During that semester I have taken 2 classes in UH-Manoa's Library and Information Science (LIS) program.
The first one was LIS 650 : Management of Libraries and Information Centers
Yes, the class title implies that the class is about library management. Plus, our main textbook has a similar title, just the same words in different order
Libraries Unlimited
However, much of the class lectures and articles is more about theories related to management of libraries, rather than about real cases of library management. I had the same professor back in Summer 2013 for LIS 663 (Basic Database Searching) which better matches his passion, experience and expertise. I wish he could teach THAT class more often! (learn more about that class at http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2013/08/uhm-summer-session.html)
We had group projects called "Evolving the Library" which we researched different libraries have (or should) evolve on different issues, ranging from digitization, youth services and rural services. This was an assignment that encouraged out to think outside of the box, while learning about the "boxes" that have and can limit progress on those issues.
The last project, I'll say I had issues with! It was a "Rapid Prototype" project in which we re-design something that already exist, in order to put us through the stress that professionals go through when dealing with changes.
However, the project that our class was assigned to work on wasn't so much about library operations, but redesigning an academic study space. The LIS program has its own academic study space (called the Info Commons) in the basement of Hamilton Library.
The Info Commons has nearly
everything a student need for their studying space : tables, bookshelves,
computers, and more than enough space to move around. It even has
luxuries like lockers, couches, artwork and a dining space. Why fix something that
isn’t broken?
The only improvement to the Info Commons that is really necessary is to add more computers.
But everyone else in the class complain about these extremely minor details
- wall paint being "too institutional"
- lockers looking "institutional"
- too many bookshelves (nevermind that is for the "LIBRARY and Info Science" program)
- unflattering furniture
- not enough fancy stuff
- paintings on the wall
- plastic lemons (yes, someone actually complained about their presence)
Another person just seemed to dislike EVERYTHING that is in the LIS Commons, and woe to anyone who express at least keeping some things the same! Even when I showed her survey results that proved some of my points, she thinks it doesn’t mean what it says it means. I got tired of her negative demeanor and abrasive style of communication that I told her "you don't like anything" and "I'm tired of the way you talk to people". If she was trying to test me, well, let it be known that she hasn't crossed the line against me since.
But it goes to show how many people are not thankful for what they have. It goes to show that much of this talk about things looking "too institutional" are coming from people who never experience life in the public housing projects or inner city schools (I've experienced both). It goes to show that some people are so interested in getting rid of the old, they don't stop to savor the traditions.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not always "anti-change". I do believe when things need to be improved, they should be improved ASAP! I just don't believe in wasting time fixing things that don't need to be fixed.
Well, you can check out some of what I wrote for this class at http://pwegesen.wix.com/pablowegesendlis#!lis-650-projects/c1vqc
Partial screenshot of the LIS 650 page
-----------
Anyways, enough of that class.
The other class was LIS 693- Resources in Hawaii-Pacific Librarianship
Previously, the classes for Hawaii library resources and Pacific library resources were 2 separate classes.
But now they have merged into one class.
I like the merger because
- it integrates the study of Hawaii in a larger Pacific context
- being that those 2 classes were electives, it would be hard to fit the 2 classes into a student's schedule (ie a student might have time for the Pacific class but not the Hawaii class, causing heartbreak over missing out on the subject)
- A 2-for-1 deal is usually a good deal!
(see, I like changes that actually improve things for the students)
The class had 2 professors, which is great in that the students get to see teamwork in action, get to see an example of teamwork from their teachers, which most students don't see due to most class just having 1 teacher in the room.
The 2 professors work in the Hawaii-Pacific section of the Hamilton Library, and they have brought some of their colleagues as guest speakers.
They also had other guest speakers who talked about
- the historical context of the Pacific islands
- archival collections
- genealogical resources
- land documentation
- old newspaper collections
- importance of libraries/archives to researchers
- Pacific oral traditions
- indigenous literature
- science research
- Hawaiian ways of classifying knowledge
We also had a field trip to Hawaii State Archives, which I mentioned about in blog post http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2014/11/where-am-i-from-again.html
Our assignments included
- searching (and recording our searches) for info related to Hawaii and the other Pacific islands
- discussing ethical issues related to indigenous Pacific library collections
- Lib-Guide (an online library guide) to help users search for info relating to Hawaii and/or the other Pacific islands.
My Lib Guide was "Hawaii-Pacific Books and Media for Children" and was to help school librarians and public librarians increase their collections of children's materials about Hawaii and the other Pacific islands
The LibGuide for the class isn't available for public viewing (it was more of a practice LibGuide), but you can check out some of the other stuff I wrote for this class at
http://pwegesen.wix.com/pablowegesendlis#!lis-693-projects/ct9i
partial screenshot of the LIS 693 projects page
--------------
Special Activities
Being in the LIS programs, I was able to take part in some special activities. I wasn't able to do all that was offered, but I did a few includinga) Children & Youth Day
On Sunday, October 5 2014, there was a Children & Youth Day festival near the State Capitol. All sorts of organizations that serve children and teens had their tables advertising their services, and there was games, music and dance performances that entertained the kids.
