Commission for International Library Assistance (CILA) ...

Founded in 1989 by the Association of Christian Librarians, CILA was charged with developing a strategic plan for assisting Christian libraries in other countries.

Commission goals include:

  • Mobilizing the skills of Christian academic librarians for service, especially outside the U.S. and Canada
  • Providing funding to send materials and trained persons to Christian institutions of higher learning primarily beyond North American borders
  • Creating specialized resources for use in Christian institutions of higher learning in developing countries

CILA consists of members of the ACL who are appointed by the Board of Directors. CILA members develop and direct projects that advance the goals of both ACL and CILA, with the general secretary acting as the official liaison between CILA and Christian librarians and organizations around the world.

CILA Mission Statement

The Commission for International Library Assistance (CILA) serves libraries in Christian institutions of higher learning, especially outside the United States and Canada, with the training of their staff, the organizing and managing of their collections, and the strengthening of an infrastructure to maintain and improve themselves.

CILA Projects

CILA fulfills its mission through projects such as:

  • The Librarian's Manual, a text for beginning librarians in developing countries. An English and Asian edition are available. To order, click here.
  • Training seminars — which cover cataloging, ordering, book repair, and other library operations — have been conducted in the Caribbean, Africa, Bolivia, and Asia.
  • Consulting and assistance — to libraries in Barbados, India, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Thailand, and Trinidad — have been provided by ACL volunteers.

CILA Members

CILA Team

Position

Name

Organization

Term Expires
Coordinator Georgianne Bordner Regent University 2008
General Secretary Ferne Weimer Graduate Institute of Advanced Linguistics 2008
Member-at-Large Dorothy Bowen Eastern Kentucky University at Richmond 2009
Member-at-Large Lois Oetken Maranatha Baptist Bible College 2008
Member-at-Large Pam Sarno TCM International Institute 2010
Member-at-Large Karen Parsons Spring Arbor University 2010
Executive Director      
 

For more information — or to participate in CILA's activities — please contact:

Ferne Weimer
(CILA General Secretary)
E-mail: Ferne.Weimer@juno.com

Pledge your support

Part of ACL's budget goes to support CILA, but institutions and individuals interested in supporting any of CILA's projects may do so through a contribution to the Foundation for the Advancement of Christian Librarians (FACL). Contributions to FACL are tax deductible and should be sent to:

Foundation for the Advancement of Christian Librarians
P.O. Box 4
Cedarville, OH 45314