April Moyo's testimonial

I was delighted to participate in the International Librarians Networking Program. During this program, I was matched with Mal’akh Ortega, who worked as a librarian in Mexico. We were able to connect via email and WhatsApp to exchange information and share about our own experiences in librarianship this far. If it were not for this program, I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to connect with her in this way, if at all. I truly appreciate the Program providing this outlet as a way to engage in the work of other librarians around the globe. We have still been in communication with each other beyond the end of the official program! 

I learned about things happening at her library and overall, we could exchange information about the way things have changed at work during the coronavirus pandemic. It was nice to be able to learn about our daily responsibilities, the operations and services in our libraries, management procedures, virtual programs, quarantine processes, etc. We were also able to share information about professional development opportunities (webinars, or other programs), as well as share personal aspirations, research interests, and professional goals in librarianship. We learned about not only how our libraries responded to the pandemic, but also how our respective government officials have responded on behalf of its citizens. It has been interesting to share dialogue around these issues for the past few months. My partner also emphasized how libraries/librarianship is viewed from her (and I assume others) abroad, from a perspective of someone living outside the USA, which was very insightful, as I have only worked and lived in the United States. We have discussed starting a project together, so hopefully that will come to fruition.

I am thankful for the ILNP for providing this outlet for librarians to connect and share information informally with each other. This environment fosters a unique connection between colleagues around the globe and a sense of community, especially during this difficult time. I hope to participate in a similar program in the future, so that I can meet more librarians and get to know more about others’ experiences in other places around the world. The IRRT has done a fantastic job with presenting webinars and other training, highlighting work happening in libraries in other countries throughout this summer. I am looking forward to more content in the Fall to continue learning and connecting with others, as I hope to one day work abroad. Perhaps in the future, we can also arrange a meet-up online for all of the participants to share experiences and see each other, to further enhance the program. 

Mal'akh Ortega's testimonial

At the beginning of the program, I was curious about the situation with other libraries around the world, especially with the chaos and the Pandemia Covid-19. This process was weird because the virtual work had the same no told rules for all of us: lots of work, internet problems, no schedules, and more work as usual times.

I appreciate the opportunity to share with April Moyo, how the librarians work in other universities in the United States of America and our conversations make me feel that the differences are less than our coincidences and expectations. The experiences that my partner has told me, let me understand how our work could make a better place for anyone who needs to make important decisions throughout their lives.
 
The libraries and their librarians in virtual spaces are the support of their study programs and the innovation with the e-learning without a doubt is the next step. In these times of Pandemic, I envision virtual work as an opportunity to improve communication among the library community. I hope that these types of cultural exchange programs help us to break down geographical barriers in order to implement new pedagogical strategies that can create a new online, multidisciplinary, and multicultural learning community.

September issue of IRRT’s International Leads

An article about the program was just published in the IRRT online publication International Leads. Please check it out if you are interested in learning more about how the program was created and implemented.

Link to September issue of IRRT’s International Leads:
http://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/intlleads/leadsarchive/202009-edited.pdf

Marcela Molli's testimonial

The International Librarians Networking Program (ILNP) invited and contacted people from different countries, who curiously share not only one profession but also are historically immersed in the same and unprecedented problem, the COVID-19 pandemic.

In my case, I am from Argentina, and I communicated with my pair (she is Brazilian living in the United States) weekly. We talked about various aspects of our academic training, professional journeys, anecdotes, and private impressions. For example, we explored the benefits that reference managers offer us (such as Mendeley) or the use of tools for the creation of web pages (I created a page using Google Sites for my library and explained to her how to use it).

We took advantage to learn more about online tools to communicate such as Google Meetings and Zoom to make video calls and share our screens when necessary, which was also beneficial for my current job during this COVID-19 pandemic since I already know how to use all the features.

I have enjoyed every minute of the program, I think it is a proposal that revitalizes the spirit of the participating librarians because it reminds us that we can always work better if we do it as a team, being supportive and nurturing empathy. It would be nice if ILNP can offer the program again and extends the duration because I really enjoyed it.

