A delegation of five librarians from Mongolia visited the Altamont Free Library in New York State on Monday to learn about best practice and programmes offered by US libraries. The intention is they will be able to bring back home what they have learned.

The Mongolians are guests of the International Centre of the Capital Region, in Albany, which is affiliated with the US Department of State. The delegation is in the area for four days and will also be visiting libraries in Voorheesville and Bethlehem, as well as the New York State Library. They will be in the United States for 24 days, and are scheduled to also visit libraries in Iowa City, Iowa; Akron, Ohio; and Reno, Nevada.

Baigalmaa Tsedendagva said, through a translator, that the group wanted to learn more about the different management styles used in the libraries they visit. In addition, the delegation hopes to learn about innovative programs and ideas used in American libraries; in particular, the early-childhood and youth programmes offered.

Tsedendagva is a librarian at the Ulaanbaatar City Central Library, housed in a two-story building.

There are four more library branches located throughout Ulaanbaatar. The central library’s American Corner has two staff members, and offers courses to teach English.

The librarians who came to Altamont were from all over Mongolia, from Ulaanbaatar, in north central Mongolia, to the rural Khovd Province, about 900 miles west of the capital city.