Colleagues, we are excited to announce the our sixth episode (and final episode for season 1) of the CPDWL Podcast Project where we feature library and information professionals who support and participate in professional development work.

Our guest is Wanda Kay Brown, the American Library Association’s Immediate Past President, CPDWL member and the Director of Library Services for the C. G. O’Kelly Library in Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.

See here for the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ifla-cpdwl/episodes/CPDWL-Podcast-Project-Episode-6-Wanda-Kay-Brown-ehjjca

Transcript:

Ray
Hi, this is Raymond Pun, 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. Today’s guest is Wanda Kay Brown, the American Library Association’s Immediate Past President, CPDWL member and the Director of Library Services for the C. G. O’Kelly Library in Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Welcome Wanda!

Wanda
Thank you. Ray. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Ray
We are really excited to have you here to speak with you on your, your journey to librarianship and your work. And so, a question here for you is if you had to describe yourself using only one word, what word would that be?

Wanda
I thought about that, I actually thought of two words. But I’ll go with the first one which I thought was “genuine.” And I say that because I try in all things to be authentic. And I think that that’s an important trait. I think people should just be themselves and then embrace who they are and how they are and just be sincere and be dependable and be all things to all people. And I think you can do that as long as you’re genuine. You know? Does that make sense?

Ray
Yeah, what was the other word?

Wanda
Sincere, it was between the two: sincere or genuine – I realized they are both, well, you know, they’re connected together sometimes we look for words that give us power and strength, but I just want to be me, because I think that I am a person who, when you find me one day you’ll find me the same way the next, right? I’m just me, I’m sincere, I’m earnest, I am, I think committed. And I think I’m committed to accepting that all people are different. And that we embrace that difference. And if we embrace that difference, we’ll be sincere.

Ray
Certainly, important traits here. And so, what compelled you to become a librarian. How did you get started?

Wanda
Okay, so, let me tell you. I worked as a library student assistant, when I was in college. Even though I was pursuing, I had a certification in secondary education. So, I did my student teaching at a time when they were just trying out the team-teaching approach. And I must admit that I did my student teaching in a place that wasn’t, I’m gonna say the “most culturally sensitive” place then it was to do it. So, I kind of decided you know I’m not sure I want to do this teaching, I just wasn’t sure after that student teaching experience so I was sure one thing and that was I didn’t really want to leave what’s the Salem, so I’d come here from northeastern part of North Carolina to go to school and I want to talk about going back so I decided I would start looking for work. And of course, everywhere you go, people would want to know what kind of experience do you have. So, what I had was three years as a student assistant here at this very library that I’m working at now, C.G. O’Kelly Library, so you do. Okay. So, I went to unemployment security.

And they said “Well Wake Forest University has a position that actually requires a Master’s,” but it was funded by the city of Winston Salem when it was called the “city employment training act,” so they were trying to get minorities to work on that campus. So, I went, I interviewed, I got the job right so after that one year in that training position. They offered me a full-time position and then the next year I decided, “you know what I think I like this I think I’ll go to the school” and so I worked full time and went back to library school, went to library school. After my maybe second year working? I went to library school so that’s how it all got started for me.

Ray
Wow.  So, you started out as a student assistant in the library that you are now the director of it?

Wanda
Right, yes, absolutely.

Ray
That’s quite a, quite a story. And so, we’re really curious as part of IFLA, our focus is always on building bridges and connecting with folks from all over the world. We are curious about your thoughts on global librarianship what does that mean to you?

Wanda
Well, you know, I hadn’t really thought very much of it until I attended my first IFLA conference. And it was there that that I saw that people from all different walks of life were just as passionate about the work that they do as I was. And so, then I realized, “oh my goodness you know how wonderful it is to have librarians and library workers right here that we can connect with and talk about how did you do this or, what did you what plans, did you put in place to reach your, you know, students who are working from home or students who are studying.”

But now we have a larger audience right? An extended family, where people still have that primary focus of reaching out to their patrons and helping their patrons become successful so I was like, “Oh man, I love this” and so that’s why I, it just opened my eyes I tell people we learn all the time learning never stops and if you allow yourself the opportunity to learn from something you’ll see that it broadens your horizons and now you’re thinking, you’re not just thinking about my community, “my little town my little village” but you’re thinking about the United States and now you’re thinking, even outside of it, and connecting with others and I think the work that you do is just awesome and that you’re just great uniter of people from across different walks, I think that’s wonderful.

Ray
Yeah, definitely. I think it’s interesting that we have so much opportunities to learn from one another as you’re saying because of the technology because of access, and so forth but also, you know, it’s, um, it’s ongoing right? It doesn’t stop. The, the other part of the question is, I’m curious here, because I know when you had mentioned your IFLA, we had actually met, I think, probably in Malaysia? And then we had talked a little bit about what sections you might be interested in and you had mentioned, “professional development” so I thought oh great you know our section, the continuing professional development and workplace learning has an opening slot and we were able to have you in. And so, just wondering here, how come like you were interested in this sort of topic, as opposed to, you know, information literacy or academic libraries? Just curious.

