Week 1 Reflection: And the long-awaited journey begins! :)

With so much excitement, enthusiasm, and a big smile on my face, I was ready to start my one-month journey at Urbana-Champaign. After 2 unsuccessful attempts to join the program, I finally made it to the 2023 Mortenson Center for International Library Programs under the title “Shaping the Future of Libraries“.

Wed, May 24th:

A welcoming reception and breakfast by Dr. Clara Chu, Director and Mortenson Center Distinguished Professor, Dr. Peggy Nzomo, Specialist for International Library Initiatives, Uyen Nguyen, Graduate Assistant, the amazing Barbara Ford, Professor Emerita and Associate Program Advisor, the most friendly and compassionate Amani Ayad, Associate Program Advisor followed by a 2-slides personal and professional introductory presentation by all the fellow associates really helped break the ice on our first day of the program. We soon exchanged souvenirs. I was delighted meeting them all in person after being met only virtually a couple of times before, and getting to listen to everyone’s impressions about the future of libraries. “One cannot predict the future, but can shape it” as being noted during the session.

I really liked how we were then led to tour some parts of the University campus, taking pictures by the famous Minerva statue. Dr. Clara was very generous explaining every detail. This made me really feel comfortable and knowledgeable of where I shall belong during the coming 5 weeks.

An informative tour of the Main Library of the University of Illinois was led by Sarah Christensen. We explored really amazing parts of the Library like the Orange Room, the food pantry, the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the University Archives, etc., and got introduced to creative ideas like the library trading cards (an attempt to get the library patrons acquainted to the library staff members and to promote the role of each library staff member in a new creative cartoonish way). Such ideas were brand new for most of the associates and really left us amazed.

Thu, May 25th:

We got to know how library assessment (using surveys, stats, focus groups, interviews, observations, etc.) and evaluating services and resources is vital and a continuous never-ending process.

Then, we were introduced to the true meaning of innovation by Peggy. I was really enlightened by the fact that not every innovation is good. It is only good when if it is new, needed and a form of improvement. Not everyone has to be innovative; somebody has to do the technical work (which is fine). It’s also ok to make mistakes. (trial and error). This was a point of many other issues we tackled and really opened up my mind. We did the The ART of VUCA Leadership assessment; I found out that I am an adaptive leader… hope this sounds good 🙂

The library buddies meeting over lunch was really overwhelming! It was the first time for me to, not only meet, but have a casual talk with all these library professionals and experts in the time and in the same room. I exchanged ideas and problems with my lovely library buddy Tracy Tolliver.

Meeting Dean Claire Stewart was a real honor. I was really touched by how humble, friendly and intellectual she is. We had a one-hour talk about the Google project, library consortia as Big 10 Alliance and CARLI, and the role of libraries in general.

Clara, afterwards, introduced us to the SDGs tool to which one’s library mission has to align with. It was the first time to me to know that such tool exists.

Fri, May 26th:

Dr. Alyse Jordan pointed out how the traditional way of the reference services and reference services desk is now a different new approach (an approach I usually called for). “Reference” is now “Research”. We were then introduced to the numerous teaching and learning facilities the library provides to its undergraduates by the Teaching, Learning, and Academic Support Unit (TLAS). Moreover, the “Big 10 Alliance Consortia” I believe is an important step for cooperation and collaboration among libraries in an attempt to decrease waste of time, efforts, financial aid, and resources.

I was really amazed by the “Oak Street Facility” with the 60,000 items moved there, the way materials are stored, preserved in a certain temperature and humidity degrees, and categorized upon size.

One of the most beautiful libraries to my heart we had to pay a visit to was “Champaign Public Library“. I was overwhelmed by the variety of services the library provides to its patrons, especially those offered to the seniors (home-delivery services, sports, etc.); something that we do not offer back in my institution and really need to be suggested. The librarians there seem very passionate about helping their patrons according to their age, physical ability, etc. The library itself is also very appealing and colorful, especially the kids area.

The week came to its end by a welcome dinner at Barbara’s Ford cozy residence. The side talks with professional library experts, the delicious food, the smiles on everyone’s faces and, last but not least, Barbara’s hospitality made us feel at home. Thanks, Barbara for your generosity and hospitality! 🙂

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