Author Archives: raypun

An Interview with Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, a Researcher, Leader, Consultant and Coach

IFLA #WLIC2023 attended not long ago. There’s been a lot of discussions regarding artificial intelligence in libraries but what else should LIS students, trainers, educators, workers, and associations focused on professional development think about? We spotlight professional development trainers and experts in librarianship to talk about their work. In this blog post, we interview Kaetrena Davis Kendrick.

Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, MSLS is a Researcher, Leader, Consultant and Coach. She earned her M.S.L.S. from the historic Clark Atlanta University School of Library and Information Studies. While known for her work on ethics, equity, diversity and inclusion, and communities of practice in libraries, Kendrick’s research on low-morale experiences in library workplaces is recognized as groundbreaking and validating for library employees at all levels. In her daily and long-term work, Kendrick has transformed library programs, services, and culture via creativity, leadership, and advocacy. She is committed to centering well-being, creativity, and empathy in the workplace and promoting career clarity and rejuvenation to workers. In 2019, Kendrick was named the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Academic/Research Librarian of the Year. Learn more about her work.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Can you briefly tell us about your work and professional development interests?

Kaetrena: My pleasure! I’m a researcher, leader, consultant and coach focused on helping people and groups – library workers or library organizations particularly – recognize, reconcile, and recover from their low-morale experiences. My coaching and consulting services are research- and praxis-based and driven by my mission to inspire authentic collegiality, and to promote well-being, share the gifts of creativity, and cultivate empathetic, engaged leadership in the workplace. My professional development interests include assertive/interpersonal communication, leadership awareness/improvement, and employee engagement. My practicing career centers academic librarianship, so I’m also interested in communities of practice and student engagement and outreach.

What do you think are the challenges in engaging library staff in professional development activities?

Kaetrena: Library workers who experience low morale – which my research defines as repeated, protracted exposure to workplace abuse and neglect  – generally note decreased interest in pursuing professional development, and they also indicate not being as motivated to connect with colleagues. Reduced funding, understaffing, decreased opportunities for stable and full-time employment, and burnout connected to (or exacerbated by) the global pandemic all have also increased these tenuous intersections of access to/ energy for continuing education and employee engagement.

What are some trends or areas in the LIS field for you? 

Kaetrena: Awareness and research surrounding the deep emotional labor of library work continues to increase, and that’s very important, because for too long, the realities of our daily work – in all kinds of libraries – has been hidden by nostalgia of our users, as well by our own efforts to not disappoint our users or disturb that sense of nostalgia. The recognition and understanding of that emotional labor, in turn, is driving more conversations about how to advocate for library employees – not just collections, building, and technology. Additionally, I’m seeing trends in coaching as a methodology of support and professional development for library workers – I was happy to see IFLA’s session on coaching at this year’s WLIC.

What resources or opportunities would you like to share to highlight the professional development activities for the LIS community?

Kaetrena: Library associations like the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) continue to offer excellent continuing education webinars, and CORE is also a great resource. E-learning platforms like WebJunction and Library Juice Academy are also places to browse  – I’ll be leading or moderating sessions on navigating low morale later this month and next year, respectively.  Don’t forget to mine other specialties, too!  For instance, you don’t have to be an archivist or curator to benefit from the great offerings that archival and/or museum associations have. And be sure to attend the annual Conference on Academic Library Management – it’s free, virtual, and a great opportunity to learn from and connect with formal and informal library leaders focused on surfacing dignity and humaneness in college and university library workplaces. Books I often return to include:

  • Critical Hope by Kari Grain
  • Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Handbook for Libraries by Bobbi L. Newman
  • Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

Anything else you’d like to share that we didn’t get to talk about?

Kaetrena: If readers are experiencing low morale, professional development and continuing education are established countermeasures. Engaging in these activities will help you maintain a realistic perspective of your skillset, keep you connected outside of your immediate unhealthy workplace, and ensure you’re prepared for your next move to a better, more healthy organization. Also: keep in mind that professional development doesn’t just mean a class or a certificate – it can be coaching (considering and reflecting on, and taking action as a result of impactful questions aren’t just for our users – they’re for you, too!)

Fighting Against Book Bans in Libraries: Select Resources to Explore, Raise Awareness, and Take Action

 

Banned Book Week

Unfortunately, many libraries, bookstores, and schools around the world are seeing an increasing wave of book banning and challenges. Book banning and challenges impacts our readers’ rights to access books. Book banning and challenges creates censorship culture in our communities which is against IFLA’s values. “Because censorship prevents the enjoyment of several generally recognized human rights, as expressed most fundamentally in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, IFLA emphatically argues for principles of freedom of expression and freedom of access to information” (see IFLA Statement on Censorship). 

In the United States, book banning and challenges have been increasing over time, specific right wing extremist groups have been targeting books by and about people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people who belong to religious minorities, and claiming that there are “inappropriate” content that children are reading or being taught. Their outrage and allegations are amplified on social media where they are actually determining the school curriculum or library collection and deciding who gets to read what and disregarding the expertise of teachers and librarians. According to Kelly Jensen from Book Riot, “Since the start of the 2022-2023 school year — July 1 through December 30, 2023 — PEN America recorded 1,477 separate instances of book bans across the country. This includes 874 unique titles in 182 school districts and 37 states.” Furthermore, an Iowa School District used ChatGPT, the generative artificial intelligence tool, to ban books because such books may contain discussions on sexuality and gender identity that may be viewed as inappropriate for the school curriculum (see Wired).

This is not only a United States issue but a global one. Intellectual freedom is being threatened and overturned as a right, and many libraries are facing this issue. In Australia, the graphic memoir, Gender Queer by non-binary author and artist Maia Kobabe, is being considered to be censored by the Australian Classification Board. Conservative groups have pushed for this title to be banned either for certain age groups or completely banned from access in schools or libraries. In Hungary, the government has ordered bookshops to seal and wrap books that promote or contain gender identities and transition, and sexualities before sale for people under 18 according to a Reuters report and Book Riot. 

Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read.
 

What should we consider in addressing these waves of book bans and challenges and censorship in our libraries, bookstores, and schools? Here are some resources to think about these issues and ways to counter it collectively: 

IFLA FAIFE – Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression – stay involved and informed on what IFLA FAIFE will promote or need support on. This IFLA advisory group may share helpful information or statements regarding the topic of censorship and intellectual freedom. Reach out to the committee members for more information or advice. 

Banned Books Week will occur on October 1-7, 2023. “It is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries.” More than celebrating books that are banned, there are tools to come together as a community for virtual read out loud events and social media promotions and to share with your communities, and school or library boards to raise awareness.  

Unite Against Book Bans – this campaign is organized by the American Library Association and offers resources for those seeking coalition building against book banning that is occurring in the United States. However, Unite Against Book Bans is still a useful resource, particularly for those outside of the United States who are looking for ways to build partnerships against book censorship and banning. The toolkits, pledges, and statements from this page might offer guidance for the work you are doing. 

Regardless of your position or job role in the library community, book banning, book challenges, censorship, and threats to intellectual freedom impacts all of us. As the IFLA Statement on Censorship states, “All persons, governments and other institutions of society—including library and information services, their associations and their workers—are therefore called to defend and promote freedom of expression and freedom of access to information.”

An Interview with Elaina Norlin from ASERL

Getting ready for #WLIC2023? We are spotlighting professional development trainers and experts in librarianship to talk about their work. In this blog post, we interview Elaine Norlin, Professional Development DEI Coordinator for the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL).

Elaina Norlin is the Professional Development DEI Coordinator for the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries. She is an accomplished teacher, technology and leadership development trainer, and writer with extensive leadership experience and a flair for public relations, organizational development, marketing and persuasion and communications. Author of three books, she has delivered over 100 workshops, training sessions, presentations, and institutes both nationally and internationally on marketing, web usability design, facilitation, strategic influence, and conflict management. Self-motivated and results oriented, she is well known for her ability to juggle many projects at once.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Can you briefly tell us about your work and professional development interests?

Norlin: That’s an excellent question, my Professional Development role at the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) keeps me busy and constantly engaged in current trends. As part of my job, I actively seek captivating and enriching content across all cultural heritage spectrum, placing a distinct focus on amplifying diverse and marginalized perspectives. Presently, my primary interest lies in creating and hosting content concerning future and exciting trends within higher education. I am particularly immersed in exploring themes such as enrollment patterns and their convergence with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), projected budget allocations and potential inequities, talent management and employee engagement strategies, educational neuroscience advancements, and the realm of extended reality.

What do you think are the challenges in engaging library staff in professional development activities

Norlin: The majority of librarians I engage with are grappling either with burnout or the frustrations stemming from the pervasive “do more with less” scarcity mindset that occasionally afflicts our profession. This persistent frustration of being unable to match the demands of the workload often leads individuals not have both the time and the energy required for their professional growth. Moreover, the strain of a demanding work environment complicates the task of maintaining a harmonious workplace atmosphere and a well-adjusted work-life balance, posing considerable challenges to prioritizing ongoing professional development.

Another distinct trend I’ve observed is the undeniable prevalence of virtual fatigue. As a consequence of most work interactions transpiring within the virtual space, many individuals encounter difficulties when attempting to engage in online learning, especially as there are an endless number of distractions.  Recent post-pandemic research reveals that the online attention span for passive learning is approximately seven seconds—a remarkably brief span. This condensed attention span underscores the essentiality of incorporating more interactive learning methodologies to captivate individuals’ attention and facilitate the absorption of information.

What are some trends or areas in the LIS field for you? 

Norlin: This year, the most requested professional development is artificial intelligence, burnout mitigation within the workplace, data science advancements, neurodiversity integration, and the formulation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies within the backdrop of political backlash. One recent standout was a higher education webinar focused on extended reality—an intriguing topic that resonates with the ever-evolving world of online learning. The discussion centered on the pivotal role of active engagement in inspiring the next generation of students.

Another burgeoning area of concern centers around marketing and advocacy strategies, particularly pertinent in light of the prevailing challenges like book bans, threats, and terminations stemming from the current political climate. While marketing and advocacy have always held importance in the domain of librarianship, the current environment requires an enhanced focus on crisis communication and strategic approaches to swiftly address unforeseen challenges. The need for agile problem-solving has become more evident, as librarians grapple with unexpected scenarios requiring quick but persuasive responses to combat current and future attacks on intellectual freedom.

What resources or opportunities would you like to share to highlight the professional development activities for the LIS community?

Norlin: My advice to librarians is to stay well-versed in the realm of library literature, but concurrently read and watch content that is outside our profession. It’s all too simple to become inward-focused and engrossed solely in resolving immediate library related issues and crises. But with today’s ever changing higher education landscape, it’s very beneficial to allocate time to observe prospective and future trends.

For example, ongoing research consistently shows the fluctuations in higher education enrollment across institutions, with an overall trend of decline in overall numbers. While elite institutions seem to be maintaining a favorable financial outlook, many regional colleges, whether public or private, have grappled with meeting their enrollment targets in recent years. As highlighted by Inside Higher Ed, the pandemic impacted transfer and international enrollment, and this is the second year in terms of the decline.  On the other hand, smaller colleges that have refocused their strategy providing more positive student experiences and incorporating innovative and creative learning models are witnessing modest growth in enrollment. As we look more about what’s going on, librarians can become more proactive in terms of reactive when it comes to pivoting and realigning our strategic focus.

Anything else you’d like to share that we didn’t get to talk about?

Norlin: Present Employee Engagement research serves as a clear reminder that a growing number of individuals are becoming disengaged or are quietly stepping back from their responsibilities due to burnout and toxic work environments. In a recent study by the Workforce Institute at UKG, 74% of employees shared that they feel more engaged and happier when they believe their voices matter at their workplaces. However, most employees feel undervalued, leading to a significant increase in the number of people disengaging from their work, which now accounts for over 69% of the workforce.

So, my advice that I tell library organizations who want to actively work on morale is to observe workplace trends, but also to consistently seek solutions that can truly transform the work environment. There are actionable steps we can take to improve our work settings. The first step involves looking beyond our own profession to identify what’s effective elsewhere and how we can apply those practices. This empowerment leads to a workforce that feels confident in making decisions that positively influence their work, thus setting in motion a positive cycle of engagement and innovation.

CPDWL Podcast Project Season 5, Episode 1: Vicki McDonald, IFLA President-elect 2022–2023

Colleagues, we are excited to announce the our newest episode (season 5) of the CPDWL Podcast Project where we feature library and information professionals who support and participate in professional development work.

Our guest host for this episode is Dr. Gill Hallam, CPDWL Standing Committee Member. This episode’s guest is Vicki McDonald, IFLA President-elect 2022–2023.

Special thanks to Leif for coordinating the recording, from Digital Media, State Library of Queensland.

See here for the podcast episode.

Vicki McDonald is a recognised leader in the library and information sector. Spanning four decades, her career has included leadership roles in public, academic and state libraries.

Her professional interests include a client-centred approach to designing services and spaces, digital inclusion, services to First Nations people, and a commitment to delivering lifelong learning opportunities for the community and profession.

In 2016, her national and international experience led to her appointment as State Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of State Library of Queensland. She understands the need for a strong, relevant and innovative library service and this is reflected in State Library’s achievements under her leadership.

