Friday, July 28
Lebanon Crisis
Dear Diary,
As the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in Lebanon, the issue of Lebanese refugees in Syria becomes more pressing. With 180,000 people fleeing to Syria for refuge and safety, LIFE has assisted relief efforts there by moving 2 medical caravans to Jedeedit Yabus and Al-Jusa and providing medical care and treatment for those in need of medical attention upon entrance into Syria. LIFE has purchased food and non-food items to provide for those stranded families.
In cooperation with local Lebanese NGO’s, LIFE has secured the operation of 6 schools and community buildings to house those who escaped to Beirut from southern cities in Lebanon. Over 1,000 hot meals are being cooked and served at these locations.
To donate or for more information http://www.lifeusa.org/
WASHINGTON (ABP) -- As American and European Baptist leaders called for an immediate cease-fire of hostilities between Israel and militant wings of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the Bush administration dismissed any cease-fire that does not include disarming Hezbollah.
Leaders of the European Baptist Federation passed a resolution July 26 in which the 51-nation group "joins the call of the United Nations Secretary General, the European Union and others for an immediate cessation of hostilities, praying for a just and lasting peace for all peoples and a negotiated cease-fire."
The resolution expresses "concern at the death of so many innocent civilians in the countries involved and confesses deep disappointment at the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military in their pursuit of Hezbollah, which has caused serious loss of life amongst the innocent Lebanese civilian population and the degradation of the basic infrastructure of the Lebanese state." http://www.abpnews.com/1278.article
As the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in Lebanon, the issue of Lebanese refugees in Syria becomes more pressing. With 180,000 people fleeing to Syria for refuge and safety, LIFE has assisted relief efforts there by moving 2 medical caravans to Jedeedit Yabus and Al-Jusa and providing medical care and treatment for those in need of medical attention upon entrance into Syria. LIFE has purchased food and non-food items to provide for those stranded families.
In cooperation with local Lebanese NGO’s, LIFE has secured the operation of 6 schools and community buildings to house those who escaped to Beirut from southern cities in Lebanon. Over 1,000 hot meals are being cooked and served at these locations.
To donate or for more information http://www.lifeusa.org/
WASHINGTON (ABP) -- As American and European Baptist leaders called for an immediate cease-fire of hostilities between Israel and militant wings of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the Bush administration dismissed any cease-fire that does not include disarming Hezbollah.
Leaders of the European Baptist Federation passed a resolution July 26 in which the 51-nation group "joins the call of the United Nations Secretary General, the European Union and others for an immediate cessation of hostilities, praying for a just and lasting peace for all peoples and a negotiated cease-fire."
The resolution expresses "concern at the death of so many innocent civilians in the countries involved and confesses deep disappointment at the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military in their pursuit of Hezbollah, which has caused serious loss of life amongst the innocent Lebanese civilian population and the degradation of the basic infrastructure of the Lebanese state." http://www.abpnews.com/1278.article
Thursday, July 27
Wrap-Up Lunch
Dear Diary,Another great day with the students. I met the other great students from Valpo and IUSB. They were very kind and loved my panel presentation and my energy level.
I am going to miss our students. I hope we keep in touch.
I did get a chance to talk to Iris Outlaw, the director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. She was more than willing to help me with my desire to donate books to the African University Librarian I met in Tanzania. Iris works with black student organizations and different faculty members who may be wonderful resources. We plan to meet a few weeks after school resumes.
I have a best friend, who I named "Banana" (it's a long story). Anyway, Banana is really admirable and actively involved with grassroot organizations. She donates school supplies to students in other countries like Brazil and tried to donate supplies to an African school in conjunction with Roosevelt University. But she said the U.S. Government did not allow the shipment?? Iris has some ideas as to why that was. She thinks it may have to be delivered by a person.
I told her about another African Librarian I met who works in the Uganda Book Trust. She said we should be able to figure out a way to donate the textbooks. I am really looking forward to it.
A co-worker suggested that I contact him to learn more about Books for Africa,
http://www.betterworldbooks.com/default.aspx
http://www.booksforafrica.org/pubs/spring2005nl.html
Better World Books and BFA recently presented to college bookstore managers at the National Association of College Bookstores at their national conference, and also at the COOL Idealist Conference at the University of California- Berkley where many students were enlisted to run book drives on their campuses. BFA benefits from the proceeds of book sales and also receives substantial book donations from the Better World Books collection center in South Bend, Indiana.
Miss U. and I discusses a fascinating Spoof on Lord of the Rings that she saw on her trip to Valpo called "Lord of the Librarians" about somebody trying to return a book to the library. I'd love to see it.
I will definitely miss the student workers. They seem to really connect with me, as most young people do (please ignore the big patch of gray hair at the top, center, front of my hair line). They were so wonderful to work with. I truly miss volunteering with the Youngins. But my life is so-o-o incredibly hectic with family needs that I cannot commit to a strict volunteer schedule at present. But I do what I can, when I can. And really that is all you can do.
To Thine Own Self Be True
This was my poem explaining
why I love being a librarian.
You don't want to miss it.
:)
To Thine Own Self Be True
My personal mantra is "To Thine Own Self Be True"
I became a librarian to do things that I love to do.
I have had so many incredible professional opportunities
Working in public, private and academic library facilities.
I began as a Medical Librarian, on a mission
"To create empowered patients making informed decisions."
Next I moved to a public library...and that was a hoot!
Working as a Children's Librarian, in 90 degree weather, dressed in a Corduroy-The-Bear Suit.
When I answer reference questions for patrons I learn things I never knew.
For instance, did you know that licking your own elbow is impossible to do?
