ISSN 0892-4546 International Leads

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

Volume 26 September 2012 Number 3 International Innovation Shines in Anaheim By Melissa Chiavaroli and Derek Mosley The International Rela- tions Round Table did a won- derful job at Annual of showing America’s librarians what we already know- international librarians are changing the world! A busy welcome center highlighted the benefits of join- ing the IRRT and introduced countless librarians to what professionals across the world are accomplishing. The International Librar- ians Reception on Monday evening was regarded as “the Kirsi Salminen -- Helsinki City Library; James Owens -- The World is Just a highlight of the conference” Book Away; Molly Raphael -- ALA President; Haipeng Li and Lisa Song -- Hong by many of its attendees. The Kong Baptist University; William Cartwright -- Riecken Community Libraries. sold out reception was held at dent in 2007-2008 and Notable projects truly took innovation to the Muzeo, treating attendees IRRT Member. The citations the next level and provided new to a beautiful view on the open were started to acknowledge opportunities for the librarians air patio, international cuisine, the innovtations of libraries to cement their status as essen- and a free tour of the museum. outside of the US--and to ac- tial information professionals in However, the most anticipated knowledge these efforts within their communities. moment of the night was the the US. These first awards So, what made these proj- presentation of this year’s ALA were delivered at the 2008 an- ects stand out the most? The Presidential Citation for In- nual conference in Anaheim. libraries response to a com- novative International Library The 2012 recipients munity needs of course! Often, Projects. represented four continents, before the community even The ALA Presidential a diverse patron group, and a realized they needed it. Citation for Innovative Interna- myriad of new services. It was The Urban Office is the tional Library Projects began as easy to see why these librarians Helsinki City Library’s (Fin- an ALA Presidential initiative garnered rock star status after land) answer to the need for of Dr. , ALA Presi- accepting their citations. The Continued on page 3 September 2012 International Leads 2

Message from the Editor IRRT Officers With this issue, we wel- fessionals in Connections and Chair come a new year, a new IRRT Common Values—Librarians Loriene Roy University of Texas at Austin board, and an online-only format and the Peace Corps. As I did, for International Leads. Let’s many Volunteers set up librar- Vice Chair/Chair-Elect join together to thank Past-chair, ies in their villages as second- Dr. Carol Ritzen Kem Eve Nyren, for a job well done, ary projects, fully aware of the University of Florida and welcome Dr. Loriene Roy importance of libraries in their as she embarks on her duties as communities. Some return to the Past Chair Chair. U.S., continue in the profession, Eve A. Nyren Rocklin Public Library The first article,Interna - and find like-minded fellowship tional Innovation Shines in in IRRT’s International Sustain- Secretary/Treasurer Anaheim, celebrates one of Dr. able Library Development Inter- Win Shih Roy’s initiatives as ALA Presi- est Group. State Univ. of New York, Albany dent, 2007-08, the ALA Presi- Loida Garcia-Febo intro- dential Citation for Innovative duces us to a series of webinars Member-at-Large International Library Projects. It sponsored by IFLA Continuing Robin Kear University of Pittsburgh is appropriate that we celebrate Professional Development and this Citation in Anaheim, the site Workplace Learning and IFLA Member-at-Large of the first awards. New Professionals Special Inter- John Hickok As noted in the IRC report, est Group in her news item New California State University President-Elect Maureen Sul- Librarians Global Connection. Fullerton livan will focus her international There is still time to sub- activities on three areas, one mit a proposal to Library 2.012 IRRT Web Site: of which is close to my heart: Worldwide Virtual Conference. http://www.ala.org/irrt/ exploring a partnership with the Check out Knowledge Shar- Peace Corps alumni association. ing at the Forefront of Virtual Marcy Carrel, a Returned Peace Conference for details. International Leads (ISSN 0892- Corps Volunteer and current Mid-winter will be held in 4546) is published quarterly by the Peace Corps official, describes Seattle and the annual conference International Relations Round Table the common connections be- in Chicago. See you there! of the American Library Association in March, June, September, and tween Volunteers