In her current role, Vicki provides strategic leadership for a significant program to transform State Library’s services, collections and spaces through State Library’s Digital Strategy: Digital by Design. State Library is recognised for its services to First Nations communities, and for documenting and making accessible content related to Queensland’s First Nations peoples. To ensure that State Library retains its world-class status, she is championing the development of a strategy to renew spaces within the nationally recognised building.

Her reappointment at State Library of Queensland in 2016 renewed a long association that started in 2001. As an Executive Director at State Library, she was involved in policy, client services and collections before taking on the role of Associate Director Library Services (Client Services and Learning Support) at Queensland University of Technology from 2009 to 2013.

As Executive Director Library and Information Services and Dixson Librarian at the State Library of New South Wales from 2013 to 2016, Vicki was responsible managing the library’s collections valued at AUD$3B and for leading a significant organisational change program.

Vicki is currently serving a two year term (2022-2023) as the Chair of National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA) – the peak body representing the national, state and territory libraries of Australia.

Throughout her career, Vicki has been very active in professional associations. She has held leadership positions with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) since 2000, and served as its President from 2017 to 2018. Vicki is currently chair of the ALIA International Relations Advisory Committee, which advises the ALIA Board of Directors on the development and delivery of ALIA’s strategic action program for international engagement. She has a strong commitment to professional development and chaired ALIA’s National Biennial Conference and Information Online Conference committees for a number of years.  Under her leadership these conferences have been very successful and this has made a vital contribution to the economic sustainability of ALIA.

Vicki is very active in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). As the Chair of the Professional Committee (2019–2021) she was an ex-officio member of the IFLA Governing Board and Chair of the Congress Advisory Committee. During 2017-2019, Vicki was elected Chair Division I (Library types) and was a member of the Governing Board. She also deputised for Professional Committee Chair. Vicki has also been a member of IFLA’s Asia Oceania Section Standing Committee and is currently a member of the IFLA Academic and Research Libraries Standing Committee. This strong commitment to IFLA builds on her previous officer roles in Metropolitan Libraries, and on Academic and Research Libraries Standing Committees.

***

Transcript reviewed by Gill Hallam

Gill Hallam   0:01

Hello everyone. This is Gill Hallam and I’m a member of the CPDWL Standing Committee. Welcome to the IFLA CPD WL podcast project. In this program we talk to library and information professionals who support and participate in professional development work.

Today’s guest is Vicki McDonald, incoming President, and welcome to Vicki. Let me just introduce Vicki with a few more details.

Vicki is a recognised leader in the library and information sector. Spanning four decades, her career has included leadership roles in public, academic and state libraries here in Australia. Her professional interests include a client-centred approach to designing services and spaces, digital inclusion services to First Nations people, and a commitment to delivering lifelong learning opportunities for the community and for the profession.

In 2016, her national and international experience led her to her appointment as State Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the State Library of Queensland. She understands the need for a strong, relevant and innovative library service, and this is reflected in State Library’s achievements under her guidance. In her current role, Vicki provides strategic leadership for a significant program to transform State Library Services, collections and spaces through State Library’s digital strategy, Digital by Design.

State Library is recognised for its services to First Nations communities, and for documenting and making accessible content related to Queensland’s First Nations peoples. To ensure that the State Library retains its world class status, she is championing the development of a strategy to renew spaces within the nationally recognised building.

That’s quite a portfolio of activities to take care of! So let’s look at you personally to start with…
If you had to describe yourself in only one word, what word would it be?

 

Vicki McDonald  2:13

Well, firstly, Gill, thanks for the opportunity to have a chat today. And, that certainly is an interesting question:  one word. If you ask ChatGPT to describe me in one word, it would say ‘inspiring’, but I think perhaps that’s influenced by the fact that State Library’s vision has ‘inspiring’ in it, and my name is often associated with the State Library’s vision. But personally, I would say ‘resilient’.

As a CEO, I’ve had to respond to a lot of unexpected challenges across the last three to five years. Like everyone, we’ve been particularly impacted by COVID, the lockdown pivoting to online delivery, phased reopening of our and our service delivery, but also navigating legislation around vaccination and how it applied to both our clients and our staff. So and, of course, underlying all of that was supporting staff through a fairly significant change in their lives. And just after we came out of COVID, and things were starting to look, you know, like they were going to improve, we were hit by the 2022 floods. And our building, as you know, is on the river, right on the river. And so we were closed for several months, and it took over 12 months to restore access to some of our spaces. So it’s been a pretty challenging time over the last three to five years and I had to call on lots of inner strength, I think in that particular time. So ‘resilient’ is the word that comes to mind for me,

Gill Hallam  3:45

Thank you, Vicki, and I’m sure ChatGPT wouldn’t have come up with quite such a response is that in terms of understanding what goes on behind the scenes, and not on the actual front side, so I thank you.

And so what compelled you to become a librarian? How did you actually get started?

Vicki McDonald   4:09

Well, I think like many colleagues who work in this profession, it was accidental. I grew up in a small regional town called Dalby and many of my friends were leaving school and taking jobs, and I saw an advertisement in the paper at the Dalby Wambo Public Library for a library assistant. And I thought ‘that sounds like a good job’. So I applied and I got it. And then I moved to Brisbane, I did a library technician’s course. And then I did my Bachelor of Arts in librarianship, which at the time was offered externally. So I did that as a corresponding student for six years. So that was a real test of resilience, I think, in a way, certainly set me up and then after I’d finished my BA I then done some further study but certainly have really enjoyed working in this sector. And I think it’s a sector that you get so much out of and it has been very professionally rewarding,

Gill Hallam  5:03

Great… I’m sure many of our people in our audience will understand that sort of pattern of a career development of stepping stones as you go through. But having come from a small regional town like Dalby, what does ‘global librarianship’ mean to you? There’s quite a quantum leap between a small country town, and, you know, the world of libraries.

Vicki McDonald     5:27

There sure is, yes. And I think whenever, you know, think about global librarianship, you know, I reflect on IFLA’s vision and our mission as well. Our vision is to be a strong and united global library field, you know, powering literate informed and participatory societies and, and similarly, we have global mentioned in our mission to inspire, engage, enable, and connect the global library field.

And, to me, global librarianship is all about collaboration. It’s the working together, sharing our expertise, and working together to resolve our common challenges. And over the years, one of the things I’ve come to realise, as I’ve worked in many different organisations, and worked with many other professions, is that this willingness to collaborate and share is somewhat unique to our profession. And I know in working with other professions within my own organisation, they’re often surprised that I can say, oh, I’ll just ring so and so. And I’m sure they’ll share their document with us. And I think that collegiality is somewhat unique. But it’s also a great strength of our profession. And I think I see that at a local level within my own library and the work that I do, but I also see at a global level, that ability to be able to reach out to anyone across the world to get advice and reflect on their experiences and skills and things like that.

Gill Hallam   6:50

Yes, that’s right. And that those people can contribute too, it is that collaborative activity that builds the strength of the profession, I think, as well.

But your next role: you’re coming into the role of IFLA President! And that’s exciting, but I’m sure also challenging. But let’s take a step back. How did you first get involved with IFLA,

Vicki McDonald    7:13

I first became involved when I was invited to go to the MetLib meeting, which was in Singapore in 2004. So Christine Mackenzie, who you would know as a previous IFLA President as well, suggested that I come along to that meeting. And I just found it so exciting and interesting. And for many of the things that we’ve just talked about in relation to global librarianship: having that opportunity to meet with colleagues from the UK, the US and Singapore itself. Singapore was pretty amazing looking at their public libraries. And that really got me hooked. And I went on to go to MetLib meetings every year for many years. But my first World Library & Information Congress was in Quebec, in 2008. And that was a fantastic Congress. And it coincided with the 400th anniversary of Quebec as well. And I remember I took holidays to go. And my partner, I said to my partner, ‘Look, I’ll just go to a few sessions’. But I got there – and I went, you know, from first session to late at night, every day, and it was just, you know, I really got hooked into it as well, and then continued to go to Congress as ever after, and then got involved in committees as well. So, it’s been a really interesting time.

Gill Hallam   8:33

Indeed. Right. So, thinking back, are there any specific memorable moments for you within the IFLA environment? Anything that stands out as being a really memorable experience for you?

Vicki McDonald    8:52

I, you know, certainly I’m sure like you, I’ve had lots of great memories from congresses around the world. But one of the sessions that really stays in my mind is a session that I attended. It was one of the academic and research libraries sessions, it was a Hot Topics session, which they continue to offer each year. And it was at the 2010 Congress in Gothenburg in Sweden, and the theme of that session was ‘radical collaboration’. And there were three speakers on that particular session, Debora Shorley, from London, and who talked about the issues involved in walking away from the big deals; Andrew Inman from the University of New South Wales, who talked about research impact, and I think that is one of the funny things – I often go to a congress across the world to meet Australians and certainly that was what happened. But the third speaker on that session was Jim Neal from Columbia University at the time, and he talked about an initiative which he was leading called ‘Too Cool’, which was an initiative between Columbia and Cornell Universities where they were working to integrate and share and manage their library processes. And that that particular session stayed with me for a long time. And I still reflect on it. And Jim’s presentation really resonated me with me. And the whole idea around radical collaboration and these two big universities working together to share a problem.

But after Jim had presented his session, and I think each speaker only had five to six minutes, he actually moved around the tables and discussed his topic with each of us at our tables. And, you know, the opportunity to talk directly with Jim Neal, who was, you know, heading up Columbia University, I thought, wow, you know, this is what it was about is his opportunity to have these one-on-one discussions with people who have so much experience to share. And over the years, I’ve reached out to Jim, on different topics, and every time he’s responded, and to me, that’s really what IFLA’s about, and the global librarianship is that willingness to collaborate and share, and just sharing your expertise and how you respond to different challenges.

Gill Hallam  11:11

That sounds really positive in terms of the engagement of sort of working in small groups as well as sort of that plenary type of environment.

Vicki McDonald     11:19

And those Hot Topic sessions are fantastic, you know, they still continue to be, I think, highlights of each Congress as well.

Gill Hallam   11:26

OK, put that on the radar for Rotterdam coming up, that will be good! But what makes you most excited about today’s profession?

Vicki McDonald    11:36

Well, I think it’s probably still the same thing as when I started in libraries: it’s that potential to make a difference. Whether it’s a difference to the organisation that you’re working in, so I’ve worked in universities, or even the broader community and being able to contribute to solving challenges that are facing the respective community that you’re working with. And I think, here at the State Library of Queensland, we’re a reference and research library, serving Queenslanders. And I think what excites me the most is the diversity of what I get involved in. And, you know, I do find State Library’s particularly rewarding. At the moment, we’re delivering a family literacy program, working with public libraries across Queensland, which is really focused on ensuring that when children start school, they already have the literacy skills to give them a good start. And of course, that links to the SDGs as well. We’ve also at the moment received funding to work with the Queensland Government, and funded by the Queensland Government, to contribute to their digital economy strategy. But also the languages program, we’re doing some unique work here at State Library in documenting, preserving and making accessible Queensland’s traditional languages. So I think that’s what particularly excites me, and you know, gets me out of bed to come to work every day, is the diversity of what we do. But also knowing that you’re making a difference, and it will have impact to the community.

Gill Hallam   13:04

I think all of those points, just highlight their diversity across the different libraries as well, where the community is at the heart of everything. And therefore every community is unique. And therefore there’s no one size fits all in terms of library services and programs. There’s some common denominators, but then lots and lots of individual applications across the world, which is really important to understand.

Vicki McDonald    13:30

And that’s particularly true in Queensland, you know, because we do a lot of work working with public libraries, and Brisbane has one of the largest public library services in the southern hemisphere. But if I go up to the Torres Strait, I’m, you know, on these different islands, which are just, you know, not that far from Papua New Guinea. That’s the diversity of Queensland: great regional areas, great distances to travel, but diversity in what’s in those communities, and some of our communities are only a couple of 100 people. So it’s thinking about the skills that are required to deliver services in those different areas as well.

Gill Hallam   14:07

Yes, for our listeners, the geography of Queensland is quite unusual. And it’s thousands of kilometers from North to South, and across East to West. So it is a huge area to have responsibility for, as you do with State Library here. So it’s really interesting. Our listeners, a lot of our listeners will be from CPDWL and from the community that we reach out to there. So homing in on professional development, what’s the professional development tip or some advice that you’d like to share with others, particularly as we welcome new and maybe just emerging people within our section?

Vicki McDonald    14:48

Another good question, Gill. I think I think my tip would be get involved take up the opportunities that present themselves. Early in my career. I moved around a lot. I took up lots of different opportunities. I’ve worked in public, academic and State libraries, I’ve been a cataloguer, a liaison librarian, document delivery, but I also managed buildings as an asset owner, for Brisbane City Council. But I also have been involved in my professional association, I took the opportunity really early to get involved in working with ALIA, which enables you to actually build your networks outside of where you work. And I did that, I know, I found that very rewarding as well, and had a number of positions within ALIA. So I think it’s really taking up the different opportunities and, and having different experiences. And the other thing that comes from that is you actually develop strong and enduring networks, I, you know, I still have really strong connections with people I worked with, you know, 2030 years ago. And, and again, you know, I think that’s a special part of our profession.

