Victoria Hernández´s testimonial

 My thanks to all the participants, although a special mention for the organizers of ILNP 2022. Thank you, colleagues from around the world!

Important event in my professional life; as much as a long-awaited face-to-face congress.

Greeting E.K. (USA) and John (Nigeria) every week and exposing some points of professional interest, about how we are carrying responsibility despite the uncertainty and limitations of ourselves and the environment, I already miss it. 

The academic and research world in engineering and technology is my professional environment, already for a few decades. Person-to-person interaction is very valuable, and I consider that from my service area I can facilitate and promote dialogue and creative conversation and that encourages the community to participate not only in their individual research projects.  This is what I have found at ILNP 2022 and why I feel fortunate.

After ILNP 2022, I would like to retain contacts and continue the exchange of experiences and re-engage, if possible.

Victoria Hernández

Librarian at Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N. Unidad Saltillo, Coahuila, México

Charles A. Pasicolan's testimonial

My International Librarians Networking Program (ILNP) wouldn’t be as exciting and as memorable if not for my partner, Ms. Melissa Freiley of Hendrix College. You can say that Melissa was the reason I was able to finish my ILNP and that without her, I wouldn’t be doing this testimonial for ILNP.

I guess this is the essence of “networking” - being able to “work”, “collaborate” and “make-do” with what you have be it the people or person/partners you are grouped with and regardless whether you have limited resources or not, you still have to come-up with an output and meet the objectives of the program and I think we were able to accomplish that and more since we were able to establish a “connection” and/or “relationship” that goes beyond our time with ILNP. I think establishing that rapport, friendship and being able to communicate in order to collaborate is what I will take away from this ILNP experience of mine.

Again, thank you, Melissa Freiley. I am (forever) grateful that you were my partner in this ILNP.

Thank you ILNP for this opportunity and I am looking forward for another activity or program that will enable us librarians from all over the world to meet, collaborate and network in the very near future.

Sincerely,

Charles A. Pasicolan, RL, MLIS

Marcus Seraphine's testimonial

I am very pleased that I was able to be a part of the International Librarians Networking Program. The description of the program sounded like it could be very interesting and beneficial but working with my two cohort members these past few months exceeded my expectations. I was paired up with librarians from Nigeria and England, and the dialogue we built together was very meaningful to me. We work in three different types of libraries in three different countries, and it was a great experience seeing the similarities and differences we share in this profession. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to grow in their careers or develop connections internationally. I would like to thank the team behind the ILNP and the colleagues I worked with these last few months for giving me such a rewarding experience.

Marcus Seraphine

Head Librarian

Learning Resources

 

Dunwoody College of Technology

Sarat Amuni's testimonial

My name is Sarat Amuni (pronounced as ahmoonee), a PhD student and early-career librarian working at Fatiu Ademola Akesode Library, Lagos State University, Nigeria. My journey through the networking programme is one characterized with new insights and 
experiences. I have learnt through the programme that librarianship is best enjoyed when you can connect and collaborate with colleagues outside your immediate environment. This is
because measuring your capabilities and competencies is more objective from other people's
eyes.

The discussions during our meetings were always a means of learning new things about
librarianship and our different job patterns. Though my partner is the head of a school library,
there are a lot of job responsibilities which are also the same as what I am experiencing as the Head of Campus Library (academic). Now I understand that Librarians and information
professionals play a critical role in society regardless of the type or category of clientele we
serve.

Through the ILNP, I have been able to sharpen my online communication and collaboration
skills while the poster making session has helped me master the use of the Canva app.
I hope other early-career library professionals in my country will get the opportunity to be part of future IRRT-ILNP networking programme.

#Internationallibrariannetworkingprogramme

#1stopshop4CDP

#phenomenal

Jennifer Cooper’s Testimonial

 The state of librarianship around the world has interested me for some time and when I saw the call for participants in the International Librarian Networking Program, I felt that I needed to sign up. I was excited to be chosen and looked forward to talking with those around the world. I was partnered with a librarian from Croatia and a library student from Nigeria. We had many great conversations about how library training works in different countries. We discussed our major projects as well as mentorship. One thing we noticed and spoke about was how similar librarianship is in each of our countries. I work in a public secondary school, so my library was different from the library school and the hospital center library that my partners work in. Although the type of patron and the focus on the institution was different the goals of a librarian remain the same: to have access to knowledge, promote communication, and provide information to individuals. I would highly recommend participating in this exchange of ideas and collaboration. I have enjoyed my last few months and look forward to continuing conversations with my partners. This was a wonderful experience that provided me with insight into libraries in two other countries as well as the state of librarianship in those areas. 

Jennifer Cooper, United States of America, Prince William Public Schools, Virginia

Emmanuel Omeiza Momoh's testimonial

Randomly scrolling through the news feed in a telegram group I joined was a message calling for interested individuals to sign up and apply for a professional networking event.

At first, I was a bit skeptical. This was largely due to the fact I have had similar experiences which turned out to be a waste of irreplaceable time. Not minding this, I took the bull by the horn and signed up to a life-changing experience beyond what I could fathom or imagine.

On a frank note, all the aspects of the programme was effective. From the exchange of mails down to the pairing up with mentors and other colleagues. What about the period of intellectual collaboration which conceived new ideas?