Wanda
No, I think I’ve always, I’ve always believed that professional development is the key. You can walk into a place until when, when you are around people who have invested in themselves, what it means to an organization so professional development is one of the things that that interests me a lot because I think somewhere one of my strengths is developer or helping people achieve all they can. And I think professional development is extremely important to each of us. As I said, you know, I hadn’t really thought about the global aspect of librarianship until an opportunity to attend the conference broaden my horizons around that and so when you talk about professional development, this is what we’re talking about is connecting people, helping people to see the dots and all the other places but coming together to advance not only yourself but as you grow, and you go, right? You’re going to bring up as with you. And so, I had, I just think professional development is the key.

Ray
Yeah, and with that being said, we’re really curious here, if you could share with us a memorable moment you have, whether it’s the IFLA conference or at ALA?

Wanda
I’m gonna go with the IFLA conference because so, then I’ve been in the profession what 40-40~ years or more, maybe 42 right? But I had never attended an international conference. So, I would just say that the love and pride that I got, or that I get when I attend a JCLC (Joint Conference of Librarians of Color) conference. It’s like minorities of all cultures coming together. Well, IFLA is like a magnification of that times 100%. And so, the very first one I went to which was in Malaysia. I was like, “oh my god this is so awesome, all of these different cultures, but people interested that common thread, what did they have, they would there” because a. they love libraries, they love the frustration area, and b. they love the fact that they can get better at what they do by surrounding themselves with people with similar interests. And so that first IFLA I was like so.

And so that’s why I wanted to get you know involved in the committee, because I thought “oh my god I missed out on this and maybe I have a little bit that I can contribute here.” As my career, you know, spirals. I would love to be able to be more active in this and then of course COVID-19 comes along, you may not have the opportunity to visit or to attend an IFLA now for another couple of years or so, but it was so, so, so just motivating just inspiring to see all the different cultures out there with a central thing. And then, wonderful, one of the sessions that I went to was about professional development, I think it was given by some librarians, library workers from Canada, but all of the things they were saying was “so right on point” and it’s like being people across the world, no matter what library types they’re in and which library, which countries they’re from, we all have the same passion for the work that we do the passion to drive and to make our organizations better. So, I was hooked. At that moment, as you can tell from my voice.

Ray
Yeah, that’s really exciting and that’s actually a nice segue to our next question, which we could hear from your voice about the profession, and the international collaboration opportunities. Anything else you want to tell the audience, listeners here, what are you most excited about in the profession today?

Wanda
I think, I think there are two things. First of all, I think we’re excited because I think we consider ourselves essential. So, in the midst of this COVID-19. It has just been amazing, My staff. I’ve had staff who have come in, week after week, making copies or supplying articles to students just doing whatever they could to make sure, a student have a chance to be successful. Right? And so, I’ll say students, the next person might say patron.

Well, whoever you serve, we are in this profession because we desire to help you be as successful as you can be right. So, to me, that is the number one thing that I’m excited about is that our ability to do that to help people be successful, but I’m also equally excited about the opportunity we have, and one I hope that people will take more of an interest in than the half. And that is our ability to influence and our communities from the standpoint of partnerships, coming together to uplift that community. I’m not sure this group has heard me say it, but I talk frequently about my community here. We are number three in the United States for a child who grows into poverty, grows up here in poverty is likely to die in poverty.

I think libraries can be crucial partners in lifting that community. If we come together, if school libraries and public libraries, academic libraries within a community, if we come together, embrace what the community needs, deliver, partner, I think we can make a difference and that’s been one of my things that I’ve said in all of my trips around when I was President of ALA because I believe we can do it. We just have to think about it. Is there a group of students who hang out at your library that you would like to put out, those are probably the ones that you would want to keep because you want to wrap your arms around them to help them, help them to see what they need to be successful because sometimes people don’t know what it takes to be successful and you’d be surprised. You’d have to see it, you’d have to witness it and sometimes people haven’t grown up in their families where they saw what success look like they haven’t seen.

I actually taught a first-year seminar a couple of years ago when I had the students raise their hands if they were the first in their families to go to college and I had probably, maybe like, I don’t know four or five hands to go up? And this one young lady raised her hands and she said I’m the first in my family to finish high school. So, see this is why I’m saying, we can make a difference. We can do this, we in libraries can wrap our hands, and our hearts around our community and help lift it up so this yes gives me hope for our profession, but it makes me love and anymore because I know we have that potential and I know we can make a difference.

