History of the Association

Sustaining the Vision: 1971-1996: Memories, A Sharing from Our Earliest Members [Booklet published in 1996]

The International Association of School Librarianship: First Annual Conference, London, 29th-31st July 1972. [Article reproduced from The School Librarian, 1972]

Officers of IASL 1971-1997
Directors of IASL 1971-1997

Letter from Dr Jean Lowrie, 2001

Dr Jean E. Lowrie was a founder of IASL, President from 1971 to 1977, and Executive Secretary from 1977 to 1996. This letter was written to delegates at the 2001 IASL conference in Auckland, New Zealand.

May 28, 2001

Dear Penny,

Here I am ensconsed in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina looking out at the tree tops! Since I do not have immediate access to fax or e-mail, I am sending my greetings -- hand written -- by air! Please feel free to edit if too long for your Web site.

To all my IASL Friends around the world. It doesn't seem possible that 30 years have flown by since our exciting inauguration meeting in Jamaica in 1971. We have grown from a small group representing about 10 countries to a true international association with a wonderful representation of over 300 delegates from 30 some countries at our last year's conference. As library service has grown and changed through the years, due in part to technological developments, so has IASL grown.

I have been thrilled with the development of IASL-LINK and Web site, the fine journal School Libraries Worldwide, the enhanced newsletter, the growth of committees and interest groups. When I think of the first mimeographed newsletter which bernice Wiese started in 1972 compare to the wider communication channels which we now enjoy, I am really impressed. Of course this has all come about because of the devoted and long-lasting efforts of many people. People who gave time and money, often sacrificing the latter to support a project or attend a conference. Likewise it is exciting to see the number of delegates who are enabled to come to our conference because of financial assistance from many sources including our own Leadership Development Grants.

I cannot name all of those wonderful people who have helped us, but I would be remiss if I did not mention Margot Nilson who was such a key person in starting the movement with me back in 1967; Margaret Scott from Canada who so strongly supported early efforts; Bernice Wiese whose international educational efforst brought strength and contacts in the Far East areas; Amy Robertson who ralolied the troops in Jamaica for years and our second President; Mieko Nagakura, organizer of the IASL chapter in Japan and translator of many of so many of our professional books and papers into Japanese; Sigrun Klara Hannesdottir who worked so closely with us when we were defining IFLA relationships in 1970-72 and who still gives guidance to IASL development; Lucille Thomas who continued to strengthen IFLA relationships and led the successful UNESCO/IFLA/IASL conference in Barcelona.

And there were men who led us in the early days as well. John Ward from Australia who brought that contingent into the fold; John Wright, Canada, who established the Association Assembly and led us in writing our mission statement; Michael Cooke, our first male Preseident, who introduced IASL to Wales and the UK; Joseph Fadero in Nigeria who organized our conference there when the Nigerian School Library Association came into formal existence and has continued to exist despite many national uncertainties; Axel Peterson the Vice President who made H.C. Andersen come alive for us at the Middlefart conference.

I must stop naming names -- there are so many more persons particularly those who have more recently served the association with strength and wisdom. Suffice it to say, that the growth of our association has been the work of many loving, caring people. What was a gleam in the eyes of a few people in 1967 has matured into an association which is influential around the world. May it continue to thrive and fulfill its early mission to be a forum for sharing for all of those who believe in libraries for youth.

Look forward to your 50th!

Jean