Communication and Partnership with Libraries in China and the U.S.

Abstract

This paper discusses and analyzes the development of communication and cooperation in an international library community through an examination of the successful practices at the Illinois Fire Service Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Chinese Librarians Scholarly Exchange Program (CLSEP) has been conducted successfully from 2005-2019. So far, 421 Chinese librarians from 145 institutions have participated in CLSEP. The program collaborates with libraries (many academic) in China and the U. S. The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Visiting Scholar Program has received 140 Chinese scholars (including faculty, librarians, graduate students) in the field of Library and Information Science from 76 institutions since 2008. Both programs enhance the scholarly communication between China and the United States. The collaboration has built an exchange, sharing, and growing international library community. Individuals and organizations benefit greatly from the partnership through the programs. It provides Chinese scholars and students a chance to participate in the international LIS community, and build a mutual exchange between China and the U.S.