Working in the Law Library was very intense
But it was cool researching famous people's nonsense
Such as R. Kelly's alleged child porno offense
Or lawsuits involving, my man, T.A.F.K.A.P.
You may know him as, "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince."
Next I worked in a Chemistry library,
That was understandably scary!
I taught a class for an entire semester, for college credit
I was, "Professor Smith !" Who'da ever thunk it?
Now, I'm doing Africana Collection Development
Adding materials to ensure my people's history is visibly present.
I've published articles about obscure topics of interest
And been a presenter at a statewide conference
Because as a minority librarian...you know..."I gotta Respresent!"
Working in libraries is challenging but is a lot of fun too
Where else could I work with such an interesting crew?
I work with a Mexican-that-Can, an Indian Princess, and an American King, well technically two.
I work with a gal on the other side of weird; and the REMARKABLE Miss U.
I work with someone afraid of muffins, and some sorta raptor... just to name a few?
Librarianship allows me, "To MINE Own Self Be True"
Basically, I became a Librarian
Because to quote Ray Charles,
"I'ma make it do what it do! "
THANK YOU!
Wednesday, July 26
There is no "I" in TEAM
...But there is an "M" and a "E"
Dear Diary,
There I go again being the contrary one!
It is not easy but I am committed to being true to myself, regardless. I spent too many years trying to be someone I am not just to please other people.
Case and point, my entire department had a Collection Evaluation Report due. I was reminded of it the day before I left for my Africa vacation. Doh! And my student worker who had all the data we'd gathered the weeks prior was out sick. So I was scrambling trying to re-create her data and figure out how to write an Evaluation Report, my first one, EVER! Ugh...umm...okay...no problem!
I did what I always do. Kicked it into gear and got it done. I did it from home and sent it as a PDF since I don't have Word loaded. Which was not the preferred format, as my managers very gently informed me. Can't really edit a PDF. But it was done. OK. Well, I sent the report to my managers and failed to copy a coworker. He/she (Gender non-specific to protect the identity) and I were working on 2 separate ones to be combined later. Our work was divided since we were rarely in the office at the same time due to vacations. JULY...what can I say? (Gender disguised because the only point for this entry to to showcase the need to consider individual work styles. The actual discourse, specific situation is simply provided here as a way to illustrate that point!)
Anywho, when my co-worker returned and I was gone, they, too, were informed at the last minute that the report was due. And too, scrambled and did their best. My co-worker was not pleased to learn that our reports were in completely different formats and apparently my format was the preferred format. So my co-worker was shall we say a bit perturbed with me and said as much.
I was taken aback, because I am not sure why the other report was somehow my fault? In our meeting the co-worker clearly expressed their frustration with this entire assignment/project, saying, "Felicia must have gotten some instructions that I did not...etc..." Well that is absolutely false and I said so after the meeting.
Today we discussed it again while finalizing our combined report. We had attended a meeting with our Director wherein we had re-visited our Work Styles, especially the DOMINANT style that comes out when we are under PRESSURE!
My co-worker explained that they understands how I need to work (independently). Even in a group setting, I need to get my thoughts out and then join them with other people's. Like I typed my report and then was able to meet and discuss what I came up with.
BUT that is NOT how my co-worker works. He/she said they know I may see it as "Banter" but that helps him/her formulate their thoughts, etc...
All that to say...So if we are both in a time crunch and he/she need to collaborate with me to get the best results, WHILE, I on the other hand require the exact opposite to achieve my best ... whose work style takes precedence?
Does TEAM-work only work in 1 direction? From those who need to work independently always sacrificing for the good of the others who think better with other people? Or are the latter ever required to sacrifice their needs for the benefit of one of the team?
Hmmmm?????? Maybe when we have part two of the ARL Institute we can pose that a scenario for the group to solve.
Luckily my co-worker and I have a great working relationship and we discussed it and gained some level of understanding. I think this was like our managers explained, "A new experience, having two of us here simultaneously. With at least 1 of the few members of the team gone for at least a week at a time, makes for a less than cohesive group and detracts from the flow of information."
We got it done though and that is what matters. I have faced obstacles in all of the rotations I have been in and plan to encounter many more in this last year. Even still this is by far the BEST-EST job I've ever had. This finally feels like a career.
Additionally, today we met with our Director to recap our experience at the ARL OMLS Institute we attended at Purdue a while back. It was great fun to recall all the insights garnered. For me I was reminded that I tend to be the "lone" dissenting voice in the group. But that my obstinance can actually be useful in avoiding "Group-Think." I was told that had someone spoken out the "Going to Abilene, TX" story might have ended differently.
When everything seems to be going swimmingly well - the team is focused on the goal, the team is making good progress and decisions are made by consensus - your team may be prone to "Group-think."
Group-think is a subtle shift from effective decision making to conformity and an unwillingness to "rock the boat." As a result, the team makes low quality decisions. Groupthink can have a tendency to supress individuality.
In 1974, Professor Jerry Harvey of George Washington University developed a parable from a real-life experience to describe the issues surrounding how individuals reach agreement, or, more specifically, believe they have reached agreement.
The Parable of the Abilene Paradox: Four adults are sitting on a porch in 104-degree heat in the small town of Coleman, Texas, some 53 miles from Abilene. They are engaging in as little motion as possible, drinking lemonade, watching the fan spin lazily, and occasionally playing the odd game of dominoes. The characters are a married couple and the wife’s parents.
At some point, the wife’s father suggests they drive to Abilene to eat at a cafeteria there. The son-in-law thinks this is a crazy idea but doesn’t see any need to upset the apple cart, so he goes along with it, as do the two women.
