My first week as a 2023 Mortenson Associate went by so fast. I arrived at Newman Hall with Minsang, another associate from South Korea, on the afternoon of May 23. Peggy was waiting to greet us with welcome packages. As I settled in, I was excited, yet very nervous, about what was in store for me the next day.
The first day was full of introductions: to the program, staff, associates, campus and the library, where most of the sessions would be held for the next 4 weeks. I had a chance to briefly say hello to some of the associates on our day of arrival, but it was nice to finally meet everyone in person for the first time in the same room. I was also grateful for the warm welcome from Clara, Peggy, Uyen, Barbara and Amani.
In the afternoon, we had a discussion on the theme of the program: “Shaping the Future of Libraries,” and it was great to hear everyone’s ideas. I tend to get too immersed in my own little bubble and lose sight of the whole picture. This was clearly a topic everyone had given a lot of thought, and I definitely felt it was something that I needed to work on. As mentioned in the session, we cannot predict the future, but we can shape it. We should be open to learning and exploring, rather than waiting for the solutions to be provided.
The day ended with a tour of the Main Library. I thought the librarian trading cards were a nice touch! With your own superhero names and powers – and a great way to reach out to your patrons. Our stop at the University Archives was very interesting, listening to stories behind the records and learning about how they are organized, and yes, I also think that all records are unique in its own way. At the Main Stacks, it was nice to see a display on collection damage, which reminded me of a similar display we had in our institution back home. It is always important to raise awareness. I was excited we could also stop by the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and compare the similarities and differences in policies with our library.


Day 2 began with a session on library assessment, and we were introduced to various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. I am more used to quantitative ways of assessment such as statistics sheets and surveys, and while qualitative methods do need more participation of staff and may be time-consuming, it can bring a more personal touch and help us to see beyond numbers. Like everyone else, I felt that a mixed methods assessment is the best way to go since the two complement each other.
In a way, I found it comforting to watch the video clip on managing innovation. Everyone does not have to be creative, and some of us have to do the “unexciting” work because we all have a role to play. However, I do agree that leaders should foster creative ideas. It will not always be possible to implement those ideas, but creative thinkers should be encouraged and rewarded. I also thought the mention of sunk costs was important. We can walk away from it, so if something is not working, you need to know when to stop and move forward. Another favorite part of mine was on mistakes. It’s okay to make mistakes, so don’t try to find the culprit. Do not discourage new ideas, because we can learn from the mistakes.
After the morning session, we got to meet our library buddies for the first time, and I had a wonderful time with my buddy Lisa Renee! She already had made me feel welcome with lovely gifts the day before, and it was nice to talk about our work experiences and personal interests. After lunch, I was also excited to meet the Dean. It was a great opportunity to hear her views about important issues surrounding libraries today.
Our final session of the day was on SDGs. I have selected and purchased books on SDGs for our collection, but I hadn’t given much thought on how to implement those goals in libraries. I felt I should think about the roles of libraries in achieving the SDGs, and how libraries can support and promote the goals at their institutions.
The final day of the week was packed with sessions and tours. It was nice to learn about emerging trends in reference and outreach, and what changes are being implemented in other countries. It is all about providing a better service to the patrons, and going out to them instead of just waiting. I was surprised to find the various services for undergraduates provided by the Teaching, Learning, and Academic Support unit. I thought the Orange Room was a great substitute for the Undergraduate Library, and I was particularly interested in speaking consultations to improve presentation skills and workshops for test anxiety. There was also a lot to learn from the experiences of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, joining strengths and taking collective action for common benefit, sharing risks and building resilience for an uncertain future, and their commitment to open, equitable scholarship.
We had a chance to learn more about the University Library’s participation in the Google Books Library Project, and the Shared Print Repository initiative by BTAA at the Oak Street Facility. This was the first time I got to see a high density storage up close – four vaults, each of them 40 feet tall and housing 1 million materials, and climate controlled to maintain a certain temperature and humidity for preservation. Our last tour of the day was at the Champaign Public Library. I was more used to working in an academic library environment, so it was interesting to see the differences in the services provided based on the target audience. The librarians were very passionate about providing information, hosting events, and reaching out to community members regardless of age.


The week ended with a welcome dinner at Barbara’s house. We were all grateful for the hospitality, great food and meeting new people. I also had a chance to talk with Professor Steve Witt, head of the International and Area Studies Library, and asked him for an interview, so overall it was a fulfilling week.
+) I took the ART of VUCA Leadership quiz, and I am a resilient leader!