By (Unknown)
Collection Overview
Title: Subject Files, 1948-2008
ID: 45/1/6
Creator: International Relations Round Table (IRRT)
Extent: 2.8 Cubic Feet
Arrangement: Arranged either chronologically by date (1963-72) or alphabetically by subject title (1972-76)
Date Acquired: 04/26/1974
Languages: English [eng]
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Subject files of Board of Directors, including IRRT Liaison Officer correspondence (Lester Asheim (1965-66), Peggy Barber (1973-74), Patricia Harris (1975), and June Wilson (1976)), contains correspondence and reports concerning ALA divisions (1966-67), Committee on Accreditation (1961-72), Committee on Organizations (1972), Committee on Planning (1974-76), International Relations Committee (1968-76), LED/ICR International Library Education Committee (1974), National Council (1973-74), Status of Women Ad Hoc Committee (1976), round tables (1974-75), Intellectual Freedom Committee (1966-67), correspondence with Lillian Bradshaw, President of ALA (1971), correspondence and reports concerning ALA projects, Choice (1965-66), Conference on the International Flow of Books (1976), Freedom to Read Foundation (1975-76), International Book Year (1972), International Documents Task Force (1974), International Federation of Library Associations (1974), Nigeria Project (1970-73), IRRT participation at national ALA conferences (1969-76), administrative records (Executive Committee minutes (1963-80), financial accounts (1970-76), Membership Committee papers (1969-71, 1975-76), membership data (1962-70, 1975-77), Nominating Committee papers (1971-76), procedures manual (1976), bylaws (1953-75), Area Chairmen correspondence (1974-76), Area Interest Survey (1972), general correspondence (1968-76), translations of American Library Literature for use of foreign libraries correspondence (1972-74), LEADS newsletter records (1966-68, 1970-76), and Foreign Service Directory (1972-73).
Biographical Note
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