and library pro- ~ Janet Lee December. The first issue was published in 1957. IL contains news about international library activities, Call for Submission the international work of ALA and Do you have news about... other organizations, and people and publications in the field. IL is indexed by Library Literature and Library International library activities? and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) and is sent free to all members People in international librarianship? of IRRT (dues $15); non-ALA members can subscribe for $12 per year by writing to International Upcoming international conferences? Relations Office, American Library Association, 50 E. Huron International partnerships between libraries? Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Materials for ILshould be sent to Editor, Janet Lee, Regis University, 3333 Then why not submit it to International Leads? Regis Blvd., D-20, Denver, CO 80221, Send your news to [email protected] USA, email:[email protected] for consideration. September 2012 International Leads 3 Continued from page 1 and space design, Hong Kong (WIJABA) projects are serv- common office space amongst Baptist University is open- ing the youngest members of the city’s mobile workers, ing up the past to a whole new our global community and their small businesses, and students. world of users, literally. Lisa families. Both projects build Equipped with the newest Song is the librarian behind libraries in areas that have been technology, modern design and the Chinese Medicine Digital devastated by poverty, war, or furniture, and fulltime librarian Projects. The use of Chinese natural disasters. But the true support. While many people plants and herbs in medicine is innovation behind these proj- dread going to the office, admired worldwide. However, ects lie in the way the commu- people cannot wait to reserve did you know that this informa- nities are expected to support time here. tion has never been available their library. Planner Kirsi Salminen outside of the Chinese language RCL President Bill Cart- notes that her library decided before now? Lisa’s partnership wright explained that open to pursue this project because began with a single professor. stacks libraries are very rare in their patrons indirectly de- She now has so many faculty Central America and most chil- manded it. “We were in the members waiting to work with dren have never even touched a process of changing the ser- the library as a direct result of book. At a recent library open- vices we offer in our lobby this project that they will be ing, more than 1000 people when suddenly the customers hiring more librarians to meet showed up because they had started using the empty space in the University’s needs! As if never seen that many books a new way, so we decided to fill this would not be enough of a (about 400) in one place. this gap.” It was decided that benefit from any single project, Riecken has opened more the space should have its own the Chinese Medicine Digital than 60 libraries in Central building and that is when the Projects is working on making America. Several initiatives project really took off. the entire cannon of Chinese including developing early Helsinki City Library staff Medicine available in English literacy programs to assist is available from Monday to for the very first time! mothers in learning how to Friday between 11 am and 8 pm Each database entry con- read along with their children; providing guidance on how to tains a picture of the specimen, providing training and access use the services, manage reser- its name in Chinese, English, to technologies like GPS that vations, and help with technical and the Latin name. Known enable community members to problems. Urban Office users uses for each item are listed as document their cultural spaces/ enjoy modern equipment, high well as warnings for what other cultural heritage; and publish- speed wireless internet, a pleas- herbs and drugs with which it ing local books in indigenous ant atmosphere, and comfort- may interact badly. languages are helping the able workspaces at no charge. The most impressive part organization to meet its goal of Need a data projector and of this project is the school’s ending the cycle of illiteracy screen? No problem! Need a commitment to providing ac- and oppression. multimedia and video editing cess to this information for Similarly, James Owens workstation? They have that free. The first two of the four founded TWIJABA on the too! This project has been so planned databases have been belief that education breaks the successful, that the library is completed and can be searched cycle of poverty and promotes creating a