The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs strengthens international ties among libraries and librarians worldwide for the promotion of international education, understanding, and peace.
Upcoming events
- Wednesday, AUGUST 26, 2026; 9:00-10:15am. Learning from a Library Luminary: Global Reach, Local Touch. In collaboration with the Accra Technical University (ATU) Library and the Association of African Universities (AAU), the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is pleased to invite librarians, information professionals, researchers, students, academics and the general public to the 6th ATU Library Mentorship Series, featuring Barbara J. Ford, former President of the American Library Association (ALA), former Director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs (UIUC), and recipient of the ALA Honorary Lifetime Membership (2026). Join us ONLINE for this FREE event – read more at https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/7331?eventId=33558930
- Sunday, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026; 2:00-4:30 pm. Global CU: Neighbors Connecting Through Cultures and Stories. Location: Urbana Free Library, 210 W Green St., Urbana, IL 61801. Inspired by the Human Library®, have a conversation with international neighbors and celebrate the diverse origins of everyone in our community! Neighbors at this event will be sharing various aspects about their personal stories and heritage cultures. Adults and kids are welcome to learn about different countries’ culture, language, cuisine, and more! Join us for this FREE event co-sponsored by the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs; Illinois International: Office of Global Relations; Urbana Free Library; and New American Welcome Center, University YMCA as part of Welcoming Week 2026. Learn more at https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/7331?eventId=33558943
Mortenson Associates
The Mortenson Center Associates Program offers individuals working in a library setting outside the United States an opportunity to explore current issues and trends in the library field and to engage with librarians implementing cutting-edge programs and services
Libraries for Peace
The Libraries for Peace (L4P) initiative promotes the role of libraries to advance peace internationally. This website and social media provide resources for libraries and others to learn about what libraries are doing to promote peace, how they can initiate their own efforts, and where these actions are taking place; to discuss and share ideas of libraries and peacebuilding; and to serve as an information hub for an international library celebration and action day for peace.
Strengthening Innovative Library Leaders (SILL)
Strengthening Innovative Library Leaders (SILL) is a 2-day foundational leadership training curriculum developed at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs with assistance from librarians around the world. The project is funded by the Global Libraries Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. SILL is designed for public and community librarians, but can be used with other groups.
Community-Library Inter-Action (CLIA) Project
Libraries are community anchors and catalysts of social transformation. Join libraries across the world to participate in the Community-Library Inter-Action (CLIA) Project to facilitate local dialogue and community action that drives social transformation. In engaging CLIA, libraries contribute to the collective action and impact on the part of libraries worldwide to advance peaceful and sustainable communities.
Project Welcome
Project Welcome: Libraries and Community Anchors Planning for Resettlement and Integration of Refugees and Asylum Seekers is funded by an Institute of Museum Library Services (IMLS) planning grant. In partnership with the American Library Association (ALA), Project Welcome aims to learn about and articulate ways libraries can address the information needs of refugees and asylum seekers in order to support and empower them in their resettlement and integration process.
Libraries for Sustainable Development
Libraries for Sustainable Development (LSD) is a project of the Libraries for Peace (L4P) Initiative of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA). LSD promotes the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by serving as a hub for resources on library efforts to advance sustainable development across the globe, and the access point to our Information Action Brief (IAB) series.
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