They get in their unair-conditioned Buick and drive through a dust storm to Abilene. They eat a mediocre lunch at the cafeteria and return to Coleman exhausted, hot, and generally unhappy with the experience.
It is not until they return home that it is revealed that none of them really wanted to go to Abilene–they were just going along because they thought the others were eager to go. Naturally, everyone sees this miss in communication as someone else’s problem!
http://www.arl.org/diversity/leading/issue8/abilene.html
*
*
We remembered how amazed we were at the accuracy of the D.I.S.C. tool used. D.I.S.C. PERSONALITY PROFILES are research based and designed to help you understanding behavioral styles and personality types. The D.I.S.C. model, developed by William Moulton Marston and influence by Carl Jung, profiles four primary behavioral styles, each with a distinct and predictable pattern of observable behavior. Applied in corporate, business and personal situations "DISC" can lead to understanding, better communication and heightened positive attitude. This online disc profile report is designed to provide targeted strategies and insights for interpersonal success through effective communication, understanding and tolerance.
The DISC model is the four quadrant behavioral model based on the work of William Moulton Marston Ph.D. (1893 - 1947) to examine the behavior of individuals in their environment or within a specific situation. DISC looks at behavioral styles and behavioral preferences.
It was Marston’s 1928 “Emotions of Normal People”, which introduced DISC theory to the public. He defined four categories of human behavioral styles, types or temperament, now know as "D" for Dominance-Drive-Direct,
"I" for Influence (Marston chose the term inducement,
"S" for Steadiness or Stability (Marston used submission) and
"C" for Compliant, Conscientious, or Cautious, (Marston used compliance).
http://www.onlinediscpersonalityprofile.com/?gclid=CP3s_tuEsYYCFUc0IgodoTTcVQ
Dear Diary,
There I go again being the contrary one!
It is not easy but I am committed to being true to myself, regardless. I spent too many years trying to be someone I am not just to please other people.
Now I am at the point where I will work with you
but I am not going to work AGAINST me to do it.
Case and point, my entire department had a Collection Evaluation Report due. I was reminded of it the day before I left for my Africa vacation. Doh! And my student worker who had all the data we'd gathered the weeks prior was out sick. So I was scrambling trying to re-create her data and figure out how to write an Evaluation Report, my first one, EVER! Ugh...umm...okay...no problem!
I did what I always do. Kicked it into gear and got it done. I did it from home and sent it as a PDF since I don't have Word loaded. Which was not the preferred format, as my managers very gently informed me. Can't really edit a PDF. But it was done. OK. Well, I sent the report to my managers and failed to copy a coworker. He/she (Gender non-specific to protect the identity) and I were working on 2 separate ones to be combined later. Our work was divided since we were rarely in the office at the same time due to vacations. JULY...what can I say? (Gender disguised because the only point for this entry to to showcase the need to consider individual work styles. The actual discourse, specific situation is simply provided here as a way to illustrate that point!)
Anywho, when my co-worker returned and I was gone, they, too, were informed at the last minute that the report was due. And too, scrambled and did their best. My co-worker was not pleased to learn that our reports were in completely different formats and apparently my format was the preferred format. So my co-worker was shall we say a bit perturbed with me and said as much.
I was taken aback, because I am not sure why the other report was somehow my fault? In our meeting the co-worker clearly expressed their frustration with this entire assignment/project, saying, "Felicia must have gotten some instructions that I did not...etc..." Well that is absolutely false and I said so after the meeting.
Today we discussed it again while finalizing our combined report. We had attended a meeting with our Director wherein we had re-visited our Work Styles, especially the DOMINANT style that comes out when we are under PRESSURE!
My co-worker explained that they understands how I need to work (independently). Even in a group setting, I need to get my thoughts out and then join them with other people's. Like I typed my report and then was able to meet and discuss what I came up with.
BUT that is NOT how my co-worker works. He/she said they know I may see it as "Banter" but that helps him/her formulate their thoughts, etc...
All that to say...So if we are both in a time crunch and he/she need to collaborate with me to get the best results, WHILE, I on the other hand require the exact opposite to achieve my best ... whose work style takes precedence?
Does TEAM-work only work in 1 direction? From those who need to work independently always sacrificing for the good of the others who think better with other people? Or are the latter ever required to sacrifice their needs for the benefit of one of the team?
Hmmmm?????? Maybe when we have part two of the ARL Institute we can pose that a scenario for the group to solve.
Luckily my co-worker and I have a great working relationship and we discussed it and gained some level of understanding. I think this was like our managers explained, "A new experience, having two of us here simultaneously. With at least 1 of the few members of the team gone for at least a week at a time, makes for a less than cohesive group and detracts from the flow of information."
We got it done though and that is what matters. I have faced obstacles in all of the rotations I have been in and plan to encounter many more in this last year. Even still this is by far the BEST-EST job I've ever had. This finally feels like a career.
Additionally, today we met with our Director to recap our experience at the ARL OMLS Institute we attended at Purdue a while back. It was great fun to recall all the insights garnered. For me I was reminded that I tend to be the "lone" dissenting voice in the group. But that my obstinance can actually be useful in avoiding "Group-Think." I was told that had someone spoken out the "Going to Abilene, TX" story might have ended differently.
When everything seems to be going swimmingly well - the team is focused on the goal, the team is making good progress and decisions are made by consensus - your team may be prone to "Group-think."
Group-think is a subtle shift from effective decision making to conformity and an unwillingness to "rock the boat." As a result, the team makes low quality decisions. Groupthink can have a tendency to supress individuality.
In 1974, Professor Jerry Harvey of George Washington University developed a parable from a real-life experience to describe the issues surrounding how individuals reach agreement, or, more specifically, believe they have reached agreement.
