ISSN 0892-4546 International Leads

A Publication of the International Relations Round Table of the American Association

Volume 20 December 2006 Number 4

Institute explores and leadership By Robin Kear Thirty-two librarians from around the world came together near Champaign, Illinois, from November 7- 10, 2006, to participate in a unique international leadership institute focused on meaningful cross-cultural communication about libraries and leadership. In its second year, Thinking Outside the Borders: Library Leadership in a World Community was sponsored by the Illinois State Library and the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). I participated in this program as a way to learn more about libraries and librarians around the world. I learned that good leadership qualities are almost universal and many of us face the same issues. Librarians at varying stages in their Attendees of Thinking Outside the Borders: Library Leadership in a World careers, entry-level to mid-management Community enjoy a moment of collegiality in Champaign, Illinois, in November. to senior management, and from various Thirty-two librarians from around the world attended the unique event. countries, including Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, The speakers and learning activities Sandra Rios-Balderrama and Ujala Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, South Africa, reflected the international focus of the Santgoor of the University of Pretoria program and the Mortenson Center. and the United States, lived, learned, in South Africa led an extremely Carol Brey-Casiano, past ALA- and took meals together for three days. enlightening session and exercise President and director of the El Paso The setting was the peaceful, 106-year related to leadership traits and cross- Public Library, spoke to us about what cultural communication. Participants old Allerton House Conference Center it takes to be a leader. Her advice: find a were asked to list what they didn’t like twenty-six miles west of Urbana- good mentor, learn to follow first, be about behaviors that may be culturally Champaign. We told stories, learned visionary, be a good servant, take risks, related and then what behaviors made about each other’s countries and take care of yourself, maintain a positive them feel better. The two exercises libraries, and, in some cases, talked well attitude, never turn down a leadership allowed us to create a list of desirable into the night. role, learn how to motivate, and keep leadership traits that crossed cultural Thinking Outside the Borders was your sense of humor. Brey-Casiano also an opportunity to push our own mental spent a morning leading us in a library Continued on page 8 borders and examine our cultural bias. advocacy presentation and exercise. December 2006 International Leads 2

IRRT Officers Chair Susan M. Schnuer University of Illinois

Vice Chair/Chair-Elect Joan S. Weeks U.S. Library of Congress

Past Chair Jeannette Pierce Johns Hopkins University

Secretary/Treasurer Sha Li Zhang Two CALA events held in China UNC-Greensboro Member-at-Large By CALA International Relations Committee Sarah C. Beasley Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh This summer, two CALA events Yunnan University (already done); year took place in China, and both proved two (2007) with Yunnan Normal Member-at-Large to be very successful. University; and year three (2008) with Mary L. Boone From July 17th-21st, the the Kunming Polytechnic University. In State Library of North Carolina CALAMW (Chinese American addition, after sending their librarians Librarians Association Midwest) to the seminar in Yunnan, three other IRRT Web Site: Chapter delegation, which consisted of institutions, the Yunnan Library http://www.ala.org/irrt/ Shuyong Jiang, Xudong Jin (group Association, the Northeast Normal leader), Haipeng Li, Haiwang Yuan, and University in Jilin Province, and the Lisa Zhao, held a 5-day seminar on Shanxi Agricultural University in Shanxi topics of librarianship at Yunnan Province in China, also made International Leads (ISSN 0892- University. The seminar, entitled “CALA agreements with CALA to conduct the 4546) is published quarterly by the Twenty-first Century Librarian Seminar CALA Twenty-first Century Librarian International Relations Round Table of Series,” was co-sponsored by the Seminar Series in summer 2007. the American Library Association in Yunnan Provincial Commission of From July 24-26, the Library March, June, September, and Academic Libraries (YPCAL), the Society of China Annual Conference December. The first issue was CALAMW Chapter and Yunnan was held in Kunming. A 14-member published in 1957. IL contains news University. The focus of the seminar CALA delegation headed by CALA about international library activities, the international work of ALA and was to provide a practical way to President, Haipeng Li, attended the other organizations, and people and examine librarianship in the United conference and was well received. The publications in the field. IL is indexed States. More than 100 librarians from Conference was divided into the general by Library Literature and Library and meeting section with 5 keynote China participated in the event. Topics Information Science Abstracts covered include library management, speakers, and interest group meetings (LISA) and is sent free to all members reference and instruction, cataloging on the following topics: 1. Libraries for of IRRT (dues $15); non-ALA and digital libraries, library consortium users; 2. Building legal environment for members can subscribe for $12 per and outsourcing, challenges and libraries; 3. Digital libraries, building, year by writing to International opportunities, and many others. sharing and services; 4. Literacy and Relations Office, American Library Feedback from participants was very society. Association, 50 E. Huron positive. Proposals for presentation from Street, Chicago, IL 60611. In fact the seminar turned out to nine CALA members were accepted and Materials for IL should be sent to be so successful that the YPCAL won the best paper awards of the International Leads Editor, Heath requested the group go back next year. conference. Eight CALA members made Martin, Hunter Library, Western After some discussions, the YPCAL presentations on various issues of Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC and CALA signed an agreement to librarianship. The Conference provided 28723, U.S.A., e-mail: conduct the training project for a three an opportunity for participants [email protected] year period: year one (2006) with to visit local libraries. Decemebr 2006 International Leads 3 Message from the IRRT Chair By Susan Schnuer

