Its 5:45am on June 10, 2019, and I am running down to Newman Hall entrance to make it sure that I am there before Clara comes. Let me tell you one thing here. Sticking to time is also a lesson to learn here for all Associates.
It was our journey to Dublin, a 5 hour travel. Our visit was plan to visit OCLC Campus, a beautiful location with state-of-the-art technology and data center.

Nancy Lensenmayer, Program Director Education & Professional Development received us at OCLC and took us through a comprehensive presentation about OCLC initiatives and structure followed by a luncheon. and then Matt Downing, an IT Professional and Director of Technology at OCLC gave us a detailed guided visit to the Data Center. we also visited OCLC pubic library, archive and its exhibitions. We exchanged our business cards for further collaboration. Both Nancy and Matt has a vast experience of working with IFLA and other Professional Organizations and are inspiration to many.
Nancy’s Presentation and Matt’s tour to data-center, both were very engaging.
Around 4:00 pm we were back to our hotel and evening was spent at Tuttle Mall in shopping and eating.
Next day, June 11, 2019 early morning we visited ‘The Ohio State University” it stands in top 20 among the best universities of USA and Number One among Ohio Public Universities. To our surprise student enrollment was above 68000 in 2018. Mr. Larry our guide at Thompson Library showed us different sections of the library, its a well planned and beautifully renovated library. The two sides of the building depicts two stories about its history, modern and old both.
One of the interesting things of learning here was about its reading hall. As we were told that University Management first decided to change the traditional reading hall to a modern technology filled multi-functional space but later due to the demand of the readers (students & faculty) they reverted it to its original form. it tells us that people still love library spaces as silent reading space therefore we should be very careful during planning the spaces. A library should be a blend of all sort of services to better serve its diverse users.
Another attraction which is really innovative as well as informative is “A two-color cork floor laid as a field of words” in the Thompson Library Buckeye Reading Room. These 299 words are taken from three different books: ‘The End of the World’, ‘A Little History of the World’ and ‘Mirror: Stories of Almost Everyone’.

2nd session of the day was with Nicole Hernandez, who runs OSU Research Commons which is a perfect facility for learning with technology and collaborative spaces. Our 3rd surprise was Westerville Public Library where we had an enriching interaction and discussion with Kristin Michel.
Kristin gave a detail presentation with onsite visit to different sections of the library, this library is incorporating all mind blowing ideas into its services. Can you imagine a ‘Chick Hatching” in a library? yes, this library has done it. in short its an eventful library where you can find anything new happening anytime. Drove back to Urbana-Champaign around 3. You know what our driver Erick remained a super hero during these visits.
June 12 was dedicated to CARLI Network, Big Ten Academic Alliance, ISchool Visit and Grainger Library Tour. Lind Smith’s presentation at I-School was a spark igniting session for those who wish to further their academic journey.
June 13 was again an exciting and nervous moment for associates because we were to present on ‘Strong Libraries, Strong Societies’ at Chai Wai event. therefore our morning started with lot of noisy discussions with Clara and every one was trying to get some tips for a good presentation from Clara and she was enjoying our discomfort as well as helping us to make things aligned to the theme.
We had a very warm welcome at the Thanksgiving dinner arranged by Altrusa International, which is a non-profit organization with a focus on literacy and other local needs. The gathering was perfect example of diversity, pluralism and exchange of cultural experiences, the food was fabulous. A nice end of the day with lot of hugs and smiles.