handbook for other at http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/lib/ peace. More than 27,000 chil- libraries interested in establish- electronic/libdbs/scm_speci- dren have been served through ing a similar service. men.html. 49 libraries, 26 parent librar- While Helsinki is taking The Riecken Commu- ies and two mobile libraries. their patrons into the future nity Libraries (RCL) and The Continued on pg.4 with the newest technology World is Just a Book Away September 2012 International Leads 4 Continued from pg 3 that there is a waiting list of of this year’s Presidential Cita- All but one of these libraries future sites with communities tion, we should all commit to are attached to a school. Chil- anxious to have a library to call reaching out and seeing what dren are encouraged to pick their own. our peers have to offer. We the types of books the library It is often easy to forget may not be able to visit, but will buy. The libraries provide from our own desks that pa- there are plenty of ways we books for the parents as well trons are patrons no matter can work together wherever we since many of them stay during where they may live. Many are. After all, isn’t that what class time because they live so of them have the same needs, we do best? far away. WIJABA provides same dreams, and same ques- children with hope, empower- tions. By looking just outside Melissa Chiavaroli and ing them to change their own of our box, there is a wealth Derek Mosley on behalf of lives and the world at large. of information waiting to be the Emerging Leaders IRRT James Owens has been so suc- shared, innovated, and used. Project Team cessful in realizing his dream As we celebrate the recipients Message from the Chair learned that IRRT membership Lincoln University, was one of by Loriene Roy (1,858 members) had exceeded our international delegates at- It is with great pleasure the membership of the ALA tending ALA 2012 in Anaheim. that I greet you as the 2012- Members Round Table (1,830 She co-presented a session 2013 Chair of ALA’s Interna- members). Being number one, with Carolyn Robertson at the tional Relations Round Table though, is not an easy posi- international papers program on (IRRT). You and I are on new tion: I need each one of you to the impact of the earthquakes ground as this is the inaugural continue your membership and on libraries in Christchurch, online-only edition of Interna- to help us welcome new IRRT Aotearoa/New Zealand. In re- tional Leads. While a few IRRT members! flecting on her first ALA annual members preferred that we I value each IRRT mem- conference, Carol described her continue to produce and distrib- ber: you illustrate ALA’s top three experiences: ute a print version of the news- commitment to international 1. Friendly, helpful team letter, publishing it online has librarianship. That commit- of International Relations some distinct advantages. For ment culminates with the many Round Table working to pro- example, the cost of publishing activities organized by IRRT vide an exciting programme of and mailing the newsletter can Committees for each ALA sessions from a wide range of now be used for other IRRT ac- Annual Conference. These institutions and situations. tivities. Also, the online edition activities include: the IRRT 2. International Librar- can be shared easily and issues pre-conference, orientation ians Reception, incredible night can be produced in a more for international librarians, with the perfect venue, great timely matter. This will help international visitor’s center, food and (only brief) speeches. us maintain contact with IRRT poster sessions, papers, Chair’s 3. Informal opportunities members and share news more program, awards, and the ever to speak with colleagues from broadly! popular international reception. all types of institutions and in Did you know that of Your efforts are meaningful all sorts of situations, e.g. In- ALA’s twenty round tables, and appreciated. Carol Bran- ternational Orientation was the IRRT has the largest number denburg, Content Selection and perfect example. of members? In May 2012 we Acquisitions Coordinator at What have I been doing September 2012 International Leads 5 as your IRRT Chair-Elect? Ms. Special Interest Group (SIG) • In October 2012 I will Eve Nyren, immediate Past on Indigenous Matters. Anyone attend and present at “Honor- Chair, and other members of can be a member of the SIG, ing our Indigenous Ways of your IRRT Executive Board, regardless of IFLA member- Knowing: How We Are Mak- have helped me learn the ropes. ship. We communicate largely ing a Difference,” the Annual I helped revamp the IRRT through our FaceBook page at: Lifelong Learning