Gill Hallam   15:54

That resonates with me, as well: I started out as a solo librarian in the special library sector, working with accountants and lawyers, that was the community I served. So it was the professional networking through the professional association, that made all of the difference in terms of working out who I was in my own career. So yeah, that’s a good point. You mentioned earlier, the sort of outsider professionals looking into our section, our sector, sorry. But if you didn’t work in libraries, if you weren’t a librarian, what profession might you have chosen to attempt? And succeed, probably!

Vicki McDonald     16:34

I always wanted to be a school teacher, a primary school teacher. So I think if I wasn’t a librarian, and I did things again, that’s what it would be.

Gill Hallam   16:44

Yeah. And there’s a close collaboration very often between the education sector and libraries, of course. So that’s not a huge gulf in terms of … You might have become a teacher librarian, then you’d combine the two?

Vicki McDonald     16:56

True, true. Who knows? Who knows what could have been?

Gill Hallam   17:00

OK, so this is actually our final sort of topic to explore… Can you tell us about a recent project or a presentation or program that you’re going to be involved in the coming weeks or months, something that you might be presenting on and I realise that the IFLA Congress is coming up, but there might be other things external to that as well?

Vicki McDonald   17:26

Well, at the moment, I’m sort of juggling preparation of a number of presentations to Zoom in.  As you say, I am thinking about the Congress in Rotterdam and my commitments there. But I’ve also, I’m juggling preparation of our three or four presentations to Zoom in. I was invited by Delara (Begum) from Bangladesh to present at their conference, the International Conference on Information and Knowledge Management. So I’ll do that in the next few months. I’ve also received an invitation to speak at the Chinese library annual conference. And then closer to home, in I think November, I’ll be a keynote at Switch 2023, which is the New South Wales Public Libraries Association Conference here in Australia.

But the most immediate conference presentation I have to think about is an invitation I’ve received from the Iran Public Libraries Foundation. And their conference theme is around public libraries and small business, so really does relate to the work that I do. And generally, when I’m preparing my conference presentations, I link it to the work of IFLA, particularly around our vision and mission, but also take the opportunity to showcase the work of State Library of Queensland, or public libraries in Queensland as well. I’m particularly proud of the work that we do here at the State Library in the work of my colleagues. So in that conference presentation, I’ll talk about the services that we do provide to support businesses and entrepreneurs. And even it’s things like free Wi Fi meeting rooms, collections, research services, but also some of the unique services that we offer here. We have a space called The Edge, which is a makerspace, creative space. And we offer sound studios, which enable people to do podcasts, record music, that sort of thing. 3D printers that have enabled people to do jewellery making and then go on to other businesses and things like that. So I’ll try and weave in some other examples to give people, about different ideas about the sorts of things that can be offered from the library. Another particular service we’re particularly proud of here is our ‘Black and Write’ program, which we’ve been offering nationally for over 10 years, which supports First Nations writers and editors, and some of our Fellows have gone on to be nationally acclaimed writers. So really approaching the idea from a different perspective is what I’ll be thinking about in preparing that But certainly, as you say, really looking forward to catching up with colleagues in Rotterdam in just a few weeks.

Gill Hallam   19:57

Right, indeed, a month away, just about. So, yeah, indeed. That’s great. Well, thank you very much indeed, Vicki, for sharing some of your time and also all of your background experiences. You do have a lot of opportunities within the role that you play, but as you said at the very beginning, the resilience to address lots of different situations, There’s plenty for you to get out of bed for in the morning! And the fact that we actually live probably only about 10 kilometres apart, we don’t see each other that often. But as you said before, meeting Australian colleagues 17,000 kilometres away will also be very special. So we look forward to seeing you in Rotterdam as well in in a month’s time.

Vicki McDonald    20:42

Thank you. Thank you very much, Gill. Thanks for the opportunity to chat. Thank you.

 

Q&A with Authors Linda Miles and Susanne Markgren on LIS Professional Development

CPDWL focuses on professional development in the field. We provide numerous resources, training materials and updates on the trends in continuing learning and professional development in the workplace. In this blog post, we speak with librarians Linda Miles and Susanne Markgren, authors of How to Thrive as a Library Professional: Achieving Success and Satisfaction (2019) about their book on professional development for librarianship, and their thoughts on professional development in the field.

Congratulations on this book! How did the book get started? 

There are really two things that came together to prompt us to take on this book project. The first is that we truly love what we do professionally. Our career satisfaction has increased incrementally as we have taken on new challenges, collaborated with colleagues, and found success. We have built thriving careers and we want to support others in that endeavor.

The second element is the work that we have done together, specifically. We have collaborated for many years, and those collaborations have all been about supporting the professional and career development of MLIS students and librarians at any stage in their careers. We’ve organized panels and workshops that covered navigating the job search and hiring process, the first days/weeks/months/years on the job, and building relationships and networks, among other topics. These have been presented under the auspices of institutional, regional, and national organizations. In addition, we have collaborated with others to support a mentoring initiative and a research and writing support group.

We’ve enjoyed hundreds of collegial relationships along the way and participated in thousands of conversations about becoming a professional and building a practice. To say that we are passionate about this work is an understatement.

How do you think librarians can use the book for professional development?

In this book we provide conceptual framing for six key career-development areas: vision, relationships, organizational culture, building productive habits, the use of narrative, mindfulness and self-compassion, and reflective practice. Throughout we provide framing, concrete examples, practical advice, reflective prompts, and exercises. One of the unique features of the book is our use of five “personas,” where we provide narrative examples from the worklife of professionals at varying stages of their careers and working in different sectors of librarianship. This enhances the reader’s ability to connect the framing, advice, and exercises we provide with their own lived experience and aspirations.

Although we initially envisioned this book serving individual graduate students and librarians (and it certainly does that!), each chapter is also valuable as a potential text for focused professional development. For example, our chapter on organizational culture has served as required reading for ACRL’s 12-week Fostering Change Cohort program. There are seven great topics to choose from in this book, but two of our chapters are freely available via the City University of New York’s institutional repository: Getting Your Bearings: Understanding Organizational Culture and Gathering and Lending Support: Relationships.

Where do you see PD changing in the field? 

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a growing demand for programming to assist people with some of the challenges and struggles they feel as they seek direction and meaning in the profession, adapt to new roles, go up for promotion or tenure, or simply work to find a job. Many of the concepts, exercises, and questions that are included in this book grew out of the collaborative programming we have developed.

We predict that there will continue to be an increasing need for different types and formats of professional development programming—in-person, hybrid, virtual, institutional, cross-institutional, interactive, reflective, continuous, etc.—and we hope to be a part of that effort. One of the formats we have been experimenting with recently is that of the “knowledge-share session,” whereby we briefly introduce and frame a particular topic, provide discussion prompts for small groups that each include veterans and newbies to the topic, and facilitate a reflective “share out” for the whole group at the end. We then follow up after the session by providing online access to our introductory framing and notes gathered from each of the discussion groups.

Thanks for speaking with us! What’s next?

We continue to conduct career-development programming for a variety of associations/conferences/events, many of which stem from, and support, chapters in our book. And, at the same time, we are in the process of conceptualizing two other book ideas, whose themes have arisen from workshops we’ve done. One of these is about informal leadership as a tool for professional and career development. We have contributed a chapter on informal leadership (freely available via institutional repository) to a 2023 anthology on mid-career librarianship. For the other topic we are playing around with, we conceive of professional reputation as something that is “constructed and contextual,” and will explore the “building blocks” that can support that construction, something we have begun to present on regionally and nationally.

CPDWL Podcast Project Season 4, Episode 6: Joseph Yap and Elvira Lapuz (in Filipino / Wikang Filipino)

Colleagues, we are excited to announce the our newest episode (season 4) of the CPDWL Podcast Project where we feature library and information professionals who support and participate in professional development work.

Our guest host for this episode is Dr. Reysa Alenzuela, Head Librarian at Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences. This episode’s guests are Elvira Lapuz, University Librarian, The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), and Joseph Yap, Doctoral student at Eotvos Lorand University. 

See here for the podcast episode.

Reysa Alenzuela, Joseph Yap and Elvira Lapuz

Transcript in Filipino and Translations into English by Dr. Reysa Alenzuela:

Reysa: Magandang araw sa lahat nang nakikinig at magandang araw Ray, Joseph and Ms. Elvie. Ako po si Reysa Alenzuela ang co-host ni Ray sa episode na ito. Ikinagagalak ko pong makasama dito kayo sa  IFLA CPDWL Podcast Project. CPDWL stands for Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning.  Sa programang ito, nakikipagtalakayan po kami sa mga propesyonal na librarians at sa lahat nang kabahagi ng  mga institutuion ng kaalaman at impormasyon  na sumusuporta at nakikilahok sa gawaing pagpapaunlad ng propesyon. Ang mga panauhin natin ngayon ay sina Joseph Yap at Elvira Lapuz, mga kilalang librarians sa Pilpinas at even ibang bansa din. So, magandang araw Joseph and Ms. Elvie. Pwede bang kayo na mag introduce sa sarili ninyo.

Reysa: Good day to all who are listening and good day Ray, Joseph and Ms. Elvie. I’m Reysa Alenzuela, Ray’s co-host in this episode. I am delighted to be here with you on the IFLA CPDWL Podcast Project. CPDWL stands for Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning. In this program, we discuss with professional librarians and all those involved in knowledge and information institutions that support and participate in professional development work. Our guests today are Joseph Yap and Elvira Lapuz, well-known librarians in the Philippines and even in other countries. So, good day Joseph and Ms. Elvie. Can you please introduce yourselves?

Elvira: Sige. Magandang araw po sa lahat. Ako po si Elvira Lapuz, ang kasalukuyang University Librarian ng University of the Philippines- Diliman. Nagkaroon din po ako ng pagkakataong magturo sa School of Library and Informations Studies, nahinto lamang ngayon dahil medyo maraming trabaho. May mga ilang pagkakataon na rin po na na-involve ako sa mga proyekto ng IFLA at patuloy na tumutulong at volunteer nang IFLA. Actually, ako po ngayon ay bahagi o miyembro ng IFLA Regional Development Office, member para sa Asia and Oceania.

Elvira: Ok. Good day everyone. I am Elvira Lapuz, the current University Librarian of the University of the Philippines- Diliman. I also had the opportunity to teach at the School of Library and Informations Studies, but I temporarily stopped at present due to overwhelming  workload. There have been several times that I have been involved in IFLA projects and continue to help and volunteer at IFLA. Actually, I am now part or member of the IFLA Regional Development Office, member for Asia and Oceania.

Joseph: Ako naman si Joseph Yap. Kasalukuyang kumukuha ng doctoral studies sa Budapest sa Hungary. Ang eskwelahan ko ay Eotvos Lorand University, nasa ikalawang taon na ako ng aking pag-aaral at ang paksa ko… mahirap syang Tagalugin pero susubukan ko… tungkol sya sa pakikipag ugnayang sibiko or civic engagement. (Hindi ako sigurado kong yun ang tamang translation sa Tagalog o sa Filipino.) nang mga librarian tungkol sa usapin ng mga impormasyong hindi mapagkakatiwalaan sa social media. Nagtuturo rin ako sa kasalukuyan part time lamang sa dalawang LIS schools sa Pilipinas at dahil kailangan pa rin nating suportahan ang sarili ako ay part time student ano library assistant sa Central European University sa Hungary.

Joseph: I am Joseph Yap. Currently taking doctoral studies in Budapest in Hungary. My school is Eotvos Lorand University, I’m in the second year of my studies and my subject… it’s difficult to translate but I’ll try… it’s about “civic engagement… (I’m not sure that’s the correct translation in Tagalog or Filipino.) [of] librarians about the issue of unreliable information on social media.” I also currently teach only part time in two LIS schools in the Philippines and because I still need to support myself I am a part time student  library assistant at the Central European University in Hungary.

Reysa: Wow ang dami niyong experience at iba iba.  If we try to notice, talagang kino-combine natin yang sa field natin as librarian tapos a nagtuturo sa LIS at  nagre research. mapunta na ako sa first question ko dito: kung ilalarawan ninyo ang inyong sarili gamit lamang ang isang kataga, ano kaya ito? Joseph wanted to start…?

Reysa: Wow, you have a lot of experience and are so diverse. If we try to notice, we often find a convergence of roles within our field, encompassing librarianship, teaching LIS, and conducting research. Now, moving on to my first question: if you had to describe yourself with a single word, what would it be? Joseph would you like to begin…

Joseph: Simulan  ko. Marami sigurong pwedeng ilarawan pero dahil isang salita lang sabihin ko na lang na sa dami ng napagdaanan ko,  ako ay matatag. Kailangan bang ipaliwanag?

Joseph: Let me start. There’s probably a lot to describe, but since I only have one word, I’ll just say that with all the things I’ve been through, I’m strong. Do I need to explain?

Reysa: Sige, paliwanag mo kung bakit matatag.

Reysa: Yes, explain why “strong”.

Joseph: Matatag dahil sa hindi naman po ako ganun kadami ang karanasan pero dun sa mga karanasan na yon natutunan  ko na maging flexible at maging (ano ba tagalog ng flexible maging ) flexible sa mga bagay bagay na kaya ko rin maki makibagay o makisalamuha at kailangan kong i build establish yung sarili ko na kung may mahihirap or challenges man na dumating kailangan kong gampanan yung mga bagay bagay kasi ah ay yun ang kinakailangan para ako ay mapunta o ma achieve yung mga dapat kong gawin. (Ang hirap ng purong Tagalog).