Ray
Yeah, and you’ve planted some seeds of thoughts for ideas and suggestions, in terms of those who are just starting in the profession, those who might be very seasoned but is there anything else in terms of professional development tip or advice that you like to share with others?

Wanda
You know when I thought about and I have a healthy appetite. Have a healthy appetite for professional development, which means that you’re always looking for an opportunity to learn and to hear more about a particular topic, I had a supervisor some years ago who said, every conference pick a topic you know nothing about and go sit in on a session. I go sit in on hear what they have to say you’d be surprised. It might spark an interest in you around that topic, but it also may open a door that you might say, “Oh, I can learn more about this by involving myself in, you know, a particular area.” So that would be my tip would be to have a healthy appetite. And then, you know, as they say, you know, “variety is the spice of life” so then make sure that you are learning about some things that prepare you for today but also learn about what prepares you for tomorrow.

Ray
Yeah, that’s a great tip and we’re going to segue to this other question here something a little different. What profession, other than librarianship, would you like to attempt?

Wanda
Well, you know what I wrote down? “Customer Services representative.” I think sometimes I think I get so annoyed with companies who I think don’t invest enough in the training of their employees that people don’t understand what it means to be, to give good customer services, and also sometimes, I think you know I’d like to get a job at this restaurant or at this store and really teach people what it means to deliver expert customer services so that’s what I put for the answer for that one.

Ray
That is an interesting point here because right now we see a lot of automation right “press one.”

Wanda
Yeah, yeah, yeah..

Ray
That discourages people from engaging with the organizations. Well thank you for sharing that and we’re gonna segue to another question here. What is next for you as Immediate Past President of the American Library Association, what would you like to accomplish next?

Wanda
Well there was one of my one of my missions that didn’t happen, and I still hope it will. I don’t know if you know, but one of the many things that I thought I could accomplish, one of those three primary things was to have a strategic aligning session for the staff of ALA. And I think that is still important.

I think the best way for an association to serve its members, is to have all of that socialization wrapped around a single mission. Right, or wrapped around a single concept of what you’re what it is that the members find most value in having, right? And so therefore what I wanted to do was to have a strategic planning or strategic retreat where we invited the staff of ALA to come be a part of design where this organization is headed and how we get there together so as of kind of aligning around the central mission.

It’s like a one ALA because I just think they need that. And so, hopefully, I’m hoping that maybe that’s the one thing if I have to complete my list of two dues. That would be the one that I would want to see happen.

Ray
Were there two other ones you said, two other primary, other two?

Wanda
You know, one was the prison pipeline, the pipeline to prison for Hispanic and African American boys. I’m just hoping that somewhere I’m planting enough seeds that maybe in some neighborhood somewhere people are now thinking about you know, programs that they can put in place I wanted to have, you know, speakers to speak around this topic and then we went virtual and then COVID-19 just kind of changed, you know a lot of that and then it was to do the Finding my own ALA which we did do there.

We did some didn’t do as much you know because the spring was all canceled COVID-19 but I did a lot of touring in the fall and it was wonderful to hear the stories around people who, who found their ALA how they found it, because I wanted to see what is it we need to be to people. Right? What does the association need to be so that we are there when someone needs?

I ran into a lot of library workers who were simply tapped because they had a college degree to lead a library never been library school or anything like that. And I think that our association has to be there for those as we are for those who are at institutions where they’re paid lots of money and most of the time people are paid the least amount of money, but they impact the communities they live in tremendously. And so, I just think we have, to have to be aware of that and I was certainly happy to hear all those stories that people will come up and talk to me about how they ended up in this profession and so I just think our association has to, has to be there. So, help us find out ALA to help people find their path to what they need within our association.

Ray
Right, and we certainly commend you and your stellar leadership during unprecedented times it’s, it’s been very challenging for everyone around the world and those who are listening. So certainly, I think that there’s always, there’s always a lot of great work and planning to do and as an ALA member, I’m really thankful for the work that you’ve done. And so, this is our final question for folks who want to know more about you or want to contact or connect with you, where can our listeners, connect with you online?

Wanda
Right. When I wrote this up though, here’s what I want to say, just know that my social media presence it’s not great, it’s like I’m not a big tweeter? I’m very private so I put very little on Facebook. Mostly I just see what other people have to say, so I’m just gonna say, “can you just old fashioned like email me, pick up the phone and call me? Or you can text me those things work. My email address is brownwa@wssu.edu.” I’m happy to exchange emails or, or you can pick up the phone and call me. Because I am, I’m kind of old fashioned in that. I need a “Ray,” I need a “Ray” in my life to be my social media person, I don’t have one and it just, I guess. It’s kind of hard sometimes if you’re accountable, private person that be so public, you know, does that makes sense?

