Second week into the Mortenson Associates Program, this week was once again filled with a variety of programs and field trips that helped me develop new ideas to bring back to my library.

Visits to SCD and CITL

This week, we had the opportunity to visit campus units that support teaching, learning, and research beyond the library.

The Siebel Center for Design (SCD) is both a design hub and a center that supports human-centered design and design thinking through various programs and learning opportunities. I realize that human-centered design thinking is not limited to product design. It is also an essential mindset for librarians who design services, programs, and policies as well.

we discussed the importance of identifying the needs of users that are not always visible. we can be using empathy and interview methods to better understand their problems. Even for librarians with experience in reference services, conducting user interviews to identify the a problem is not always easy. It is often challenging to avoid assumptions about different user groups and to instead understand the context and hidden intentions behind their needs in order to provide more meaningful services.

At SCD, I was able to practice this approach using an AI Persona Tool for librarians. I conducted the exercise in Korean, and the persona I interacted with was a Korean man in mid-forties who had recently become unemployed. He wanted to find a job but didn’t know where to start or what kind of information strategies he could use. Although it was an AI-generated persona, I felt the situation is very realistic and provided a valuable opportunity to practice user interviews.

I also used another persona to gather feedback on the information literacy program that I gave to undergraduate students. The persona asked very practical questions about what the program actually offers and what benefits students could expect. Through this, I was able to see my own program from a more objective and user-centered perspective.

This experience made me think that AI personas could be a useful tool not only for practicing interviews but also for designing and refining library programs. I hope to continue using similar approaches when I return to Korea.

The Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) focuses on exploring and designing new trends in education supporting teaching and learning across campus. Rather than relying solely on traditional teaching methods, CITL supports innovative tools such as AI services, the X3 Studio, and media recording spaces. They also provide access to various AI applications that faculty and staff can use depending on their needs.

What stood out to me was a demonstration by Associate Director Jim Wentworth on how to build a chatbot. The process was much simpler than I had expected. Before this session, working with AI tools often felt complicated and intimidating, but When I see him making it step by step made me realize that it can be much more approachable. It changed my perception that AI-based work is necessarily difficult, and gave me confidence that it is something I can explore further in my own work.

Program Logic Model

Lisa Hinchliffe’s Program Logic Model is a tool used in the program planning stage. I sometimes find myself designing services or programs without fully considering their purpose or expected outcomes in detail. This model helps make that process more structured and intentional.

The logic model breaks program planning into clear stages: resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and long-term impact. This step-by-step structure helps translate broad ideas into more concrete and measurable plans.

What I find most valuable is that it turns messy collection of ideas into a clearer framework. It encourages more intentional thinking about what a program is trying to achieve at each stage

I also realized that this model is not only useful for professional program design, but also for reflecting on life more broadly. It encourages me to think about what resources I have, what actions I am taking, what I hope to gain in the short term, and what kind of long-term impact I want to create.

Visit to Champaign Public Library

We also visited the Champaign Public Library, one of the public libraries serving the Urbana-Champaign area. While I was traveling around the area, I noticed small signs in front of residential houses expressing support for libraries, which made me realize how highly valued public libraries are in this community.

It was also impressive to see how librarians expressed pride in their role supporting not only local communities but also democracy more broadly in the United States. Compared to Korea, public libraries here seem to take on a much broader role, combining what would be separate functions of community centers, cultural centers, and libraries. As a result, their programs are very diverse and closely connected to community needs.

Civic & Government Information Literacy, AI Literacy, Technical Services, and Research Data Services

On Wednesday, We had the opportunity to meet librarians working in different core areas, including government information services, technical services, and research data support. I was especially impressed by the LEITC, which focuses on AI literacy for library staff.

In my own institution, there is currently no systematic training structure for AI literacy development among staff. While individuals can learn independently, there is no coordinated organizational effort. I believe that having a committee that provides direction and guidance for emerging technologies would be very valuable.

In Korea, onboarding and training systems for new technologies and workflows are often not well structured, which can make it difficult for new staff members. In addition, libraries sometimes do somewhat separately from broader university strategic planning. A structure similar to LEITC could be a useful model for improving coordination and professional development.

Visit to the University of Chicago

At the University of Chicago, we visited the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library. While the glass dome architecture was impressive, what surprised me most was the underground automated storage system.

It was remarkable that such an advanced system was already in place in 2011. As collections continue to grow and digital resources expand, efficient storage solutions become increasingly important. Compared to my previous experience in libraries, where managing storage collections often required physically demanding work, this system felt like a significant innovation. It made me think about how similar approaches could be introduced in other institutions if the opportunity arises.

ALA Headquarters, MacArthur Foundation, and Harold Washington Library Center

We were also invited to visit the American Library Association (ALA) and the MacArthur Foundation, as well as the Harold Washington Library Center.

ALA has been an important model for the Korean Library Association, and initiatives such as the “Read” poster campaign have also been reflected in similar projects in Korea. This year marks the 150th anniversary of ALA, which made the visit feel especially meaningful.

Meeting the ALA Executive Director, Daniel J. Montgomery, was also memorable. Hearing him confidently state that American democracy is deeply rooted in libraries was inspiring, and as a librarian, it made me feel a sense of shared pride in the profession.

One of the most important takeaways from this week was realizing how many people around the world are working toward shared values such as equity, diversity, lifelong learning, and intellectual freedom.

We also visited the MacArthur Foundation, which supports initiatives like U-Media, and the Harold Washington Library Center, which has played a key role in launching and sustaining innovative public library services. Concluding the week with these visits reinforced my understanding of how libraries, foundations, and associations collectively contribute to continuous innovation in the library field.