The change in IRRT over the past several past IRRT chairs including members. They talk to me about their five years has been amazing. We are Jeannette Pierce, Nancy Bolt, Lea desire to be productive and involved now one of the largest Round Tables Wells, and Karen Starr, to name a few. members of IRRT and their dreams to due to our increased membership. We They, and their boards, have provided share their experiences with colleagues have become a home for many of the the steady leadership that was needed in their countries. ALA international members. With to develop a successful Round Table. I would like to invite you to join increased size, comes additional the IRRT Board and me at Midwinter to privileges and we have a newly elected help set priorities and determine future ALA Councillor, Hector Marino, growth areas for IRRT activities. We representing IRRT and IRC concerns on Interest in IRRT plan to meet on Sunday, January 21, Council. A remarkable group of 10 starting at 10:00 a.m. during the regular young IRRT members applied for Leslie committees is strong, IRRT Board meeting slot to focus on Burger’s Emerging Leaders Initiative. and filling committee this discussion. I do hope that you can Congratulations go to IRRT member positions with such a join us and share your thoughts on Rebecca Miller-Banner who was talented group of these issues. selected to attend the Emerging Leaders To help frame our discussion, we Initiative. Rebecca will receive a $500 volunteers was a real will use the structure of the ALA 2010 IRRT grant towards her expenses. pleasure. International Strategic Plan. You can Interest in IRRT committees is find the plan on the IRRT website. The strong, and filling committee positions plan has a list of objectives for with such a talented group of We are now at a point where we internationally-related work in six key volunteers was a real pleasure. A need to pause and reflect on priorities areas: Advocacy and value of the highlight this year was the appointment for the next five years. I think that IRRT profession, Education, Public Policy, of Dr. Chihfeng P. Lin, a professor at has a larger role to play both in Building the library profession, Shih-Hsin University in Taiwan and our engaging U.S. ALA members in Membership, and Organizational first international member to head an international library discussions and excellence. We will review the IRRT committee. IRRT programs at work and also in our outreach to objectives, decide which seem to fit Annual conference are well-attended international ALA members. As part of under the IRRT umbrella, and set and creating interest and discussion my work I travel extensively priorities. I look forward to seeing all of about international library activities. In internationally and I am touched by the you on Sunday, January 21, 2007, and short, IRRT is thriving and developing. conversations that I have with librarians to participating in a stimulating Our growth is due to the hard work of around the world who are IRRT discussion. ALA Black Caucus plans sojourn to South Africa By Paula Smith The Black Caucus of ALA of “extremes” it is at once progressive in Durban, tours of Nelson Mandela’s (BCALA) has planned a trip to South and developing. A trip to South Africa former home in Soweto, the Apartheid Africa to coincide with the 73rd IFLA is unforgettable and inspiring. In Museum, and the historical Robben General Conference and Council. The preparing the activities of this trip, Island, a safari drive, and a visit to the trip will take place from August 16 – 31, BCALA plans to show you some of Lesedi Cultural Village. 2007. After working closely with several these very facets of this beautiful Join the Black Caucus of the travel planners BCALA has designed a country. American Library Association trip that aims to broaden one’s historical In addition to being able to enjoy Delegation to the IFLA Conference in and cultural understanding of South the Durban library tours and cultural Durban, South Africa. This is only the Africa. It is our hope that you will join activities that are established events at second time that IFLA has met in Africa. us on this sojourn. the IFLA conferences, this trip will also Meet and interact with librarians from South Africa, with its complex take you to Cape Town and across the globe as we explore the social history has shown the world its Johannesburg. Of the many planned beauty and complexity of South Africa. capability for forgiveness and activities, some of the highlights For more information, please visit transformation. Considered a country include a visit to a local school library the BCALA website at www.bcala.org. December 2006 International Leads 4 2006 Hong Kong Fair draws thousands By Victoria Chu

