Week 1 Reflection: Libraries Without Boundaries
My first week began with orientation, introductions, and a powerful feeling that I was not only travelling to one country, but also meeting library experiences from many different countries and cultures.
The theme of “open, inclusive, and engaged libraries” encouraged me to think more deeply about who is not yet connected to the library, and how we can remove barriers through flexible services, welcoming spaces, and new technologies. As a librarian interested in inclusion, this helped me see the library not only as a building, but as a dynamic space that should reach different communities in different ways.
The DiSC workshop was one of the most useful experiences of the week. It helped us understand our professional behavior, communication styles, and how each person works within a team. This was important for me because inclusion also begins inside the workplace: by understanding others, adapting our communication, and creating harmony in teamwork.
DiSC workshop
The leadership and change management sessions gave me practical tools to think about change in a more positive way. I learned that change happens around us, but transition is how we respond to it. As librarians, especially in a world shaped by digital tools and changing user needs, we need to focus on building the new rather than resisting the old.
The library visits also opened my eyes to how technology can support more inclusive and responsive services. Seeing cloud-based collaboration, research support spaces, digital tools, data services, and flexible library models showed me how libraries can become stronger centers for people, ideas, and innovation.
OCLC visit
The visit to Thompson Special Collections offered a meaningful glimpse into rare materials, including collections from the 13th century and items dating back to B.C.
It was a reflective experience that showed how historical collections can connect the past with today’s library work through preservation, access, and thoughtful public engagement.
