12th June (morning session) – Peggy took the associates through the importance and the development of an Information Literacy program. This session struck a nerve as it is one of the critical programs that we could capitalize on at my institution as a way of capacitating patrons with life long learning skills. My library could have a different approach and method to ensure the program has a lasting effect and stakeholders appreciate its value be given the attention it deserves.
The associates were introduced to Sandi Caldrone (Assistant Professor, University Library Research Data Librarian, Research Data) who engaged them on valuable insights of research services and data management; highlighting the need to capacitating researchers with data management skills. These skills are essential to safe time and resources long term; promote data accessibility, validity increases quality. This is one service I wish to have at my instutuition.
Urbana Free Library Teen lab trip – Insightful & interesting visit at the Urbana Free Library! We were able to appreciate, engage and interact with passionate colleagues in the field – running the teen program. (Joel Spencer, Jordan Kahle and Lauren Chamblers).
We ended our day with an experience of thanksgiving dinner by Altrusa team of ladies. Wonderful, homely welcome with a story telling background on Thanksgiving day.
Tuesday 13th June – travel by train to Chicago – ‘Windy City’, ‘Chi-Town’
At UpShot Marketing, SVP Strategy and Cultural Insights Liz Aviles, we learned about how marketing strategies influence consumer behavior online. This was enlightening and challenging us on how we envision changing the way we plan, package and market our resources for impact and influencing decision making. Take away fromthe session “reframing your documents” e.g. annual report using trends. Such a broadening aspect to our thinking in terms of bringing a different outlook and viewpoint to both patrons and management.
Our visit ALA Headquarters was awe-inspiring with Delin Guerra & Michael Dowling warmly welcomed us. We had a tour of the modernized workspace, & enhanced meeting space – as we explored we threw ourselves into understanding of the association’s influence and envisioned impact for librarians in the US as well available opportunities for international librarians.
We visited the University of Chicago Library – Center for Digital Scholarship for a tour. It was a delight and a fascinating experience at the Regenstein and Joe and Rika Mansueto libraries – a brilliant showcase of fore-front space design and technologies the university community students and staff.
Visit to the Chicago Public Library; Harold Washington Library Center – poignant session, we had an opportunity to witness the mission of the library in play; teenagers actively engaging and enjoying library resources and space to fullest.
YOUmedia lab (Taylor Bayless)- ACTIVE teenagers, spaces, learning and self-expression – the FUTURE.
UIUC Campus Intrustioanl Facility tour to appreciate the mission ‘Increasing demand for spaces to support newer technologies and teaching strategies – prompted the development of IFLEX classrooms (Illinois Flexible Learning Experience)’