This Program is proof that a librarian is never alone since he/she has a constellation of colleagues who synergistically feedback, and whose energy revitalizes him/her, making his/her voice turn on and rise like a beacon of light that projects credibility.

Aminu Aliyu's testimonial

My name is Aminu Aliyu, Senior Librarian at Isa Kaita Library, Kaduna Polytechnic (Nigeria). I found the ILNP program very interesting and educational. I was able to share ideas with my partner, and without the emergence of this program, I could not have been possible for me to meet. We shared ideas that relate to our profession to the extent, and now we are preparing to write a journal article we intend to publish. Thank the organizers of the program, and I want to encourage them to keep it up.

Fernando Sebastián Blanco Olea's testimonial

Being part of the ILNP has been a rewarding experience. Through my interactions and communication with my networking partner during the last months, I have been able to understand more about the state of Library and Information Science in other countries. It has also been quite enriching to get to know my networking partner’s academic background and her expectations about our profession. I believe experiences like this one help us build a sense of belonging to a community of librarians and information scientists around the world. I look forward to participating in future editions of the program in order to keep expanding my professional network.

Peter Anafo's testimonial

I was a partner with Mr. Bello Thomas a senior assistant librarian of University of Malawi at Kamuzu College of Nursing in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. I am a Senior Assistant Librarian at the University of Mines and Technology Library, Tarkwa, Ghana.

We had an interesting corresponding ranging from our personal life to professional career. We discussed our roles and responsibilities which we share similar exposure. Both of our Universities are closed due to the covid19 pandemic, but rely on online learning and teaching.

My partner library is a specialized academic library focusing on nursing and its related discipline. I am in the main University campus library. The mission of the University is to provide higher education in mining, petroleum, technology and related disciplines. 

My partner’s job involves training library users in information literacy skills and overseeing the library management system among many other responsibilities. I on the other hand is responsible for the E-resources management of the University Library and also teaches information literacy skills to our students. I also act as deputy librarian, assisting the university librarian in day-to-day administration of the library’s system

In the cause of our correspondence, I realised he had visited my country for a workshop organized by INASP in Ghana. He was the country coordinator for INASP's PERI programme in 2001. 

I find the International Librarians Network Programme to be a very important platform for partners to share experience which would go a long way to enhance our professional experience.

Caroline Makokha's testimonial

Appreciation to IRRT team for giving me the opportunity to be a participant this year.

IRRT has been an important platform for enhancing my career skills and carrying out comprehensive research widening my knowledge base. The global perspective, developed a shared vision and purposeful interpersonal interaction so worthwhile online. Indeed it has been an excellent opportunity to make connections with library colleagues in other countries. Special gratitudes go to librarians with a passion Yusuf(Kenyan) and April (Canadian)for their massive contribution which were representing the interests of the library and information
services main focus on digital literacy. We were able to discover our similarities as well as uniqueness, knowledge enabling us blend so well bringing a positive impact.

This will help in improving service delivery at work and (http://www.stepsaheaduniversalreaders.org/) education program I initiated with an aim of transforming lives in villages through reading intervention programs with focus on children within disadvantaged communities.

Adhering to health safety measures on COVID-19 pandemic, experience shared here has enabled me expand my initiative through "Door Step Service" which entails taking information resources (both soft and hard copy) to households with young learners ages 4-15years for learning continuity.

My desire is to reach out many disadvantaged groups with support of like minded partners to expand learners resources encouraging sustainability even after gradual opening of schools.

Tania Libertad Matute Izaguirre's testimonial

My name is Tania Libertad Matute Izaguirre, I am from San Pedro Sula Honduras, and I work at the Pedagogical National University Francisco Morazán (UPNFM) in Academic library since 2007.

This was my first experience in this International Librarian Networking Program, for me has been a challenges because I had to communicated in other language (English) with my partner Georgia from Trinidad y Tobago but It was good for me, helped me to practice and developed more this skill.

