The Mortenson Center Associates Program 2025 has come to an end.

So many mixed emotions—it’s been a rollercoaster of fear and joy, anxiety and gratitude. There were moments when I thought I wouldn’t make it to the end, and now here I am, with my expectations not just met, but exceeded.

The current global situation didn’t exactly make things easier, and yet, everyone did their best to make us feel at home. And we truly did.

On a professional level, this program has been a powerful learning experience. I’ve learned so much from my peers, realizing just how many brilliant professionals are out there and how deeply committed they are to what they do. We often think that only the U.S. produces valuable work, but we need to be more aware of the great things we’re already doing, and how much more we’re capable of achieving.

Through the experience and the workshops, I’ve also learned more about myself—both personally and professionally—and most importantly, I’ve dared to step outside my comfort zone and say yes to new challenges.

I’m proud to say that in my own library, we’re doing things right. Our new services are cutting-edge, and even though we’re short-staffed and many on the team are new, we’re still delivering at the same level as larger institutions.

Every part of this journey has taught me something—from small ideas in brochures or service models to major discoveries. All of it is applicable to my own library or to others in my network.

One of the biggest takeaways for me has been the focus on user-centered design. Applying it to services, teams, and strategy has opened my eyes. Sure, I’ve always had our users in mind, but it was mostly based on observation and assumption. I wasn’t really asking, I wasn’t listening. That’s what I want to change. My Action Plan is going to revolve around this: reevaluating our services through a human-centered lens.

It’s also been a joy to get to know more about the culture of this country—its diversity, its strong sense of community, and above all, its people. So many wonderful people. It’s been a privilege to experience all this beyond movies and clichés.

Now, I’m looking forward to another big adventure: my very first American Library Association Annual Meeting. I’ve heard it can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers, but I’m excited—especially because I’ll be facilitating a roundtable discussion. What an opportunity!

And the friendships, the connections we’ve made here… they’re not staying behind. They’re flying home with me.