I have finally arrived in Illinois as a 2025 Mortenson Associate!

It took me nearly 24 hours to travel from my home to the Illinois campus, but I was truly excited throughout the journey. When I arrived at Newman Hall, I was deeply touched to find a thoughtful welcome package with my name on it, filled with snacks, fruits and a drink.
I was also invited to Barbara’s home, which was my very first visit to an American household — a memorable experience. Most of all, I was happy to greet and connect with the fellow librarians from around the world who will be joining this month-long program together.

On the first day, we introduced ourselves as unique and wonderful librarians from various countries and had the opportunity to explore the beautiful University of Illinois campus.
In the afternoon, we attended Zoe’s GREAT Service session. GREAT stands for Greet all customers and make them feel welcomed, Respect cultural and other personal differences, Evaluate and clarify customers’ expectations, Address and respond to customers’ needs, and Thank and verify that needs have been met.

Zoe’s GREAT Service session reminded me that excellent service is not just about being kind, but about recognizing and respecting diverse backgrounds while actively clarifying and meeting individual expectations. It was a meaningful reflection on how I support users in my own library work.

On the second day, we had a DiSC session led by Shirley Smith-Crews. She delivered the workshop with great passion and responded sincerely to every question we asked. I was truly impressed by her thoughtful and engaging approach. DiSC is a personal assessment tool used to improve work productivity, teamwork, and communication. It stands for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness, and helps individuals understand their behavior and communication style.

DiSC is a personal assessment tool used to improve work productivity, teamwork, and communication. It stands for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness, and helps individuals understand their behavior and communication style.

My DiSC result was CS (Conscientiousness-Steadiness), which means I tend to be careful, reliable, and supportive. During the session, I had the opportunity to interact with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and with various DiSC profiles. Through open discussion, I reflected on how my coworkers might differ from me in their approach and preferences, and how I can adapt my communication style to build stronger, more effective working relationships.

This experience reminded me of the importance of recognizing individual differences and adjusting our behavior for better collaboration in the workplace. It gave me valuable insight into how to communicate more thoughtfully and lead change more effectively in my own organization.

On the third day, we attended a Change Management Workshop, also led by Shirley Smith-Crews, which focused on how to respond to changes in the workplace. This workshop reminded me that change is not something to fear but a chance for self-reflection and growth. I found the strategies for navigating the neutral zone and managing emotions particularly practical. The session helped me better understand how to handle change in my own workplace.

During our meeting with Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library (SSHEL) Librarians, I was deeply impressed by the subject librarians’ passionate and user-centered approach to service. Through conversations with them, I could feel how actively they engage with patrons and constantly seek ways to expand the boundaries of their roles. They were not only knowledgeable in their subject areas, but also proactive in reaching out to students and researchers through tailored consultations, workshops, and innovative outreach programs. Their dedication to accessibility and inclusion left a lasting impression on me.

On the same day, we also had a tour of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library. I was deeply impressed by how innovative services are seamlessly integrated into its historic and traditional buildings. It was not only a place of knowledge but also one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever visited. The blend of history and modernity truly reflected the library’s ongoing evolution and dedication to its users.

On the fourth and fifth days, we visited OCLC in Ohio, The Ohio State University Libraries, and the Westerville Public Library.

OCLC was a dream destination for any librarian — a place I had always wanted to visit. As someone involved in cataloging and interlibrary loan services, I was already very familiar with the tools and services they provide. I was especially impressed by their meticulous maintenance of the massive servers that store and manage metadata from around the world.

At The Ohio State University Libraries, I was struck by their strong commitment to community engagement. Sharing library spaces with the local community could potentially lead to inconvenience for university users, yet the library has created a harmonious environment where both groups coexist and benefit. Their efforts to balance academic and public service were admirable.

The Westerville Public Library stood out for its user-friendly, color-coded design, which helps patrons of different age groups easily find their areas of interest. The sheer volume of returned books also showed just how deeply rooted and well-loved this library is within its community.

Although I felt quite exhausted due to jet lag, adjusting to a new environment, and a busy schedule, I took the weekend to fully recharge my energy for the upcoming week. I’m truly looking forward to the next sessions and excited to see what new insights and experiences they will bring!