The Parable of the Abilene Paradox: Four adults are sitting on a porch in 104-degree heat in the small town of Coleman, Texas, some 53 miles from Abilene. They are engaging in as little motion as possible, drinking lemonade, watching the fan spin lazily, and occasionally playing the odd game of dominoes. The characters are a married couple and the wife’s parents.
At some point, the wife’s father suggests they drive to Abilene to eat at a cafeteria there. The son-in-law thinks this is a crazy idea but doesn’t see any need to upset the apple cart, so he goes along with it, as do the two women.
They get in their unair-conditioned Buick and drive through a dust storm to Abilene. They eat a mediocre lunch at the cafeteria and return to Coleman exhausted, hot, and generally unhappy with the experience.
It is not until they return home that it is revealed that none of them really wanted to go to Abilene–they were just going along because they thought the others were eager to go. Naturally, everyone sees this miss in communication as someone else’s problem!
http://www.arl.org/diversity/leading/issue8/abilene.html
*
*
We remembered how amazed we were at the accuracy of the D.I.S.C. tool used. D.I.S.C. PERSONALITY PROFILES are research based and designed to help you understanding behavioral styles and personality types. The D.I.S.C. model, developed by William Moulton Marston and influence by Carl Jung, profiles four primary behavioral styles, each with a distinct and predictable pattern of observable behavior. Applied in corporate, business and personal situations "DISC" can lead to understanding, better communication and heightened positive attitude. This online disc profile report is designed to provide targeted strategies and insights for interpersonal success through effective communication, understanding and tolerance.
The DISC model is the four quadrant behavioral model based on the work of William Moulton Marston Ph.D. (1893 - 1947) to examine the behavior of individuals in their environment or within a specific situation. DISC looks at behavioral styles and behavioral preferences.
It was Marston’s 1928 “Emotions of Normal People”, which introduced DISC theory to the public. He defined four categories of human behavioral styles, types or temperament, now know as "D" for Dominance-Drive-Direct,
"I" for Influence (Marston chose the term inducement,
"S" for Steadiness or Stability (Marston used submission) and
"C" for Compliant, Conscientious, or Cautious, (Marston used compliance).
http://www.onlinediscpersonalityprofile.com/?gclid=CP3s_tuEsYYCFUc0IgodoTTcVQ
Monday, July 24
The Student Became the Teacher
Dear Diary,
Miss U. shared a wonderfully relevant quote that I'd never heard before by one of my favorite authors. The quote is "said to be" attributed to Nelson Mandela, as being in his inaugural speech of 10 May 1994, but they are similar to statements by Marianne Williamson.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
(from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3)
Miss U. shared a wonderfully relevant quote that I'd never heard before by one of my favorite authors. The quote is "said to be" attributed to Nelson Mandela, as being in his inaugural speech of 10 May 1994, but they are similar to statements by Marianne Williamson.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
(from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3)
What Doesn't Kill Us...
Will Only Make Us Wish That It Had!
Dear Diary,
Long day. Lots accomplished. Getting closer to finalizing our Collection Evaluation Report. I am pleased that I am getting useful experience. Report writing has always interested me but every manager has different criteria and formats they use.
I am glad that I have adopted an Open-Door policy. I have gotten a lot of rewarding visits and been "there" to help our students through tough times because I was inside of my dark, depressing, dreary cube. So that is very encouraging. When young people seek my council it does the heart good.
THANK GOD FOR BLOGS!
*
I think the Student Blogs are an invaluable insight into the personalities of the students that you would never get a chance to see. I read them religiously and find myself anxiously awaiting their next postings. Some I just never know what to expect and the tickle me. But then again I am easily amused.
I am super grateful for my Blog. You have no idea how many times in the first few hours that I returned to work that I had to re-tell my Tanzania trip story.
I got so bored with the story that I immediately posted the entry on my blog and as soon as someone asked "So how was your trip?" I say "Oh you can read all about it on my Blog!" And to sweeten the deal and soften the blow, I add "I posted my pictures on it too!" Phew! Done! What did we ever do without this technology?
Dear Diary,
Long day. Lots accomplished. Getting closer to finalizing our Collection Evaluation Report. I am pleased that I am getting useful experience. Report writing has always interested me but every manager has different criteria and formats they use.
I am glad that I have adopted an Open-Door policy. I have gotten a lot of rewarding visits and been "there" to help our students through tough times because I was inside of my dark, depressing, dreary cube. So that is very encouraging. When young people seek my council it does the heart good.
THANK GOD FOR BLOGS!
*
I think the Student Blogs are an invaluable insight into the personalities of the students that you would never get a chance to see. I read them religiously and find myself anxiously awaiting their next postings. Some I just never know what to expect and the tickle me. But then again I am easily amused.
I am super grateful for my Blog. You have no idea how many times in the first few hours that I returned to work that I had to re-tell my Tanzania trip story.
I got so bored with the story that I immediately posted the entry on my blog and as soon as someone asked "So how was your trip?" I say "Oh you can read all about it on my Blog!" And to sweeten the deal and soften the blow, I add "I posted my pictures on it too!" Phew! Done! What did we ever do without this technology?
Silent Librarian Syndrome
Dear Diary
**Bonus**
The editor of the IFRT Report emailed me that she will publish my article detailing my Perspective on the SCESCAL Conference.
I created a syndrome and titled my article after the syndrome:
The Silent Librarian Syndrome.
You'll have to read all about it Mid-August, http://www.nd.edu/~jarcher/ifrtreport/home.html
Friday, July 21
Don't Be Slow in the Jungle!