The 17th annual Hong Kong Book Fair took place at its usual venue, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC), from 19-25 July 2006. The organizer behind this successful yearly event is the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). HKTDC has been working closely with the Sino United Holdings Ltd. (hereafter Sino United), the largest exhibitor at the Fair. Annual publications from Sino United and its subsidiaries account for about one-third of Hong Kong’s annual publications. The affiliation between the American Library Association (ALA) and the Fair became official in 2001 when the “Hong Kong Book Fair Free Press Program for Librarians” was formalized, and when the first ALA delegation attended the Fair. This year’s ALA delegation consisted of 14 librarians from the U.S. involved with building of Chinese language resources. More specifically, there were seven public librarians, two school system librarians, and five academic librarians (including librarians from the Library of Congress). Once again, our delegation’s leader was Frank Xu from Attendees enjoy the exhibits at the 17th annual Hong Kong Book Fair. The fair the Brooklyn Public Library. Xu has was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from July 19-25. been leading delegations from North America to the Fair since 1998, even Handover Ceremony on 30 June 1997 “Share the Sheer Joy of ” prior to its affiliation with the ALA. Xu, when Hong Kong was returned to was The Fair’s catch phrase. Sir Donald together with Alabaster, reported on the Chinese sovereignty. The HKCEC has Tsang, HKSAR’s Chief Executive, not 2001 Fair (2001, IL 15 (3)). Others who become the venue for hosting only took part in the Fair’s opening have attended and written on previous significant events since. ceremony, but also participated as one Fairs include Cundall (2003, IL 17(2)), This annual large-scale Fair of the celebrity story-tellers to help . Atwill & Hickey (2003, LCATSJ 2(1)), demonstrates major efforts in promote the reading culture among Liu (2003, JEAL 129), and Wang (2005, promoting Hong Kong’s book trade. Hong Kong people, especially young IL 19(4)). However, it is not just a commercial one people. where publishers congregate and Beginning of the Fair showcase their products. Local Hong Fair Statistics Kong people view this more as a The HKCEC is an architecturally cultural event, referring to it as a book The Fair has been getting bigger impressive building. The two sides of lover’s paradise. The Fair is also over the years. This year there were 434 its sculpted aluminum roof resemble a becoming one of Hong Kong’s tourist exhibitors (compared with 392 in 2005). seabird spreading its wings and taking attractions. One Hong Kong tourist Not surprisingly, the majority consisted flight. The current building is an website, Discovering Hong Kong, lists of 295 from Hong Kong, followed by expansion of the original built in1988. this as a special event. Reportedly over 102 from Mainland China (63 in 2005), The extension was completed in June 6,000 foreign visitors came to the Fair 22 from Taiwan (23 in 2005), 6 from 1997, in good time to host the historic this year. Continued on Page 7 Decemebr 2006 International Leads 5 IRRT and IRC Midwinter meetings in Seattle

IRC Meetings International Relations Committee II International Poster Session International Relations Committee I Tuesday, 1/23/07 Subcommittee Friday, 1/19/07 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Saturday, 1/20/07 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Washington State Convention & 8:00 am - 10:00 am Washington State Convention & Trade Center (WCC) - Room 604 Washington State Convention & Trade Center (WCC) - Room 201 Trade Center (WCC) - Room 214 Closed meeting Humphry/OCLC Forest Press Award Saturday, 1/20/07 IRC/IRRT Meeting 8:00 am - 10:00 am IRC/IRRT All Subcommittee Meeting Washington State Convention & Saturday, 1/20/07 Trade Center (WCC) - Room 302 8:00 am - 11:00 am Closed meeting Washington State Convention & IRRT-Meetings Trade Center (WCC) - Room 602-603 Bogle Pratt Award Committee Executive Committee Meeting Saturday, 1/20/07 Sunday, 1/21/07 8:00 am - 10:00 am 8:00 am - 11:00 am Additional Meetings Washington State Convention & Washington State Convention & Public Libraries Interest Group Trade Center (WCC) - Room 201 Trade Center (WCC) - Room 211 Saturday, 1/20/07 Closed meeting 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm International Papers Subcommittee Hilton Seattle Hotel - Leeward Room IFLA Update Saturday, 1/20/07 Saturday, 1/20/07 8:00 am - 10:00 am Fourth China Planning Committee 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Washington State Convention & Sunday, 1/21/07 Washington State Convention & Trade Center (WCC) - Room 202 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Trade Center (WCC) - Room 602-603 Closed meeting Westin Seattle Hotel - Stuart Room