In all, it was really a memorable event. I literally had a taste of librarianship beyond my country's borders.

My team members, who were from the United States and the United Kingdom  were both exceptional. It was a privilege learning from you both as I gained further insights into the core areas of librarianship.

I would without any iota of doubt or reservation recommend the ILNP to any library professional irrespective of age, status and gender who is keen at learning and gaining deep insights into what Librarianship is all about.

 

Emmanuel Omeiza Momoh

Chartered Librarian of Nigeria (CLN)

Young African Library Leaders Fellow,

United Nations Global Schools Advocate for Sustainable Development

World Literary Foundation Ambassador

Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Science

Syed Adnan Adil's testimonial

 I was truly impressed by the opportunity ILNP program offers to develop long-term international professional links. Experience of this program is different than “speed-dating” styled networking and get-togethers, professional colleagues normally carry out at conferences, seminars and workshops, where time and focus remain a challenge. In my opinion, professional networking is not just about doing introductions, sharing interests and then having brief conversations. True spirit of forming a professional network is about exchanging learning or least knowing something new form the other. It is about having more than few conversations; and these professional interactions can be more effective, if these are conducted in flexible manner, and via trust-worthy forum. ILNP ticks all the boxes for criterion listed above in developing sound and sustainable networking.  

As a participant of 2022 cohort, in the beginning, I was thinking maybe I made a mistake in agreeing to participate in this program, as my full-time job along with part-time PhD may not allow much time for additional commitment. But as the program progressed, I was so glad and impressed with the decision I made to join this program. I was grouped with library professionals from USA and Nigeria. Both colleagues were inspirational characters, who sparked positive energy in me. I would recommend every library practitioner to participate in this program. As this program offers the opportunity to “give-back” as well as “take” meaningful learning form the fellow international colleagues.

 

Syed Adnan Adil 

 

PhD scholar, 

Department of Information Studies

University College London

 

Team Manager: Systems, Subscriptions & Licensing 

Library and Learning Resources 

London South Bank University 

 

Gheerishsing Gopaul's testimonial

It was a great learning opportunity as I got an exposure to acquire information about a different type of Library, i.e an academic library at tertiary level from another country.  Of course it was also a chance to get a new friend in the same field as mine, from abroad. Definitely the sharing of ideas, views, comments and discussions were just elevating and fruitful. 

Undoubted the exchange and sharing of ideas and information I have gathered from my teammate through this networking programme have been extremely enriching. Obviously I am looking forward into implementing the knowledge and insights I have acquired. 

The networking programme has been an opportunity to broaden my knowledge and to views things from a different perspective. I was really glad to be part of this programme as it was a chance as well to do something different from our routine.

It`s true that I have not been able to give the maximum of myself to this programme, still I am very much satisfied and happy that I was able to more or less cope with the meetings and all other involvements. Fortunately I did not abandoned and left the programme in between, albeit many other commitments emerged. Consequently I am tremendously thankful to my teammate, Mrs Sarat, who was always very helpful, collaborative, supportive and encouraging. Unquestionably have learnt a lot from her and would surely like to collaborate with her for more such types of projects in the future.

 

Yours sincerely

Gheerishsing Gopaul ( Mr ) 

Hok Kan Au's testimonial

I am Hok Kan from HKSAR. I think I can review my profession from both librarian and user perspective. I enjoy the student worker experience in academic libraries (2 years). In the focus of discussion of the networking program, I mainly focus on digital literacy, professionalism and professional development in the academic library field. And it found out as meaningful discussion about the sustainable future for being academic librarian.

I am delighted to be chosen in this meaningful project to connect with LIS professionals. It's an amazing opportunity to explore the LIS field in different countries/places. The 13 weeks provide detailed discussion about the reflection of service in academic libraries in HKSAR China and Malawi.

BEING GLOCAL

When we discuss different content in academic libraries in cases of Hong Kong and Malawi, we discover our familiar academic libraries practicing the "GLOCAL approach" (Global perspective (university ranking, lL instruction against infodemic, misinformation) + Local perspective (patrons' information-seeking behavior)) in the provision of scholarly support and daily advisory service. They strongly correlated to what the Government bodies promote and maintain (IFLA, HKLA and Malawi Library Association). In the detail, we discuss the elements of professionalism mentioned by ALA - people, setting and function from ALA. And we majorly discuss the community context of our familiar academic libraries.

Thank You the support form liaison and the program prompt

The prompt and support from liaison helps us to realize the discussion in the topic

we decide - Sustainable academic libraries: being "glocal" to view globally and practice 

with local community context.

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I also made a video testimonial :

https://youtu.be/ku6XSRLApTc

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Your sincerely,

Hok Kan Au

 

IRRT International Librarians Networking Program: Stories from Participants of 2021 Cohort

The article written by Noorjahan Shaikh, Arjun Sanyal, and Anthony Martinez was published in the International Leads newsletter in December 2021. You can read it here (pages 18 and 20).

International Librarian Networking Program 2021: Collaboration, Sharing Experiences, and Friendship All in One

 April Manabat, Carmen Lei, and Noorjahan Shaikh wrote an article for IFLA Update CPDWL talking about their experience in the 2021 ILNP. You can read the article here (pages 18-19).