Ray
Yeah, definitely. Yeah, there are definitely people who are lurkers right? They just look at other profiles and updates.

Wanda
And I love to hear what other people are doing and saying so you know usually if I get a friend request on Facebook I accept it. I’d like to see what others but just know that I’m probably not going to be the one sharing tons of stuff around myself. And I do have a LinkedIn profile, I’m there and I like to read what others are doing but I very rarely post stuff myself.

Maybe now that I’m not President and I’m like to tell me more you know when you’re in leadership roles I always think that you have to think carefully about what you say and what you share, you know as an opinion, with people because sometimes just say sometimes that people have personal thoughts that don’t necessarily need to be shared because of how different opinions out there.

So sometimes, sometimes I think that’s what happens is that people say “well, it should have been a personal opinion” and they say “okay you know I’m just going to push this out there,” because I feel this way, and not realizing that maybe the way you feel is based upon the lens that your life took you through. Right? Because we all tend to see life through the lens or how we will read life circumstances for us and that was common every day for you maybe something I never heard that, or I thought about.

Ray
No, it’s true. I really appreciate that comment because we have had conversations in different circles whether a leader needs to be extroverted or, you know, very engaged, involved in social media. And of course, we know that it’s not the case. Leaders, managers, anybody who are involved in, in type of work that that brings people together, you know they have different types of approaches, so it’s really great to hear your perspective on that and knowing that there’s a lot of ways to be engaged but without having to necessarily be extroverted in social media and so forth.

So, I think that’s those are really great points, and we want really to want to thank you Wanda for taking the time to talk with us today about your thoughts on professional development, your plans and background. And really, and for those who are listening, I thank you for tuning in. We will have the transcript; you can see right there if you were wanting to see some of the resources that Wanda listed. And again, thank you for joining us on the CPDWL Podcast Project. Thank you, Wanda.

Wanda
Thank you Ray, you have a wonderful day. Take care.

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

Our guest is Dr. Mitsuhiro Oda has been involved in LIS education and CPD activities for 33 years. His current responsibilities as Professor of College of Community Studies (CCS), Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU) in Japan, relate to bringing up information professionals in charge of the succession of information resources in local communities. He has engaged in the development of library profession, as well as the revision of qualification program and curriculum for librarianship. And, in these two decades, he played a role of instructor / mentor to around one hundred and more training workshops and sessions for workplace learning.

As to research activities, by adopting practical and empirical approach, he has published more than twenty research articles on such topics as effective methods for workplace learning, efficiency of training program using product- sharing database system, and significance of integrating LIS education with continuing professional development. Since 2014, he has been an active president of Japan Society of Library and Information Science (JSLIS). And, for 6 years from 2013, he contributed to LIS education as a director of Division of Education for Library & Information Science (DELIS) under Japan Library Association (JLA)．Also, he has been a member of the Standing Committee in Section of Education and Training (SET) for two terms (2011-2019), IFLA.

This conversation was conducted in Japanese by Dr. Hiromi Kubo, an academic librarian from Fresno State, California, USA.

See here for the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ifla-cpdwl/episodes/CPDWL-Podcast-Project-Episode-5-Mitsuhiro-Oda-in-Japanese-eh985i/a-a2ptsk5

Transcript

[00:00:03] こんにちは、レイモンド・パンです、IFLA CPDWL のポッドキャスト・プロジェクトへようこそ。このプロジェクトでは、図書館情報学の分野で、技能育成を支援したり、参加したりしている方々にお話を伺っています。 本日のゲストは、フレズノ州立大学の図書館司書である久保裕美先生と、CPDWL分科会メンバーで青山学院大学図書館情報学教授、日本図書館協会理事長の小田光宏先生です。対談は久保裕美先生が日本語で進行します。

[00:00:41] IFLA CPDWL ポッドキャスト・プロジェクトへようこそ。このプロジェクトでは、図書館情報学の分野で、技能育成や職務研修の参画・支援に関わる方々にお話を伺っています。今回は、CPDWL分科会会員であり、青山学院大学図書館情報学教授、また、日本図書館協会理事長でもいらっしゃいます、小田光宏先生にお話を伺います。

[00:01:13] 小田先生、よろしくお願いします。

[00:01:17] はい、よろしくお願いします。

[00:01:19] まず最初に、ご自身を一言で言い表すとすればどんな言葉でしょうか。

[00:01:28] 簡単な質問ではないところから始まったかと思ってますが。

[00:01:36] 日本語で表現すると、「遊び」という言葉、これが自分に適しているのではないかと思っています。遊びという言葉にはいくつかの意味がありますが、遊びというような意味合いもありますけど、それよりももうちょっと「ゆったりしてる」というような意味合いで、自分では思っています。車を運転する時をイメージしていただくといいかもしれないんですが、ハンドルを回すときに、ハンドルはいきなり右へ回したからといって（すぐに車が）曲がるんじゃなくて、初めに少し何も動かない、タイヤが動かないっていう、そういう部分を車の運転では遊びと言ってますけど、それに近いものを自分自身に感じています。