Joseph: I am strong.  I don’t have that much experience, but from those experiences, I learned to be flexible and to be (what is the Tagalog word for flexible to be) flexible in areas that I can also adapt or engage in and I have to build and establish myself that if there are difficulties or challenges that come my way, I have to perform the things because that is what is required for me to reach or achieve what I should do. (It is difficult to explain in pure Tagalog).

Reysa: Totoo yan. Sige, bago ako mag-comment, bigay ko muna kay Miss Elvie yung word niya at explanation.

Reysa: That’s true. Alright, before I give my comment, I’ll give first to Miss Elvie for her one-word description of herself and her explanation.

Elvira: Medyo malapit dun sa binabanggit ni Joseph na matatag. Ito naman ang pwede kong describe ang sarili ko ngayon. Ewan ko kung ano nga siya in Filipino pero resilient. Masasabi ko na lalo na nitong mga nagdaang ilang taon na tayo ay nasa pandemya, napatunayan ko na resilient ako sa maraming bagay. Maaari kong banggitin o maaari kong i-describe ang sarili ko bilang resilient ako. Ang pinakamalapit daw na translation nito sa Filipino, masyadong literal – “nababanat o madaling mabanat”. Ibig sabihin, sumasabay ka sa kung ano yung hugis, galaw, yung kasalukuyan, yung kinalalagyan. Yun kasi yung isang bagay na napatunayan ko nga during this pandemic.Napakaraming pagkakataon na masusukat talaga yung iyong katatagan, yung iyong pagiging flexible, sabi nga ni Joseph. At saka  yung paano mong iaangat yung mga bagay na ginagawa mo sa kung ano yung sitwasyon na kinalalagyan mo. Napakahirap nung nitong magdaang tatlong taon sa atin, hindi ba dahil sa pandemya? Pero napagtagumpayan, napagdaanan ng hindi masyadong nahihirapan. May mga challenging or may mga talagang susubukin yung kakayaan mo. Ngunit yun nga, napagdaanan yun, nalampasan. I believe yun yung isang, yung pagiging resilient talaga. Paano mong magagawang malampasan yung napakahirap na sitwasyon na yun. Kagaya nga yung mga pagdaanan natin.

Elvira: This is pretty close to what Joseph is talking about. This is how I can describe myself now. I don’t know what is the most appropriate translation in Filipino but my description is “resilient.” I can say that especially in the past few years that we have been in a pandemic, I have proven that I am resilient in many things. I can mention or I can describe myself as being resilient. It is said that the closest translation in Filipino is, literally – “stretchable or easy to stretch”. That means, you go along with what is the shape, movement, the present situation. That’s one thing I’ve proven during this pandemic. There are so many instances that really measure your stability, your flexibility, as Joseph said. And how do you connect the things you do to the situation you are in. The last three years have been very difficult for us, isn’t it because of the pandemic? But it was defeated, it was passed without much difficulty. Some are challenging and some will really test your ability. But that’s it, we overcome, and we passed. I believe that is the one, being really resilient. How can you overcome that very difficult situation? Just like what we have been through.

Reysa: Tama. Ang lalim nang mga description nyo.. Matatag, resilient. But those are essentially yung talagang kailangan natin. I’ll go to my next question. Kasi naiintriga din ako, ano kaya hugot ninyo? Bakit yun yung mga words na yun? But well actually, partly you have mentioned and you described why you use those words. So ano kaya nag-udyok sa inyo na maging isang librarian? And paano kayo nagsimula?

Reysa: Right. Those are well-thought/ deep descriptions.. Strong, resilient. But those are essentially what we really need. I’ll go to my next question because I’m also intrigued, where you are coming from? Why those words? But, well, actually, somehow you have mentioned and you described why you use those words. So, what motivated you to become a librarian? And how did you start?

Elvira: Sige. Ito kasi yung ano, ito yung kariniwang tanong, lalo na kung seasoned librarian ka na. Paano ka nag-umpisa? Paano napunta ka sa Library Information Science? For me, ano yun, mga impluwensiya. Mga tao, sitwasyon, mga pangyayari. Nung una akong pumasok ng UP, baka hindi kayo maniwala, ang kursong kinukuha ko ay Theater Arts. Oh. Ang layo, diba? I’m taking up Theater Arts. Kasabay ko si Monique Wilson of the Miss Saigon play. Siya yung understudy ni  Lea Salonga at that time,. Tapos, nagtatrabaho din ako bilang student assistant sa UP College of Law Library. And alam nyo ba kung sino ang aking mga bosses that time? Wala nang iba kundi si,  ang yumaong si Atty. Antonio M. Santos. at si Atty. Vyva Aguirre. O sino naman ang hindi, diba? At talagang gugustuhin na makatongtong kahit dun sa ilang hakbang lang na dinaanan nila or na naabot nila. So, I should say sila yung mga impluwensiya. So, yun. And secondly, it’s economics. Ano ba yung, nung mga panahon na yun, ano ba yung sa tingin ko ay kurso na pagkatapos kong mag-aral, eh siguradong may trabaho ako. Praktikal lang na pagtingin sa mga bagay-bagay, diba? So, sabi ko, oo nga, parang maraming kumukuha ng, maraming teachers na hihirapan maghanap ng trabaho pero hindi ng mga librarians. Ang mga librarians, lalo na nung mga panahon na yun na nag-umpisa ako, napakadali. So, yun, parang mula sa third floor ng Gonzales Hall, bumaba lang ako sa reference, sa ground floor. Yun na yun. The rest is history, sabi nga.

Elvira: Alright. This is what it is, this is a common question, especially if you are a seasoned librarian. How did you start? How did you get into Library and Information Science? For me, it was those influences? People, situations, events. When I first entered UP, you might not believe it, the course I was taking was Theater Arts. So unrelated, right? I’m taking up Theater Arts. Together with Monique Wilson of the Miss Saigon play. He was Lea Salonga’s understudy at that time. Then, I also work as a student assistant at the UP College of Law Library. And do you know who my bosses were at that time? None other than the late Atty. Antonio M. Santos. and Atty. Vyva Aguirre. Or who wouldn’t [be influenced], right? And I really want to be able to reach even just a few steps that they have gone through or that they have reached. So, I should say they are the influences. So, that’s it. And secondly, it’s economics. What was that… in those days, what did I think was the course where after I finished school, I’m sure I had a job. Just a practical way of looking at things, right? So, I said, yes, it seems like many are hiring, many teachers will struggle to find work but not librarians. The librarianship, especially in those days when I started, was very easy (to get into the job]. So, just like that, from the third floor of Gonzales Hall, I just went down to the reference, to the ground floor. That’s it. The rest is history, as they say.

Reysa: Ganda…. Joseph, gaya ng nakararami kapag tinatanong bakit ka naging librarian?

Reysa: Nice…. Joseph, as most people ask, why did you become a librarian?

Joseph: Hindi ko rin unang kurso yung Library and Information Science. Ang una kong kinuha ay Business Administration. Pero hindi pa ako sa UP nun, eh. Galing ako ng PLM. Tapos, sa kagustuhan ng nanay ko na mag-UP ako, subukan kong mag-UP. So, pumunta ko ng UP at nag-apply. At ang mga available na kurso nun ay Filipino, History, Library and Information Science. So, ano kaya yung pwede kong kunin? At wala naman marami sa mga panahon, kahit siguro hanggang ngayon, kapag tinatanong mo, ah, may kurso palang Library and Information Science. So, dahil kailangan magsulat sa papel, so sinulat ko Library and Information Science. Walang kaalam-alam kung ano ang kursong yun. Kapag nung tinatanong sa interview,  panel interview, bakit ka nandito, bakit gusto mo mag-LIS? Sinusubukan kong i-connect yung Business Administration tsaka Library and Information Science. At yung, nung pag tumingin-tingin lang ako, at ang pinakamalapit ay Management of Libraries. So, siguro pwede na, kaya tama naman yun, no? In-organize, minamanage ang libraries. At hindi ko alam kung tama o mali ang sagot ko, basta nga alam ko, nakapasok ako sa UPSLIS. Tapos, yun, ngayon, librarian na ako.

Joseph: Library and Information Science is not my first course either. The first one I took was Business Administration. But I’m not in UP yet, eh. I am from PLM. Then, as my mother wanted me to go to UP, I tried to do UP. So, I went to UP and applied. And the available courses are Filipino, History, Library and Information Science. So, what should I take? And there weren’t many at the time, at least until now, when you ask, ah, there is a Library and Information Science course. So, because I had to write on paper, I wrote Library and Information Science. No idea what that course is. When asked in the interview, panel interview, why are you here, why do you want to do LIS? I am trying to connect Business Administration with Library and Information Science. And that, when I just looked around, and the closest concept is the Management of Libraries. So, maybe it’s possible, so that’s right, right? Libraries are organized and managed. And I don’t know if my answer is right or wrong, as long as I know, I got into UPSLIS. Then, that’s it; now, I’m a librarian.

Reysa: Yes, tama. Dun sa bahagi na hindi nyo first choice ang librarianship, pareho din sa akin. Ano lang, sabi ko gusto ko lang kumuha pa na isang course. Nabobore ako sa field ko. So, kaya sabi ko, dagdag nga ako, gusto ko naman mag-research. And the same thing din, sabi nung isang teacher ko, sabi niya, ay, madaming vacancy sa librarianship. So, try mo. So, ginawa ko naman. Yun nga sinasabi ko parati, yung career ko, hindi ko pinili talaga. Pero yung career ko yata yung pumili sa akin. But in the long run, look at what both of you are right now, di ba? I mean, ang dami niyong kontribusyon, ang dami niyong  mga nagagawa sa Pilipinas. At alam ko, madaming hangang-hanga sa inyo. Isa na ako doon. And I’m really honored also to work with you in some aspects. So, at tignan na naman natin sa side na yung field natin, is hindi lang siya nalilimit sa Pilipinas. Ngayon, parang kami ni Joseph, nagtrabaho din sa labas ng bansa. And yun nga, I mean, we like being here outside the country. Pero in that case, parang wherever we are in our field, dahil nandun na tayo sa information age, we adapt to the globalized environment and that’s our main thrust. Access to information or universal access to information. Punta na ako sa susunod kong tanong. So sa inyong opinion, ano ang ibig sabihin para sa inyo ng global librarianship? At nagbago ba itong pananaw ninyo sa paglipas ng panahon? 

Reysa: Yes, that’s right. As for the part that librarianship is not your first choice, it’s the same [story]  for me. I said [to myself] I just want to take one more course. I am bored with my [other] field [of study]. So, that’s how I decided I wanted another course/ major and since I love to do research. And the same thing, one of my teachers advised that there are many vacancies in librarianship. So, I tried it. And, I did. As I always say, I didn’t really choose my career [as a librarian] in the beginning. I think it was my career that chose me. But in the long run, look at what both of you are right now, right? I mean, you have a lot of contributions, a lot of things that you have done in the Philippines. And I know, you are looked up to by our colleagues and I am one of them. And I’m really honored to work with you in some aspects. So, let’s look again at the side of our field,  which is not limited to the Philippines. Today, it seems like Joseph and I, have likewise worked outside the country. And that’s it, I mean, we like being here outside the country. But in that case, it seems that wherever we are in our field, as we’re in the information age, we adapt to the globalized environment and that’s our main thrust – Access to information or universal access to information… I’m going to my next question. So, in your opinion, what does global librarianship mean to you? And has your perspective changed over time?

Elvira: Para sa akin, global librarianship mas para ito sa atin na mga information professionals. Tingnan lang natin sa, huwag mo nang lumayo, within the region, like say ASEAN. Dito lang sa atin, mahalaga yung magkaroon ng ugnayan or connection, engagement. Ang mga information professionals kasama ng mga librarians, archivists, dahil kung tutuusin pare-pareho tayo ng mga concerns, pare-pareho tayo in a way, konektado yung ating ginagawa. Siguro dahil na rin meron tayong commonalities, global and yet, maraming mga pagkakataon na pare-pareho tayo ng kailangan pag-isipan, ng kailangan pagtunan ng pansin, ng kailangan gawa ng desisyon.So, importante na nagkakaroon tayo ng pagkakaintindihan, kaya nandyan yung mga organisasyon kagaya ng CONSAL, kagaya ng SEAPAVA. At lahat yun, maswerte tayo kasi nagkaroon tayo ng involvement doon sa mga yun. Nagkaroon din tayo ng pagkakataon na makilala, makatrabaho sa ilang proyekto. Yung mga librarians galing sa iba’t ibang bansa, dito pa lang sa region na to. Kung lalayo naman tayo, na talagang sasabihin natin global, nandyan dyan ng IFLA. Maswerte rin tayong tatlo na nagkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon na maging bahagi ng mga proyekto. Pwede natin sabihin o i-claim na volunteers tayo ng IFLA in a way. So, that for me is what being a… what global librarianship is. Having that connection, having that opportunity to solve yung mga specific concerns in the field na meron tayo dahil come to think of it, pare-pareho na yan eh. Siguro naman ngayon pag sinabi natin information professional, ang reason for being natin is to fight misinformation, disinformation, how do we deal with fake news, di ba? So pare-pareho yan.  Kung concern yan sa Pilipinas, malamang concern din yan kahit sa inyo sa Europe, sa US. So for me, that’s global librarianship. And I want to make a claim na bahagi tayo ng yan at nagagawa natin yan. Ako kahit nandito sa Pilipinas at kayo na nandyan sa Europa ngayon. At si Ray na nasa Amerika.