Dear Diary,
Woo Hoo!!!
I cam not sure but I think I finally got Mr. King to believe that I am a Delicate Flower after all!! I told him how freaked out I was when I sat up in my bed in my tent and glanced out of the window to see (by moonlight) a 3-ton Hippo looking at me with this face pressed up against my window. At that moment I recall the guides warning that Hippos kill more people than any other animal...
Afte Mr. King's fit of laughter, he said "I don't know...I may have screamed too." So he won't chalk it up to my Delicate State but I am hopeful, eventually.
Anywho...I took a few students to lunch and shared some other stories from my trip to Tanzania. I told them about the library conference and the safari. For some reason they found my safari experience more entertaining. I reiterated that I am not here for their personal amusement, but I think they disbelieve me. Oh well, it was so touching to hear how much they all missed me.
AAAWWWW Shucks!
There is one story everyone laughs at the most: I arrived in my tent and thought it was odd that the mosquito nets were draped back away from the bed. Isn't the point to keep mosquitos out? And so I walk into the restroom and noticed an adorable plastic little lizard on the mirror. I thought "Oh nice touch." But I was immediately summoned to my first excursion. So after a 3 hour boat safari, where we saw hippos and crocodiles and huge lizards, I returned to my tent and prepared to use the restroom, since they give you sodas while on the boat.
I once again pondered the draped mosquito net, I assumed house-keeping would have come while I was out to hang the net totally around the bed..."Oh well." I went to the toilet and right before I sat down I thought..."Now that is just plain ODD! House-keeping came in but instead of pulling back the mosquito net, all they did was move the little lizard off of my mirror and put it on the wall." I thought that was really dumb, because if it is a decoration, it is so much harder to see it since it is the same color as the wall. DUH!!
So I begin to unzip my pants and at that instant...the umm "fake" little lizard shoot ups to the ceiling and with the same speed I run outside of my tent. But I recalled all the large lizards that were lurking outside of my tent...."YIKES!!!"
So for a long time I stood there, with one hand gripping the unzipped portion of my pants and hopping from one foot to the other while screaming frantically. I was creating some sorta insane lady lizard repellant dance.
The managers came running with their first aid kits, to assist me, because they were certain I was being eaten alive or killed in some equally torturous manner. They ran to my tent and I explained "There is a little lizard in my bathroom! Eeeccckkk" They went in and after a loud burst of laughter, the Italian guide returned and explained, "No...that is no lizard, is a Gecko! And you want them there because they eat the insects that you said you are afraid of!"
A Gecko. Oh okay. I was not pleased but surely was not staying outside with the monkey on my porch and the real lizards and hippos, etc...so I returned inside. I calmed myself by imitating the Gieco commercials with a talking Gecko. I figured I'd speak to my roommates in a language they understood and ask them if they could save me money on my car insurance. No response.
*
*
When I returned to civilization, I called my dad. There was no phone, no internet, no television, no radio, nothing. Which caused me a modicum of "withdrawal" the first day but was much appreciated after that. So once I could talk to my dad, I told him my harrowing account of the Gecko and Hippo attacks I suffered in my tent.
He, too, laughed saying,
Woo Hoo!!!
I cam not sure but I think I finally got Mr. King to believe that I am a Delicate Flower after all!! I told him how freaked out I was when I sat up in my bed in my tent and glanced out of the window to see (by moonlight) a 3-ton Hippo looking at me with this face pressed up against my window. At that moment I recall the guides warning that Hippos kill more people than any other animal...
"EEEECCCCCKKKK!!!"
Afte Mr. King's fit of laughter, he said "I don't know...I may have screamed too." So he won't chalk it up to my Delicate State but I am hopeful, eventually.
Anywho...I took a few students to lunch and shared some other stories from my trip to Tanzania. I told them about the library conference and the safari. For some reason they found my safari experience more entertaining. I reiterated that I am not here for their personal amusement, but I think they disbelieve me. Oh well, it was so touching to hear how much they all missed me.
AAAWWWW Shucks!
There is one story everyone laughs at the most: I arrived in my tent and thought it was odd that the mosquito nets were draped back away from the bed. Isn't the point to keep mosquitos out? And so I walk into the restroom and noticed an adorable plastic little lizard on the mirror. I thought "Oh nice touch." But I was immediately summoned to my first excursion. So after a 3 hour boat safari, where we saw hippos and crocodiles and huge lizards, I returned to my tent and prepared to use the restroom, since they give you sodas while on the boat.
I once again pondered the draped mosquito net, I assumed house-keeping would have come while I was out to hang the net totally around the bed..."Oh well." I went to the toilet and right before I sat down I thought..."Now that is just plain ODD! House-keeping came in but instead of pulling back the mosquito net, all they did was move the little lizard off of my mirror and put it on the wall." I thought that was really dumb, because if it is a decoration, it is so much harder to see it since it is the same color as the wall. DUH!!
So I begin to unzip my pants and at that instant...the umm "fake" little lizard shoot ups to the ceiling and with the same speed I run outside of my tent. But I recalled all the large lizards that were lurking outside of my tent...."YIKES!!!"
So for a long time I stood there, with one hand gripping the unzipped portion of my pants and hopping from one foot to the other while screaming frantically. I was creating some sorta insane lady lizard repellant dance.
The managers came running with their first aid kits, to assist me, because they were certain I was being eaten alive or killed in some equally torturous manner. They ran to my tent and I explained "There is a little lizard in my bathroom! Eeeccckkk" They went in and after a loud burst of laughter, the Italian guide returned and explained, "No...that is no lizard, is a Gecko! And you want them there because they eat the insects that you said you are afraid of!"