News in brief

Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award Humphry’s far-ranging work to Fund sponsored by the Bogle Memorial for International Librarianship internationalize the English language Fund and the Pratt Institute School of editions of Dewey and to ensure that Information and Library Science. An The American Library Association translations were adapted to meet the award of $1,000 is given to an ALA is accepting nominations for the 2007 needs of other cultures and countries. personal member to attend their first John Ames Humphry/OCLC/Forest All nominations should include, as international conference. An Press Award for International appropriate, personal history or Librarianship. The deadline for curriculum vitae, with emphasis on international conference may be defined nominations is January 1, 2007. achievements related to international as a conference sponsored by an The award consists of a prize of librarianship; , critical international organization or a $1,000 and a certificate, which are reviews, articles, etc.; and letters conference held in a country other than presented at the International Relations seconding the nomination or other your home country. Round Table Reception at the ALA letters of commendation or The deadline to submit Annual Conference. The award is given appreciation. applications is January 1, 2007. The to a librarian or person who has made winner will be announced after the ALA significant contributions to Midwinter Meeting. international librarianship. ALA accepts applications for The award is in recognition of Created on the occasion of the Bogle Pratt International Travel Fund retirement of John Humphry as Sarah Comly Norris Bogle, a prominent Executive Director of Forest Press, The American Library Association U.S. librarian who made notable publisher of the Dewey Decimal is accepting applications for the 2007 contributions to international library Classification, the award recognizes Bogle Pratt International Library Travel service. December 2006 International Leads 6 Going global presents challenges for MUSE By Ann Snoeyenbos There is a lot of talk in the media • We found that our web is still in big demand even on very large about globalization in the business forms didn’t work with non-U.S. urban campuses. community, and on college campuses addresses. For example, we had a field • Abuse monitoring has become there is much talk about how the for zip/postal code and the form an important activity for the Tech Team. libraries can serve students and faculty couldn’t be submitted if that field was In the United States, the academic working from remote areas of the world. blank. But we found out that many community is well informed about I am going to tell you a little about the countries don’t have a postal code copyright issues and quite respectful, challenges Project MUSE has faced as system (e.g. Afghanistan, Bolivia, relatively speaking. But this is not the we “go global.” I’m hoping my Qatar, and many more), so they couldn’t case in all parts of the world; in areas experiences can help you better send the form. We also found that a lot where the user community hasn’t been understand your sister institutions of addresses don’t fit the simple city/ exposed to online information they around the world, and also understand state structure so we lengthened the might not understand copyright issues, some of the questions you might get text boxes and made room for more free- or they might understand but choose from your students and faculty as they form information. This continues to be not to respect them. try to login to your services from other a problem with the mailroom shipping • Customer service patterns countries, as you purchase resources software. Sometimes it is hard to tell have shifted radically. Everybody at from other countries, or as you offer which line of the address represents MUSE who serves subscribers outside your e-publishing products to the world which data element. the United States comes in each market (whether for free or for a fee). • Before putting IP addresses morning to a mailbox full of messages Project MUSE was born in 1995 and in into our fulfillment system, we check from the Far East. If I work late enough the early years it was an all-American them using a public tool such as in the evening, I can exchange messages product: all U.S. publishers and all U.S. GeekTools. In the United States, most in real time with Australia or Korea at customers. Around 2002, MUSE started institutions own their IP ranges, and the the beginning of their day. On Friday to think more carefully about expanding IPs are static. Institutions in developing morning, messages from Europe close beyond the United States, but it wasn’t countries often don’t own their own IPs with “Have a nice weekend!” because until I was hired as International Sales and they don’t get static IPs because they’re heading out the door. Coordinator that we started to learn that costs a lot more. We tend to be what it really takes to serve users suspicious of IPs that belong to I know more about libraries now outside the United States. commercial Internet Service Providers, after two years at MUSE than I did after • We have had to clarify a lot of but when the telecommunications 13 years at a big city ARL library. In content on our website, to make it easier infrastructure is not well developed this job, I’ve learned about education for non-native speakers of English to that’s all the libraries have. systems around the world, consortium understand. We’ve had to take out the • Libraries outside the United structures and funding cycles, and library jargon, buzzwords, and carefully States rely on different technologies. library budgets and negotiation styles. nuanced phrasing and instead focus on For example, proxy servers are not as But you know what? Librarians are very being clear and concise but still common in other countries as they are much the same all around the world— accurate. Have you ever tried to wade here. Many countries rely on third- they are committed to providing through paragraphs of text in a foreign party authentication tools, such as information for their researchers, and language? It’s hard. Athens in the U.K., and login/password they love to learn about new sources.

