2004 programs and events

U.S. Embassy Links Belarusian and U.S. Library Groups via DVC

On September 16, the Public Affairs Section of U.S. Embassy Minsk coordinated a DVC to provide a format for an exchange of views among leading library and information specialists in the United States and Belarus. Scheduled during the annual celebration of the Week of Belarusian Libraries, the DVC provided a simultaneous connection to experts in two U.S. states: in New York, Maurice J. Freedman, Immediate Past-President of the American Library Association, and in Illinois, Michael Dowling, Director of the International Relations Office of the American Library Association (ALA).

About 20 members of the Belarusian Library Association Council, including directors of major Belarusian libraries, discussed a range of issues with the U.S. experts including ALA's leadership role, current priorities, goals and strategic plans, as well as international partnership projects, and promotional campaigns and membership drives in the U.S. and Belarus.

The event marked the first time for the ALA to participate in a DVC with library specialists in another country.