The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) had their own tables which gave out brochures advertising their collections,services and activities for youth, as well as arts & games. I helped out with the games. The children were to match a title with a picture from the book on the flannel board.
Pablo Wegesend's photo
Me in charge of the matching games
They had unlimited chances to get it right before they get a prize (pencil, snack, bookmark, etc.)
As a side benefit, I got a chance to audition my service capabilities to the person who will be my internship supervisor next semester :)
b)Hoʻokele Naʻauao: A Hawaiian Librarianship Symposium
On October 23, 2014,
The Hoʻokele Naʻauao was a symposium in which guest speakers discuss the many issues related to the preservation of Hawaiian knowledge. It was sponsored by the LIS program and the Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (HSHK).
The morning portion of the Hoʻokele Naʻauao took place inside Hamilton Library. I came as part of the LIS 693 class (Resources in Hawaiian-Pacific
Librarianship) which was required to attend.
Within that time frame, I was just an audience member.
The afternoon portion of the Hoʻokele Naʻauao took place at the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies (KCHS). I was a volunteer with the Nā
Hawaiʻi ʻImi Loa, a student organization that organized the event. Within that
time frame, I assisted with the registration/evaluation table, as well as
listened to some of the speeches.
Being that the KCHS had an open-air facility and that the registration tables were outside, we had to deal with very windy conditions. Everything needed a weight to hold it down. Wind has actually opened closed folders, resulting in papers flying out. (It’s even worse when those papers included signed waiver forms). Also, the wind also pushed the tent towards the table and we had the catch the tent before it collapsed on us. Luckily, we had other people nearby who acted to quickly to catch the tent. It was then decided to put the tent away (while the event was still on-going) to prevent further distractions. Luckily, there was enough shade that we didn’t have to move the tables.
As for the guest speakers, I didn't catch all of them, but the ones I saw discussed the following issues
- the preservation of a kapa damaged by a tsunami that hit Kona in 2011
- land documentation
- local film archives
- who has rights to what data
- art as another way to store knowledge
c) Hawaii Library Association conference
On December 5/6, 2014, the Hawaii Library Association (HLA) had their conference at the Kahala Hotel & Resort.
On Friday 12/5/2014, I just came to get to know the layout of the place, since I had a presentation the following day. I also
- checked out a few presentations (on demographic data collection, on the process of organizing the Hoʻokele Naʻauao)
- saw a few posters that my LIS classmates made (on plant databases, career prep, services for immigrants, digitizing Hawaiian resources, manga collections, and more),
- and talked to a few vendors (databases, preservation materials, World Book encylopedia)
On Saturday 12/6/2014 was THE Big Day for me. It would be my first ever presentation to a professional conference.
I did a power-point presentation titled "Expanding Access to Audiobooks".
(I mentioned about that topic on the blog post http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2014/12/expanding-access-to-audiobooks.html)
Pablo Wegesend's photo
My power-point on the screen
"Expanding Access to Audiobooks"
The room you see in that above photo is a small room isolated from the rest of the conference. However, I was able to get a small audience which included an LIS classmate, LIS professor, some public librarians .............................and the branch manager of LBPH (Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped).
I didn't even know that the LBPH branch manager was going to show up. It was only a few days before the conference did I even think of having LBPH staff members coming, but I thought "screw it, it's too late to ask people to change their weekend plans and pay attendance fees"
But the LBPH branch manager did show up. My presentation was only 15-20 minutes and I still had 30 minutes for discussion, so the LBPH branch manager had an opportunity to discuss the challenges her library faces in meeting current demands, and how much more challenging it would be if access to LBPH's audiobooks were expanded to include those with intellectual disabilities as well as those who were illiterate.
The other audience members said there has to be a way to open access to information for those with intellectual and reading disabilities. They also said the current laws regulation access to LBPH's audiobooks are outdated and came in a time when there wasn't much knowledge about intellectual disabilities.
After the discussion, an LIS professor talked with the LBPH branch manager about talking to the LIS students about LBPH's services. Either students can do a group visit or LBPH staff can visit the LIS students. Hopefully, something can be arranged.
-----------
After my presentation, I did the following
- eat my lunch and talked to a librarian from Hawaii Pacific University
- attended HLA general asssembly meeting
- checked out the resort's artificial lagoons for honus (sea turtles), stingrays and dolphins)
- attended a presentation by LIS classmates who work at the law library
- attended the final speech by librarians who work in rural Oahu.
It was a great experience. I hope to be back soon.
d) The LIS Banquet
This past Thursday, the LIS program had it's semester banquet at Waioli Tea Room.
It is a hidden treasure, found deep in Manoa Valley.
The banquet was awesome.
The food was great! Though this time, I was much more careful with my consumption, since I ate more than I could at the previous LIS banquet.
The latest group of LIS graduates were honored! For some of them, this might be the last time I see them in person.
We even had extra time to socialize and take photos!
I loved it! I can't wait for the next one!