[00:02:25] 面白いですね。ありがとうございます。次の質問です。図書館情報学の教授になったきっかけは何かありましたでしょうか。

[00:02:38] 一番最初は、図書館情報学という領域が、昔自分自身が始めたころは「図書館学」という呼び方でしたけれども、そういった領域があるということに驚いたというところで、この世界に飛び込むきっかけがありました。いろんな勉強はしましたけど、ものを覚えるというのが決して得意な方ではなかったので、ものを覚えるよりは、ものの覚え方を覚えた方が少なくて済むかなっていう、そんなちょっとずるい考え方をしまして。この領域は多分そういうことに役立つ領域だろうなと思って始めたということです。そのうちに大学院に行く機会があって、教員の方に身を置こうというふうに思うに至りました。

[00:03:46] とても面白いです。そういう風に考えたことがなかったので、とても興味深くお伺いしました。

[00:03:53] それで次の質問です。小田先生にとって、「国際的な図書館司書」であるということはどういったことを意味するのでしょうか。また、もしそのお考えに何か時間の経過と共に変化がございましたら、教えてください。

[00:04:14] 国際的な、というふうに考えたときに一番こうぱっと浮かぶのは、やはり、国によって人々の考え方、生活の仕方、そういったものがもう全く違ったりするということで、今の言葉で言えば「多様性」みたいなところを強く感じます。いろいろな方々とIFLAの活動などを通じて話をするときに、あ、こういうものの捉え方があるんだな、っていうふうになって、しかも、それがまた図書館っていう世界にも反映されていて、同じライブラリー、図書館といっても、日本のものとそれぞれの国のものとがまったく違ってるっていうところが見取れて。そうしたことをお互いに理解するというのが「国際的な図書館司書」っていうところに欠かせないのかなという、そんな捉え方といいましょうか。考えに至っています。ところが、変化はありましたかという、これなかなか鋭い質問だなと思ったんですけれども。（海外の図書館・図書館司書に）接すれば接するほど、逆に共通点も見えてくるという面白さがあります。

[00:05:35] こんなに違うんだっていうふうに思ってても、実はどこかでつながってる部分も数多くあるという。違うものが先に見えて、その後に何か共通なものが見えてくる。そんなことをこの３番の質問の中で感じました。

[00:05:57] なるほど、とても共感します。ありがとうございます。
それでは次の質問です。CPDWL分科会に関わるようになった経緯を教えてください。IFLAにはたくさんの分科会があると思うんですけども、その中で、特にCPDWLをお選びになった理由がございましたら教えてください。

[00:06:28] 背景は二つあります。一つはCPDWLの委員を務める前に、Education & Training のセクションの委員を務めておりました。そのセクションでeducationは自分の職業と結びつきますから、これはそのままその通りなんですが、トレーニングということに関して、やはりきちんと何か自分の中でも位置づけた方がいいだろうな、というのが一つの背景にあります。それを考えた時に、今のIFLAのセクションの中ではCPDWLがそれを生かせるのではないかということで、貢献できればと考えて参加することを認めいただいたということになります。もう一つは、自分の研究の中で、自分の研究が情報サービス、日本だとリファレンスサービスに当たるのですが、それもコンピテンスを高めるには、という研究をここ十数年何らかの形でやっていまして。そういったこととの結びつきということももう一つはあります。

[00:07:58] なるほど。何年くらいCPDWLに係わっていらっしゃいますか。

[00:08:07] ちょっと厳しい質問ですが、委員になって2年ほど、1年とかここで新しくなりますけれどもIFLAの分科会では時間の許す限りのところで、そうですね、3年ぐらい前からでしょうか、IFLAのCPDWLのジルさんとEducation & Training (Section) の時に知り合いになるきっかけがありまして。その影響もまたあるということですね。

[00:08:48] なるほど、ありがとうございます。次の質問ですが、CPDWL、もしくはIFLA全体について、特に心に残ってるようなことがございましたら教えてください。

[00:09:04] はい、ちょっと固い言葉で「ロゴス」と「パトス」という、哲学的な用語でもあるけれど。皆さん議論してるときにきちんとしたロジックといいますか、論理で議論しているんだけれども、ひとたび終わると非常に情熱的なというか熱情的な、そのパトスの世界でやりとりが進むというそこの対比が、毎年どこの場面でもそれが強く印象に残っています。IFLAでライブラリーツアーとか最終日にありますけれど、そういったバスの中で交わす会話は、それぞれの背景のいろんな方がいらっしゃるので熱情的な語り口でお話になるんだけれども、いざセッションになると、そういったところよりは、それぞれの考え方を論理的にご説明されたり報告されたりっていう、そこの対比が面白いなというふうに感じています。

