International library staff exchanges: how do you organize them,and do they do you any good?

Although international staff exchanges among librarians have grown in number in recent years, they are still relatively rare. Outlines a survey of British university libraries carried out in 1992, soliciting information and opinions on exchanges from chief librarians and exchange participants. Uses the survey and the author′s own exchange experience to outline some sources of information and funding, and other practical and financial considerations, when arranging exchanges. Discusses the motivation of exchange participants, together with career and staff development outcomes for those taking part in exchanges. While internal or external promotion is an unlikely immediate sequel to an exchange,both library staff and chief librarians recognize a definite improvement in motivation and performance after an exchange. Despite administrative,training and other costs, libraries and library staff could profitably give more positive attention to exchanges when contemplating individual and library‐wide staff development.