Do you want to be an IRRT Emerging Leader?

There’s Still Time to Apply for the 2010 Class of ALA Emerging Leaders Program – Deadline July 31, 2009.

IRRT will sponsor one or two members for 2010. If you are an IRRT member, please indicate on the submission form that you would like us to consider sponsoring you. If you have questions about how IRRT works with the Emerging Leaders program, contact Jeannette Pierce at jpierc2@luc.edu. Details about the program and application process are available in the announcement copied below.

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The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting applications for the 2010 class of Emerging Leaders. Applications can be found at http://www.ala.org/cfapps/emergingleaders/. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2009.

The program is designed to enable approximately 100 library workers to get on the fast track to ALA and professional leadership. Participants are given the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, network with peers and get an inside look into the ALA structure and activities.

For the first time since its establishment, the Emerging Leaders program will accept non-MLS library workers. Library support staff personnel are encouraged to apply to the program and will have an opportunity to be considered for sponsorship through the ALA Library Support Staff Interests Round Table.

An ALA division, round table, ethnic affiliate, state chapter or school library media affiliate will sponsor approximately one-third of the selected applicants. Each sponsor will contribute $1,000 toward expenses ($500 for each conference). Sponsorship is not required for participation in the program.

Applicants can indicate on the application which groups they want to consider them for sponsorship. A list of sponsoring units is included as part of the online application. You can also check with your state association and/or state chapter to find out if they are participating and how to apply for their sponsorship.

No more than one person from any institution will be selected for participation in the program.

In order to be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be under 35 years of age or be a library worker of any age with fewer than 5 years experience working in a library.
Be able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually in between each.
Be prepared to commit to serve on either an ALA, division, chapter or round table committee, taskforce or workgroup, or in your state or local professional library organization upon completion of program.
Be an ALA member or join upon selection if not already a member.

Program information will be available and updated at: http://www.ala.org/cfapps/emergingleaders/.

For questions or more information regarding the program, contact Beatrice Calvin at bcalvin@ala.org.

LC en el ambiente internacional y el entrono digital (LC in the International & Digital Enviroment) - Presentation at ALA

Oye como va! - LC en el ambiente internacional y el entrono digital (How it's going. LC in the international and digital environment ) Come to the Library of Congress booth on Saturday morning, July 11 at 10:30 a.m. to hear Ana Christan give this special technical services presentation in Spanish.

John Ames Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award Winner Announced

Dr. Patricia Oyler 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 for significant contribution to international librarianship.

Patricia Oyler received this award for her significant contributions to library development in Vietnam, including cataloging standards, modern services and new technology application. As a result, her teachings continue to apply valuable knowledge in many workshops, trainings and conferences. Dr. Oyler worked to implement the translation of the Dewey Decimal Classification System into Vietnamese. She also helped to develop a bachelor’s degree program of study in Library and Information Management at Can Tho University in Vietnam. Dr. Oyler is a professor and associate dean of curriculum in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College. A devoted advisor and teacher, Dr. Oyler strives to allow students to excel in the library profession.

“Dr. Patricia Oyler has dedicated the past 16 years of her professional and personal life to the development of a program for Vietnamese librarians to earn MLS degrees in library and information science at Simmons College. Creating an exemplary model for professional training for 21st century librarianship in transitioning countries, Dr. Oyler has coordinated fundraising, teaching, consulting and many other logistics for the now 55 plus graduates. She also consulted on the grant-funded building of five major university libraries in Vietnam.

Over her 40-year career, she has worked to automate and implement bibliographic control in Sweden, Brazil and Vietnam, once as a senior Fulbright lecturer. She has served on international committees in ALA and IFLA. Dr. Oyler has lectured in Vietnam, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, India, and Thailand. She also continues to teach and mentor library science students at Simmons College, as she has done since 1974,”, said Robin L. Kear, chair of the IRC- John Ames Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award Committee.

Dr. Oyler will be recognized during the International Relations Round Table Chair’s Program on Monday, July 13 at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.