[00:10:28] 面白いですね。それでは次に、図書館司書という職業について教えていただきたいのですけれども。先生にとって、図書館司書という職業で最も面白いと感じることは何でしょうか。

[00:10:46] 自分が関心を持っている図書館が公共図書館と学校図書館ということもあるんですけれども、やはり住んでいる人達に対して、あるいは子供たちや先生方に対して、いろんな活動をしてそれぞれの生活であったり学習であったり、そういったことを支えているところの喜びがあるというか、そこが一番面白いところかなと。

[00:11:20] なかなか他の人を支えて、そしてそこで喜びを自分がまた得られるという職業はなかなかないと思ってるものですから、そういった点で貴重な職業だなと。その点が図書館員にとっては最も面白いものになるんじゃないかなと、また、なってほしいなというふうに思っています。

[00:11:50] そうですよね。何かしたことによって感謝してもらえることがまた糧になるという、そんな気がします。それでは次の質問です。図書館司書や図書館情報学の研究者に対して、専門的能力の向上に関するアドバイスやキャリアアップのヒントがございましたら教えていただけますか。

[00:12:18] あまりアドバイスのようなものってできるとは思ってないんですが、それでもこんなこともあるかなっていうのを申し上げると、図書館司書の方に対して、あるいは図書館情報学の研究者に対して同じ意味合いになるんですが、「お互いを理解しましょう」という話にまずはなると思うんですね。日本の事情なのかもしれませんが、なんとなくそれぞれが分かれてしまいがちになるんですね。

[00:12:56] 図書館司書の方は図書館情報学の研究者は自分たちとは何か異質なもの、逆に図書館情報学の研究者の方も図書館司書とは何か一線を画しているような、そんなところがやっぱり少なからずあるので、お互いを理解することが必要かなということがまず第一に思います。ただこれだけだと抽象的なので、図書館司書の方にはやはり、いろんな研究ってどういうことなのかなということをもっと知っていただくとご自身のキャリアアップなどにもつながると思いますし。図書館情報学の研究者の方は、かつては図書館にお勤めの方なども結構いらっしゃるんですけども、（研究者に）なるとだんだん疎遠になってしまうので、そうではなくて、むしろ図書館の現場に入り込んで研究というような実践的な研究がもっとあるといいのかな、というふうに個人的には思っています。

[00:14:10] そうですよね。おっしゃる通りだと思います。
それでは次の質問です。日本図書館協会の理事長という役目で重要なことをひとつ挙げるとすれば、それはどのようなことでしょうか。

[00:14:29] そうですね。

[00:14:32] これも日本の事情がやっぱりあるんですが、やはり図書館員の専門職制度をやはり少しでも整備することにつなげる活動ができればなというのが、今の自分の大きな役割だと思っています。ただ、それだけ言うと図書館員のためだけの組織のように思ってしまうんですが、そうではなくて、図書館員を支えていく、図書館員の専門職性をきちんと整えることによって、その先にある日本の、日本で言えば日本の人々が豊かな生活ができる、的確な情報を得て適切な判断ができるようになるという、そういったことを目指しているというところになります。ちょっとかっこいい言い方しかできないのですが、そんなことを考えています。

[00:15:29] なるほど。すみません、質問が前後してしまいましたがもうひとつ。もし大学教員以外の職業を目指すとすれば、先生はどんな職業を選んだでしょうか。

[00:15:47] 難しい質問だから飛ばしていただいたのかと思ってしまいましたが。

[00:15:58] 正直なところ大学の教員を辞めたいなと思ったときは何度もあって、その時にはなにか転職できればなと思ったんですが、なかなかそれも難しいなと思っていますけれども。もし今から若返ってこんなことができたらなということならば、人があまり来ないところにまず行ってみます。そうすると職業として成り立つかどうかは別なんですが、山岳隊員になってみたいなというふうには思っています、山岳の案内人ですね。これは山登りが好きで、歩き回るのが好きだからということにも関係していますけれどもね。

[00:16:55] 楽しそうですね。また全く違った感じで、自然の中で。

[00:17:02] 違い過ぎます。

[00:17:06] でも今はWiFiもありますので、もしかしたらやっぱり人と繋がってしまうことになるかもしれませんね。

[00:17:16] そうですね、どこへ行っても繋がるのはいいところでもあるし、ちょっと煩わしいところでもありますね。

[00:17:28] では最後に、先生のウェブサイトやソーシャルメディアなど、もし今日聴いてくださっている皆さんが小田先生のことをもっと知る方法がございましたら教えていただけますか。