SEFLIN donates children’s to Armenia library By Tom Sloan

On October 17, 2006, Nerses These books will be well the library has also recently initiated Hayrapetyan, Director, Information received in a community with an an English language Gegharkunik Resource Center, US Embassy in already high demand for educational Marz Library club. Armenia, presented children's books tools for the young. Since the In addition to Gegharkunik, the to the Gegharkunik Regional Library beginning of the year, the Marz SEFLIN Gift Book Program has on behalf of the Southeast Florida Library has registered upwards of provided materials to libraries in Library Information Network 600 youth readers. With the help of Dilijan, Noyemberyan, Ijevan, Gyumri (SEFLIN). a local U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, and Yerevan. Decemebr 2006 International Leads 7 Hong Kong the 20 selected winners of this writing character books to be more fashionable contest would join Sir Donald Tsang at and these books are also of excellent Continued from Page 4 a story telling session. quality and available at a lower price. In addition, Mainland publications are France, 3 from Singapore, and 1 each Impressions of the Fair generally superior in scholarly fields from Thailand, Macau, Malaysia, Japan, such as classical Chinese literature, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Children’s Resources history, and philosophy. The opening hours this year were I could not help noticing the slightly longer compared to last year, abundance of children and youth Other Professional Activities with extended hours on Saturday night targeted resources. Children’s from 10pm until 2am Sunday morning. educational resources accounted for Our delegation also toured the For this night, there were special public the biggest sale at the Fair. Local news Hong Kong University Libraries transit arrangements to get people reported that many Hong Kong parents (HKUL), including the renowned Fung home. Local news reported about 60,000 spent thousands of Hong Kong dollars Ping Shan Library Collection. The Hong visitors entered the Fair during these on children’s educational materials. The Kong Library Association (HKLA), in extended hours. At last year’s Fair, very pricey set titled Disney’s World of conjunction with the HKUL, hosted a attendance was around 640,000, while English cost about HKD$48,000 per set workshop for our delegation. Julia this year’s attendance was a record (approx. USD$6,166). Reportedly its Chan, president of the HKLA, 686,490, an increase of about 7.3%. sale went up 30% this year. welcomed us, followed by a (More statistics available at http:// Supplementary homework exercises for presentation by Janny Lai, Electronic hkbookfair.tdctrade.com) children, especially those on Resources Acquisitions Coordinator at mathematics, Chinese and English the HKUL, on challenges in building e- Observations at the Fair languages, vocabulary, and grammar, book collections, and another were also popular with parents. presentation by Tammy Wong from the Hong Kong people of all ages Library of Congress on their geography flocked to the Fair to get books and Local Preferences and map collections. The evening resources at concessionary prices. I also noticed that local Hong Kong wrapped up with us networking and Everything inside the halls was for sale, people tended to browse and purchase sharing our experiences. some starting with a discount of 30-40% titles with subjects related to off on day 1 already. Some offered the End of the Fair deal of buy 2 and get 1 free. The halls everything locally Hong Kong. Their were always crowded, and long lines preference is likely linked to their Nearly all librarians in our wrapped around the HKCEC daily. increasing interests in local politics, delegation left Hong Kong on the 4th During this 6-day extravaganza, the history, and culture. Such awareness day of the Fair to travel to the Mainland HKTDC and the Hong Kong Arts among Hong Kong people has or Taiwan on library business or leisure, Development Council had organized increased much since the early 1980s or to return to the U.S. I opted to stay many activities at the Fair. through the 1997 Handover to the longer in Hong Kong, visiting libraries, present. Many publications on local acquiring resources, while staying with Renowned Authors’ Seminars politics sold well at the Fair this year. relatives for free. I continued to go the The line-up of authors at the Fair Titles in the political satire genre Fair daily, and I stayed till the scheduled was impressive, including famous ridiculing local