquette training, adapting to regional librarianship as well as cultural standards, the practicalities of life overseas, and more!

2016 ALA Annual Conference -  Orlando: Leaning International: Stories from the field

Description: For MLS students through seasoned information professionals interested in working internationally, this annual program hosted by IRRT’s International Connections Committee featured American librarians discussing their own unique international experiences.  Sessions were split between prepared topics and audience Q&A time.  These interactive events  included such diverse topics as leveraging networks to find work abroad, pre-departure language and etiquette training, adapting to regional librarianship as well as cultural standards, the practicalities of life overseas, and more!  

2015 ALA Annual Conference Activities - San Francisco: Leaning International: Recipes from the Field

Description: For MLS students through seasoned information professionals interested in working internationally, this annual program hosted by IRRT’s International Connections Committee features American librarians discussing their own unique international experiences.  Discussions are split between prepared topics and audience Q&A time.  These interactive sessions have included such diverse topics as leveraging networks to find work abroad, pre-departure language and etiquette training, adapting to regional librarianship as well as cultural standards, the practicalities of life overseas, and more! This annual program hosted by IRRT’s International Connections Committee features American librarians speaking about their own unique international experiences. 
Speakers: (Click on each name to view presentation) Rebecca L. Miller, Senior Research Officer at Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit; Catherine Shreve, Librarian for Public Policy & Political Science, Perkins Library, Duke University; Elly Shodell, Oral Historian Director of Local History Center, Port Washington Public Library, Ray Pun, ALA Emerging Leader 2014, Reference and Research Services Librarian, New York University Shanghai Library, Jim Agee, University Librarian, American University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

2014 ALA Annual Conference - Las Vegas: Leaning International...Recipes from the field

Description: Are you an MLS student or a recent graduate interested in working internationally? Are you seriously considering it? Do you want to get a recipe on how to prepare for this challenging and exciting opportunity? From service-learning project in Sao Tome to exciting library jobs in China and Kazakhstan…Come and hear first-hand from people who will share their real-life experiences and help you to go in the right direction.

Speakers: Martin Wolske, Center for Digital Inclusion (CDI), GSLIS UIUC; Sara Margaret Rizzo, Nazarbayev University Library, Astana, Kazakhstan; Samuel Charles Boss, Guangzhou Public Library, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

• Program (PDF file)

Chairs

Members

Committee Roster (Full contact information requires log in).

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