Elvira: For me, global librarianship is more for our group – the information professionals. Let’s just look at (without going too far)  within the region, like say ASEAN. Even here in our region, it is important to have a relationship or connection –  engagement. The information professionals together  – the librarians, archivists, we have the same concerns, we are the same line of work, what we do is connected. Maybe because we also have commonalities, global and yet, there are many times when we have the same things to discuss, to address, to make decisions. So, it is important that we have an understanding. There are organizations like CONSAL, like SEAPAVA and all that. We are lucky because we had involvement in those [local and regional organizations]. We also had the opportunity to meet, to work on some projects [together]. The librarians from different countries are still here in this region. If we go further, which if  really look at the global context, IFLA is there. The three of us are also fortunate that we had the opportunity to be part of the projects. We can say or claim that we are IFLA volunteers in a way. So, for me, this is what being a… what global librarianship is. Having that connection, having that opportunity to solve the specific concerns in the field that we have because come to think of it, that’s the same thing. Maybe now when we say information professional, our reason for being is to fight misinformation, disinformation, how do we deal with fake news, right? So that’s the same. If that is a concern in the Philippines, it is probably also a concern even for you in Europe, in the US. So for me, that’s global librarianship. And I want to make a claim that we are part of that and we can work together. Even though I am here in the Philippines and you are in Europe right now. And Rey who is in America.

Joseph: Tama po Ma’am Elvie. So,yung global librarianship kahit nasa lokal ka, kahit saan ka actually kung paano mo i-define yung pagiging lokal o global. Pero dahil global, ito yung pagsubok na alamin o malaman kung ano yung nangyayari sa ibang lugar o bahagi ng mundo. Hindi siya nananatili na ang ginagawa mo sa isang lugar, yung konteksto na yun, ay gusto mo rin malaman kung ano kaya yung practices sa ibang lugar, ano kaya yung standards na meron sila, paano kaya nila siniserbisyohan ang kanilang mga kliyente o patron. Gayon din, nasusukat din niya  yung global librarianship,[kung] paano ba yung kultura doon at paano nila ina-apply yun sa sarili nilang bansa? At kaya ba yun i-adapt sa sariling konteksto [lokal]? Kasi hindi naman lahat na ginagawa na. Halimbawa, kung gusto natin malaman yung pagseserbisyo ba sa mga Intsik ay kapareho kapag nagsisilbi  sa mga Pilipino, yung mga ginagawa ba na magagandang practices, halimbawa sa Finland o sa Amerika, kaya ba yun i-adapt sa Pilipinas? So yung global librarianship ay pagtingin kung ano yung magaganda na pwede nilang gawin at hindi rin magaganda, at lahat ba yun, pwede ba siya mangyari sa konteksto mo sa lokal. Yung global librarianship ay yung pakipag-ugnayan, (tama po yun?), sa iba’t-ibang librarians sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng mundo para alam din natin kung tama rin yun; pareho ba tayo ng suliranin o problema na kinakaharap? Paano kaya natin yun masosolve first locally and then globally para lahat tayo interconnected or konektado? 

Joseph: That’s right Ma’am Elvie. So,  global librarianship even if you are local, no matter where you are, actually it is how do you define being local or global. But because it’s global, this is the challenge  to find out what’s happening in another place or other parts of the world. It is not limited to what you do in one place; this is the context where you also want to be aware of  what are the practices  in other places, what standards they have, how they serve their clients or patrons. Likewise, global librarianship is also exemplified by exploring how is the culture there [in other countries] and how do they apply that   [librarinaship practices]to themselves? And can that [practice] be adapted to one’s own context? Because not everyone does. For example, if we want to know if the delivery of service for Chinese [clienteles] is the same when we serve Filipinos; are the good practices that are done, for example in Finland or America, can that be adapted to the Philippines? So, global librarianship is looking at what is good that they can do and what is not good, and whether is that all, can it be applied in your local context. Global librarianship is the connection among  librarians in different parts of the world [as a form of engagement] where  we also look into [explore] if we have the same problem or problems faced? How can we solve those [issues] first locally and then globally as we are all interconnected or connected?

Reysa: Tama talaga. Few terms I was just picking up are yung connectivity, yung connection, engagement, pakipag-ugnayan. Which for me [we associate them with IFLA activities], in my experience, this is I think my second time in IFLA. Yung first ko, actually kasama ko si Miss Elvie sa Wroclaw. So yun nga, that’s a perfect environment where we can engage with each other. Ang tanong ko lang is paano kayo unang nakasali or na-involve sa IFLA? 

Reysa: That’s so true. Few terms I was just picking up are connectivity, connection, engagement, interaction. Which for me [we associate them with IFLA activities],, in my experience, this is [what I see] as I think this my second time in IFLA. On my first, I was actually with Miss Elvie in Wroclaw. IFLA a perfect environment where we can engage with each other. My question is how did you first join or get involved in IFLA?

Joseph: Simula nung ako yung estudyante pa lamang, paksa naman natin na pag-aaralan natin yung IFLA. So lagi akong excited na makarating o maka-join sa mga IFLA activities. At ngayon pa lang akong taon, unang-una akong makakarating, hopefully matuloy na siya, na makasama sa Rotterdam. Pero may mga IFLA activities naman na dahil webinar o dahil dulot ng pandemic, ay naimbitahan ako na makapagsalita o makapagbahagi ng mga knowledge sharing activities ng IFLA. So naimbitahan ako na magsalita tungkol sa misinformation, disinformation, fake news ng CPDWL din actually. So that’s the story ng IFLA-CPDWL. Tapos sinubukan ko rin na maging bahagi ng CPDWL sa eleksyon noong 2021 pero hindi ako umabot. So okay lang yun, ibig sabihin marami pang pagkakataon na pwede pa rin akong magsilbi sa IFLA. Marami rin naman tayong ibang ginagawa. So I think yun pa lang yung naging contribution ko sa IFLA. But kahit hindi naman tayo talaga direct na bahagi ng IFLA, tayo ay tumitingin sa lahat ng mga ginagawa ng IFLA dahil nagiging reference natin siya sa lahat ng ating ginagawa. 

Joseph: Since I was a student, IFLA has been our topic of study. So I’m always excited to reach or join IFLA activities. And it’s only this year, it will be my first time to go [to IFLA Congress], hopefully I’ll be able to go, to be in Rotterdam. However, there are IFLA activities that because of webinars or because of the pandemic, I have been invited to speak or do some knowledge sharing activities with IFLA. I was invited to speak about misinformation, disinformation, fake news of CPDWL also actually. So that’s my story of IFLA-CPDWL. Then I also tried to be part of CPDWL in the 2021 election but I didn’t make it. That’s okay, there are many more opportunities that I can still serve at IFLA. We also do a lot of other things. I think that was the only contribution I made to IFLA [for now]. But even though I am not really a direct part of IFLA, I look at all the activities of IFLA because it becomes our reference in everything we do.

Elvira: Sa akin naman, napakahaba na ng nilakbay ko kasama ang IFLA. Nagumpisa yan noong 2004. Yan ang pinakaunang naaalala ko na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon through a grant na unang maka-attend ng isang IFLA Congress sa Buenos Aires, sa Argentina. Nasundan pa yun ng isang grant muli para naman sa information literacy workshop na ginawa naman sa New Zealand, sa Wellington. Through a grant din. So, narinig na ako ng pagkakataon na makapagsulat para sa IFLA noong 2005 kung saan isang artikulo ang natanggap na dapat sana i-present ako doon sa 2005 World Library Information Congress pero dahil napakalayo ng Norway, medyo naging mahirap para sa akin ang makapunta roon. Pero nailathala pa rin yung contribution ko ng papel. Sumunod na doon, naging bahagi ako, naging associate ako ng International Leaders Program ng IFLA. Ito yung second cohorts kung saan kasama ko ang ilang librarians. I think we’re 12? Di ko na maalala kung ilang kami basta iba’t ibang bansa,  galing sa iba’t ibang bansa yung nakasama ko sa programa ngayon. Tatlong taong programa yun ng IFLA kung saan nabuo kami bilang mga cohorts ng IFLA kung saan tutulong kami sa pagbabahagi, sa pagsali sa mga proyekto. Ang isang pinakamalaking tungkulin namin o inaasan sa amin bilang mga associates ng International Leaders Program ay tutulong kami sa pag-promote ng role ng libraries in development at naka-ankla ito sa 17 SDGs, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Ako ay isang advocate ng 17 SDGs. I have the pin. (Suot ko ngayon) Malaking hamon ito bilang isang librarian, bilang isang information professional na ikaw ang magiging boses o ako ang magiging boses ng United Nations. At kailangan madali kong maibabahagi yung kahalagahan ng pag-intindi at how important it is for us to take the 17 SDGs seriously. Dahil ito yung magiging gabay natin at ito yung magiging unang panuntunan kung paano sa susunod na taon ay naririto pa tayo. Sustainability. Hindi lang para sa ngayon kundi sa susunod na generasyon. So yun yung mga naging role namin.

And then I’m on my second term na bilang membro ng IFLA Regional Development Office for Asia and Oceania. So bahagi ako, member ako nun. And ishare ko lang isang napaka-memorable na naging bahagi ako ng IFLA is noong 2016 kung saan nag-host ang Pilipinas para sa BSLA workshop or Building Strong Library Associations na ginanap dito sa Manila.So naka-host na ako was in 2016 ako ang presidente ng PLAI noong taon na yun at nagkaroon ng parang pagtitipon or gathering noong mga naging kabahagi ng IFLA para dun nga sa Building Strong Library Associations na initiative ng IFLA. At dito ginawa yun sa Pilipinas. So napakalaking bagay na naimbitahan natin dito kasama ang noon ay Pangulo o Presidente ng IFLA, si Ms. Donna Scheeder na namayapa na at yung dating Secretary General. So yun, sabi ko sa inyo napakahaba na parang talagang I live and breathe IFLA. Talagang napakahaba na naging bahagi ako ng IFLA as an international organization. 

Elvira: On my end, I have had a long  journey with IFLA. It started in 2004. That’s the first time I remember that I was given the opportunity through a grant to attend an IFLA Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I continued with a grant to participate in the information literacy workshop that was done in New Zealand, in Wellington (Also through a grant). Then, I heard about the opportunity to write for IFLA in 2005 where an article was received that I was supposed to present there at the 2005 World Library Information Congress but because Norway is so far away, it was a bit difficult for me to get there. But my contribution was still published. After that, I became a part, I became an associate of IFLA’s International Leaders Program. This is the second cohort where I am with some librarians. I think we’re 12? I can’t remember how many of us there were, I am sure we were from different countries, the people I was with in the program today were from different countries. It’s a three-year program of IFLA where we are formed as cohorts of IFLA where we will help sharing, participating in projects. One of our major tasks or expected of us as associates of the International Leaders Program is to help promote the role of libraries in development and it is anchored in the 17 SDGs, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I am an advocate of the 17 SDGs. I have the pin. (I’m wearing it now) It’s a big challenge as a librarian, as an information professional that you will be the voice or I will be the voice of the United Nations. And it is necessary for me to share the importance of understanding and how important it is for us to take the 17 SDGs seriously. Because this will be our guide and this will be the first rule of how in the coming years we will be here – sustainability. Not just for this generation but for the next generation. So those were our roles.

And now, I’m on my second term as a member of the IFLA Regional Development Office for Asia and Oceania. So, I’m a part, I’m a member of that [section]. I want to share a very memorable experience –  that I was part of IFLA in 2016 where the Philippines hosted the BSLA workshop or Building Strong Library Associations held here in Manila. So, I already experience hosting in 2016, I was the president of PLAI (Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.)  that year and there was an IFLA gatheirng for Building Strong Library Associations initiative. And it was held in the Philippines. It was a very significant role that we have  invited here  the then President or President of IFLA, Ms. Donna Scheeder (who has already passed away) along with the former Secretary General. So that’s it, I can sya that  for a long tim I really live and breathe IFLA. I have been part of IFLA as an international organization for a really long time.

Reysa:  Nakaka-aliw naman. Ang dami n’yong experience. I know, I’ve seen Joseph, madami siyang involvement sa IFLA din. Isa lang nakikita ko dito kasi yung involvement natin sa IFLA hindi nagtatapos sa Congress o sa programa kung saan tayo nag-evolve. Parang tuloy-tuloy ang commitment na yan kasi yun nga yung mga issue na hinaharap natin. Pero sa inyo, tuloy-tuloy pa rin. We address different areas especially itong sustainability. Talagang hindi siya natatapos and of course those issues on information literacy and other specific topics.

Punta naman ako sa susunod kong question. Because we are doing these things in IFLA dahil sa profession natin at sa passion din natin. Para sa inyo, ano ba pinakakasabik or in general nakaka-excite sa profession natin? Who wants to start? Joseph?