A Gecko. Oh okay. I was not pleased but surely was not staying outside with the monkey on my porch and the real lizards and hippos, etc...so I returned inside. I calmed myself by imitating the Gieco commercials with a talking Gecko. I figured I'd speak to my roommates in a language they understood and ask them if they could save me money on my car insurance. No response.
*
*
When I returned to civilization, I called my dad. There was no phone, no internet, no television, no radio, nothing. Which caused me a modicum of "withdrawal" the first day but was much appreciated after that. So once I could talk to my dad, I told him my harrowing account of the Gecko and Hippo attacks I suffered in my tent.
He, too, laughed saying,
"Baby, you can't be 'SLOW' (witted) in the jungle!"
Wednesday, July 19
Field Trips to Tanzania & to CRL
Dear Diary, Jambo (Swahili = Hello)
*
Hurry Up & Wait!
*
That was basically the hardest adjustment at the conference. There was how shall I say, not the same sense of urgency about punctuality as at American Conferences. But whats an hour here or there. That just allowed more time to network.
It also allowed me extra time to talk to some of the approximately 20 vendors in the exhibit hall. I skimmed Elsevier and Blackwell's brochures, because we already have access to their material. I was looking for smaller publishers or book vendors to see if they had titles relevant to my collection development duties focusing on the African Disapora. I met a handful, but some were eliminated because they only published books in Swahili (understandably). A few vendors I met were:
Mkuki na Nyota Publishers
http://www.mkukinanyota.com/
Booksellers Association of Tanzania
Telephone # 255 22 2183554
Dawson Books (Professional Choice for Librarians)
http://www.dawsonbooks.co.uk/news/stories.html
I also met people from the University of Dar es Salaam
http://www.udsm.ac.tz/library/index.htm
and the University's Press
http://www.dup.co.tz/
and the National Library of South Africa
http://www.nlsa.ac.za/
I thought it was funny that some people upon hearing I was from an academic library in America, they immediately assumed that I worked for NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, because of their reputation / collection. Ha! But I was the only American there or so I was told.
It is good to be home and back at work. The trip to Tanzania was amazing. I met so many people. The most interesting man I met was from Ireland. He was hired to work in a Nigerian library after he applied. No interview. Nothing. Wow! He worked there for 8 years and now is back in the UK but after he left the SCECSAL conference in Tanzania, he was going to teach a summer course at the University of Hawaii on International Librarianship!!! This proves the possibilities are endless with this profession.
This conference was unalike any I'd ever attended. I have been to the Medical / Special / American and Indiana Library Association Conferences but this was different. During on speech, there were sporadic Traditional African Dance Routines performed. It was amazingly entertaining. There were birds flying around the stage. The computers kept crashing but it was still a valuable professional experience. I cannot express how greatly I have benefited from this opportunity.
I met a librarian who works at the relatively new, Muslim University in Morogoro. He has gotten 400 books donated from the American Embassy but still needs more English texts (old or new) and even fiction if need be. I told him I will see if there are people at Notre Dame who can help him also.
http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2005/10/21/52325.html
This opportunity made me think of the Twinnings project at IFLA, for more information see here: http://www.ifla.org/VI/2/p1/int-par.htm
It was a long trip there and back. I took a 3 hour bus ride to O'Hare. Waited for 6 hours to board my 8 hour flight to Amesterdam, had a 3 hour layover before my 10 hour flight to Dar es Salaam. The return trip took even longer since we had to stop in Cairo, Egypt to refuel. And i was stuck in the middle seat. There was absolutely no leg room but at least I can say it was "WELL WORTH IT!"
*
*
I attended a field trip to the University of Chicago campus yesterday to tour the Center for Research Libraries http://www.crl.edu/. I was pleasantly surprised to meet an employee named James Simon who works in Area Studies Microform Projects (AMPs). James attended the SCECSAL conference 2 years ago. It is a small world.
I have to go. I am submitting an article describing my perspective on the SCECSAL conference in Tanzania. I want to type it while it is fresh in my mind.
*
*
Oh yes, I took a safari for vacation. My travel agent who is wise beyond his years discouraged me from going all the way there and only staying 3 days. Not to mention the 8 vaccination shots I had to suffer through along with 2 months of anti-malaria meds and upset stomachs ever since. UGH!!
Tuesday, July 18
Moolaadé
Dear Diary,
A co-worker recommended this movie.
Movie Review
By Phil Villarreal
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
"Purification," practiced in dozens of African countries, is known in the West as female circumcision or genital mutilation, and is a barbaric practice meant to take away sexual pleasure. Cutters remove the clitoris without sterilization or anesthetic.
"Moolaadé," a riveting drama from the father of African film, 82-year-old Ousmane Sembene, is a staunch feminist fable in which a woman valiantly stands up against the purification, exposing it for the misogynistic fraud it is.
The story unfolds in a village in the West African farming country of Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest. For better or for worse, the tentacles of globalization are embracing the people. Modern technologies such as radios and engines can exist alongside huts, but newfangled ideas will not rest with coarse tradition.
Colle (Fatoumata Coulibaly), the second wife of one of the village leaders, has sheltered her daughter from the purification in the past and gives asylum to four girls who fear undergoing the knife. Everyone in the village knows someone who has died from the mutilation.
Cleverly fighting convention with convention, Colle invokes "moolaadé," a protection in which she strings a piece of string at her doorstep, and it is understood that a vengeful spirit will attack anyone who crosses the line.
The elders proclaim that purification should continue because it is a Muslim tradition - never mind that one of the women heard on the radio that the Imam has said the practice is not required. The mutilation must continue because it has been done before.