Bogle-Pratt International Library Travel Fund Winner Announced

CHICAGO – Jessica Brooks is the 2009 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 Library Science will provide a $1,000 cash award for Brooks to attend her first international conference in Italy.

The award is in recognition of Sarah Comly Norris Bogle, a prominent U.S. librarian who made notable contributions to international library service.

Jessica Brooks is planning to attend the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) satellite meeting in Bologna and the WLIC in Milan. At the satellite meeting she will present a paper and a poster session highlighting international opportunities for librarians, specifically for librarians who are beginning their careers.
Brooks is the librarian trainee at Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Heights Branch.

Ms. Brooks will be recognized during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago during the IRRT Chair's Program on Monday, July 13, 2009.

IRRT Meeting and Programs in Chicago

IRRT MEETINGS

IRRT Executive Committee MeetingSunday, 7/12/20098:00 am – 11:00 amMcCormick Place West - W-175a

IRRT All Subcommittee Meeting

IRRT Chairs MeetingSaturday, 7/11/20098:00 am - 9:00 am
McCormick Place West (MCP) - W-187

IRRT Subcommittee MeetingsSaturday, 7/11/20098:00 am - 10:00 am
McCormick Place West (MCP) - W-187

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

“Digitization in Developing Countries”-IRRT Pre-conferenceFriday, 7/10/200909:00 am - 01:00 pm**$75 (includes lunch and light refreshments)Hyatt Regency Chicago - Columbus Hall C/D
Description: Digitization of scholarly information, research materials and cultural heritage achieved a global scale, or did it? Aiming to preserve, document, and provide access to legacy collections; digitization efforts require significant fiscal outlay for infrastructure and technology, as well as human resources. A lot has been written about digitization projects in industrial nations but do we know how (and if) developing countries grapple with the challenges of implementing digitization projects? How are potential partners/funding agencies being identified? What are considerations in selecting material for digitization? Fee: $75 USD. Includes lunch at a restaurant and materials. **(Lunch will take place after Preconference.) Speakers: To be announcedTo register online, please visit the ALA Conference Registration page or send a paper form by email or fax.

International Librarians OrientationFriday, 7/10/2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pmHyatt Regency McCormick - Conf. Center 12a-c

Description: An introduction to the ALA Conference and the city of Chicago for International and other attendees from abroad. ALA members will provide an overview of the conference, including recommended programs and social activities. Learn about conference transportation, the ALA's Exhibit Hall and the Meaning of the ALA's many acronyms. Meet your mentors and representatives from ALA's many divisions and round tables who will help international librarians get the most from the conference experience. (For International librarians outside the U.S.) Libraries Serving Multicultural Communities -

IRRT International PapersSaturday, 7/11/20091:30 pm - 3:00 pmMcCormick Place West - W-181

Description: Societies around the world—both urban and rural—are increasingly multicultural and libraries of all kinds and sizes are adapting their services, programs, and collections to serve culturally diversified communities of users. “Multiculturalism,” as defined by IFLA’s Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section, is the “co-existence of diverse cultures, where culture includes racial, religious, or cultural groups and is manifested in customary behaviors, cultural assumptions and values, patterns of thinking, and communicative styles.” Consequently, “multicultural library services include both the provision of multicultural information to all types of library users and the provision of library services specifically targeted to traditionally underserved groups.” This inclusive approach is at the core of this year’s theme, which will explore successful projects and initiatives implemented around the world to improve library services to their evolving communities. The International Papers Program provides librarians with an opportunity to exchange information about library services and collections throughout the world. The program also serves to stimulate the interest of U.S. librarians in international library matters. Speakers:To be announced

International Poster SessionSunday, 7/11/ 200911:00 am - 12:30 pmMcCormick Place Convention Center - Exhibit Floor

Description: This is a forum for librarians from around the world to highlight their libraries and to share their successful ideas with colleagues by presenting a research study, a practical problem-solving effort or an innovative library program. List of International Poster Sessions--Coming soon!Complete list of ALA Poster Sessions--

