Chintan’s Reflection of Second Week

The second week of the International Library Associate Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, flew by, packed with a myriad of activities. From attending learning sessions, workshops, and video lectures to visiting several remarkable libraries around campus, the week was a whirlwind of experiences. As someone who considered himself lazy, I was surprised at how much I accomplished. This experience taught me the value of punctuality and multitasking—walking, talking, observing, doing, eating, and drinking simultaneously. Clara’s advice to “act like an American” resonated with me, as I embraced the fast pace and dynamic environment. Here’s my reflection on the second week, which felt even more fast-paced than the first.

Day 1 was spent entirely at the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) at the University of Illinois. This department supports faculty in learning new teaching methods and provides a platform for experimenting with design learning. Robert Baird, who has a fondness for libraries, introduced us to journaling methods. This was fascinating for me as I usually rely on my memory (not always effectively) instead of taking notes. I learned about design thinking and began putting my thoughts on paper through writing, drawing, and pasting—anything that made sense. I also recorded a podcast for the first time. The recording studio where faculty create interactive online course content was impressive. “The Idea Lab” was a showstopper. I enjoyed learning about AI through games, printing 3D objects, making AI sing songs about libraries, and experiencing virtual reality. The session on Human-Centric Design and the Train the Trainer workshop were eye-opening. I gained new insights into inclusiveness in library space design and learned valuable dos and don’ts for conducting workshops, even as a leadership trainer back in India.

Day 2 centered around Open Access Resources and Initiatives worldwide. This topic is gaining traction as many reputed publishers charge for open access publication, posing challenges for researchers from developing countries due to a lack of funds and grants. However, many websites and publisher platforms offer free and open access resources. Library guides are crucial for user education and information literacy. Upon returning to my country, I plan to create more pages with short library guides using text and videos.

My Library Buddy, Dr. Steve Witt, invited me to a wonderful Mexican restaurant for lunch. It was a pleasure interacting with Steve while enjoying tacos. This activity was fascinating as it allowed us to get to know each other, share cultural stories, and build a professional network. Thank you, Steve, for being such a great person.