 

Reysa: It is amazing that you have a lot of experience. I know, I’ve seen Joseph – he has a lot of involvement in IFLA as well. I also see one thing here: bour involvement in IFLA, it [our roles]  does not end at the Congress or the program where we involved. That commitment seems to be continuous along with those issues we are facing. For both of you, it has been an ongoing endeavour. We address different areas especially sustainability. It really doesn’t end, and [the smae] of course those issues on information literacy and other specific topics. I’m moving to my next question. As we are doing these things in IFLA because of our profession and our passion, for you, what is the most exciting about our profession? Who wants to start? Joseph?

 

Joseph: Para sa profession, dahil tayo ay nagde-deal sa information, nagbabago-bago yung mga pagtingin o pagkuha natin ng information. So sa akin I think patuloy ko lang na aalamin o patuloy ko lang na kukunin or maging aggressive sa challenges na dulot ng impormasyon. Kung ano man yun, kaya importante na dapat patuloy tayong nag-research tungkol doon. At patuloy din tayong nagtuturo sa mga, hindi lang kapwa librarians kundi sa patrons natin, kung paano nga ba nila harapin yung information araw-araw. So mas doon ako excited kasi nga dahil pabago-bago yung trend na yan ng information, mabuti man o masama ang dulot niya, kailangan natin maintindihan kung para saan ‘yun.

 

Joseph: For the profession, because we deal with information, the way we view or obtain information changes. So for me, I think I will just continue to learn or I will just continue to take or be aggressive in the challenges caused by information. Whatever it is, it is important that we continue to research about it. And we also continue to teach those, not just fellow librarians but our patrons, how to deal with information every day. So I’m more excited because that trend of information is changing, whether it’s good or bad, we need to understand what it is for.

 

Elvira: I agree with Joseph 100%. Basically yun din yung palaging nasa isip ko. Napakaraming oportunidad sa ating profession para meron kang gagawin everyday na bago. Kasi kailangan mong sumabay doon sa nagbabago rin. Hindi lang trends, hindi lang yung mga issues, hindi lang yung mga challenges. Kundi everyday may magdidiskubre ka na mapapaisip ka na masasabi mo na ano kaya pwede kong gawin para doon, ano kaya yung pwede kong bagong alamin.Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng, kung baga, hindi risk sa atin o hindi kailanman natin sasabihin na mabobore ako kasi wala na akong gagawin in this profession. Hindi eh kasi parang araw-araw meron kang madidiskubre na bago o gusto mong mabago. Yun yung pinakamaganda sa profession natin. Hindi mo sasabihin na bukas wala na akong gagawin kasi nakagawa ko na ngayon o natapos ko na kahapon. Kasi bukas pweding iba na naman yung concern. Akala mo na sagot mo na yung tanong kanina pero mamayang hapon iba na naman pala. So, everyday is a day for new challenges or something new to look forward to palagi. Siguro kung sa iba hindi exciting ito, for me parang yun lang masabi mo na may bagong tanong kang sasagutin napakagandang dahilan na yun, (sabi nga nila) para saan ka o para kanino ka bumabangon sa umaga. So yun yun eh. Tayo parang ang ganda sabihin na bumabangon ako sa umaga kasi alam ko may bago na naman akong madidiskubre o may bago na naman akong malalaman. So yun eh dahil nandito tayo sa profession ito.

 

Elvira: I agree with Joseph 100%. Basically that’s what I always have in my mind. There are so many opportunities in our profession so that you have something new to do everyday. Because you have to keep up with the changes. Not just trends, not just the issues, not just the challenges but everyday you will discover something that will make you think that makes you ask yourself: “What can I do”, how can I learn new things?” We will not have, as it seems, the risk or we will never say that I will be bored because there is nothing that I no longer have things to do in this profession. Every day you discover something new or you want to change. That’s the best thing about our profession. You don’t say that tomorrow I won’t do anything because I did it today or I finished it yesterday. Because tomorrow the concern may be different. You thought you answered the question earlier, but this afternoon you will another one. So, everyday is a day for new challenges or something new to always look forward to. Maybe if it’s not exciting for others, for me I can consider  that even the mere fact that there is a new question to answer, that’s a very good reason, (as they say) what are you [living] for or for whom do you get up in the morning. So that’s it. We think it’s nice to say that I get up in the morning because I know that I will discover something new or that I will know something new. So that’s why we are here in this profession.

 

Reysa: Tama, Miss Elvie. Yun yung reason to wake up in the morning. Always nag-eevolve ang information. Dahil tayo nagtatalakay sa information. Di lang tayo nagtatrabaho dealing with information pero at the same time sabi nga ni Joseph nag-educate din tayo, nag-advocate din tayo. So yung competencies mo hindi nagiging stagnant. That’s what I also see in the field na exciting siya. You have something to solve or something to discover everyday. Well, I know some who are in the profession, sabi nga nila daw underrated yung profession natin. Or minsan nahihiya sila, librarian lang ako. So dahil sa experience ko din, at sa mga naririnig ko sa mga younger na librarian, yun ba yung iba ayaw kumuha ng librarianship dahil dyan sa reason na yan. Ano ang payo ninyo para sa pag-unlad ng propesyon na gusto ninyong ibahagi lalo na sa mga bago at gusto pang sumali sa IFLA? Miss Elvie, you want to start?

 

Reysa: You are right, Miss Elvie, that’s the reason to wake up in the morning. Information is always evolving. Because we are discussing information, we are not only working dealing with information but at the same time as what Joseph said we are also educating, we are also advocating. So your competencies do not become stagnant. That’s what I also see in the field that  is exciting. You have something to solve or something to discover everyday. Well, I know some who are in the profession, they say that our profession is underrated. Or sometimes they are shy saying that “I’m just a librarian”. With my experience, and what I hear from younger librarians, there are thosr who don’t want to take librarianship for  that reason. What professional development advice would you like to share especially with those new to IFLA? Miss Elvie, do you want to start?

 

Elvie: Paano nga ba? Sa akin kasi, parang kung titignan mo parang ang dali, naging madali. Pero sa totoo lang, kailangan mo rin talagang magkaroon ng yung sariling initiative. Wag kang mahihinto kung nagkaroon ka ng parang rejection sa umpisa. Kasi kasama yun eh. Maganda rin na you establish your network. Malaking bagay na sa bawat pagkakataon marami kang makikilala, may bago kang malalaman, grab it. Huwag mong hahayaan na lumampas ang mga pagkakataon na yun. Siguro, isang malaking bagay din kung meron kang goal, kung meron kang iniisip na gusto mong makuha or gusto mong makamit, sabi nga nila, “eye on the goal”,, ano yung target mo? Ano yung gusto mong ma-achieve? Sa akin, simple lang kasi yung naging umpisa na parang okay gusto kong magtrabaho, gusto kong magstay sa UP, gusto ko na magkaroon ng pagkakataon makalabas ng Pilipinas. Bilang isang librarian kung titignan parang paano yun? Ano yung mga pwede kong gawin? So ano, paano? Pwede kang mag-research. Take those opportunities kung magkakaroon ka ng invitations to share kung ano yung mga naging resulta ng researches mo. At ang pinaka-importante, humanap ka ng paraan kung paano kang makakakuha ng suporta. Kasi alam na, lalo na dito sa atin, alam nyo naman na napakahirap, hindi madali para makakuha ng suporta para ikaw makaalis, makasali at magkakaroon ka nang pagkakataon na i-share kung ano man yung mga naging resulta ng researches mo. Dapat marunong ka rin mag-strategize kung paano mo yung makakuha. Ang sinasabi ko rito is, if you need support, look for it. Hindi pwedeng mag-intay ka lang, hindi pwedeng sabi mo, ah naku, I’m sure tutulungan ako ng mga ganito. Hahanapin mo talaga sila. So, yun. Talagang dapat lang may initiative ka at dapat lang you should establish your network. Napakalaking bagay na nun. 

 

Elvie: (How do I say this?) For me, if you look at,  it seems easy, it was easy. But in reality, you also really need to have your own initiative. Don’t stop if you encountered rejections in the beginning because that’s part of it. It’s also good that you establish your network. It’s important that in every chance you get to know more [people in the profession], you get to know something new, grab it. Don’t let those opportunities pass you by. Maybe, it’s also plays an important role  to have a goal, if you have something in mind that you want to get or you want to achieve, as they say, “eye on the goal” –  what is your target? What do you want to achieve? For me, it was simple because the beginning was just simply [a goal that] I want to work, I want to stay in UP, I want to have the opportunity to get out of the Philippines. As a librarian if you look at you might ask yourself : How things are done? What can I do? So what, how? You can do research. Take those opportunities if you have invitations to share the results of your researches. And most importantly, find a way to get support. Because we know, especially here [in the Philippines], it is very difficult, it is not easy to get support so that you can travel, participate and you will have the opportunity to share whatever the results of your researches are. You should also know how to strategize how to get what you want. What I’m saying here is, if you need support, look for it. You can’t just wait, you can’t say, oh my, I’m sure people  will help me. You have to find them. So, that’s it. You must have an initiative and you should establish your network. That itself will suffice [for you to achieve your goal]

 

Reysa: Joseph may dadagdag ka?

 

Reysa: Joseph do you have anything to add?

 

Joseph: Para sa mga bago at medyo naguguluhan pa kung ipagpapatuloy niyo yung profession, una sa lahat, enjoyin mo muna yung ginagawa mo. Dahil bago ka pa lang sa profession, mag-observe ka, obserbahan mo yung mga kaganapan, alamin mo yung mga katrabaho mo, baka hindi mo pa sila kilala. Mag-reach out ka sa mga malalapit na libraries, sumali ka, hindi lang sa IFLA kundi sa PLAI. Sumali ka ng iba’t ibang associations na available sa local or region mo, sa councils mo. Tapos makibahagi ka, importante yun.

 

Hindi po pwede na nandoon ka lang sa isang sulok ng library. Ikaw ay nagde-deal ulit sa information at yung information na yun marami ka rin makukuha na information galing sa iba. Hindi naman nagtatapos na ikaw lang ay nagtatrabaho, time in time out. Inalam mo yung pangyayari sa araw-araw. At yung pagiging librarian dapat may awareness sa nangyayari sa lipunan. Hindi pwede na magaling ka lang mag-katalog, hindi pwede na magaling ka lang na reference librarian. Kailangan magaling kang librarian. Alam mo yung nangyayari sa labas at i-apply mo yun sa loob. Halimbawa hindi mo alam na pinapasara na yung ibang libraries. Ikaw bilang bagong librarian, wala ka bang masasabi tungkol dito? Ikaw dapat yung nagtatanggol. At yun dapat nagsisimula pa lang bago ka pag-graduate. So bilang isang bago at hindi pa sigurado kung ikaw ay ipagpapatuloy, baka iba na ang gusto magbenta ka na lang siguro ng insurance. (Hindi, walang masama dun. Kailangan magbenta.Masasabi daw nila. Nagawa yun para pang dagdag. Okay yun.) Pero kung hindi ka sigurado sa iyong panggagawin, I think yun nga maganda siguro na makipagtalakayan ka sa iba at alamin ano ba ang future ng isang librarian. Siguro sana dito sa podcast na ito may makuha kang inspiration. Hindi lamang sa aming tatlo dito, kunti sa iba at iba pang librarians na established na  sa Pilipinas.So yun, enjoy mo muna. Hindi kailangan magmadali. Tapos saka mo malalaman na exciting pala itong field na ginagalawan mo.

 

Joseph: For those who are new and still a little uncertai  whether to  pursue the profession, first of all, enjoy what you’re doing now. Since you are new to the profession, observe –  observe the events, get to know your co-workers, maybe you don’t know them yet. Reach out to the nearest libraries, join, not only IFLA but also PLAI. Join different associations available in your local or regional [groups], in your councils. Then take part, that’s important.

 

You can’t just be there at the corner of the library. You are dealing with information, with that information you can also get a lot of information from others. It doesn’t end with just you working [i.e.] time in/ time out. You ought to know what  is happenning every day. And being a librarian, you must have awareness of what is happening in the society. You can’t just be a good cataloger, you can’t just be a good reference librarian. You must be a good librarian. You know what is happening outside and apply it inside. For example, you don’t even know that the other libraries are being closed. You, as a new librarian, do you have anything to say about this? You should be the one defending [our profession, the libraries]. And that should start right before you graduate. So, as a newbie and not sure if you will continue [in this career], maybe someone else just wants to sell you insurance. (No, there’s nothing wrong with that. It was done for extra money. That’s okay.) But if you’re not sure about what you’re doing, I think it’s good to discuss it with others and find out what the future holds. Maybe here in this podcast you can get some inspiration. Not only from us here, but with other librarians who are already established in the Philippines. So that’s it, enjoy it first. No need to hurry. Then, you will know that this field is exciting.

 

Reysa: Tama yan. Yun nga sabi ni Ms. Elvie, grab the opportunity. At saka yun nga, you need to be intuitive and strategic sa gagawin mo.Yung mga specifics na mga sinasabi ni Joseph, importante yun. Mag-observe ka, be aware. Seems like it’s more of being proactive rather than mag-antay lang. And yun nga, actually ang daming opportunities for those who are yung nakakaalam na. Na notice nila sa IFLA, very inclusive naman. Hindi lang focus sa isang area. So, nakaka-inspire din yan. Balik tayo sa kwento natin in the beginning na yun nga para yung field natin pag na-involve tayo sa IFLA, we get to see yung mga practices at saka even challenges ng ibang bansa. Or even yun nga, paano sila nagpa-practice as librarians. So maganda din yun na opportunity. So kahit hindi man directly maka-involve sa malaking project agad, baby steps lang. Tama. So that’s really important. Maiba ako no dahil sobrang passionate na tayo sa ating profession. Hypothetically kung hindi kayo nagtrabaho sa silid-aklatan ngayon, anong profession maliban sa librarianship ang gusto niyong subukan?

