Hi, Everybody.
It was such great opportunity to be a part of this awesome program with an amazing group from various countries and different cultures. In this reflection, I will talk in details about the first-week experience.
First Day
In the first day, we met the Mortenson team Clara, Jean and Catalina and we introduced our self to other associates. Then they explained the program overview and schedules. Within the discussion, all of the participated asked the questions and discussed the program agenda.
Then we started our walking tour around the campus. In this regards, I want to describe one of the most beautiful campuses in the US. The architecture and landscape present an inspiring environment to learn and enjoy the study life in Illinois. We visited the main Quad, student union and Alma Mater statue. And these some of the pictures show the beauty in every corner.
Also, we had a great tour around the Main library which the third biggest library in the US with Sarah (Visual Resources and outreach specialist). The things that I really liked in the Main library were The Bronze Tablets, Gallaudet, the pioneers, the Hemisphere Murals and Audubon’s Birds. Also, we visited a rare book and manuscript library, which involve a number of collections from 3000 BCE to 1500 CE.
In addition, the scholarly common services were impressed me and I really liked their future plans. I think I will apply this service in our academic library in Oman.
Illinois University has 30 libraries, each library aims to serve specific target of users. One of these libraries is an undergraduate library which involves a diverse collection of graphic novels, fiction, nonfiction, pop culture, media, games and loanable technology.
Second Day
The second day was more interesting we started blogging and we discussed the action plan. Then we meet our libraries buddies. My library buddy was Dr Laila (Middle Eastern and North African studies librarian). Our conversation was about how I can transfer and applied the American libraries experience in Oman. And she gave me many tips that help me to improve my career path and learning. And at the end of the day, we traveled to Oak street off-site storage facility and we met Mary Laskowski (High-Density Storage Facility Coordinator). Oak Street library is a high-density storage unit for the University Library that preserves the items and shelving them strategically to ensure the least amount of storage space is wasted.
Third Day
On the last day of the week, we met Shirley Stelbrink in DISC workshop. The workshop highlighted two parts. The first one is how to leading with my Style and the second one was about the coping with workplace change. Actually, it’s my first time to know my style in the workplace, which help me to discover my weakness and strength, and can I deal with other styles. Also, we discussed how we can dealing with the change in the workplace.
