IREX has started collaboration with the US Information Resource Center (IRC).  The IRC will host American library specialist Susan Hill Pieper, who will present the American experience in youth and adult services within public libraries, as well as management and marketing strategies for small libraries, as part of the Rural Libraries Program hosted by the IRC in the October 5-9, 2009 interval. IREX will attend these events in Bucharest, Braila, Galati, and Constanta. 
Ms. Pieper, Director/Editor of an Ohio public library, also serves as American Library Association (ALA) Councilor-at-Large and Public Library Association (PLA) Executive Board member.
On October 5 in Bucharest Ms. Susan Pieper will hold a morning Digital Video Conference (DVC) with American Corners from Timisoara and Iasi and the local audience will include some 40 librarians from the National Library, the Central University Library, and the Bucharest Metropolitan Library. In the afternoon the DVC will involve American Corners from Iasi, Bacau, and Cluj with librarians from Giurgiu, Dambovita, Ialomita, and Calarasi counties in the audience.
Ms. Piper will travel to the Braila, Galati, and Constanta County Libraries on October 6, 7, and 8 for presentations and discussions with local librarians on management and marketing in small and rural libraries. In Constanta there will be one more DVC with American Corners from Baia Mare and Craiova on marketing strategies for small libraries in the presence of librarians from the Ovidius University Library. In addition, Ms. Pieper will visit the Medgidia Municipal Library and meet with local librarians on the last day her visit.
This novel activity will pave the way for a long-term partnership between IREX and the US IRC and will contribute to the advancement of both digital and face-to-face encounters among librarians in variou