 

Reysa: That’s right. That’s what Ms. Elvie said, grab the opportunity. And besides that point being emphasized- you need to be intuitive and strategic in what you do. The specifics that Joseph says, that’s important. Observe, be aware. Seems like it’s more of being proactive rather than just waiting. And that’s right, there are actually a lot of opportunities for those who know [where to get it] and if we notice in IFLA, it’s very inclusive, they not just focus on one area [everyone is accommodate].

So, that’s also inspiring. Let’s go back to our story in the beginning, that is for our field when we got involved in IFLA, we get to see the practices and even challenges of other countries. Or even that, how do they practice as librarians. So that’s also a good opportunity. So even if you can’t directly get involved in a big project right away, take baby steps. That’s really important.

 

On a different note, as we are alreadyvery passionate about our profession; hypothetically if you did not work in the Library, what profession other than librarianship would you like to try?

 

Elvira: Childhood dream kasi eh. Pero siguro kung nabigyan ng pagkakataon noon, gusto ko sana. I would have taken up law.

 

Elvira: My childhood dream, if I was given an opportunity,. I would have taken up Law.

 

Reysa: Oh! pareho tayo.

 

Reysa: Oh! Same here.

 

Elvira: Kung yung sitwasyon papayagan yun, yun sana. Pero sabi nga na pareho rin naman ang gagawin mo ngayon. Kung abogado may mga ipinaglalaban, malamang ganun din naman bilang isang librarian na hanggang ngayon. Pero naman siyempre ilalaban pa rin natin ano ang tama, ano ang verifiable, ano ang information. So pareho din. I want to think of it that way. Pareho din.

 

Elvira: If the situation would allow it, I would have taken it (Law). But I can say somehow that we do the same thing now. If a lawyer has something to fight for, it’s probably the same as a librarian up until now. We will still fight for what is right, what is verifiable, what is information. Just the same. I want to think of it that way. Same too.

 

Reysa: And if I may add before si Joseph sumagot sa tanong na ito, relevant siya sa law kasi we deal with policies din. Naiinvolve tayo sa mga decision making. At yun nga pag librarian nakakakolaborate ka naman sa lahat ng mga professions. So yun yung maganda. Joseph?

 

Reysa: And if I may add before Joseph answers this question, this (profession) is related to  law as we also deal with policies. We get involved in decision making. And that being a librarian you can collaborate with all professions. So that’s the good thing. Joseph?

 

Joseph: Ako naman kung siguro hindi ko tinapos o natapos yung business at baka naging guro ako. I mean bata pa lang ako, gina-gather ko na yung mga kapitbahay at pinsan namin para magturo-turo ng kung anu-ano eh. So baka yun siguro yung path na nakuha, tinahak ko, ganyan.

 

Joseph: As for me, maybe I didn’t finish the business and I might have become a teacher. Since I was still young, I used to gather our neighbors and cousins to teach them something. So maybe that’s the path that I took, that’s it.

 

Elvira: Napunta ka pa rin naman doon, Sef? Guro ka rin naman, diba? 

 

Elvira: You got there (teaching) anyway, Sef? You are also a teacher, arent you? 

 

Joseph: Guro na siguro yung time na yun baka for elementary or secondary. Pero ngayon guro pa rin naman.

 

Joseph: More of a teacher in elementary or secondary. But, that’s right, I am also a teacher now.

 

Reysa: Tama, diba? Huling tanong ko na ‘to. So, maaari nyo bang ibahagi kung ano yung mga proyekto, initiative, programa na sinasalihan nyo ngayon? Be it face to face or even yung mga upcoming presentations ninyo sa Zoom or whatever?

 

Reysa: That’s right. For my last question, can you share the projects, initiatives, programs that you are currently working on?  Be it face to face or even the upcoming presentations you are involved in Zoom [virtually] or whatever?

 

Elvira: Yan yung maganda sa profession natin. Tayo, lalo sa atin, nagkakaroon talaga tayo ng pagkakataon na maimbita para magbahagi kung ano yung patuloy na pinag-aaralan natin o patuloy na sinasaliksik natin. Ako, I’m just looking forward to yung continuing work sa IFLA. Dahil member ako ng RDO-EO. And, hopefully talagang masundan pa yung mga dating ginagawa namin. Yung iba kasi kailangan pang tapusin.Like yung pagpapatuloy para sa Sustainable Development Goals, yung Library Map of the World, kasama na rin yung stories, SDG stories. So, yan, patuloy na gagawin yan. Dito naman sa atin, patuloy pa rin na na-iimbita para sa mag-conduct ng review classes o magbigay ng mga talks about various subjects, various topics. Kung kaya din lang ng oras, sumasagot pa rin tayo dyan. So, marami pa yan. Kaya lang, Zoom, hindi na masyado dahil pwede na tayo mag-face-to-face ngayon. Pero kung may mga Zoom pa din, kung misan mas okay sa akin kasi hindi ko kailang lumabas ng office o yung oras kasi lang talaga. Kung pwede lang, mas mahigit pa tayo sa 24 hours pero pare-pareho lang tayo sa 24 hours. Kaya yun, bibihira pero nagagawa pa rin naman.

 

Elvira: That’s the beauty of our profession. We, especially us, have the opportunity to be invited to share what we are constantly studying or researching. For me, I’m just looking forward to the continuing work at IFLA as a member of RDO-EO. And, hopefully we can continue  or will have a follow up on what we are doing, others need to be completed. Like the continuation for the Sustainable Development Goals, the Library Map of the World, including the stories, SDG stories. I continue to do that. I still get to be invited to conduct review classes or give talks about various subjects, various topics. If time allows, if time permits, I still accept those invitations. Zoom is not so much used [as it was duing the pandemic] because we can now face-to-face. But if there are still Zoom [virtual participation], I prefer it because I never have to leave the office. Time really [is a constraint] if it’s possible to work for more than 24 hours [I will], [but] we all have only 24 hours in a day. That’s the reason [I cannot accommodate] but I still make sure I can do it.

 

Reysa: Yeah, thanks Ms. Elvie. Joseph?

 

Joseph: O kaya talaga lagpas 24 hours kasi habang hapon yan dyan, umaga dito; so part-time muna ako magturo dyan bago ko simulan yung totoong araw ko dito. Napakahaba. Mas focus ako sa pag-aaral ko ngayon sa PhD. Although meron tayong pa konti-konti na kong naimbitahan o kailangan ko mag-submit ng papel para sa aking PhD. Yung katatapos ko lang umatend ng first joint conference ng MLA-SLA saan nag-contribute tayo ng isang papel. Pinag-aaralan ko yung knowledge practices ng mga librarians, specifically nung infodemic, nung panahon ng pandemic.

 

Ngayon din, kasalukuyan, bukod sa pwede natin i-contribute sa IFLA, nasa SLA Asian community din ako, magkakaroon kami ng mga future webinars. At ang theme namin dito ay tungkol pa rin sa mga misinformation at disinformation.

 

Halimbawa, meron bang mga misinformation or disinformation sa field ng agriculture o kaya naman sa field ng science and technology, sa banking and finance? O kaya sa health mismo, medical and health. So ganoon yung focus namin kasi special librarianship siya.So iba’t-ibang special libraries magkocontribute dito, iba’t-ibang bansa sa Asia, kung ano yung naranasan nila at paano, kung ano yung mga tips na meron sila para maiwasan yung mga false information na yun. Marami pang ibang bagay pero ‘yun nga, may kita mo naman siguro kami somewhere, mag-follow mo naman kami sa mga social media accounts namin. (‘Kala mo naman no.) So yan, ganun lang, kat-diverse yung ating ginagawa. Hindi tayo hinahinto sa focus sa gawain natin si Ma’am Elvie, University Librarian. Ang dami-dami niyang ginagawa pero meron pa rin mga ginagawa sa mga scientists, science, administration. Ganun din, hindi tayo hinihinto. Tamang-tama yung word na proactive. Hindi tayo hininto na doon lang tayo nakafocus sa isang gawain. Otherwise, mabu-bore ka lang din talaga.

 

Joseph: Perhaps, we really work more than 24 hours, it would be afternoon there and morning here. I work half time there [in the Philippines] to teach before I start my day here. It’s a very long [day for me]. I am more focused on my PhD studies now. Although I still have a few invitations or I have to submit a paper for my PhD.  I just finished attending the first joint conference of MBLA-SLA where we contributed a paper. I am studying the knowledge practices of librarians, specifically during the infodemic, during the pandemic. Also now, currently, apart from what we can contribute to IFLA, I am also in the SLA- Asia community, we will have future webinars. And our theme here is still about misinformation and disinformation. For example, is there misinformation or disinformation in the field of agriculture or in the field of science and technology, in banking and finance? Or health itself, medical and health. So that’s our focus because it’s special librarianship. Different special libraries will contribute here; different countries in Asia, what they experienced and how; what tips they have to avoid those that’s false information. There are many other things but that’s it, you might see us somewhere, follow us on our social media accounts.  So that’s it, just like that, what we do is diverse. We don’t stop or focus on our work. Ma’am Elvie, is a University Librarian she does a lot but there are still things to do. Same with Ms. Reysa. Likewise, we don’t stop. The word proactive is right. We are not confined focusing on one task. Otherwise, you’ll just get bored.

 

Reysa: So yun na, saya naman. Yun lang yung mga tanong ko. Ikinagagalakko talagang makasama kayo today.I’m really glad and I hope to see you all in Rotterdam in August. Yes, excited lang. Excited din ako. Maraming salamat Miss Elvie and Joseph. And also I’d like to thank Ray for inviting me here to join in this CPDWL podcast project. I think in closing, do you want any other last words to greet our listeners? Meron pa ba? Wala. Okay. This ends our podcast episode for today. Maraming salamat sa inyo. And maraming salamat din sa lahat nang nakinig. In my [regional] language, I think I wanted to say it in closing: madamo salamat sa pagpamati sa amon nga podcast. A pleasant day to everyone.

 

Reysa: That’s it, I really enjoyed this. Those are all my questions. I’m really glad to be with both of you today and I hope to see you in Rotterdam in August. Yes, I’m so excited. Thank you very much Ms Elvie and Joseph. And also I’d like to thank Ray for inviting me here to join in this CPDWL podcast project. I think in closing, do you want any other last words to greet our listeners? Is there anything more? Nothing. Ok. This ends our podcast episode for today. Thank you very much to you (Joseph and Elvira)  And thank you very much to all the listeners. In my [regional] language, I think I wanted to say in closing: thank you very much for listening to our podcast. A pleasant day to everyone.

 

CPDWL Podcast Project Season 4, Episode 5: Essraa Nawar (in Arabic/عربي)

Colleagues, we are excited to announce the our newest episode (season 4) of the CPDWL Podcast Project where we feature library and information professionals who support and participate in professional development work.

Our guest host for this episode is Dr. Heba Ismail, CPDWL Standing Committee Member.  Our guest is Essraa Nawar, Head of Library Development and Marketing and the Chair of the Arts, Exhibits and Events Committee at Chapman University, USA.

See here for the podcast episode.

Essraa Nawar

Dr. Heba Ismail

Transcript & Translations in Arabic and in English by Dr. Heba Ismail:

Transcription (in Arabic)

Translation (in English)

Welcome to the IFLA CPDWL podcast project. In this space we talk with library and information professionals who support and participate in professional development work. 

My name is Heba Ismail, a CPDWL standing committee member and host of today’s episode. Our guest today is Essraa Nawar, the Head of Library Development and Marketing – and the Chair of the Arts, Exhibits and Events Committee at the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University, California, since 2009. Welcome Essraa! 

Essraa: Hi Heba, thank you very much for the introduction and for hosting

  1. If you had to describe yourself using only one word, what word would it be?

Essraa: The word that I can say in English first is “disruptor”, someone who enters and messes up the world, but in a good way. He likes to change people’s thinking about different topics that they do not know anything about. Changing people’s ideas about the Arab woman, the Muslim woman; the Egyptian woman, and about the Arab world. Since I was born and lived in the Middle East or in the Arab world, half of my life in Egypt and half of it in Qatar, and after that I moved to work in Bibliotheca Alexandrina for four years, and I had the honor and pride to have a role in an ancient and authentic library and has an international reputation. When I moved to Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University, California in 2009, the world saw the Arab world or the Middle East in a different way. I decided to start a campaign entitled “Change your understanding” for the Arab, Islamic, and Christian worlds in our Arab countries, and then I moved to the word “disruptor,” as it refer to the person who works on various projects that make people think, and change their thinking about things they don’t know anything about.

Heba: That’s really wonderful Esraa.

  1. What compelled you to become a librarian? How did you get started?

Essraa: This question has been repeated to my ears a lot, and it is a strange story. I think I was born to be a librarian, but I did not know that until 2009-2010. Unfortunately, in the Arab world, people do not know what it means to be a librarian, whether an academic, public, or medical librarian, or various specializations in the wonderful field of librarianship to which I have the honor to belong.

