International Relations Role

West Midlands libraries have hosted overseas visitors over the last few years, e.g. the Youth Librarian of Kazakhstan; the Media Librarian of Stuttgart Public Library and have provided appropriate placements, visits information and hospitality.

Also, the Branch has established an informal productive linkage with the Malta Library and Information Association (MaLIA) and with the Malta School Library Association (MSLA). Arising from this there have been several successful informal "twinnings" of libraries in Malta with appropriate libraries in the West Midlands. The Branch hosted a small group of visiting Maltese school librarians on their visit to Coventry.

Librarians visiting Malta are made very welcome.

"Dr Mike Freeman (The Branch's Honorary International Relations Officer) took a busman's holiday to Malta over Easter.  Apart from enjoying the Festas, the sights and the vino he managed to spend some time with MaLIA (The Malta Library and Information Association - with whom the WM CILIP Branch is twinned). He visited the impressive new Library of the Malta College of Arts, Sciences and Technolgy (MCAST) currently well under construction and paid a visit to the excellent University of Malta Library.   Hospitality , as always, was overflowing - and he was made very welcome by MaLIA and its members. He attended a Meeting of MALIA COuncil and was impressed with the good progress the Association had made and the ambitious plans MaLIA were developing to undertake an Audit of the nation's libraries.  Lots of eager anticipation regarding Malta's impending entry to the EU - almost certainly the EU will be beneficial to Maltese libraries and librarianship in the long term.  Meanwhile WM CILIP, together with the valued help and advice given by CILIP HQ's International Relations Department, will continue to support advise and encourage MaLIA in its worthy endeavours."

If you are interested in the Branch's international work then do contact the Hon. International Relations Officer. All offers of help and interest gratefully received.

Hon. International Relations Officer