Global Librarianship

Providing new insights into the role of librarianship in an age of socioeconomic, environmental, and political transformation, Global Librarianship illustrates how globally networked environments promote and increase the sharing and dissemination of ideas, information, and solutions to obstacles affecting libraries. This reference showcases methods to tailor and build collections and technologies that continually support worldwide scholarly and business communities through the utilization of digital tools and electronic media. It Illustrates breakthroughs in the organization, management, and dissemination of information to facilitate easy access to libraries anywhere in the world.

During the past 50 years, the study of "international librarianship"-global, universal, or comparative-has increasingly become an essential element in understanding the importance of information and knowledge in the global setting. Over this period of time, many attempts have been made to evaluate the similarities and differences in information structures, staffing, and services in various areas of the world with the ultimate intention of providing timely and accurate information to seekers in the greater international arena. International Librarianship: A Basic Guide to Global Knowledge Access identifies basic background sources, in whatever format, for the study and teaching of international librarianship. The most important ones relate to: - Establishing a professional association, so that issues relating to information access can be discussed and resolved at the national and international level - Identifying international philanthropic agencies, which can facilitate development of international information services - The Importance of national libraries and bibliographic services, which are responsible for some coordination and cooperation in sharing national information - Developing information policies on both the national and international front Renowned author and specialist on international librarianship, Robert D. Stueart, concludes the guide with a listing of sources for the discussion and development of information policies, including proposals put forth in the World Summit on the Information Society.

This is a collage of experiences in the transfer of library technical information,usually between developed and developing countries. Every continent is represented, and the experiences reflect both the variety of tasks handled and the diversity of the cultural milieux in which they operate.

With the introduction of the Bologna Process, the emphasis on the importance of international librarianship and its activity between governmental or non-governmental institutions, organizations, and groups of nations has continued to grow. Collaboration in International and Comparative Librarianship highlights the importance of international librarianship in governmental and non-governmental institutions, organizations, and groups in order to promote, develop, and maintain librarianship and the library profession around the world. This publication is essential for graduate students, researchers, teachers, and LIS administrators in the field of library science.

Demonstrates the impact of global education partnerships related to information access. International librarianship stems from a desire to bring about political change, transcultural understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect. Historically, librarians have been deeply involved with challenging issues of information sharing, equity in information access, and bridging the digital divide between different socioeconomic communities. This collection draws on case studies from American librarians who traveled to Central America, the Caribbean, Central Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, and Asia to participate in librarian-initiated and sponsored projects. They united communities, promoted religious and cultural tolerance, developed new facilities, or enhanced existing libraries and archives, thereby enriching communities with resources, professional expertise, new partnerships, and sustainable development practices. International Librarianship offers insight into how these experiences might serve as templates and promote best practices in collaborations within the library profession in the United States and abroad, and it also demonstrates how international experiences can enliven home institutions upon return. “With its concrete, real-world examples from librarians with substantial cultural and professional experiences, this book is an outstanding resource for librarians aspiring to engage in librarianship across the borders. It will also serve as a valuable text for graduate courses.” — Tim J. Zou, University of Arkansas Libraries

International Librarianship at Home and Abroad examines both the concept and reality of international librarianship. The intent of this book is not to glorify international librarianship, but to instead explore different ways that international librarianship might be understood and practiced. The book seeks to enrich and improve the everyday work done by librarians both at home and abroad in areas such as collection management, library services, and learning styles and techniques. Describes familiar librarian work, such as resource sharing, weeding and distance reference services Explores features and how they contribute to, and reflect, international librarianship Offers further examples on how to incorporate more explicit elements of international librarianship into home library practice

Based on his extensive experience in international librarianship, Peter Johan Lor, South Africa's first National Librarian and a former Secretary General of the IFLA, has written the first comprehensive and systematic overview of international and comparative librarianship. His book provides a conceptual framework and methodological guidelines for the field and covers the full range of international relations among libraries and information services, with particular attention to the international political economy of information, the international diffusion of innovations and policy in library and information services, LIS development and international aid. It concludes with a discussion of the practical relevance and future of international and comparative studies in LIS. See a short interview with Peter Lor on his work https://www.ifla.org/node/92590

Demonstrates the impact of global education partnerships related to information access. International librarianship stems from a desire to bring about political change, transcultural understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect. Historically, librarians have been deeply involved with challenging issues of information sharing, equity in information access, and bridging the digital divide between different socioeconomic communities. This collection draws on case studies from American librarians who traveled to Central America, the Caribbean, Central Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, and Asia to participate in librarian-initiated and sponsored projects. They united communities, promoted religious and cultural tolerance, developed new facilities, or enhanced existing libraries and archives, thereby enriching communities with resources, professional expertise, new partnerships, and sustainable development practices. International Librarianship offers insight into how these experiences might serve as templates and promote best practices in collaborations within the library profession in the United States and abroad, and it also demonstrates how international experiences can enliven home institutions upon return. Constantia Constantinou is Dean of University Libraries at Stony Brook University, State University of New York. Michael J. Miller is Chief Librarian at Bronx Community College, City University of New York. Kenneth Schlesinger is Chief Librarian at Lehman College, City University of New York, and coeditor (with Robert Farrell) of Managing in the Middle: The Librarian’s Handbook.