Albania joined IBBY in January 1992 following the collapse of communism in the country.

At that time, the newly created section of Albanian IBBY produced a new television programme called ‘Live Library‘, which dramatized the best Albanian and foreign stories. The ‘Live library’ programme was broadcast for a year.

The Albanian Section of IBBY has collected books through the help of different foundations, such as: ‘Books for All’ and ‘Feed the Children’, as well as from individuals, friends, IBBY members and others. With these books the Section created libraries in two schools in Tirana. Later, with the support of UNICEF, a small library was opened, within the existing library in Tirana Children’s Cultural Centre.

The Albanian Section of IBBY has produced the following publications:

• 1993- : A literary, artistic and informative magazine, Sirena e vogël (Little Mermaid) for children 8-12 years old. The magazine reaches one thousand children all over Albania.
• 1997-1998: Sirena e vogël, a full colour artistic literary magazine for children 4-8 years old.
• 1997-1998: Bota ime (My World), an informative, socio-cultural magazine for teenagers.
• 1999: Two anthologies of Balkan literature with selected tales and short stories from IBBY sections in the region.

The Section also runs the following:

• The first free-access library at the Children Cultural Centre in Tirana, since 1996.
• Home of Books for Children and Youth ‘Hermann Gmeiner’ in Tirana (headquarters of the Albanian IBBY Section), since 2000.

The ongoing projects are:

• The celebration of ICBD, book fairs, exhibitions, illustrations, etc.
• Portable libraries in the rural zones
• An informative and theoretical magazine on children’s literature (in planning).