Li-Ting Liao's Testimonial

Joining the International Librarians Networking Program (ILNP) was an amazing

experience for me. I was paired with Emma, a high school librarian from Scotland.

We both noticed that teenagers often find it hard to understand and express their

feelings. So, we decided to make our libraries a "safe place" for students and created

a cross-border, anonymous postcard exchange activity.

We made a great team because we shared different strengths. Emma led her

students to create art and design their own unique postcards. On my side, I

organized reading activities, like listening to audiobooks and making a sticky-note

message board, to help my students understand their emotions before they started

writing.

This project successfully turned abstract ideas of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into

real, creative artworks by our students. ILNP did not just open my eyes; it showed

me how working with an international partner can truly bring more excitement to

our local students.

In the end, this experience proved that school librarians are not alone. We are part

of a big global family, using knowledge and care to support our school communities

together.

Li-Ting Liao
School Librarian, Catholic Sheng Kung Girls' High School

Taiwan

Raphael Gerard C. Dela Cruz's Testimonial

Joining the American Library Association’s International Librarians Networking Program has been a truly transformative journey. It completely dissolved geographical boundaries, opening doors to deep professional connections and lasting global partnerships. I had the wonderful privilege of collaborating with two incredible colleagues: Ms. Trang Nguyen from Vietnam and Ms. Simone Paiva Okuzono from Brazil.
Our vibrant conversations about current trends and local challenges quickly highlighted how connected our worlds really are. I was fascinated to learn from Ms. Okuzono that Brazil offers dedicated PhD opportunities in Library and Information Science. Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen and I bonded over how both the Philippines and Vietnam uphold the profession by requiring librarians to be official license holders.

Despite the distance and cultural differences, we discovered profound common ground. Libraries in all three of our nations are aggressively upgrading their technology to better serve their communities. As we watched Artificial Intelligence begin to dramatically revolutionize library services worldwide, the three of us found ourselves completely aligned on a core philosophy: AI holds immense promise, but it must be championed with responsibility and deep ethical care in librarianship.

This experience reminded me that while our local policies and languages may differ, our heart for service, innovation, and community is entirely universal. I return to my work inspired, globally connected, and deeply proud to be part of this shifting international landscape.

Raphael Gerard C. Dela Cruz, RL, MLIS

College Librarian

Filipiniana and Special Collection Librarian
Philippines

Antora Anwar's Testimonial

Participating in the International Librarians Networking Program (ILNP) has been an incredibly rewarding professional experience. Alongside my partners,  Natalie Buda Smith and Marija Rakić-Saranac, I had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions despite our diverse cultural backgrounds, different time zones, and varied library settings. Since our first meeting on 23 March 2026, we built a supportive environment for learning, reflection, and professional growth.

Throughout the program, we explored topics ranging from career thoughts, leadership, and goal setting to the rapidly evolving role of libraries. These conversations allowed us to compare practices across different library sectors, exchange perspectives on common challenges, and learn from one another’s experiences. The program reinforced the importance of international collaboration and demonstrated how much librarians can learn from colleagues working in different contexts. My partners generously shared their insights, resources, and experiences, helping me reflect on my own professional strengths and identify areas for future growth.

I am grateful to the American Library Association for creating this platform for global networking and professional exchange. ILNP has expanded my professional network, broadened my perspective, and inspired me to continue learning, collaborating, and contributing to the library profession on an international level.

Antora Anwar, Junior Assistant Librarian, Independent University

Bangladesh

Nissrine Al Masri Al Chaarani's Testimonial

Participation in the International Librarian Networking Program (ILNP) has been a significant

professional milestone. Focusing on the theme of “Libraries as agent of change, inclusion and

community building” with peers from around the globe has provided invaluable perspectives on our collective role as educators.

The ILNP facilitated meaningful connection with my peer Jovana from Bosnia and Herzegovina. We bonded over a shared challenge: Making school libraries truly accessible to students of all abilities. This partnership allowed me to build upon my 2025 experience as an International Visitor Leadership Program participant, where I explored inclusive models like the Melrose Center in Orlando and the Cleveland Library for the Blind.

