2005 programs and events

Third Annual American Corners Workshop Held in Minsk

Eighteen American Corners Coordinators and Library Directors from throughout Belarus convened in Minsk June 20-21 to discuss the management of American Corners' electronic resources. Coordinated by the Public Affairs Section's Information Resource Center, the workshop, "Beyond Books: Using Multimedia Resources," focused on the operation and organization of multimedia collections.

In remarks at a luncheon hosted by DCM Connie Phlipot in recognition of the American Corners Program, U.S. Ambassador George Krol stressed that the development of American Corners in Belarus "continues to be a high priority" for him. He called the establishment of American Corners "a truly bilateral undertaking" and emphasized the important role the library directors and American Corners Coordinators play in promoting the free flow of information between the United States and Belarus.

The workshop included discussions on sharing best practices, hands-on sessions on U.S. government resources on the Internet and the "Info/USA" CD-ROM, and panel discussions on grant issues and the importance of free access to the Internet in ensuring the effectiveness of the American Corner's program. Also featured were an on-line Power Point presentation by Information Resource Officer Barbara Conaty from Moscow on "Library of Congress Treasures" and a presentation on the "Influence of Cultural Music on Contemporary American Popular Culture" by the DCM's Office Management Specialist Carol Jackson.