Update from the Library Liaison Working Group - Welcoming Emma Walshe

In 2024, Stephanie Stillo, Chair of the IFLA Section and Chief of Rare Books at the Library of Congress in Washington, joined the ILAB Presidents’ Meeting, firmly placing closer collaboration on the agenda.

Over the past nine months, ILAB has extended its reach beyond IFLA and also engaged with organisations such as RBMS, CERL, and ICA/EGATTT. The Library Liaison Working Group, led by ILAB Committee members Scott DeWolfe (also current ILAB Security Chair) and Nicolas Malais (ILAB General Secretary), continues to focus on building trust, dialogue, and understanding between booksellers and libraries.

At the recent Presidents’ Meeting in Melbourne, ILAB was delighted to welcome Emma Walshe as a new member of this group. Emma is a Specialist at Peter Harrington in London, dealing primarily in works of science, technology, philosophy, and economics, with a particular interest in contributions by women to these fields. She also serves as the Library Liaison for the ABA, where she encourages and coordinates collaboration between UK booksellers and special collections librarians.

Ahead of the Melbourne meeting, Emma undertook research for ILAB and prepared a workshop session for the association presidents. Building on Stephanie Stillo’s presentation in Amsterdam last year, her aim was to move from theory to practical action. Over recent months, she has spoken with a number of librarians and identified categories of shared concerns that affect both the trade and institutions.

As Emma describes it: “During the ILAB Presidents' Meeting in Melbourne, the working group led a workshop to review the ways in which national associations currently engage with libraries, and to consider new or adapted methods of doing so in the future. The workshop focused on four main topics – communication, acquisitions, shared spaces, and security – to assess how we speak with, sell to, meet with, and work alongside librarians. It was a fruitful discussion, with Presidents sharing their experiences and recommendations on initiatives old and new.”

The workshop sparked lively discussion, and the working group will publish a more detailed update shortly. ILAB warmly welcomes Emma to this important initiative.

The Consortium of European Research Libraries (CERL) is an international membership organization founded in 1992, dedicated to enhancing access to, and preserving, Europe's printed and manuscript heritage from the hand-press period (approximately 1455–1830). Its mission is to support research, scholarship, and cultural heritage institutions by facilitating collaboration among libraries, museums, archives, and other organizations with an interest in early printed materials.

As of 2024, CERL comprises 269 member institutions worldwide, including libraries, museums of the book, archives, and other organizations with an interest in cultural heritage. Notable members include the British Library, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and the National Library of Spain, among others. While CERL's primary focus is on European cultural heritage, its membership extends globally, with institutions in the United States, Latin America, and beyond. This international network fosters cross-cultural collaboration and supports the global dissemination and preservation of early printed materials.

The International Council on Archives (ICA) is a global organization dedicated to promoting the preservation, management, and accessibility of archives worldwide. It supports the archival profession through standards development, advocacy, training, and facilitating international cooperation among archives and archivists. The ICA is headquartered in Paris, France, and as of now, it has over 1,600 members, including archival institutions, professional associations, and individual archivists from around the world.
The Expert Group against Theft, Trafficking and Tampering (EGATTT) is a specialized body within the International Council on Archives (ICA), established in May 2017. EGATTT focuses on combating the illicit trade, theft, and tampering of documentary heritage, including archives, manuscripts, and rare books. The group provides a platform for high-level discussions, expert advice, and the development of strategies to safeguard cultural heritage. It collaborates with international organizations such as UNESCO, UNIDROIT, INTERPOL, and the World Customs Organization to promote legal frameworks like the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention. EGATTT also conducts surveys to assess institutional preparedness, organizes webinars, and shares best practices to enhance security measures in cultural institutions.

The Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) is a professional association in the United States dedicated to supporting librarians, archivists, and curators who work with rare books, manuscripts, and special collections. Established in 1958 as part of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), RBMS focuses on the acquisition, preservation, and accessibility of special collections materials. The organization offers professional development opportunities, including an annual conference, and develops guidelines and standards for special collections librarianship. As of August 2024, RBMS had 1,673 members.