Monday

Second Monday in America! Strangely enough, I didn’t complain about Monday for once—probably the first time since I graduated and lost the joy of semester breaks. ^_^;
I spent the day at the Siebel Center for Design, starting with a tour. The building was full of creative energy and stunning architecture. What struck me most was how beautifully accessibility was built into the design. A central ramp—maybe not just for wheelchairs—was so well integrated that it felt like part of the building’s aesthetic, not an afterthought.
At my library, accessibility spaces often end up tucked away in corners—not by choice, but due to structural limits. Still, this made me realize how important thoughtful placement is. I’m definitely sharing this insight with my team.
And the SHOP—not for shopping, but a full-on makerspace—was incredible. Sewing, woodworking, 3D printing… you name it, it’s there.
We also had a session on human-centered design. Design isn’t just about looks—it’s about making life easier. And librarians, too, should be designers, creating more meaningful services. We practiced interviewing and empathy-based thinking, which was practical and surprisingly insightful.
Later, we mapped fictional users’ journeys through our libraries. It reminded me how easy it is to forget how confusing things can be for first-time users. With a little creative thinking, we uncovered big areas for improvement.
To wrap up the day, we visited the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning. I didn’t think I could be surprised again—until I saw the media hub. But more than the equipment, it was the staff’s passion for support and training that moved me. That kind of energy? I want to develop it, too. And thanks to today’s experience, I think I’ve got a good start. ^_^

Tuseday

The first session was on metadata, cataloging, and classification, led by MJ Han. She also happens to be my library buddy, so you can imagine how fully I immersed myself in her lecture. ^_^
We all strongly agreed with her insightful remark: a librarian’s work is like tending roots underground—unseen, yet essential for helping users’ needs bloom. Metadata and cataloging may not be in the spotlight, but they are absolutely fundamental.
We were especially intrigued by her discussion on applying AI technologies to cataloging. She shared some truly fresh ideas. These days, patrons don’t just want a journal—they want a specific article, a more detailed and targeted piece of information. If AI is developed well, even older metadata could be revisited and enhanced, giving new value to existing records.
But as she emphasized, it’s librarians who will train the AI. So we must think carefully about what we want it to do, and how the results will shape our services. I made sure to note that—duly and thoughtfully.
And here’s the most interesting part of the day: the tour of the Oak Street Library! We had the privilege of seeing their high-density storage facility. It was cold inside—to help preserve materials—and the shelving decks were incredibly tall. They use a kind of crane to retrieve items stored in the upper sections of the stacks. It was truly fascinating to see how they manage such a large-scale storage system.
My own library is currently going through a difficult time with storage limitations, so I deeply sympathized when I heard they had faced similar challenges. With information growing so rapidly, I believe that preservation is becoming one of the most important roles for librarians today. It was an incredibly interesting and invigorating experience.

Wednesday

I hate to admit it, but I have to say that my country has not shown strong enthusiasm for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Governmental efforts have not been very prominent—so it has often been libraries that stepped up in their place. Due to the ongoing economic crisis, most of the national budget has been allocated to essential areas of the economy, rather than to cultural institutions or libraries.
But this morning, I learned something important from Clara, the director of this program. (She is incredibly caring and responsible!) She shared a powerful message: achieving the SDGs requires transformation—a deep and fundamental change, and transformation doesn’t happen on its own. It’s up to us to make it happen—to drive it forward—not just ride along with whatever comes. That means we must act. We must plan for change if we want to reach these goals. I started thinking about how my library could engage with the SDGs, and I realized there are things I can do. They may be small—like encouraging my colleagues to use personal cups instead of disposable ones—but I think even those small actions matter.
I already knew a bit about Open Access, since it was one of the topics I had to study for the entrance exam to become a governmental librarian at the National Library of Korea. To be honest, it wasn’t exactly my favorite subject at the time… ^_^; It was difficult for me to understand, and I often felt confused—wondering whether I was studying to be a librarian or a computer science student!
But the afternoon session on Open Access and Publishing turned out to be surprisingly interesting—especially the part about Open Educational Resources (OER). As a former school librarian, I was deeply moved by the reason the University of Illinois decided to provide OER. While I fully understand the importance of protecting copyright, I also believe that we, as humans, have a responsibility to help others break free from the darkness of ignorance and live an informed, intelligent life. This session reminded me that open access isn’t just about systems—it’s about equity, education, and empowerment.

Thursday

Now I’m in Chicago! I loved Urbana-Champaign—the first American town I stayed in—but I have to admit it: big cities charm me! ^_^ And it’s not just about the fancy high-rises. The libraries in Chicago are amazing. Let me start with the first day.
Our first session was held in the iconic Marquette Building. I was still recovering from the awe of its beautiful lobby when we were introduced to the MacArthur Foundation, which owns the building and supports YOUmedia, an innovative digital learning space for teens that we would visit later in the afternoon.
Their motto is “We’re committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world.” At first, I was curious—maybe even skeptical—about how that could be achieved. But after their presentation, filled with passion and commitment, I understood. It may take time, but their vision is strong and their direction is clear.
My first impression of YOUmedia, located in the Chicago Public Library, was pure vitality.
The moment I entered the room, I was surrounded by the energetic and excited voices of teens. I even wondered for a second if other patrons might complain about the noise—it didn’t feel like a traditional library at all!
There were 3D printers, sewing machines, audio and video recording studios, band instruments, and game consoles! It surprised us, the more conventional librarians, and of course, we had a lot of questions. We learned so much.
Libraries are no longer just about accessing information. They can be places where teens connect with supportive librarians and peers. Some teens might come to YOUmedia just to play video games—but in doing so, they enter a safe space and build relationships with the library and its people. I’m sure that kind of experience can expand their world in meaningful and lasting ways.

Friday

Because I’ll be attending the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia (June 27–30), I had been really looking forward to visiting the ALA headquarters. The library there is small, but beautifully organized and welcoming. Technically, yes—it’s an office. But as I watched the staff preparing for the very conference I’ll soon attend, I felt genuinely thrilled to be standing in the heart of the ALA. 
We had some great conversations, and the topic that intrigued me most was book banning. It’s disappointing to realize that, at times, governments can be unfriendly—or even hostile—toward libraries. And to be honest, there have been moments when I’ve agreed with removing certain books I personally see as strange or harmful. But I was deeply moved by the ALA Director’s comment: “Every book doesn’t need to be for everybody.” A book that isn’t for me might be exactly the book someone else needs. No one has the right to decide what others should or shouldn’t read. That really stayed with me.
In the afternoon, I had the privilege of touring the high-density automated storage facility at the University of Chicago Library. It was absolutely amazing—like something out of the future! At my library, we also have an automated transfer system, but staff still need to manually find the books and place them into the transfer box. In contrast, the system at the University of Chicago retrieves and delivers materials to the circulation desk with no human searching involved. I couldn’t help but feel a little envious!
After the tour, we had a panel discussion with librarians from the University of Chicago. Naturally, the conversation turned to AI. We agreed that institutions should provide clear guidelines for faculty and students—not just to prevent cheating or misuse, but to support ethical and effective collaboration. The focus should be on communication, not just control. It was a really engaging and thought-provoking day!