Conference Committee Appointment pro- (https://www.facebook.com/ in Lethbridge, Alberta. cess. Thanks to Delin Guerra, groups/66990630010/). • My colleague, Dr. the process is now based on a • I maintain my member- Ciaran Trace, and I have been Drupal form. Just start by log- ship in Te Ropu Whakahau, awarded a planning grant ging into ALA with your ALA Maori in Libraries and Informa- through the Institute of Mu- member number and then log tion Management (http://www. seum and Library Services for in at: trw.org.nz/). “Indigenous Ways” to assess http://www.ala.org/ • I serve as a 2012-2014 the degree of awareness of CFApps/Committee/volunteer- Adjunct Professor in the School indigenous ways among edu- form/volunteerform.cfm of Information Management at cators and recent graduates of Then follow the links to Victoria University of Welling- programs that prepare entry- indicate your committee pref- ton, Aotearoa/New Zealand. In level professionals for library/ erence! Dr. Carol Kem, IRRT this unsalaried/volunteer posi- archives/museum work set- Chair-Elect, will be making the tion I will work with Victoria tings. appointments this year. through consulting with stu- Meanwhile, if I had a I have plans for this com- dents and faculty, and building theme for my year as your ing year! connections. IRRT Chair, it is love & for- • I plan to work with • I serve as an advisor giveness. I welcome your ex- Chairs of IRRT members to on the planning of A Global amples and thoughts of how the support their continuing work. Gathering: A Pilgrimage of work we do through libraries • Now that the IRRT Love and Forgiveness (www. exemplifies love and forgive- Endowment has launched, we fetzer.org) that will take place ness! need to double the size of the from 19-23 September 2012 in endowment in order for it to Assisi, Italy. start working for us. Someday we will be able to support in- ternational delegates to present at the ALA Annual Conference. I need your help and ideas on how to support and advance the endowment! • I hope to extend the message of IRRT to ALA members and beyond, starting with regular posts on the IRRT blog at: (http://alairrt.blogspot. com/). My own international con- nections continue. • I continue to serve as Eddie Neha, Ngati Maniapoto Trust Board, Aotearoa/New Zealand Dr. Loriene Roy, 2012-2013 Chair, IRRT Eve Nyren, 2011-2012 Chair, IRRT Hine Neha, the Convener for the IFLA Aotearoa/New Zealand. September 2012 International Leads 6 Connections and Common Values–Librarians and the Peace Corps by Marcy Carrel As a Peace Corps Volunteer in the southern African country of Lesotho from 2006 to 2008, Devin Burritt was assigned to serve as an English teacher in a rural secondary school. Soon after his arrival, the school opened a library and received a donation of textbooks from the U.S. Embassy. A direct result of that donation would help cement Devin’s eventual career track. today! He is currently employed served in secondary schools in “I remember walking over as the assistant director and head Malaysia; an economic informa- to the athletic fields for our of Youth Services for the Wells tion center in Colombia; univer- sports day, and spotting several (Maine) Public Library. sity libraries in Swaziland; and students hiding in the trees and And, Devin doesn’t have the national institute of agricul- aloe plants. I snuck over with to look far for someone with tural research in Niger. Although the aim of scolding them for common interests. His wife, the Peace Corps no longer re- their lack of school spirit, when Jessica Atherton, also served cruits or places librarians, small I noticed what they were doing. as a Peace Corps Volunteer in library projects are still common A group of high school-aged Lesotho (2006-08) and received secondary activities for Vol- students were skipping outdoor her MLS from the University of unteers in the field. Volunteers athletics to pore over a crisp Pittsburgh in 2010. She is cur- often seek additional funding new science textbook,” Devin rently the Youth Services librar- for library projects through the recalls, adding, “I was consider- ian and head of public relations Peace Corps Partnership Pro- ing becoming a librarian, but for the Bangor (Maine) Public gram, which supports commu- that moment will be forever Library. nity projects worldwide through embedded in my mind as the Devin and Jessica are tax-deductable donations from moment when I knew it was certainly not the first or the only the general public. In 2011, what I wanted to be.” returned Peace Corps Volunteers there were over 70 book- or After completing his Peace (RPCVs) to decide to pursue library-related funding requests Corps service, Devin