international opportunities for new librarians: with (or without) leaving home

International Opportunities for new librarians

With (or without) leaving home ALA Annual June 2008

Fiona Bradley

What is an international librarian?In the US: a foreignerIn the UK: a professional with a well-known reputationOr someone who is interested in libraries around the world and the people who use them

Lor, P. 2005. What’s so international about international librarianship? http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SLIS/about/news/events/peterlorpaper.pdf

Why? To learn from other culturesTo expand your networkTo develop cooperative partnershipsTo help develop overseas initiatives

How?Working overseas is one option Research the library scene and make connectionsWhat will happen when you get home?Keep in touch with colleagues at homeMe: secondment to the Netherlands

The impact of cultureExperience life as the “other”Culture is complex: be prepared for culture shock and reverse culture shockLook at opportunities from associations and organisations: IRRT has a list of resources

IRRT’s page on exchanges and international opportunities: http://www.ala.org/ala/irrt/irrtcommittees/irrtintlexc/internationalopportunities.cfm

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“...librarians practicing their profession abroad (and others who anticipate working overseas) must expect national culture to be an ever-present reality in the workplace, visibly and invisibly.”

Oberembt, K J. 1998. Expatriate librarians and the challenge of national culture. In: Mech, T and McCabe, G B (eds). Leadership and Academic Libraries. Greenwood: Westport CT. pp. 121.

But, you don’t have to move!There are many ways to participate internationally:Attend conferences on international topics and overseasParticipate in IRRT and international associationsStudy tours and library visitsStudy abroadTeach abroadVolunteer (paid or unpaid)

You don’t have to leave home!You can develop a strong network of professionals with social networking to share advice, ideas, and ask questions. Try:Facebook - including groups and fan pagesIFLA and other association mailing listsTwitterChat roomsVirtual committee appointments

Image credits: Slide 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flickr365/2276782462/Slide 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/madmack/2093375235/Others: Fiona Bradley, Creative Commons: Attribution