Crossing Borders: 21st Century International Librarianship

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Crossing Borders 21st Century International
Librarianship
Patrick Sullivan San Diego State University CLA
Conference San Jose November 2008
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Presentation Outline

• Background
• What is International Librarianship?
• Where should I look?
• How do I get involved?
• Next steps

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Background

• My intro
• SDSU
• Mexico
• My experience
• REFORMA
• ALA
• Fulbright

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WHAT is International Librarianship?

• International librarians
• At home and abroad
• The essence of international librarianship
• Still much to be done

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Where should I look?

• Library Organizations
• Networks of Libraries
• Government and Non-Government

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Library Organizations

• IFLA
• ALA
• International Relations Committee
• International Relations Round Table
• CLA
• AMBAC
• ABIBAC

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Networks of Libraries

• ARL, ACRL, CARL, SLA
• Agricultural Libraries Networks
• Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries
• School Librarians

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Government and Non-Government

• United Nations
• Department of State - IROs
• CIES (Council for the International Exchange of
  Scholars) Fulbright
• Philanthropic/Educational Foundations
• Bill Melinda Gates Foundation
• Carnegie Corp
• Mortenson Center for Intl Library Programs

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How do I get involved?

• ALA
• International Relations Committee
• http//www.ala.org/ala/iro/internationalrelations.
  cfm
• Subcommittees
• IRRT
• http//www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Sectionirrt
• Roundtable with numerous committee opportunities
• Home to Sister Libraries, International
  Exchanges, International Leads

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International Relations Committee(IRC)
CHARGE Promoting the exchange of professional
information, techniques and knowledge To
encourage active participation by US librarians
in the work of international organizations.
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International Relations Committee(IRC)
SUBCOMMITTEES Africa Subcommittee East Asia and
the Pacific Subcommittee Europe Subcommittee
Eurasia and Central Asia Subcommittee Near East
and South Asia Subcommittee Americas
Subcommittee Bogle Pratt Award Subcommittee
International Federation of Library Associations
and Institutions Subcommittee (IFLA) STAFF
LIAISONMichael Dowling, Director Delin Guerra
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IRRT International Relations Round Table
Purpose  Promote interest in library issues
and librarianship worldwide To develop
programs Provide hospitality and information
to visitors from abroad.
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IRRT - International Leads
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Public Library Association International Relations
Promote international awareness and
understanding of public libraries Promote
cooperation and collaboration on issues and
activities related to public libraries in an
international arena Define and publicize
international initiatives
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Public Libraries Making a Difference
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ACRL International Relations Committee
Encourage international cooperation and
understanding among academic librarians and
educators worldwide To advise the ACRL Board
on international issues related to academic
libraries To engage in outreach activities
with counterpart groups of librarians and
educators abroad
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UN Library Network

• http//www.un.org/depts/dhl/sflib/libmgnt/grants.
  htm

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Mortenson Center for International Library
Programs

• Connecting librarians around the world
• Thinking Outside the Borders Library Leadership
  in a World Community
• South African Library Leadership Project
• Associates Program
• International Employment Links

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Bill Melinda Gates FoundationGlobal
Development - Libraries
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Other Programs

• Fulbright
• Sister Libraries
• International Exchanges
• Community Groups

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• Library programs
• Conduct research and lead seminars or workshops
  for librarians, faculty and management staff.
  Develop or assess academic curricula or
  educational materials
• Wide range of countries
• Support network
• Great for you and your campus

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My Fulbright

• It began with a question
• Garcia-Robles Fulbright
• Ongoing connections

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Sister Libraries
In order to be truly successful and sustainable,
they need to be a win-win situation for both
libraries Marty Kesselman Public libraries
can tap into Sister Cities initiatives,
Rotarians, Lions, etc. Academic libraries can
take advantage of existing international
connections via study-abroad or departmental
collaborations
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Sister Libraries
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Sister Libraries
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Sister Libraries
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International Exchanges
Foundations and Organizations Supporting
International Exchanges and/or Short-term Travel
Preparing for International Travel and
Exchanges International Opportunities and
Funding Sources for Librarians Global Reach
Database Voices of Exchange
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International Exchanges
Richard E. Sapon-WhiteUSA - Czech Republic
Lynn Scott CochraneUSA - Thailand
Zsolt Banhegyi Hungary - USA
Dlamini NiemandSouth Africa -USA
Pascal MouhoueloBrazzaville - USA
Pamela SievingUSA Six Countries
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Community Groups
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Possibilities

• International Relations within CLA
• Expansion of free registrations
• Possible invitations from SJSU MLIS program to
  International MLIS programs
• Sister Libraries Public/Academic
• Committee work within ALA

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Conclusions

• Plan and participate actively
• Develop your supporters
• Its not always what you think
• Visualize, Vocalize, and Realize

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Questions/Comments
Patrick Sullivan sullivan_at_mail.sdsu.edu CLA
Conference San Jose - November 2008