earned an an MLS and a library career. through this program alone. MLS with a focus in youth stud- The affinities between Peace Librarians join the Peace ies from Kent State University Corps service and the library Corps for non-librarian as- in 2010. His first professional profession are real and continu- signments as well, while some position out of library school ing. Although there are no hard returned Peace Corps Volunteers was at a small rural library in statistics, there are many stories. become librarians after their ser- Maine where he served as the Established in 1961, the vice. Others may enjoy another “assistant director/technology Peace Corps has a long relation- combination of Peace Corps ser- librarian/technical services ship with librarians and library vice and the library profession. librarian/youth services librar- projects. In the early years, the For example, Allaina Wallace ian.” Volunteers learn to take agency actively recruited profes- worked as a student assistant at on multiple responsibilities, so sional librarians to serve in posi- the Regis University library un- this was not something new for tions in Africa, the Americas, der librarian Janet Lee (RPCV/ Devin – and a situation familiar and other parts of the world. For Ethiopia, 1974-76) before join- to many positions in libraries example, Peace Corps librarians ing Peace Corps and serving in September 2012 International Leads 7 Senegal from 1993-95. Allaina sistance to returned Peace Corps teer, contact your nearest earned her MLS from Emporia Volunteers. Peace Corps recruiter at State University in 2004 and All Fellows complete in- 800.424.8580. now works as a librarian and ternships in underserved Ameri- • If you are an RPCV and archivist at the National Snow can communities, allowing would like to be listed in the and Ice Data Center at the Uni- them to bring home, and expand ISLD-sponsored directory of versity of Colorado. upon, the skills they learned RPCV/ALA members, send There are many other sto- as Volunteers. These skills in an email with your coun- ries… adapting to new cultures, devel- try and dates of service to: Barbara Ford was the first oping and managing projects, [email protected] RPCV librarian to become presi- dealing with language barriers, • If you are an RPCV and a dent of the American Library and leveraging limited resources librarian, add your story to Association (ALA), serving attract the attention of pro- a collection currently under from 1997 to 1998 under the spective schools. (http://www. development. Contact the theme, “Libraries: Global peacecorps.gov/learn/whyvol/ author of this article (mar- Reach, Local Touch.” Barbara eduben/fellows/) [email protected]) – who strongly encouraged network- Currently, there are Fel- will send you a template to ing among RPCV librarians and lows offerings for degrees in complete with your informa- a group now meets for lunch public policy, environmental tion. on Saturdays at the annual resource management, business, • If you work with an ALA- and midwinter ALA confer- and many other programs. How- accredited library school, ences. Members of this group ever, there are no Master of Li- consider becoming a partner of RPCVs, including Connie brary Science programs. This is of the Peace Corps Paul D. Champlin, Gail Wadsworth, and an opportunity for great mutual Coverdell Fellows program Joan Weeks, later formed what benefit for the Peace Corps and to offer financial assistance became the International Sus- the university, as well as RPCVs and support to returned tainable Library Development who are the prospective MLS Peace Corps Volunteers who Interest Group (ISLD) of the candidates and future leaders want to pursue an MLS and International Relations Roundta- within the library profession. library career. ble (IRRT) of ALA. ISLD is an active interest group that “mobi- What’s next? When asked how Peace lizes the power of ALA librar- • If you are an ALA or IRRT Corps service affected his ians to raise awareness of, and member, consider becoming professional development and make significant contributions a member of ISLD to learn career, Devin Burritt shared the to, international library develop- about and support interna- following: “Peace Corps was ment.” (http://www.ala.org/irrt/ tional sustainable library invaluable to my success as a irrtcommittees/isld/isld) development. librarian. In a profession that is Many of the skills devel- • If you would like to learn desperately trying to maintain oped during Peace Corps service about or contribute to specif- relevance in our communities translate well to the library pro- ic current Peace Corps Vol- beyond lending books, Peace fession and