Inspired by the quote "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision," I defined my library’s mission in Lebanon with the motto “Here all belong”. Together Jovana and I translated these global insights into our project “Together in Every Chapter”. By modifying classic literature to suit diverse needs utilizing AI for image generation and text simplification, and collaborating closely with special educators we are working to make our collection more inclusive.

This exchange underscored that the most impactful progress stems from sharing experiences across cultures. I am grateful for the ILNP fostering this collaborative environment which has deeply enriched my practice and strengthened my commitment to creating an equitable space for all students.

Nissrine Al Masri Al Chaarani

School Librarian

Lebanon

Beyza Yildirim's Testimonial

I work as a librarian in the Reference Services department at the MEF University Library in Türkiye, Istanbul. The institution I work for has an innovative vision. As librarians, we direct our work in this direction and try to keep ourselves in constant change and development. My purpose of participating in the International Librarian Networking Program was to bring a different layer to our knowledge and experience about our profession by communicating with my colleagues from different parts of the world. As the process progressed in line with my goals and expectations, participating in the program provided me with a whole new vision and way of thinking about the profession of librarianship.

Throughout the program, I frequently communicated with my partner Efizah Ramly, who works in Reference Services at the International Medical University "Malaysia", via e-mail and WhatsApp. Together, we had the opportunity to talk and discuss many topics such as our librarianship experiences, the benefits and feelings of being a librarian, the technical work we do in the library, and activities that will facilitate our professional life and inform us of new approaches. Throughout this process, I was always excited and happy to receive detailed feedback from my partner. It was priceless for us to know and experience how close we are to each other no matter how far away we are. I recommend all my colleagues to join the International Librarians Networking Program to have this satisfying experience and expand their professional network.

Sarah Lorenzon Ferreira's Testimonial

I found out about the program through a post by Erica Saito on LinkedIn. I was immediately interested, as I saw that it would be a great opportunity to meet fellow professionals from other countries and get to know their routines.

I confess that I am not fluent in English, and one of the prerequisites was the language, but even so, I took a risk and signed up. To my surprise I was selected to participate in the program.
They put me in touch with Sezin from Turkey and Brian from the US. We managed to hold two meetings online, as everyone had hectic routines in their institutions, but we got along well via email.
I would like to be able to participate in other editions and I'm already trying to improve my English, because I realized that I could have had richer exchanges if it weren't for the language.
I really appreciate the opportunity and if possible I will apply again next year!

Hina Khan's Testimonial

Hina Khan (Mphil scholar)

Library and information sciences

University of peshawar Pakistan

public librarian

I am very happy to be a part of this program...In this, I had to meet with different countries regarding librarians...Got the opportunity to learn from this program.....  As a participant in the 2023 International Librarians Networking Programme (ILNP), I had a wonderful and fascinating experience that has left an extended impact on my professional and personal development. ILNP brings together librarians from many different countries and backgrounds, resulting in a lively and varied community of librarians who are passionate about their work.

My partner Sara who was from France,she was very obedient student  When ever asked a question, she explained in detail..  The experience of this program differs from the ‘‘speed dating‘ ‘style of networking and social gatherings typically performed by professional colleagues at conferences, seminars and workshops where time and focus remains a challenge. In my opinion, professional networking is much more than just introducing yourself, sharing interests, and having short conversations. Building a professional network is really about sharing knowledge, or at least learning something new from each other. ILNP meets all of the above criteria for developing a strong and sustainable network. I encourage all librarians to participate in this program. Because this program provides an opportunity to 'give back' as well as “take” meaningful learning form the fellow international colleagues...It is my wish that I will be a part of every program in the future...

Overall, the International Librarians Networking Program (ILNP) in 2023 was an exceptional experience that exceeded my expectations. The connections I made, the knowledge I gained, and the memories I created will undoubtedly shape my career trajectory and contribute to the advancement of the library profession. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate in ILNP and highly recommend it to fellow librarians seeking to expand their horizons and be part of a global community passionate about libraries...

Thanks organizers