Women who were spared the procedure are known as "balokoro," and the false whispers surround them, that they stink or cannot bear children, are only machinations in the disinformation campaign to keep purification going. The term is tossed around by village elders, in a continuous effort to cast a positive light on the ritual, but Colle prefers the more accurate "cut."
A certain sadism courses through the women in charge of conducting the "purification," and some village mothers seem unwilling to protect their daughters simply because they had to face the ordeal in their day, and forcing their daughters to do the same is some sort of displaced revenge.
The head man's son is Ibrahima, a wealthy businessman who lives in France and has returned to the village to pay off family debt and claim a wife.
Tradition dictates that he must not take a non-purified mate, but experience in the outside world has colored his views on the practice, and he must decide whether to stand against tradition. His prospective bride-to-be is Colle's daughter, Amsatou (Salimata Traoré), who is uncut.
Ousmane's film spurns Western conventions for a distinctly shamanistic style, peppering his grim tale with moments of joyful humor and delicious flavor. Some comic relief is provided by Mercenaire (Dominique Zeïda), who shamelessly hits on every woman he sees and sells overpriced batteries to clueless customers.
The villainess is the morbid Doyenne des Exciseuses (Mah Compaoré), whose career is based on the ceremony. She actively campaigns to break the moolaadé, and is followed by expressionless assistants dressed in red, shock troops in the grim practice.
The outside world is blamed for Colle's stand, providing a symbolism-drenched scene in which the radios are rounded up and tossed into a bonfire, where some of the radios still play as they burn.
The dramatic pulse focuses on Colle, and whether she'll give in and rescind the moolaadé, and the true colors villagers must show as they reason things out and begin to take sides and definitive, risk-all stands. Like the radios, Colle's voice will spread and liberate as it is engulfed by the flames of blind conformity.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/ent_movies/59495.php
A co-worker recommended this movie.
Movie Review
By Phil Villarreal
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
"Purification," practiced in dozens of African countries, is known in the West as female circumcision or genital mutilation, and is a barbaric practice meant to take away sexual pleasure. Cutters remove the clitoris without sterilization or anesthetic.
"Moolaadé," a riveting drama from the father of African film, 82-year-old Ousmane Sembene, is a staunch feminist fable in which a woman valiantly stands up against the purification, exposing it for the misogynistic fraud it is.
The story unfolds in a village in the West African farming country of Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest. For better or for worse, the tentacles of globalization are embracing the people. Modern technologies such as radios and engines can exist alongside huts, but newfangled ideas will not rest with coarse tradition.
Colle (Fatoumata Coulibaly), the second wife of one of the village leaders, has sheltered her daughter from the purification in the past and gives asylum to four girls who fear undergoing the knife. Everyone in the village knows someone who has died from the mutilation.
Cleverly fighting convention with convention, Colle invokes "moolaadé," a protection in which she strings a piece of string at her doorstep, and it is understood that a vengeful spirit will attack anyone who crosses the line.
The elders proclaim that purification should continue because it is a Muslim tradition - never mind that one of the women heard on the radio that the Imam has said the practice is not required. The mutilation must continue because it has been done before.
Women who were spared the procedure are known as "balokoro," and the false whispers surround them, that they stink or cannot bear children, are only machinations in the disinformation campaign to keep purification going. The term is tossed around by village elders, in a continuous effort to cast a positive light on the ritual, but Colle prefers the more accurate "cut."
A certain sadism courses through the women in charge of conducting the "purification," and some village mothers seem unwilling to protect their daughters simply because they had to face the ordeal in their day, and forcing their daughters to do the same is some sort of displaced revenge.
The head man's son is Ibrahima, a wealthy businessman who lives in France and has returned to the village to pay off family debt and claim a wife.
Tradition dictates that he must not take a non-purified mate, but experience in the outside world has colored his views on the practice, and he must decide whether to stand against tradition. His prospective bride-to-be is Colle's daughter, Amsatou (Salimata Traoré), who is uncut.
Ousmane's film spurns Western conventions for a distinctly shamanistic style, peppering his grim tale with moments of joyful humor and delicious flavor. Some comic relief is provided by Mercenaire (Dominique Zeïda), who shamelessly hits on every woman he sees and sells overpriced batteries to clueless customers.
The villainess is the morbid Doyenne des Exciseuses (Mah Compaoré), whose career is based on the ceremony. She actively campaigns to break the moolaadé, and is followed by expressionless assistants dressed in red, shock troops in the grim practice.
The outside world is blamed for Colle's stand, providing a symbolism-drenched scene in which the radios are rounded up and tossed into a bonfire, where some of the radios still play as they burn.
The dramatic pulse focuses on Colle, and whether she'll give in and rescind the moolaadé, and the true colors villagers must show as they reason things out and begin to take sides and definitive, risk-all stands. Like the radios, Colle's voice will spread and liberate as it is engulfed by the flames of blind conformity.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/ent_movies/59495.php
Friday, July 7
Thursday, July 6
Tears of Joy!!!
Dear Diary,
WOW! I am so excited. I submitted my first ever collection development evaluation report. Slight panic attack because my student worker had worked for the past few weeks on counting records in catalogs comparable to Notre Dame, such as Boston College and Georgetown and Emory. Well naturally the day before I leave for a 2 week vacation, I am reminded that my report is due. Yikes! OK...ugh...umm..stay calm....no need to panic...just because this is also the first time my student worker is absent and she takes her work with her when she leaves.
No Sweat! I just re-did all the work she had done and submitted it with a whopping 18 minutes to spare before the end of the day today. She returned but I wasn't going to risk it. So instead I verified my work with her numbers, as a quality control measure. Phew!