its service perspec- unteer library projects, see Corps taught me how to be flex- tive. The next step is the ALA- the list on the Peace Corps ible and innovative.” accredited MLS degree – and Partnership Program page. this is where there is a real need (https://donate.peacecorps. Marcy Carrel and opportunity for growth. gov/index.cfm?shell=donate. Information, Collection Through the Paul D. Coverdell contribute.donatenow) & Exchange Fellows Program, the Peace • If you or someone you know Peace Corps Corps partners with various U.S. is interested in becom- universities to offer financial as- ing a Peace Corps Volun- September 2012 International Leads 8 International Relations Committee Report By Sha Li Zhang, Chair ALA units have made con- New International E-Newsletter certed efforts in expanding their The International Rela- International Librarians at tions Office mailed the first Conference activities on a global scale. issue of ALA International This year, ALA was The interim report on review- Direct e-newsletter in June pleased to welcome 430 in- ing international activities will 2012. This bi-monthly news- ternational librarians from 83 be presented at the 2013 ALA letter will increase communica- countries to the ALA 2012 Midwinter Meeting. tion with international members Annual Conference in sunny IFLA Nominations and customers. The newsletter California. In addition to IRC began preparing will highlight ALA resources attendance, a big number of nominations of ALA members and opportunities of particular international librarians were who wish to serve on IFLA interest, and feature profiles also invited to speak at various committees from 2013-2017. and interviews of international ALA programs. IRC hosted A letter of call for nomination members, as well as best prac- a program featuring speakers and protocols of process from tices from around the globe. from BRIC countries and other the IRC Chair was sent to the regions on library develop- ALA units that will nominate Haiti Library Relief Fund ment in emerging economies. their members to relevant IFLA Thanks to the support Inviting international speakers committees. ALA members of ALA members and others, to share their experience and have played important roles in ALA has been able provide practices is one of the goals in serving on IFLA, including pro- the support to re-open the Petit the ALA’s 2015 International moting international standards Goave Public Library in May Strategic Plan. and advocating for policies to 2012. The community had been ALA was honored that better serve our communities. without a library for over two IFLA President Ingrid Parent, years since the devastating University Librarian from the U. S. National Commission of earthquake in January 2010. University of British Columbia UNESCO Report To date, ALA has raised over in Vancouver, Canada, was in ALA representatives, $60,000 to help re-open three attendance. Ms. Parent also Ms. Barbara Ford, reported libraries in Haiti. spoke at several ALA events, the status on U.S. funding for including a keynote speech at UNESCO. The U.S. stopped Campaign for the the Chinese American Librar- funding the UNESCO in late World’s Libraries ians Association Annual Pro- 2011 when the international Taiwan launched its cam- gram. Several IFLA governing agency admitted Palestine into paign in spring 2012 in con- board members also provided its membership. In February junction with the new National IFLA updates and progress on 2012, Secretary of State Hil- Taichung Library. The Library IFLA’s key initiatives at the lary Rodham Clinton testified is using the slogan “REAL @ Conference. before the Senate Appropria- your library.” The campaign tion Committee and asked to is following up on a year-long ALA 2015 International Strate- waive the restrictions on funds gic Plan campaign focused on children’s for UNESCO. Ms. Ford will Closely following the books, and this month public continue to provide updates to ALA’s 2015 International libraries across Taiwan are cel- the IRC, COL and OIF on this Strategic Plan, IRC continued ebrating Newberry and Calde- issue. efforts to carry out planned cott winners with exhibits, international activities. Several Continued on pg. 9 September 2012 International Leads 9 Continued from pg. 8 come ALA members through there. President-Elect Maureen workshops, artwork, etc. the ALA-Hong Kong Free Pass Sullivan will focus her interna- Program. The program makes tional activities on three areas: International Access to ALA attendance possible for ALA strengthening ALA’s work Store members who collect Chinese with Sister Libraries program, The IRC would like to language materials. exploring a partnership