I did not know that this profession existed, but throughout my life, I am a person who loves information very much, the idea of information, not only that I know it, it is not a stereotypical or typical image that I love reading, and I love going to the library. There is a lot in the field of libraries in this style. I love delivering information to people, and it is known among my friends and family that I love science, and I love to deliver information to people even if I do not have a background in this specialty.

When the Internet entered Egypt, and in 1999 my father – may God have mercy on him- was among the first people to enter the Internet, and at that time the Internet was through the landline phone, and it was very weak, but I had an obsession with the idea that I had access to all this information, and everyone who asked me, I mentioned that I could obtain the information, I wanted to reach this information. Then years passed, I specialized in English commerce, then obtained a master’s degree in business administration, then a master’s degree in organizational leadership. I was looking for a profession and could not find it, and when I worked in the field of business or data, everyone mentioned that I had something that we had not discovered yet, until I entered Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) and fell in love with the profession of librarians. Not as we see it.

Librarians whose specialties are based on working in books or lending it, this is a very important thing, but professions such as academic librarian, teaching, and research, I began to understand it more, and at the time of my transfer from Bibliotheca Alexandrina to the libraries of Chapman University, I found that the field is open and changing, I think that is something in my personality, I love change. Currently there is an attack on the profession, but all of us, thankfully, around the world, from the Asian and Arab countries to America are developing, changing, and as we say to ourselves – recently – we are rediscovering the role of libraries and librarians around the world. I started from Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and thank God, I spent about 15 years in the field without being a specialist, but in 2017, I took a master’s degree in library and information science from San José State University, and I hope to give to the profession what it deserves.

  1. What does global librarianship mean to you? Has that vision changed for you over the years?

Essraa: That is a great question, Heba. Someone like me can only say that I am a global librarian. Although I live in America, I already have a global mindset. I describe myself as the child of the third culture. I was born in Egypt, lived in Qatar, and returned to Egypt. I worked in Bibliotheca Alexandrina. I spent a long time in America since 2002 between the East and the West Coast in California. I entered the field of very different studies. In Egypt, I was very fortunate that there was an introduction to the English and French languages from a very young age. I traveled to many countries. I came to America when I was very young. I had a global vision from my reading and from my travels when I arrived in America… America for me, it was something, and when I lived in America, it became something else. The vision changed, because America is not what you are seeing on TV. It is not about politics or movies.

On the contrary, although America is a newly established country, it is an inveterate country in the field of libraries, and the vision has changed because of my work with American librarians and how they are passionate about learning students, whether at the level of public, academic, medical, or cooperate libraries and introduce American libraries to the whole world.

At the beginning, I was reticent about how I defined global libraries, I was focusing on initiatives within America such as social and economic status; social justice issues within the American society, but over time, even the university administration was encouraging me to connect students and society to the world not only the Arab world but very different worlds through the different communities that live in Orange County.

The vision and the whole world changed, not only after Covid-19, but after many events in the Arab world. When I started my work, there were no Arab Spring revolutions, 2011 changed the world, and as you know that American libraries play a role in educating society, and the first thing I was asked to do after 2011 is to prepare an event on the Arab Spring revolutions, and the Egyptian revolution and what happened in El-Tahrir square.

I organized exhibitions, and worked with various embassies of Arab countries – and I would like to thank them for their cooperation with us -newspaper photographers who arrived in America and talked about what happened in the Middle East and in Syria. To this day, every month or two weeks there is something that connects us to the world, because the world has changed very much, especially after Covid-19. I will not say that it has become a small village because the communication means makes students eager to know and understand, and there is nothing better than the library to be the main source of information for students, researchers, or faculty members in different universities.

  1. What are some library conferences or associations have you been involved in? Have you attended IFLA before?

Essraa: I was honored to attend IFLA 2016 in Ohio, where I was recognized as an IFLA fellow. I participated in the poster session, and I was very happy and excited that my poster was accepted, I talked about marketing in academic libraries, thankfully, the poster met with great luck from visiting people who spoke to me about it, and now the poster is in the digital repository of the university, and anyone can see it. It was the first time for me to attend IFLA, and it was a dream of my life. As you know Heba that the IFLA Centre for Arabic Speaking Libraries (IFLA-CASL) is located in Bibliotheca Alexandrina, I did not work with IFLA before, but I knew the role of IFLA, and the head of the libraries sector was Dr. Sohair Wastawy, she was very involved in IFLA, and my dear friend Dina Youssef Salib was the director of the IFLA-CASL.

Heba: Dina Youssef is currently the Head of Library Sector

Essraa: This is new information for me. Dina is one of the wonderful people, and she participates in different conferences

Essraa: I was still a student preparing a master’s degree in library and information science, and I was recognized as an IFLA fellow. I attended the wonderful conference in Ohio, and I met many people, and this conference opened my eyes to the field of libraries not only in Egypt, but in the whole world, and in different countries such as Asian and European countries.

Like most of the librarians in the United States, I attend the American Library Association (ALA) conference, and since I specialized in academic libraries, I am part of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). There is a wonderful conference, the Middle East Librarian Association (MELA) conference affiliated with a European association, sometimes I do presentations. I also attend conferences of local associations such as the California Academic and Research Libraries Association (CARL) and the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium (SCELC).

Attending conferences has become much easier in the time of Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and virtual seminars. Sometimes I try to attend in person or virtually, in order to be aware of the latest developments, thankfully the information is available everywhere and at all times.

I was honored to attend the “Immigrant Birds” forum held by the Egyptian Library Association (ELA). At the American Embassy in Cairo, I gave a presentation to librarians interested in knowing my experience in the USA. Thank God, I had many opportunities. It is important for other people to see what they are doing, not everything is applicable, but sometimes it is just an inspiration, or an idea, that they can apply in the place where they work in a slightly different way.

Heba: It is very true it can give them the vision to develop their works in another way, and use what they saw, and employ it according to their own environment.

  1. What are you most excited about in the profession?

Essraa: I can  answer this question for an hour. I am so excited about the profession. It is very changing, contrary to what people expect. There is a stereotype that people who work in libraries are quiet people, who sit in their office and read books all day, and this is far from the truth. You, Heba, for example, are a very active person in the library world, and your role in IFLA is well known, and I am the same. Most of the people interested in the profession of librarianship find themselves widespread in the society, and are always involved in discussions on various topics, and they are changing. Nowadays, we are talking about the digital world; data world; artificial intelligence; and Metaverse. As librarians, we are included in these talks, whether public or academic librarians, how do we make libraries have a role. All research issued by IFLA, ALA (American Library Association)  or ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) or any specialist in the field proves with conclusive evidence that the profession of librarianship or libraries in general, whether academic, public, medical, or cooperate, their role will be stronger and stronger than at any other time because we are in the information age, but in the era of false and misleading information. Our role as librarians – and we understand that – our role is greater much more than the beginning, our role is changing. Our role is to change and develop ourselves, and have a vision of what is happening around us.

The narratives that people mention that the profession may die and will not exist; I feel that it is a false narrative as every day proves that libraries as you may know that the statistics for the number of libraries in America are more than Starbucks, especially the public libraries that serve the middle and lower-middle classes, and they are very large. In American societies, particularly in some classes of people who do not find the resources to buy books for their children, or cannot take them to after-school programs, the library plays this role, the same thing in academic libraries. This is what makes me happy. I look at tomorrow and what it brings. I am open to change, even the way I work and the way I think. I am very fortunate to work in a changing university or academic library, which was able to benefit from the changing set of skills that I have, my love for interfaith dialogue, my love for exhibitions, arts and programs and my love for cultural diversity. They always look at the skills that I have, and the skills of my colleagues, and how it can be employed and how it helps in the profession and in the institution itself and that is something that makes me happy and excited.

 

  1. What’s a professional development tip or advice that you’d like to share with others, particularly those who are new and/or would like to be involved in library association work?

Essraa: That is a very good question, and because I reflect that on my professional career since the time I graduated from 2002, whether it was in the librarian profession or other professions that I practiced before I became a librarian. “Create the opportunity for yourself” Some people are always waiting to give them the opportunity, or work, or support them in attending a conference, or invite them to speak at a conference. Applying this to my life and the professional development opportunities that I got over the last ten or fifteen years, many times it was opportunities I created for myself. In the sense I visit various conferences’ websites, or the institutions that we talked about during this meeting, and find the opportunity, apply for grants, search for the person responsible for the grant, and don’t be afraid to ask if there is funding or not.

The worst-case scenario is not attending in person, and attending conferences and seminars virtually. The idea of creating opportunities has become much easier than before. I always say that I should not wait for people to attend a conference, or wait and do nothing because there is no funding, because the library cannot support us. Sometimes I hear this in America, and I hear complaints from my colleagues in the Middle East from Egypt or outside. I always mention that it is not a requirement that you go in person, you can attend virtually, if you like to attend virtually, there are multiple opportunities such as funding for fresh graduates or newly librarians, from diverse backgrounds, and who speak more than one language.

Create the opportunity, look for it, the opportunities are there, you just have to be present in the right place and at the right time, the issue is not a matter of luck or funding, or the difficulties was overcome, on the contrary many times like IFLA, I wished to attend IFLA, it is a global conference, It wasn’t supported by my organization, as there are many other local conferences my organization could have funded my travel to – but when I created the opportunity for myself, they didn’t mind making time for me to travel, in a nutshell “create the opportunity” reach out to people who are in the field form a long time before you and this is what I did. I thank the mentors whom I have known for years. I met them in the libraries they work in. I took the time to communicate with them over the phone, or I read what they wrote. Any professional in the field of libraries is well-known in the matter of “sharing information” Most of the people who we mentor are those who want to pursue the same profession.

Heba: I completely agree with you on the “create opportunity for yourself” part. The issue is different, especially with the existence of the Internet, and communication with library associations and institutions such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the American Library Association, and the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information. There are opportunities other than the past, available for librarians to obtain a scholarship, or a grant to attend the conference or to attend training courses offered by the various library associations.

  1. If you didn’t work in libraries, what profession other than librarianship would you have wanted to attempt?

Essraa: It is a completely different field, which is the nursing field, but perhaps what unites them is the love of people or serving people. In 2003 when I gave birth to my first son in the delivery room, the nurses were really impressive, not only their work ethic and care, but their attention to detail, and their intense love for their profession. They are truly angels on earth. In different circumstances, whether someone got sick or the children I gave birth to, I was treated very well.

From my different friendships here in America and across the world, I got to know people who work in this great profession, which is nursing, and I felt that it is a very difficult profession and not completely easy. I do not think that any hospital or clinic, or anywhere, can function without this great profession. I did not have the honor of trying this profession because it is a different field, and because it needs study.

What I discovered after that is that the nursing profession in America has a wonderful reputation, prestige and respect in American society other than in our Arab societies. That is what attracted me, as it magnifies the role of the male and female nurse, and this is what made me combine the librarianship and nursing professions together as they both share the same status, interest, and education. In order to be a certified nurse you must go through years and years of study and accreditation. All the time I observe the profession and how it is practiced, I told myself, perhaps in another world at another time I can work in this profession, but currently I am in the library profession and this is an honor for me to work in it, but I raise my hat to any nurse I meet anywhere in the world.

  1. Can you tell us about a recent project, presentation or program that you are working on or an upcoming event that you’ll be “zooming” in and what you might be presenting on?

Essraa: I will mention what I have been interested in for ten years, and the next presentation

I talk about it quickly, beside my work in the librarianship field, which is my work in the interfaith dialogue. I started it from projects at Chapman University when we shed light through books and exhibitions on the different religions that exist in society, such as Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. I got to know different religions that I did not know. I was very interested in the interfaith dialogue, and I had the honor that I managed many sessions through the library. This conversation took on a global nature, and I would like to thank the Egyptian state for supporting this project. We transferred it to Egypt through interfaith dialogue trips that reach Egypt; we met with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II in closed sessions or with many people from American society. This is something I am interested in, not only as an Egyptian but also as an American, and as a person who is very interested in the culture of difference and interreligious dialogue. This project is ongoing, as every week or two there is a session or discussion, or there is a gallery related to this topic.

Concerning the upcoming events, I am excited about it. There is a conference at the university on motherhood, and for the first time I will talk about my story as a working woman, and I have 3 children, whom I raised in a society different from the one in which I personally lived. I was invited by the university, and since I am a librarian, we prepared an exhibition that includes 60 or 70 books on motherhood in all its fields, and what was written about motherhood in an academic way, whether articles in periodicals or books. We tried to gather various authors, how they talked about the idea of the mother and her role. I am so excited to be with a group of scholars who have a good background in this field, and I will have the opportunity to talk about my story, as it can work as an advice to those who have a similar experience, or are younger or have gone through the same experience. I am hoping it will be a good one.

Heba: We were delighted to host Essraa Nawar, the Head of Library Development and Marketing – and the Chair of the Arts, Exhibits and Events Committee at the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University, California

Essraa: I am happy to talk to you today. Thank you, and good luck with the wonderful blog project, and hopefully you are always engaged in different projects that bring together colleagues from the profession from different parts of the world, and I wish all the best and success.

Heba: Thank you very much, Essraa. It was great having you on the podcast project of IFLA CPDWL.