The first issue that we discussed on the second week was the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. For the goals to be reached, all people, the governments, the private sectors have to do their serious role in the society. This program is part of these goals, it provides sustainable development through our well preparation and gained experience to be able to apply in our country and its educational institutions.
On the same day, Dr. Lisa Hinchliffe gave us a lecture on Information Literacy in Academic Libraries, it was an interesting lecture about the role of libraries in Information Literacy and the future trends in Information Literacy, I really enjoyed and learned a lot. And the interesting thing that Dr. Liz will visit Jordan next month to participate in the Fourth International Conference on Libraries which will be held at the University of Jordan Library at the beginning of July. At the end of the day, we toured in the Acquisitions Department and learned how the library resources are acquired, processed, and be available to library users. I have found that the acquirement to all resources is in one department, but in my library is in two departments. So, I’m enthusiastic to return to suggest the acquirement of the resources in this way.
On the second day we attended a workshop on Grant Funding and Writing, where we learned how to write proposal for institutions’ supports and grants and developed assistance by accessing the website of SDG founders that offers the most comprehensive representation available of foundations’ giving and official development assistance (ODA) aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I have seen the projects submitted to my country and some projects that have received support. This workshop had encouraged me to introduce some projects in my country. At the end of the day, Dr. Laila Hussein gave us a workshop on LibGuide and Endangered Archives. The first time I heard about the term LibGuide, it is a website with a group of teachers divided by specializations to help students get any help with the available materials and resources. I will implement this program in my library to provide assistance to students.
After that, we visited Chicago Public Library in Chicago and got to know all the services they provided, and we toured all of its sections. Then, we visited the American Library Association, where we were granted a year membership in the ALA, and we visited the University of Chicago and enjoyed a tour inside the university and tour of the library, book stores and special collections within the library. And we visited Upshot Marketing, it is one of the largest companies in marketing, and learn about their marketing experience to take advantage of them in the field of libraries.
It was really a wonderful week which is full of enjoyment and benefits.