Monday

If you’re a librarian, chances are you don’t have the best impression of vendors. After all, it’s the scholars who write the articles, but it’s the vendors who make enormous profits from them. It’s frustrating to tell patrons they can’t access the articles they need because we couldn’t afford the subscription to certain journals.
But libraries don’t remain passive! They form consortia and negotiate large-scale deals with vendors, allowing member libraries to access a wide range of resources at much lower costs than if they negotiated individually. CARLI (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois) is one such consortium. In the morning, we learned how CARLI supports libraries across Illinois and helps researchers and students gain access to essential resources.
Information is power—and yes, it can generate revenue. I don’t reject that idea entirely. But it is disappointing to see such inequality, even in institutions like libraries and universities, which are meant to serve the public good and help people grow. I hope Open Access will bring real breakthroughs.
The next session was about grant writing. My library doesn’t usually apply for grants—except for projects involving old and rare collections—but it was still fun and interesting to learn some tips and tricks.
It really is a competition! I completely agree—if you don’t pay attention to what the grant providers want, or follow their instructions carefully, they probably won’t even open your proposal. If you don’t listen to the people offering support, you won’t receive it. That’s exactly what I learned.
After lunch, we attended the Technical Services Management Panel. The discussion focused mostly on acquisitions and cataloging, and I found it genuinely interesting. National library of Korea receives every publication in Korea through the legal deposit system, so I can’t say I’m unfamiliar with the acquisition field. Still, it was fascinating to listen and learn. 
I especially enjoy hearing real stories from librarians in the field. Of course, I admire their achievements in formal reports, but it’s even more engaging to hear how they handle challenges and wrestle with difficult partners in real situations. Or maybe—I’ll admit it—I secretly enjoy knowing I’m not the only librarian who gets completely thrown off by unexpected circumstances. ^_^; It was also a great pleasure to hear from people who transitioned into librarianship after working temporary jobs in libraries—just like me!

Tuseday

In the morning, we discussed how librarians can help teach and promote information and media literacy, and how we can encourage ethical use of information in the age of AI.
What I was especially concerned about was the Information Literacy Divide. At my library, we provide a wide range of cultural and educational video content through our YouTube channels. However, many senior citizens have expressed frustration when asked to view these materials on smartphones or tablets. They often prefer in-person lectures and physical formats. While digital content may seem like a more accessible and affordable way to share knowledge, it doesn’t work for everyone—and in some cases, it can actually create barriers. This reminded me that we need to design our cultural programs with more sensitivity and inclusivity, taking into account the diverse needs of our patrons.
The next session was about Evidence Synthesis and Reviews. It was a completely new topic for me, but I found it really interesting.
What fascinated me most was the lecture on AI. Of course, we all know that AI isn’t perfect—it comes with many ethical concerns. But ignoring it completely wouldn’t be productive. What we need is to understand how to manage it and learn how to use it properly. Professor Sarah Park provided practical guidelines on which types of AI are useful for specific purposes, and I found that extremely helpful. My library is just beginning to design a system to improve how we use AI in our services, so I think this information will be great to share with my colleagues.
In the afternoon, we visited the Urbana Free Library and the Champaign Public Library—and their dedication to serving library patrons was truly inspiring. Let me start with the Teen Open Lab at the Urbana Free Library. Much like YOUmedia at the Chicago Public Library, this space offers teens a creative and welcoming environment. There were 3D printers, sewing machines, video games, and many other tools and materials to explore. And the staff who greeted us—and the teens—were incredibly kind and thoughtful. Their dedication wasn’t just for teens. They told us they try to help anyone who walks through the doors, because they believe the library might be the last place someone turns to when they’re in need. That, to me, is true humanity.
At the Champaign Public Library, I was also impressed by the makerspace—so large, well-equipped, and inviting. But the most impressive part was their incredible range of programs. There were so many! Programs for children, parents, seniors, aspiring writers, entrepreneurs—practically anyone. Events were scheduled every hour of the day, every day of the week! I know how hard it is to work evenings and weekends. But they told us they do it because that’s what their patrons want. That’s what a public library should be—to truly become the center of the community. I learned so much from these visits.

Wednesday

Wednesday was full of fun—we spent the day learning all about Abraham Lincoln! I’ve always known him as the most famous president of the United States, but I didn’t realize he was from Illinois. While visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum and Lincoln’s home, I could really feel the love and pride Americans have for their former president.
I was especially impressed by how the staff treated the documents and artifacts—with genuine honor. For them, these weren’t just archives—they were heritage. It always humbles me to see people who dedicate their efforts to preserving the legacy of someone they truly admire.
We also visited the Illinois State Library—and had an unexpected adventure! Due to a weather alert, we had to evacuate to the basement. I’ve never experienced something like that before. Although we spent most of our visit underground, it left a strong impression. It was a unique chance to observe how well the institution and its staff respond to emergencies with organized and serious procedures.
The Illinois State Library has many interesting collections, but what impressed me the most was their Talking Book program. When I first saw the latest model of the talking book player, I thought it looked a bit old-fashioned—probably because I’m so used to sleek, minimalist mobile devices. But then I realized: this device is designed for people who are blind or visually impaired. They need physical buttons—large, practical, and easy to find by touch. It doesn’t need to be stylish. It needs to work for the people it’s made for. That, I thought, is what true human-centered design looks like. It was a deeply thoughtful and eye-opening experience.

Thursday

Juneteenth Holiday!

Friday

Today, we visited Arthur—the largest and oldest Amish village in Illinois. It was truly fascinating to learn how a library can serve such a unique community. The Amish follow a set of strict lifestyle rules: they don’t use electricity or the internet, wear simple, modest clothing, and value hard labor as a gift from God. As you can imagine, it’s not easy to connect with them as a librarian. They can’t use the library website, and you can’t simply email them about upcoming programs!
But Kelsey, the local librarian, told us she feels privileged to serve them. She shared that the Amish patrons are incredibly kind and respectful, and even the teens rarely show behavioral issues. To reach them, she creates a beautifully designed print newsletter, and when something urgent comes up—she simply picks up the phone and calls. It was a reminder that library services exist for patrons, not for the convenience of the library itself. It was a very inspiring experience—seeing how a library and its librarian can adapt to their community and not just survive, but truly thrive.