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Read the story of our Sister Library project by clicking on this button 
 
   Small arrow graphicRead the Sister Library agreement in Spanish by clicking on this button
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Read about news and events involving our Sister Library program by clicking this button 
Learn about the Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin by clicking this button 
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Learn about the city of Guadalajara and the state of Jalisco by clicking this button 
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Photograph of the Des Plaines Public Library building.

Photograph of the Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin.

"Libraries build community, but today’s community is a global one. Many of today’s library users have immigrated from other countries. Becoming a Sister Library is an opportunity to build relationships with libraries in other cultures that can help us learn, understand and better serve our own community."

Sarah Ann Long
President, American Library Association, 1999-2000
Executive Director, North Suburban Library System

In 2005 the Des Plaines Public Library and Biblioteca Benjamín Franklin in Guadalajara, Mexico joined together as Sister Libraries. Through this partnership the libraries will:

bullet Demonstrate the importance and benefits of international library cooperation between Mexico and the United States.
bullet Learn more about library users who come from other parts of the world.
bullet Promote cooperation and the exchange of ideas among librarians for solutions to common challenges.
bullet Create opportunities for learning and understanding in the libraries by learning and understanding the users who come from other parts of the world.
bullet Raise awareness among librarians of the issues facing public libraries of both countries.
bullet Provide resources and training to strengthen library institutions.
bullet Increase the different kinds of interactions among the librarians.
bullet Share techniques and technologies to help solve problems.