[00:17:42] 実は自分自身がアナログ人間なのかもしれませんが、自分のウェブサイトは開いていませんし、ソーシャルメディアは使いたくないという変な意地がありまして。ここを見ればというのはなくて、もちろん勤め先の紹介のページなどはありますけどそれはあくまで仕事に関係した情報しかないので、もし何かをお知りになりたいということがあれば、直接メールでご連絡くださるのが一番良いかと思います。それからもっといいのは、今年は残念ですけれども、来年以降IFLAで直接お会いするというのが一番いいのかもしれないというふうに思っています。

[00:18:42] そうですね、やっぱり直接お話するのが一番ですよね。私もそう思います。

[00:18:51] きちんとお答えできずに申し訳ありません。

[00:18:55] とんでもないです。

[00:20:18] 今日は、小田先生、本当にお忙しいところありがとうございました。

[00:20:24] こちらこそありがとうございました。これをお聴きになっている皆さんとまたIFLAの会場でお会いできると嬉しいなというふうに思っています。

[00:20:35] そうですね。それでは皆さんも聴いてくださってありがとうございました。

English Transcript/Translation

[00:00:03] Hi, this is Raymond Pun, 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. Today’s guests are Dr. Hiromi Kubo, an academic librarian from Fresno State and Dr. Mitsuhiro Oda, CPDWL Section member, Professor of Library and Information Studies in Aoyama Gakuin University, and President of the Japan Library Association. Dr. Hiromi Kubo will be conducting the conversation in Japanese.

[00:00:41] 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. I am speaking with Dr. Mitsuhiro Oda, CPDWL Section member, Professor of Library and Information Studies in Aoyama Gakuin University, and President of the Japan Library Association.

[00:01:13] Nice to meet you, Dr. Oda.

[00:01:17] Yes, nice to meet you.

[00:01:19] First of all, if you had to describe yourself using only one word, what word would it be?

[00:01:28] I’m wondering if you started with a not-so-easy question.

[00:01:36] I think the word “Asobi (play)” is the right word for me to express in Japanese. The word “Asobi” in Japanese has several meanings, but besides the meaning of playing, it also means that there is a little bit of room (in the connecting parts of the machine, for example), which I think suits me well. Imagine that you are driving a car. When you turn the wheel to the right, the car doesn’t turn all of a sudden: the tires don’t move right away. This is the part of driving that we call “Asobi” in Japanese, and I feel it’s similar to that in myself.

[00:02:25] It’s interesting! My next question is…. What compelled you to become a Professor of Library and Information Studies? How did you get started?

[00:02:38] First of all, I was surprised that such a field of library and information sciences, which was called “library science” when I started out, existed, and that’s how I got into this world. I studied a lot of things, but I was never very good at memorizing things, so I thought it would be easier to learn how to memorize things rather than trying to memorize them, which I admit was a bit of a cunning way of thinking. I thought this field would probably be useful for that kind of thing. Eventually, I had the opportunity to go to graduate school, and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to put myself in the position of a teacher.

[00:03:46] It’s very interesting. I hadn’t thought about the library and information science field in that way, so it was very interesting to hear from you.

[00:03:53] My next question. What does it mean to you to be an “international librarian”? Has that vision changed for you over the years?

[00:04:14] When I think of the word “international”, the first thing that comes to mind is the fact that people’s ways of thinking and living are completely different in each country. In today’s terms, I would call it “diversity”. When I talk to people through IFLA’s activities, I am reminded of the fact that there are different ways of understanding things. This is also reflected in the world of libraries, where even though we have the same library, there are differences between the libraries in Japan and those in other countries. I think that understanding each other is essential for an international librarian. That’s the way I see it. I thought that was a very insightful question, asking if there was any change in my thinking (of being an international librarian). It’s interesting to me that the more I come into contact with (libraries and librarians abroad), the more I see the similarities between them.

[00:05:35] Even though we may think we are so different; we realize that there are many aspects that are actually connected in some way. You see the differences first, and then you see the things you have in common. That’s what I felt in this question.

[00:05:57] I can relate to that very much. So, my next question is how you became involved in the CPDWL Section. I know there are many sections in IFLA, but what made you choose the CPDWL among them?

[00:06:28] There are two backgrounds. One is that prior to serving on CPDWL, I was in the Education and Training Section. While education is directly linked to my profession, I thought it would be better to position myself in some kind of a proper way with regard to training. When I thought about it, I thought I could make use of my understanding and contribute to the CPDWL Section, and I was accepted to participate in CPDWL. Another thing is that I have been doing research on how to improve competence in information services, or reference services in Japan, for the last 10 years or so. That connection to those things is another reason I got involved with CPDWL.

[00:07:58] I see. How long have you been involved in CPDWL?

