Collaboration Between the United States and Mexico:

The Legacy of SLA – Supported Linkages

Charlene Baldwin (USA) / Jesús Lau (MEXICO)

baldwin@chapman.edu / jlau@uacj.mx

Global 2000 Conference, SLA

Brighton, England, August 16-19, 2000

Global Interdependence

• Harmonious international relations

• Global-oriented information professionals

• Information is global

• Need of information across borders

Transborder Library Forum

• An annual U.S. - Mexico conference

• First meeting in 1991• Promotes communication and

cooperation• It is grassroots, secretariat-free,

dues free…

Foro: Cooperation opportunities

• Collection development• Information exchange• Vendor contact• Governmental and NGO interface• Professional association affiliations• Professional development: training and

exchange

SLA International Challenges

• Dues according to members’ ability to pay

• Programs relevant to all member constituencies

• Projects along borders

• Distribution of conference proceedings

Professional Association Challenges

• Broaden mission and vision for flexibility and change

• Ascertain ways to measure accomplishments

• Provide many alternatives to serve worldwide membership

• Develop appropriate communication linkages with members

Drive to Go International

• To desire to network• To understand international information

resources• To explore better ways to obtain

information• To make work more relevant to our

clientele• To connect with other professionals

The global village

needs

the global library!