International Librarianship

Kevin S. Hawkins

A list of links about international relations between libraries and librarians, with a focus on information for Americans interested in making connections abroad. This list is for informational purposes only; no endorsement is implied. Please send corrections and suggestions.

Comprehensive sites
Awards, grants, and exchanges
Volunteering
Jobs and internships abroad
1. International schools
Living abroad
Library and information science programs
Conferences
Other

Comprehensive sites

ALA
ASIST Special Interest Group on International Information Issues (SIG III)
IFLA
Information Management Professionals – "This page describes resources for researching international opportunities for U.S. graduate students, doctoral students, and other information professionals."
Librarians Going Global
SLA International Information Exchange Caucus – Note the links at the top of the page, some of which are linked below.

Awards, grants, and exchanges

For more, see Librarians Going Global and Information Management Professionals.

AIESEC "runs an exchange program that enables over 4,000 students and recent graduates the opportunity to live and work in another country."
American Councils
Awards, Grants and Exchanges from the International Relations Office of ALA
Educator & Librarian Exchange
Fulbright Program – Sponsored by the US Department of State, the Fulbright Program sponsors study, research, and teaching abroad in the fields of library science and information science, among other fields.
Resources for Professional Education & Grant Writing from the SLA International Information Exchange Caucus
Global Libraries – an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Harold Lancour Scholarship for Foreign Study from Beta Phi Mu
IFLA Fellowships, Funds, Grants and Awards
IREX has a variety of grants and programs that change periodically.
LIBEX – an exchange program for UK and non-UK librarians
Mortenson Center for International Library Programs

Volunteering

For more, see Librarians Going Global and Information Management Professionals.

Jobs and internships abroad

For more, see Librarians Going Global and Information Management Professionals.

The European Foundation Centre (EFC) has internships, some of which are directly applicable to library school students.
"I am about to finish my library degree in the United States and want to know if I can use my degree in Canada, and how do I find jobs there?" – The answer to this question can be found in the November 2003 Career Q&A in Info Career Trends.
International Jobs – Different versions of this list appear on the SLA IIE site and on the ASIST SIG III site.
Job Banks for Information Professionals Outside the United States – from LISjobs.com
Project Harmony runs programs, many information-related, in the NIS and Eastern Europe. They have hired Information Professionals-in-Residence (I-PIR) for the American Corners and Centers in Russia (ACR) Program.
UNESCO offers limited internship and fellowship opportunities as well as employment around the world.
Work Abroad – information from the International Center at the University of Michigan. See especially the section for Information Management Professionals.

International schools

Branching Out by Working Abroad: Opportunities in School Libraries
European Council of International Schools (ECIS)
International Schools Service
Search Associates is one of a number of placement firms for international schools.
TIE Online lists vacancies in American and British schools abroad.

Living abroad

American Citizens Abroad (ACA) – ACA is the original organization promoting the interests of American citizens abroad. While the website is primitive, this is the best place to go for up-to-date information on law regarding taxation and social benefits and on pending US legislation affecting expats.
ExpatExchange.com – This portal has advice for expats on even the most basic questions.
Expat Focus – an online forum and portal
Expatica – covers only parts of western Europe
Overseas Digest
Tales from a Small Planet – This website, operated by a non-profit organization, hosts a wealth of user contributions on adjusting to and living in various places around the world.
TransitionsAbroad.com – This portal on working, studying, and living abroad comes from the publishers of Transitions Abroad magazine and corresponding book series

Library and information science programs

Conferences

BOBCATSS – BOBCATSSS is an association of European schools of library and information science that holds an annual conference in Eastern Europe.
Globenet – The School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University cosponsors international library conferences.
IFLA organizes an annual World Library and Information Congress in August. The Rovelstad Scholarship in International Librarianship is available to citizens and permanent residents of the US to attend.
International Calendar of Information Science Conferences
Library Related Conferences – This broad list of conferences covers events around the world.
LIDA – held every year in Dubrovnik and Mljet, Croatia.
Библиотечные мероприятия – This list of conferences (in Russian) contains many which have English as a working language. If you don't read Russian, just click on the latest of each of the events and look for indications of an English version of the conference website.
Постоянные конференции и мероприятия – This list of conferences (in Russian) contains many which have English as a working language. If you don't read Russian, just click on the latest of each of the events and look for indications of an English version of the conference website.

Other

Barbara Ford, director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, spoke about international librarianship to the Special Libraries Association (SLA) Student Group at the University of Illinois. The handout, "Links for International Library& Information Science Employment, is available in Word or PDF format.
Working Internationally: Getting There, Being There and Coming Home