The Beginning

Transforming Libraries: New Roles and Impact

Ice breaker and welcome dinner on June 2nd, 2024

The training session began on a warm and welcoming note with a delightful welcome dinner hosted by Miss Barbara at her beautiful house. This initial gathering served as an excellent icebreaker, setting the tone for the entire training period. The atmosphere was inviting, and the introductions were handled in a way that made everyone feel included and comfortable.

The welcome dinner was more than just a meal; it was an opportunity to connect with colleagues and trainers in a relaxed setting. The organizers’ hospitality was evident in every detail, from the beautifully arranged venue to the thoughtfully curated menu that catered to various dietary preferences. Miss Clara, Miss Peggy and Miss Amani organized every moment right from each participant’s arrival with attention to detail made a lasting impression and underscored the importance of making participants feel valued from the very beginning.

Impact on the Training:

The positive energy from the welcome dinner carried over into the training sessions. The icebreaker activities and welcoming introductions laid a solid foundation for open communication and collaboration. Participants felt more at ease asking questions, sharing insights, and engaging in discussions. The initial bonding experience helped dissolve any barriers that might have existed, creating a supportive learning environment.

Learning and Collaboration:

Gaining the sense of community fostered during the welcome dinner, participants were more willing to collaborate, provide feedback, and support one another. The trainers were approachable, and the participants felt comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences, enriching the learning process for everyone involved.

Training Sessions:

Reflections: Day 1 – June 3rd, 2024

The training program provided a comprehensive and engaging experience that balanced learning, personal introductions, and exploration of institutional resources. The well-structured sessions and thoughtful activities facilitated meaningful interactions and showcased the strengths of both the participants and the hosting institution.

From the outset, the participants were given opportunities to introduce themselves. The introduction sessions were not only about stating names and roles, but also involved sharing personal anecdotes, professional achievements, unique skills, and resources of their libraries.

Miss Clara and Miss Peggy did an excellent job of presenting the program theme. Their enthusiasm and clarity helped participants understand the core learning objectives and expectations of the training.The agenda for each day was clearly outlined, ensuring that participants knew what to expect and could prepare accordingly.

One of the highlights of the day was the walking tour of the campus. Despite feeling tired, the tour was a delightful and informative experience. A unique and highly effective component of the training was the introduction of daily blogging. Participants were encouraged to maintain a daily blog to document their learning experiences, reflections, and insights.

Day 2 – June 4th, 2024

Introduction to DISC Style Personality Assessment:

The day began with an introduction to the DISC style personality assessment at work place. This tool categorizes individuals into four primary personality types: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). The session was interactive and engaging, allowing participants to take the assessment and discover their own DISC profiles.

By understanding the different DISC styles, participants could appreciate the diversity of their colleagues’ personalities. This awareness fosters better communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution within teams.

Day 3 – June 5th, 2024

DISC assessment focusing on transformative and change management continued. The day was filled with interactive activities that reinforced the learning. We participated in role-playing scenarios and group discussions that illustrated how to apply DISC insights in real-world situations. These activities were not only educational but also fun, fostering a deeper connection among participants. This day has equipped me with tools and strategies that I will continue to use in my professional journey to lead and manage change effectively.

Second half of the day 3 of the training program, with its focus on AI literacy, was both informative and inspiring. The workshop provided a solid foundation in AI concepts, highlighted the importance of AI in the library world, and offered practical tools and strategies for integrating AI into library services. This experience has equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to explore AI technologies further and leverage their potential to improve library operations and user experiences.

Day 4 – June 5th, 2024

Day 4 of the training program provided valuable insights into the use of AI tools for data management, highlighting both their transformative potential and the associated risks. The focus on privacy and ethical considerations was particularly important, underscoring the need for responsible AI use. This experience has equipped me with the knowledge and awareness to leverage AI technologies effectively while safeguarding data integrity and privacy.

Day 5 – June 6th, 2024

Day 5 of the training program was a comprehensive and enriching experience that covered essential topics for contemporary library professionals. The workshops on media literacy, digital citizenship, cataloguing and technical services, e-resources and acquisitions, and digital literacy and the digital divide provided valuable knowledge and practical skills.Participants were introduced to techniques for analyzing media messages, identifying bias, and recognizing misinformation. Learned about the latest standards and tools for cataloguing, metadata creation, and managing technical services in libraries. The session on e-resources and acquisitions covered the processes involved in selecting, acquiring, and managing electronic resources. It highlighted the challenges and strategies for building a comprehensive digital collection that meets user needs. The session also addressed the digital divide, exploring the disparities in access to digital technologies and the impact on different communities. Strategies for bridging this divide and promoting digital inclusion were discussed. Each workshop on day 5 provided valuable knowledge and practical skills that are crucial for modern library professionals.

On all days of the training program, an hour or more was dedicated to a series of tours that provided deep insights into some of the world’s most impressive and resource-rich libraries. The day included visits to the Oak Street High Density Storage archiving academic library, the main library with its 6 million-collection, the international studies library, an open public library, and an idea and design center within the university. These tours were highly informative and enriched our understanding of diverse library services and operations.

Key takeaways:

All sessions and tours in the first week equipped me with new ideas and best practices that I am eager to explore and implement in our own library to enhance our services and better support our users.

Memories are my key takeaways….