The Global Literature in Libraries Initiative strives to raise the visibility of world literature for adults and children at the local, national and international levels. We intend to do so by facilitating close and direct collaboration between translators, librarians, publishers, editors, and educators, because we believe that these groups in collaboration are uniquely positioned to help libraries provide support and events to engage readers of all ages in a library framework that explores and celebrates literature from around the world.

We want to increase the visibility of international works in English translation so that more readers can enjoy the amazing diversity in these books and the perspectives they present. And we would like to do this by increasing cooperation between literary translators, international literature advocates, and librarians, who are already experts at guiding readers to new titles. Whether you are a children’s librarian or a YA literature blogger, a rural library director or a teacher at a large urban school with a diverse student population, we would welcome your insights as we explore collaborative opportunities to encourage readers to explore beyond the boundaries of their own culture and language.

Goals & Projects:

–  GLLI Translated Young Adult Literature Book Prize
– Book lists and themes tied to major translation awards and topics – perfect for library displays & orders
– Programming ideas for various library user groups: children, young adults, adults, etc.
– ALA conference involvement: workshops and sessions, networking through various ALA units and offices to explore the best ways to provide information and services to librarians
– Reviews of non-US translations to help librarians become better informed about what is being published around the world (for more information, see Review Guidelines)
– Advocacy on behalf of small publishers to increase their visibility
– General education efforts to help librarians understand more thoroughly the value of translated literature and of contemporary foreign-language literature
– Exploration of ways in which non-US publishers of English translations and non-US, non-English-language publishers can more easily promote their works among libraries

Executive Director (bio TK):

Vashalice Kaaba

Board Members (bios TK):

Marc Aronson

Katie Day

Jennifer Alise Drew

Myra Garces-Bacsal

Annette Y. Goldsmith

Kim Rostan

Ambika Sambasivan

Vicky Smith

For more information about the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative, please read the following articles:

“International Perspectives,” by Karen Van Drie for The School Librarian, a quarterly journal sent to all school libraries in Britain.

American Library Association’s International Relations Round Table Webinar: Secret International Library Networks No One Has Told You About, featuring GLLI Executive Director Karen Van Drie and International School Librarians Network President Katie Day. This webinar had the highest registration numbers of any webinar ever done by the ALA International Relations Round Table.

“Global Literature in Libraries Initiative: Bridging the Translation-Reader Gap,” Porter Anderson

“Global Literature in Libraries Initiative,” Lindsay Davis

“The Global Literature in Libraries Initiative,” Lyn Miller-Lachmann

“Where Do You Want to Go Today? Using Global Literature in Translation in Libraries,” Lyn Miller-Lachmann and Stacey Shapiro

“Read the World! The Global Literature in Libraries Initiative,” Judith Sage and Chrissy Bellizzi

“What Good Are Windows and Mirrors When the Windows Just Look At Your Own Backyard?” Elizabeth Bird

“Kids Need Translations – An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” Annette Goldsmith

“Where Do you Want to Go Today? Reading Global Literature in Translation,” Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Images:
All photographs were taken by Mario Sixtus and used with his permission.
https://sixtus.net/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixtus/

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