Catherine Marsicek, the Latin American & Caribbean Information Services Librarian, attended the XIV Feria International de Libros (FIL) in Guadalajara, Mexico, from Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2000. She received funding as a special guest librarian from the American Library Association, FIL, and FIU's Latin American & Caribbean Center.

Initiated by the University of Guadalajara in 1987, each year FIL hopes to promote the publication and sale of books written in Spanish, contribute to cultural development in western Mexico, and encourage a love for reading. As it is the largest book fair in Latin America, it is an excellent opportunity for librarians to network with book vendors, become familiar with recent publications and collect hard-to-acquire titles. For more information on the Fair, please see the web page at http://www.fil.com.mx/

With the generous support from the Collection Management Department at FIU, Catherine was able to purchase Mexican government documents and statistical resources, imprints from Mexican university and small presses, Cuban literature and history, Dominican publications and Belizean materials. For a list of Mexican political party materials purchased during this trip, please see Partido Acción Nacional Publications.