I couldn't stop thinking
..."Back in the day...when I was young"...(those are lyrics to a song)
"When I worked with Mr. King, he said that he would give me a really good recommendation if I needed one in the future.
*
*
He said and I quote:
*
He got Jokes!
*
He disbelieves me for some strange reason. Ha!
AnyWHO...I'm off to the Motherland. I am attending an exciting conference, thanks to working for the WORLD GRESTEST INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING!!!
http://www.tlatz.org/scecsal2006/
Tanzania Library Association Conference, the XVII SCECSAL in Dar es Salaam.
The XVII Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Professionals (SCECSAL XVII) Organizing Committee has the pleasure of inviting library and information professionals and others to the SCECSAL XVII to be hosted by the Tanzania Library Association (TLA) in Dar es Salaam from 10th to 14th July 2006.
This conference will bring together some 500 delegates from all over the world, most will be from Africa. SCECSAL's conference and exhibition is the biggest African event for professionals within the library and information sector. SCECSAL 2006 offers an excellent opportunity for hundreds of delegates, experts, and library and information providers from all over the world to exchange ideas and experience as well as to introduce new innovations and products.The theme for the SCECSAL Conference is:
"Libraries as a Bridge to an Information and Knowledge Society in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa"
*
*
I am most looking forward to meeting libraries from other countries. I think BIG a.k.a. globally so this will be an incredibly beneficial opportunity for me.
I plan to attend the workshop on intellectual freedom and the information and knowledge society - organised by IFLA FAIFE.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: THE WORLD INFORMATION SOCIETY CONCEPT AND AFRICA: CREATING A TRULY CIVIL SOCIETY: THE CONTRIBUTION OF LIBRARIES TO AN EQUITABLE GLOBAL INFORMATION SOCIETY, ALEX BYRNE, IFLA PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIA
Another interesting session is below, this speaks to my Activist Librarian belief:
The role of libraries in promoting democracy in Africa. MOHAMMED M. AMAN, UNITED STATES
WOW! I am so excited. I submitted my first ever collection development evaluation report. Slight panic attack because my student worker had worked for the past few weeks on counting records in catalogs comparable to Notre Dame, such as Boston College and Georgetown and Emory. Well naturally the day before I leave for a 2 week vacation, I am reminded that my report is due. Yikes! OK...ugh...umm..stay calm....no need to panic...just because this is also the first time my student worker is absent and she takes her work with her when she leaves.
No Sweat! I just re-did all the work she had done and submitted it with a whopping 18 minutes to spare before the end of the day today. She returned but I wasn't going to risk it. So instead I verified my work with her numbers, as a quality control measure. Phew!
I couldn't stop thinking
..."Back in the day...when I was young"...(those are lyrics to a song)
"When I worked with Mr. King, he said that he would give me a really good recommendation if I needed one in the future.
*
*
He said and I quote:
"She is a really hard worker...
CRIES A LOT....
but still a good worker!"
**
He got Jokes!
*
But I explained to him that:
"I am a Delicate Flower, Dag-Nabbit!
*He disbelieves me for some strange reason. Ha!
AnyWHO...I'm off to the Motherland. I am attending an exciting conference, thanks to working for the WORLD GRESTEST INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING!!!
http://www.tlatz.org/scecsal2006/
Tanzania Library Association Conference, the XVII SCECSAL in Dar es Salaam.
The XVII Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Professionals (SCECSAL XVII) Organizing Committee has the pleasure of inviting library and information professionals and others to the SCECSAL XVII to be hosted by the Tanzania Library Association (TLA) in Dar es Salaam from 10th to 14th July 2006.
This conference will bring together some 500 delegates from all over the world, most will be from Africa. SCECSAL's conference and exhibition is the biggest African event for professionals within the library and information sector. SCECSAL 2006 offers an excellent opportunity for hundreds of delegates, experts, and library and information providers from all over the world to exchange ideas and experience as well as to introduce new innovations and products.The theme for the SCECSAL Conference is:
"Libraries as a Bridge to an Information and Knowledge Society in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa"
*
*
I am most looking forward to meeting libraries from other countries. I think BIG a.k.a. globally so this will be an incredibly beneficial opportunity for me.
I plan to attend the workshop on intellectual freedom and the information and knowledge society - organised by IFLA FAIFE.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: THE WORLD INFORMATION SOCIETY CONCEPT AND AFRICA: CREATING A TRULY CIVIL SOCIETY: THE CONTRIBUTION OF LIBRARIES TO AN EQUITABLE GLOBAL INFORMATION SOCIETY, ALEX BYRNE, IFLA PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIA
Another interesting session is below, this speaks to my Activist Librarian belief:
The role of libraries in promoting democracy in Africa. MOHAMMED M. AMAN, UNITED STATES
Monday, July 3
Office of Institutional Equity
Dear Diary, Dwight and I went over to the Office of Institutional Equity today to get a sexual harassment video. All employees are supposed to see it and I suggested that we incorporate "Sensitivity & Safety" training for our next generation of workers.
The mission of the Office of Institutional Equity is to ensure that the University of Notre Dame does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, or age in the administration of any of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs or in employment. We support the University's efforts to comply with both the letter and spirit of laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action. We strive to develop a diverse community by welcoming and recruiting others who bring a multitude of talents and backgrounds to the University.
The Office of Institutional Equity offers:
Information, consultation, and resources for the Notre Dame community with regard to diversity, harassment and discrimination prevention, affirmative action, and equal opportunity matters;
A mechanism for addressing complaints of harassment and discrimination;
Oversight of and support for the University's compliance efforts in the areas of equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)