Our Mission:
The mission of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is to strengthen international ties among libraries and librarians worldwide for the promotion of international education, understanding, and peace.
Librarians from more than 90 countries have participated in training offered by the Mortenson Center, the only one of its kind in the world.
Our Work:
To advance its mission, the Mortenson Center offers training for library professionals from outside the United States and professional development for the library community worldwide, engages in partnerships to develop librarians internationally, and welcomes visitors to study library practices in the United States.
A. Training
International librarians who engage in our training programs are exposed to innovative library services and best practices through field visits, experts and engaged learning.
The Mortenson Center Associates Program is our signature certificate training program for international librarians, who learn through library visits, workshops from library and information science experts, and exposure to professional organizations and conferences. Our Associates benefit from the ability to network with a diverse group of librarians while exploring current trends and issues in the field.
The Associates Program is successful due to the expertise and generosity of our colleagues at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University Library and the iSchool of Illinois (formerly the Graduate School of Library and Information Science), and the library and information science professionals throughout the United States.
B. Professional Development
Librarians worldwide have the opportunity to learn from the professional development opportunities offered in-person, online or hybrid formats by the Mortenson Center, including lectures, workshops, webinars and forums. The Annual Mortenson Center Distinguished Lecture features international leaders who speak on topics that address a global perspective on the role of libraries in transforming civil society, and advancing equity of access to information and peace.
C. Partnerships
We engage in partnerships to advance the goals shared with our partnering organizations. In collaboration, we identify professional development and other needs, develop appropriate educational or other programs, and help find resources to sustain those programs. The Center often trains librarians from partner organizations through the Mortenson Center Associates Program.
D. Visitors
We welcome library professionals, scholars, and stakeholders who wish to visit the Mortenson Center and/or libraries in the United States to learn and/or conduct research on the Center’s work or library and information science related to the Center’s mission.
Our Impact:
An evaluation of five years (2009-2013) of the Center’s professional development programs was conducted by Arabella Advisors. Read the report here.