tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36641172813220789662024-03-04T22:30:58.977-06:00A Library StoryThoughts on librarianship, culture, Africa, and lifeRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-81362002917885653172016-10-27T11:23:00.000-05:002016-10-27T17:19:52.956-05:00What Chronic Pain Teaches Me About CultureHi, world! It's been a long time since I've written here. But I'm feeling reflective, so here I am. :)<br />
<br />
Over the past four years I have dealt with a lot of physical, chronic pain. It started in Uganda and has continued since moving to MN.<br />
<br />
It started with a pothole.<br />
<br />
Let me explain.<br />
<br />
In April 2012, I was riding to visit some friends on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boda_boda" target="_blank">boda boda</a>. It was just getting dark and we hit a pothole. There are potholes everywhere in Uganda but I remember that one because of how I was holding on to the boda behind me and got the wind knocked out of me when we bounced. Within a matter of hours I was in so much pain I could barely turn my head. I saw a doctor after a couple days of terrible pain who said it was likely a whiplash type injury, gave me some muscle relaxers, and suggested I try getting a massage or two. If that didn't help, she suggested I see a physio (English term for physical therapy). The meds and massage helped enough that I let it go and came back to the States about a month later.<br />
<br />
After returning to the US I started to suffer from regular and horrible headaches and migraines. Since then I've also been rear ended several times (am I invisible?!) and I continue to deal with neck pain, headaches, migraines, and muscle spasms.<br />
<br />
I know. This is kind of personal and may not seem to fit with the types of cultural and library related things I usually write. But I believe it IS culturally related.<br />
<br />
You see, over the past few years, I've found myself trying many different remedies for my pain, each rooted in it's own cultural practice of healing.<br />
<br />
I've tried:<br />
<ul>
<li>Prescription medication</li>
<li>Over-the-counter medication</li>
<li>Herbal cremes</li>
<li>Prescription medicinal cremes</li>
<li>Acupuncture</li>
<li>Physical therapy</li>
<li>Chiropractic care</li>
<li>Yoga</li>
<li>Prayer</li>
<li>Exercise</li>
<li>Sauna </li>
<li>Massage</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And in trying all these things, I've discovered is that for me it's the intersection of all these methods and, dare I say, cultures that have led to (some) healing.<br />
<br />
I grew up in what I think is a pretty American with regards to health: eat a balanced diet, go to the doctor when you get sick, take meds when you don't feel well. But as I've gone through this journey of regular, chronic pain, I've realized that healing is not always as simple as taking a pill.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other day I went for <a href="https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction" target="_blank">acupuncture</a> and as I was resting in a chair, needles poking out of me, I thought how different <a href="https://nccih.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/chinesemed.htm" target="_blank">Chinese medicine</a> is, especially when it comes to acupuncture. After the acupuncturist puts in the needles, she says to me: "have a good rest" and I nap or doze for about 45 minutes. And it occurred to me, rest IS healing. And maybe learning about other cultures doesn't only teach us cursory things about how people live or work, but can also teach us how to heal.<br />
<br />
I'm not healed by any stretch of imagination. I still have 3-4 headaches or migraines a week, which often result in staying in bed more than I'd like. But I'm learning that if I let go and trust the ways in which people heal from multiple cultures, healing does come.<br />
<br />
And grace. By giving myself grace walk through this journey instead of fighting the pain, I can use it as a learning experience. A chance to learn about other cultures, other healing practices, and about myself.<br />
<br />
I hope someday I don't have to deal with regular pain. But in the meantime I am trying as hard as possible to see the bright side -- that I have much to learn about other cultures and the ways they view healing and the body.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-62180554644038938402016-05-13T09:11:00.003-05:002016-05-13T09:12:05.082-05:00Where Does Your Heart Live?Last Saturday, the air smelled like smoke. Wildfires in Northern MN and Canada, sent smoke down to the Twin Cities, creating air quality warnings and filling the air with the faint smell of smoke. When I woke up I went downstairs to make coffee and with the windows open, the cool morning air smelled just like Uganda: a bit of smoke, the smell of burning, cool air, and sunshine. My mind and heart were immediately brought back to a place I call home. I felt sentimental all day, thinking about my Ugandan friends, wondering how they are doing, and missing East Africa.<br />
<br />
Contrast that sentimentality with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude 3 days earlier as I drove home from dinner with friends at a local restaurant. Gratitude for the city we live in, the community we are developing, the green leaves, and warm weather. I just felt so <i>thankful</i> for where we are now.<br />
<br />
It was strange, in some ways, to feel such love for two very different places within a couple of days. I almost didn't know how to hold my love for both at the same time. It made my realize that my heart lives in both places, here in MN and in Uganda. And, if I'm honest, my heart lives in many places.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel sad that I am not one of those people that has lived in ____ "my whole life". I think about how last month we traveled to Tuscon to attend my husband's best-friend-since-Kindgerten's wedding. I don't have a best friend since Kindergarten or a friend I've known my whole life.<br />
<br />
But I have something just as precious: friends around the country and the world who have shared their stories with me and been a part of my story during the times in my life I needed them most. I'm realizing that with all the moving I've done, including at least five places in my twenties, my heart lives in a lot of places. I've left pieces of my heart behind that say, "I was here and I love this place. There are people here that I love."<br />
<br />
