91´«Ã½

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Open Letter about the IRRT 91´«Ã½ Student Chapter Affiliate Initiative

March 25, 2009

Dear 91´«Ã½ Student Chapters:

I am writing to notify you about an exciting opportunity now offered by the International Relations Round Table (IRRT) of 91´«Ã½. The IRRT promotes interest in library issues and librarianship worldwide by developing programs and activities which further the international objectives of 91´«Ã½ and by providing hospitality and information to visitors from abroad at the Annual Conference. Examples of IRRT activities include advocating sister library partnerships, providing a forum for international speakers at the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference, and sharing information about international opportunities for librarians.

In 2004 a group of 91´«Ã½ student chapter members at Simmons College requested to form an IRRT affiliated student group. The IRRT is pleased to honor this request and offer the same opportunity to all 91´«Ã½ Student Chapters. To take advantage of this opportunity, your student chapter must be an official affiliate of the 91´«Ã½. A member must contact the IRRT and make a formal request that the IRRT recognize a sub-group of your 91´«Ã½ student chapter as an official affiliate. Correspondence may be sent via e-mail to intl@ala.org or by regular mail to:

International Relations Office
Attn: International Relations Round Table
91´«Ã½
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2795

There is no charge for this privilege. Individual members of your sub-group are not required to become individual members of the IRRT, though we encourage student membership by offering a reduced membership rate of $5.00 per year.

Benefits of affiliating with the IRRT include:

*91´«Ã½ Student Chapter subscription to International Leads.
*Notification about IRRT activities at the Midwinter and Annual Conferences.
*Share information about your sub-group's activities on the IRRT web site and in International Leads.
*Network at conferences with librarians in the U.S. and around the world who are interested in creating international connections and partnerships.
*Propose programs or discussion groups to be hosted under the auspices of the IRRT at 91´«Ã½ conferences.
*Work with IRRT to find speakers for local chapter events.
*Individuals who become members of the IRRT may apply to serve on IRRT committees.

As this is a new opportunity, the IRRT is interested in exploring further benefits with student chapter affiliates once they are formed. If you have a group of members who would like to be affiliated with the IRRT, please contact me at huntjl@mail.montclair.edu. I will be pleased to answer any questions.

Sincerely,


Judith Lin Hunt
Chair, International Relations Round Table
http://www.ala.org/irrt/