politicians have also closing time at 6pm on the last day. authors from Hong Kong, the Mainland, remained popular. I witnessed the Fair packed with Taiwan and overseas. The most well- people from the beginning till the very known included Louis Cha, aka Jin The Mainland Connection end. It was certainly a popular and Yong, the finest martial arts and The Shanghai Pavilion brought in impressive event for all. As iterated by other librarians, the Fair helped chivalry novelist, and Ni Kuang, a a number of Shanghai publishers who strengthen my understanding of the prolific science fiction novelist. Other showcased their regional publications. changing publishing landscapes in contemporary writers included Tie This was a first in the Fair. Its success Hong Kong and the Mainland. I also Gang, Liu Xinwu, Hong Ying, Chu would likely lead to more city or learned a lot about the changing culture provincial pavilions in future Fairs. Anmin, and Chris Patten, former in Hong Kong. Being present at the Fair Governor of Hong Kong. That Mainland publishers are and in Hong Kong also enabled me to becoming more inextricably connected acquire many unique, hard to locate, Write-Up Competition to the Hong Kong publishing industry and locally published materials, for Students is obvious. Increasing numbers of Hong especially audio-visual titles. I Intended for school children in Kong readers now choose to read definitely felt recharged and would primary and secondary schools to books with simplified characters from recommend this experience. Next year’s compete in three different age groups, the Mainland. They consider simplified Fair will be held from 18-24 July 2007. December 2006 International Leads 8 Leadership Continued from page 1 IRRT public libraries group boundaries. My moment of enlightenment occurred at the listing of to meet at Midwinter in Seattle international leaders throughout the last century, such as Martin Luther The prospective IRRT Public could include discussion groups, King, Jr., Mother Teresa, Jimmy Carter, Libraries Interest Group will meet an online forum, social activities and the common characteristics that at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in and programming at conferences. transcend mental and geographic Seattle. I am interested in other borders. Some of the common traits that librarians, particularly public our group came up with were: honesty, Public Libraries librarians, interested in forming a integrity, taking risks, being fair, Interest Group Public Libraries Interest Group to emotional intelligence, strong values, Saturday, 1/20/07 help forge PLIG and determine its diplomacy, and flexibility. 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm initial mission and objectives. Other speakers included Tom Hilton Seattle Hotel - If you are interested let me Clareson on planning for disasters, Leeward Room know by sending me your name, Mary Ann Mavrinac of the University e-mail address, library institution of Toronto on the Campbell leadership The IRRT Public Libraries address and a contact phone descriptor, and Professor Harry Interest Group (PLIG) will create a number. Triandis of the University of Illinois on forum for the exchange of ideas, Please feel free to contact me cross-cultural communication. We also best practices and challenges of with your questions/thoughts/ used a role-playing game called Pamoja public libraries around the world. ideas at Mollie Fein, Library to understand cultural value systems PLIG will work to promote the Manager, Baltimore County Public and how that influences interactions. values of public libraries Library, Essex Branch, 1110 Eastern Participants were also responsible for worldwide and encourage and Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21221, creating a partnership project with one advocate for awareness of 410-887-0295, x100 or 110, other library. The projects range from international public libraries within [email protected]. Hope to hear exchanging information and expertise the American Library from you soon! to exchanging staff and creating sister Association.” Thanks to Jeannette Pierce, libraries. IRRT Interest Groups are self- IRRT Past Chair, and Susan The institute was a great way to network with librarians in other organizing units of librarians Schnuer, IRRT Chair for their help countries and see how we can help each passionate about a particular and encouragement. other. I thoroughly enjoyed the program issue. Potential activities of PLIG -- Mollie Fein and highly recommend it to others.

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