[00:08:07] This is a bit of a tough question. I’ve been in the section for about two years, or a year or so, and I’m fairly new, but I’ve been on IFLA sections for as long as time permits. About three years ago, I had the opportunity to get to know Jill from CPDWL when I was in the Education & Training Section. She also inspired me to get involved with CPDWL.

[00:08:48] I see. Would you share with us a memorable moment you’ve had in particular about CPDWL, or IFLA in general?

[00:09:04] There is an interesting aspect of IFLA that reminds me of two slightly technical, or philosophical terms, “logos” and “pathos.” When IFLA members discuss in a formal session, they do so in a very logical way. But when the session is over, they speak in a very passionate or impassioned way, and from there the interaction takes place in a world of pathos. The contrast between these two modes has stuck with me every year. The conversations we have on the bus for the library tour on the last day of IFLA are very passionate, as people from various backgrounds talk about their experiences. However, when it comes to formal sessions, everyone explains and reports on their ideas logically rather than passionately. I find the contrast between the two to be interesting.

[00:10:28] That’s interesting. Now, I’d like to ask you to share your thoughts about the profession of librarianship. What are you most excited about in the library profession?

[00:10:46] Since my interests are in public libraries and school libraries, I find pleasure in supporting the lives and learning of people in the community, or children and teachers, through various activities. I think that’s the most interesting part of it.

[00:11:20] I don’t think there are many professions where you can support other people and get pleasure from it in return, so it’s a valuable profession in that respect. I think that’s the most interesting aspect for librarians, and that’s what I hope will be.

[00:11:50] You’re right. I think it’s the kind of profession where the gratitude you receive for doing something for others is a source of sustenance for you. So that brings me to my next question. Do you have any advice or tips for librarians and LIS researchers regarding professional development?

[00:12:18] I don’t think I can give you much advice, but I would say to librarians and to LIS researchers alike, “Let’s understand each other.” It may be a peculiar situation in Japan, but librarians and LIS researchers tend to be divided into different groups.

[00:12:56] Librarians tend to think of LIS researchers as somehow different from themselves, and conversely, LIS researchers are also distinct from librarians in more ways than one. So, I think the first thing we need to do is to understand each other. To be more specific, it would be helpful for librarians to learn more about various research topics and what it means to do research, which would help them to advance their own careers. For LIS researchers, there are many researchers who used to work at libraries, but once they become researchers, they are estranged from the field. Rather, I personally think it would be beneficial if there were more practical studies that would take place in the frontline of libraries.

[00:14:10] That’s right. I think you’re right. So, here’s my next question. If you had to name one important aspect of your role as president of the Japan Library Association, what would it be?

[00:14:29] Well, let me think.

[00:14:32] There are some circumstances that are unique to Japan, but I think my major role right now is to help improve the professional system for librarians as much as possible. It may sound like the organization is only for librarians, but it’s not. By supporting librarians and improving the professionalism of librarians, we aim to help the people of the local community, or the people of Japan in the case of JLA, to enrich their lives and to help them get accurate information and make appropriate decisions. It may be a bit too cool to say, but that’s what I’m thinking about.

[00:15:29] I see. Sorry, I asked the questions in the wrong order and skipped this one. If you were to pursue a career other than university faculty, what profession would you have chosen?

[00:15:47] I thought you skipped this question because it’s a difficult one.

[00:15:58] Honestly, there were times when I wanted to quit my job as a university professor, and I wished I could change my job in some way, but I thought that would be difficult to do. If I’m young again, I would try going to places where not many people visit. I don’t know if that would be a viable profession, but I would like to become a mountaineering expert, or a mountain guide. This is related to my love of mountain climbing and walking around.

[00:16:55] It sounds fun. Working in nature would be very different.

[00:17:02] It’d be completely different.

[00:17:06] But we have WIFI now, so maybe you’ll still be connected to people.

[00:17:16] Yeah, it’s nice to be connected everywhere you go, but it’s also a little bit annoying.

[00:17:28] Lastly, could you tell us if there are any ways for people listening today to learn more about you, such as your website, social media, etc.?

[00:17:42] Maybe I’m an analogue person myself, but I don’t have my own website and I have a weird streak of not wanting to use social media. Of course, there is my profile page on the website of the university I work for, but it’s only work-related information. If you’d like to know something, I think it’s best if you email me directly. And even better, although it’s not happening this year, it might be best to meet in person at IFLA next year or later.

[00:18:42] I think so, too, it’s best to meet and talk in person.

[00:18:51] I’m sorry I couldn’t answer your question well.

[00:18:55] You did great and it was a great conversation.

[00:20:18] Thank you so much for your time today, Dr. Oda.

[00:20:24] Thank you as well. I hope to see those who are listening to this today at IFLA.

[00:20:35] That’ll be great. Thank you all for listening.