with the recognize ALA Publishing and Peace Corps alumni associa- its effort to make e-content on ALA Leadership’s International tion, and providing webinars the ALA Store accessible to Outreach for ALA’s international mem- international members and cus- ALA leadership has bers. tomers. After significant effort, continued efforts in reach- the ALA Store is now able to ing out to library colleagues Staff Thanks receive payments for e-content around the world. Since Janu- Many thanks to the IRO from outside the United States. ary 2012, President Molly Office, Michael Dowling and Raphael participated in the Delin Guerra, for their timely Hong Kong Book Fair library conferences and events support and ongoing assistance In July 2012, the Hong in Brazil, Mexico, and Canada to carry out many international Kong Book Fair will again wel- and spoke to library colleagues initiatives and activities. New Librarians Global Connection By Loida Garcia-Febo University, co-founder of ALA dez, Co-Chair of the Knowl- Think Tank, and originator of edge River Alumni Network. A new series of free the Make It Happen philosophy Rachel Bickley, Assistant quarterly webinars on issues for librarians. Librarian, University of the of interest to new librarians, The second session, pre- West of England, and LISNPN models of library associations sented on April 10, included: Co-manager. and library schools working Kay Raseroka, University Li- For updates, keep an with new professionals, and brarian, University of Botswa- eye on the IFLA website and groups by and for librarians are na. IFLA President 2003-2005; Calendar of Events http://www. sponsored by IFLA Continuing Maureen Sullivan, ALA Presi- ifla.org/ and on the NPSIG blog Professional Development and dent Elect, Program Facilitator, http://npsig.wordpress.com/ Workplace Learning (CPDWL) ALA Emerging Leaders Pro- webinars/ and IFLA New Professionals gram; Mace Ojala and Jukka The CPDWL and NPSIG Special Interest Group (NPSIG) Pennanen, Founders of Cycling joint work to produce these we- in partnership with the Ameri- for Libraries. binars is coordinated by Loida can Library Association. The third session, present- Garcia-Febo as part of a team The first session, pre- ed on July 17, included: Bar- including CPDWL Co-Chairs, sented on January 17, featured bara Ford, Director and Distin- Sylvia Piggot and Ulrike Lang, Dr. Alex Byrne, New South guished Professor, Mortenson and NPSIG Convenor, Sebas- Wales State Librarian and Chief Center for International Library tian Wilke. Executive of the State Li- Programs at the University of brary NSW in Australia, IFLA Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Loida Garcia-Febo, President 2005-2007; Janice Library, and President of the Coordinator, Lachance, J.D., CEO of the American Library Association New Americans Special Libraries Association; in 1997-1998; Sandy Littletree, Program, JP Porcaro, Head of Library Knowledge River Program Queens Library Acquisitions and Technological Manager; and Jessica Hernan- Discovery at New Jersey City September 2012 International Leads 10 Knowledge Sharing at the Forefront of Virtual Conference Coming this fall is the Li- ing professional roles in today’s for Proposals. http://www. brary 2.012 Worldwide Virtual world, organizing and creating library20.com/page/call-for- Conference, an online forum information, changing delivery proposals-2012 centered on the future of librar- methods, user-centered access, To join the global conver- ies in our evolving information and mobile and geo-social in- sation, visit Library2012.com. landscape. The global confer- formation environments. Participants may also follow ence will be held around the Information professionals the conference Twitter feed us- clock in multiple time zones worldwide are encouraged to ing the hash tag “LIB2012.” October 3-5, 2012, and is free submit presentation propos- Founding Partner: San to attend. als and share their valuable José State University School Distinguished speakers research and knowledge. The of Library and Information and keynote presenters will deadline to submit proposals is Science. steer the participatory confer- September 15, 2012. View Call ence. Hailing from China, the United States, Mexico, Singa- pore, and Brazil, the keynote presenters lend an international perspective to the insightful conversation. Presentations made by library and information sci- ence scholars, professionals, and students will round out the conference schedule, furthering the hearty discussions. Sessions will follow six thought-provoking subject strands addressing physical and virtual learning spaces, evolv-

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