Academic Library Services to International Students Interest Group

On January 1, 2026, the United States Department of State, in accordance with United States Presidential Proclamation 10998  is fully or partially suspending entry and visa issuance for citizens of certain countries. Please take a look to see if you are impacted. If your country is listed, please confer with your government to determine if you would be able to travel to ALA if your proposal is accepted.

The International Relations Round Table (IRRT) International Librarians’ Pre-Conference Committee of the American Library Association (ALA) invites proposals for its 2026 ALA Annual Pre-Conference Session. This half-day in-person event (no virtual option available) will focus on how libraries around the world collaborate to advance inclusion and equity, navigate barriers, and empower communities through shared learning and innovation.

We are particularly interested in presentations that showcase:

• Collaborative efforts where libraries work together across borders, sectors, or communities to promote inclusion and equitable access to information and resources.

• Programs or partnerships that address barriers such as social, cultural, economic or digital challenges, and that strengthen participation and belonging among diverse groups.

• Initiatives that focus on training and professional development to equip librarians with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead inclusive change.

• Innovative approaches to inclusive design, community engagement, and outreach that foster equity and representation.

• Research, case studies, or practical strategies that demonstrate measurable impact in promoting inclusion, equity, and access.

The session will be held in a roundtable format. Selected presenters will have 30-45 minutes to share their work and facilitate engaging discussions and meaningful exchanges of ideas with attendees during post-panel discussions. 

Important Dates:

• Proposal Deadline: February 7, 2026

• Notification of Acceptance: March 17, 2026

Please submit your proposals, no longer than 250 words, via this link by 11:59 PM EST (UTC-5) on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated by the Pre-Conference committee based on the following criteria: quality of the proposal, relevance to the theme, contribution to global representation, transferability of ideas, and uniqueness.

For more information, please contact the committee chairs:

Lynn CHUA - Lynn_CHUA@nlb.gov.sg 

Michael J. Harris - mharr244@charlotte.edu/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://mharr244@charlotte.edu/&source=gmail&ust=1769138159526000&usg=AOvVaw3YqTCb3ZrHZGuXzMf3ipEw" rel="noopener">mharr244@charlotte.edu