Coming soon!Libraries of Sub-Saharan Africa: Assessing Recent Successes and ChallengesSunday, 7/12/20091:30 pm - 3:30 pmFairmont Hotel - Crystal Room

Description: Join presenters for a discussion of the successes and challenges involved in library development in Sub-Saharan African countries. A question-and-answer session will follow their presentations, which include pictures of the projects they have undertaken in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sponsored by the International Relations Committee Africa Subcommittee.
Speakers: To be announced

Yes We Can: Support International Sustainable Library DevelopmentMonday, 7/13/200910:30 am - 12:00 pmMcCormick Place West (MCP) - W-181

Description: Find out how you can participate in an international library project. This program will present ways that librarians can connect with international projects. After the presentations on Ethiopia Reads and Books Open the World, there will be discussion groups where attendees can learn more about these and other projects in which they can get involved. (Program sponsored by the International Sustainable Library Development-ISLD)Speakers: To be announcedAfrica's Resources: Funding, Gathering, Digitizing and Providing Access to Cultural Heritage -

IRRT-60th Anniversary Chair’s Program Monday, 7/13/20091:30 pm - 3:30 pmMcCormick Place West (MCP) - W 192c

Description: This program features two international leaders, whose organizations are making significant contributions in gathering, providing access to, and increasing knowledge about Africa’s cultural and scientific heritage. Prior to the program, there will be a presentation of the Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award for International Librarianship and the Bogle International Library Travel Fund Award. The work of the 2009 ALA IRRT emerging leaders will also be recognized. Please join us and celebrate our 60th Anniversary. Refreshments will be served. Speakers: To be announced

International Librarians' ReceptionMonday, 7/13/20096:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Description: Please join the International Relations Round Table (IRRT) in welcoming and celebrating with librarians from more than 80 countries at the ALA Annual Conference. Open to all conference attendees, this reception offers a unique opportunity to network with hundreds of information professionals from around the world. Join us for a mixing of culture and ideas, regional cuisine, hors d’oeuvres and open bar (this event is free for international librarians). Advance registration is required. Tickets: Advance: $30. Onsite: $35

We would like to thank our sponsors for this year's International Librarians Reception:*Blackwell Book Services

IRRT 2009 Election Results

Congratulations to the newest members of the IRRT Executive Board


IRRT's election results.

President-elect
Patricia Oyler

Secretary/Treasurer
Win Shih

Member-at-large
Eve A. Nyren

Round Table Councilor
Marilyn McClaskey

IRRT 60th Anniversary Endowment Campaign

Celebrating 60 Years of Service
Over the years the International Relations Round Table has provided opportunity for countless numbers of librarians to participate in global advancement of the profession. Round Table programs and receptions have been highlights of the association’s annual meetings. ALA membership at large has benefited from contact at conferences with colleagues from every corner of the world. Many international librarians’ first encounter with American library practice has been through the work of IRRT. Over the sixty years of its existence IRRT has fostered opportunities for U.S. librarians to visit libraries in other countries and to work overseas in exchange and other programs. It has facilitated the donation of books to needy institutions abroad and provided professional expertise to libraries on every continent. To maintain and expand these important activities resources from an ongoing fund are essential.
Tribute to the 60th Anniversary of IRRT (Word file)
Endowment Campaign Donations2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the American Library Association's International Relations Round Table (IRRT). To celebrate the richness of relationships developed over the years between U.S. librarians and their colleagues abroad, and to provide a foundation for continued contribution by the Round Table to ALA's important role in international librarianship, the IRRT leadership is embarking on a Sixty campaign to create an IRRT endowment.In keeping with the campaign theme, we suggest a donation of $60, $600, or whatever amount you feel would be appropriate.
Make your tax deductible donation in either of the following ways:
Credit card: Please visit the ALA Development Office page (click on GIVEALA logo)
Send a contribution by mail, using the printable mail-in form (PDF). Complete form to the attention of Delin Guerra at ALA's International Relations Office, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 6011-2795, USA