News from the Mission
American “Citizen Ambassador” Librarians Visit South Africa
October 29, 2009
Former American Library Association (ALA) President John Berry led a delegation of 23 American librarians on a 10-day tour of South African libraries from Oct 20-29.
Under the auspices of the People to People Ambassador program (started by President Eisenhower), the group visited academic, public and research libraries in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. The delegation, which included incoming ALA President Roberta Stevens, met with South African colleagues to share best practices, enhance professional exchanges and broaden ties between the U.S. and South Africa.
The US Mission officers facilitated the visit which included trips to outreach efforts at the Rosa Parks Library in Soweto, the Mae Jemison U.S. Science Reading Room in Mamelodi and USINFO@Central in Cape Town.
Johannesburg Consul General Andrew Passen and his wife hosted a reception for the delegation upon their arrival and the delegation were introduced to local contacts including the national librarian and deputy national librarian and contacts from government, academic and special libraries.
A highlight for the group was interacting with young people at the Mae Jemison library.
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