Working Together! Experiences from an Academic Library Exchange between the United States and China

Abstract

Appalachian State University Library in the U.S. and Fudan University Library in China Exchange Program had a successful exchange and collaboration program between 2008 to 2018. The program provided great opportunities for exchange librarians to learn about library operations, share their expertise with colleagues in the host country, and experience another culture. The exchange librarians returned home with firsthand international and societal perspectives which have helped them better serve growing diverse and international student populations on both campuses. During the exchange Appalachian and Fudan each served as a host for librarians from the partner institution. Fudan University librarians were in residence at Appalachian State University Library from one to five months, while Appalachian librarians were in residence at Fudan Libraries for four to six weeks. The two libraries later expanded the collaboration to include materials sharing, book donations, and an internship program for Fudan’s master’s program of information and library science (MILS) students. This poster presentation will highlight and illustrate the outcomes of the exchange program in the following areas: academic exchanges, cultural sharing and learning, scholarly projects and publications, and internship opportunities for Fudan’s MILS students.