My experience in this program had been great, allowed me to learn about my partner’s work also I could know about her library. In this times of COVID 19, have been difficult for everyone, as librarians we had to work hard more to continue offer library services in a virtual mode and generate biosecurity protocols for the reopening of libraries, with my colleague, we share this experiences and the way our libraries have handled these times of quarantine due to the pandemic.

I glad to have been part of this program.

Sarah N. Ogembo's testimonial

My partner for this networking session was Nondumiso Nzama from South Africa. A Bachelor’s Degree holder, she started her career path by volunteering at the community library, and the Durban Natural Science Museum. Her personal interests which include, but are not limited to, reading, visiting art exhibitions and museums and travelling contributed to passion for the profession. In South Africa, the National Library has two branches, while the municipality library where she works has 92 libraries. In her observation, the value of libraries, and what librarians do is not highlighted or emphasized as should be.

She loves children, and outreach services to them make her happy. She aims to inculcate a reading culture at the earliest possible opportunity. Sadly, some companies, organizations and institutions in South Africa do not recognize Bachelor of Information Science as full library qualification, and one is expected to compliment that with a postgraduate degree, or another Bachelor’s Degree in Technology.

Nondumiso is a perfectionist, and her attention to detail is crucial especially for her target audience. In South Africa, as is the case in many African countries, the use of technology in the library is not where it should be, and this is one of the areas that she hopes to improve, through resource mobilization. Her passion to the profession has seen her network and benchmark with the Research Data Management Librarians Academy, and the Library and Information Association of South Africa whose websites are a rich source of information. It was an honor to share experiences with a brilliant light in the profession, who is greatly committed to make changes in the lives of people through information and knowledge management.   

Beatrice Ampadu's testimonial

Being part of the International Librarians Networking Program has really helped me. I have the opportunity to learn from my colleague in terms of some of the work ethics and also the ability to keep learning no matter what. The networking with my colleague through WhatsApp and email allowed us to share stories of our career motivated and facilitates a smooth transfer of the knowledge.

I have gain experience by reinforcing my skills and which has again improve my work. New ways of doing thing that offers me the ability to complete basic work tasks on our own. It serves as a refresher programs with problem-solving sessions that each of us have in our various work environment. This made us to discuss best practice in mitigating the challenges.

Through exchange ideas from my colleague, I have a new skills on some library software that will make me more efficient and capable of handling different responsibilities and challenges. Having has this opportunity through this program, my colleague is vest in library software and assisting me to apply this skills to aid me organise the library material.

Yusuf Ganyana's testimonial

I wish to take this opportunity to thank you all for the opportunity to participate in this program.

The highlight has been the quality of the people I got to journey with, Caroline and April were two amazing librarians from Kenya and Canada respectively. Thanks to them, there was a lot to learn and take away especially in the digital literacy space. Through them, I was able to start Laibu Mkononi (Swahili for "a library on the palm of your hand" Twitter: @LMkononi) program which seeks to empower vulnerable children between 6-13 years with devices preloaded with quality educational content, storybooks, educational videos, and games so that they can continue to learn during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

IRRT gave us a very different type of approach to network and share ideas, which I find has more impact. It presented an opportunity to compare notes and talk about best practices in and out of the library environment, with thought-provoking content that I am sure will continue after this program.

Mulugeta Woldetsadik's testimonial

Mulugeta wrote the post "Testimonial about My Experience In the International Librarians Networking Program" on his blog sharing his experience in the International Librarians Networking Program.

Click here to read the article.

Article about ALA Emerging Leaders program in American Libraries magazine

An article about the Emerging Leaders program was just published in the American Libraries publication. Meet Group E participants who are managing the International Librarians Networking Program.

Link to the article:

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2020/05/01/emerging-leaders-2020/

March issue of IRRT’s International Leads

The latest issue of International Leads (March 2020) is now available on the International Relations Round Table website.
 
Included in the issue is the 2020 ALA Emerging Leaders group working with IRRT.

Link to March issue of IRRT’s International Leads:
http://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/intlleads/leadsarchive/202003.pdf