COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO: THE LEGACY OF SLA - SUPPORTED LINKAGES *

The origins of the Transborder Library Forum extend back to 1989, when librarians from Arizona and Sonora identified the need for better communication between libraries in Mexico and United States. In 1990, FORO I was held in southern Arizona. The following year, librarians in Hermosillo, Sonora, hosted the group. Subsequently, FORO conferences have taken place every year alternating between the U.S. and Mexico. From the initial informal meetings of a few dozen librarians, attendance has grown to over 300. Participants come to hear keynote speakers and to attend a wide range of programs, breakout sessions, and talk tables which enables librarians to discuss their specific needs and projects of particular interest. Ongoing simultaneous interpretation and bilingual programs and proceedings ensure that every FORO attendee has the opportunity to participate equally across linguistic borders. Unique to FORO is the continuation of projects between the U.S. and Mexico over the past ten years. Some of these include : 1. A groundbreaking agreement for Interlibrary Loan. 2. The creation of state library associations in Sonora and Baja California. 3. Subsidies from other organizations for border librarians to attend conferences in the other country. 4. Team training and cross training between librarians across the border. 5. Expert consultancies by librarians to visit each other's libraries. The Special Libraries Association has been a visible presence since the beginning as a sponsor, as an exhibitor, and with participation by SLA Presidents and many SLA members. As SLA continues to shape its policy concerning international librarianship and international membership services, the FORO has already confronted many of these issues and can provide in a microcosm a synthesis of problems and opportunities for international library associations. This paper, co-authored by two founders of the Transborder Library Forum, and both SLA members, will explore the role of SLA in the FORO and how this has led to greater understanding of international networking.