Brief Description: Files of the International Relations Committee/International Relations Round Table Joint Committee on International Exchanges (1986-2000), including agendas and meeting minutes (1986-2000), reports, membership rosters, checklists for preparing for international exchange, directories, Going International: Librarians' Preparation Guide for a Work Experience/Job Exchange Abroad, photographs, guidelines for foreign librarians visiting the US (1995), publicity, website printout, and mission statement (1992).

Record Series Number: 45/90/1

Created by: International Relations Round Table (IRRT), International Relations Committee

Volume: 0.3 Cubic Feet

Acquired: 03/11/2020.

Arrangement: Alphabetical

Biographical Note for International Relations Round Table (IRRT) :

The ALA Council established the International Relations Round Table (IRRT) in January 1949 (1). The IRRT adopted its constitution in January 1950 (2). Originally named the ALA Round Table on Library Service Abroad, the group changed its name in 1956 (3).

In 1958, the Round Table's stated purpose was "to develop the interests of librarians and friends of librarians in activities and problems in the field of international library relations" (4). The IRRT also seeks to serve as a channel of communications and counsel between the International Relations Committee and the members of ALA (5). The members of the IRRT also help to provide hospitality and information to visitors from abroad (6). The Round Table is concerned with the development of libraries in other countries and has worked to foster international understanding and cooperation (7).

The IRRT distributed a mimeographed newsletter before beginning to published the quarterly "Leads" in 1959 (8).

Sub-Groups:

1-Board of Directors

2-Publication (Leads)

30-Membership

31-Publicity

40-Area Chairpersons

45-Latin America

Subject Index

Languages of Materials