IRRT (International Relations Round Table)

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The mission of the International Relations Round Table is to promote interest in library issues and librarianship worldwide; to help coordinate international activities within ALA, serving as a liaison between the International Relations Committee and those members of the Association interested in international relations; to develop programs and activities which further the international objectives of ALA; and to provide hospitality and information to visitors from abroad.



Learn more about IRRT on the ALA website.

  • 1.  Theme for 2021-22

    Posted Jun 22, 2021 08:58 PM
    At our IRRT meeting on Friday, June 25, I would like to present and briefly discuss a theme for 2021-22:

    Global libraries are agents of leadership in our post pandemic world: 

    The first sub theme is Global Libraries Reopening and Refreshed. How do we build on the innovations and creative strategies of the past year and not just return to the previous normal? How do we share and learn from these experiences and these new approaches to serving our communities around the world? 
    The second sub theme is Global Libraries As Advocates For Information Policy Change. What are the persistent and new policy issues that libraries across the world must focus on?  How can we strengthen our ability to influence legislative and legal change, and participate in the political process on the local, national and global levels? 
    The third sub theme is Global Libraries As Agents of Social Justice. Where should we effectively focus: racial justice, gender justice, health justice, environmental and climate justice, information justice, economic justice, voting justice, food and water justice, education justice, LGBTQ+ justice?  Where do libraries around the world fit into the battle for human rights? 


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    James Neal
    Univ Librarian Emeritus
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  • 2.  RE: Theme for 2021-22

    Posted Jun 23, 2021 10:29 PM
    Thanks, Jim.  
    My bias has always been that ALA (and by extension, IRRT) should be inclusive of all types of libraries, including medical.  And certainly in this time of pandemic and post-pandemic issues, medical libraries around the world are scrambling to continue to provide excellent services and resources under stressful conditions, including all three of your themes.  Perhaps you can find a way to include them.

    Best wishes,

    Pam

    Pamela C. Sieving, MA, MS, AHIP (dist.)
    734 717-6006 (cell)

    1100 Teneighth Way
    Sacramento, California 95818
     









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