I'm also realizing that neither situation is better than the other. It's not somehow better to have lived in one place for a lifetime and it's not better that I've moved a lot. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and the situations are just different. No matter if someone has moved a lot or if a heart lives in one place, we all have the power and choice to tell a good story. I've chosen to tell my story in many different places. Some people choose to tell their story in one place. But I'm learning that it's not the setting that makes the story. It's the characters. Our stories are beautiful because of how we choose to live and love others.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, my story and my heart are scattered around the country and the world. And I am grateful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-20607378764242617382016-05-04T14:17:00.001-05:002016-05-04T14:17:17.211-05:00Reading Africa and the WorldI recently heard this TED Talk and was thoroughly inspired by this woman's story of reading a book from every country in one year.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="https://embed-ssl.ted.com/talks/ann_morgan_my_year_reading_a_book_from_every_country_in_the_world.html" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
After hearing the TED Talk, I looked up <a href="http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> because I wanted to learn more. For example, how did she read that many books in one year? And how did she choose just one book from an entire country? And, of course I wanted to know: What books did she read from East Africa? I was totally inspired and fascinated by this project. (I just checked out <a href="http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/the-book/" target="_blank">her book</a> to learn more!)<br />
<br />
As I was poking around her blog, I found a post that mentioned an <a href="http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/" target="_blank">Africa Reading Challenge</a>. Basically, a challenge to read 5 books from Africa in one year. Again, I was fascinated.<br />
<br />
Most of the people who read this blog know that I am not much of a
reader. I read only a handful of books a year, if I'm honest. It's kind of
embarrassing, actually, considering that I am a librarian. I say only half-jokingly that I have a minor panic attack when a student comes up to me and asks: "Do you know a good book I could read?"<br />
<br />
But, anyway...<br />
<br />
When I do read, I am most often drawn to books about Africa or other parts of the world, which is probably why I've found both of these challenges so fascinating. Obviously from the title of my blog, I believe that stories are important. More than that, I believe that by learning the stories of people who are different from us, we will gain perspective and grow in understanding of the people around us. If we are willing to listen to others' stories,
we learn from them and their experiences. I often say that if I don't immediately click with someone or if someone drives me crazy, I probably need to learn his or her story so I can be more gracious towards them.<br />
<br />
I recently finished reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Queen-Katwe-Triumphant-Becoming/dp/145165782X" target="_blank">The Queen of Katwe</a>,
which was such a fun book for me to read since it's about a girl in
Uganda. I currently have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Congo-History-David-Van-Reybrouck/dp/0062200127" target="_blank">Congo: the Epic History of a People</a> checked out from the library. But these different challenges have also reminded me the
importance of reading about things and places I know nothing (or little)
about. Reading about Uganda is fun because it's home to me in a lot of
ways. But if I really want to grow in my understanding of the world, I
need to look beyond what is comfortable and be willing to listen to the world.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-56135311522531333682016-03-31T16:41:00.002-05:002016-03-31T16:41:33.062-05:00Focusing on the PositiveI've been thinking a lot lately about my role as a librarian and where or how I fit into the librarian "mold". This academic year I am the Chair of the Library Department and it's been such an interesting (and challenging) experience as I work through what it means to be in this leadership role. New things often cause me to question my abilities and myself and, to be honest, I'm struggling a lot lately with self doubt.<br />
<br />
For example, this year I am often tempted to think that:<br />
<ul>
<li>I am not an expert leader or librarian. </li>
<li>There are colleagues in my department who are much more skilled in talking about information literacy, institutional culture, departmental goals, and at interacting with administration. </li>
<li>I am not an expert at reference interviews and I am not good at teaching classes.</li>
</ul>
But.<br />
<br />
If I am willing, new things can also help me learn about myself and my strengths. Not <i>feeling</i> like an expert doesn't mean I am <i>bad</i> at those things. I am learning that while I may not always consider myself an <i>expert</i> librarian, I am really good at doing certain things which help my department and students. If I don't focus on these good things I am easily intimidated, wondering if I am the right person for this leadership role or for the library. (My poor husband has talked me off the "I'm quitting my job!" ledge more than once this academic year.)<br />
<br />
So, in order to focus on the positive, here is a list of things I have discovered and re-discovered this school year:<br />
<ul>
<li>I am getting really good at writing diplomatic emails and seeing the good in what everyone is saying and doing. I like to find the middle ground!</li>
<li>I am good at helping students who need only a little encouragement and help.</li>
<li>I am really good at (and really enjoy!) chat reference -- helping students online via chat service.</li>
<li>I am good at listening to my colleagues when they need to talk.</li>
<li>I am an energetic teacher and good at explaining things simply and directly. I don't use big words...and that's ok!</li>
<li>I really enjoy working with English language learners.</li>
<li>I'm good at welcoming the sheepish, "I'm new to the library" or "I have a stupid question" students.</li>
</ul>
<br />
So, there you have it. My attempt at positive self talk.<br />
<br />
I am learning so much about myself and about leadership this year. And about how to believe in myself when I feel inadequate and overwhelmed. But I am reminding myself to focus on the positive and on my strengths.<br />
<br />
And I am reminding myself (again and again!) that doing hard things, the things that scare me or feel overwhelming, are <b>always</b> worth doing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57XnVuR0j8XNGG5qzQw8FI5MY2cnmy1-kaHS6vFnN5xEE8GlKX74aEJREbyzublOfTdHHbqAiRudCMrpEUr3Cy0bIg5GrO_g4IKqZd7IUyowxeKa7bOZxRa4_DOuNTbmcMinIxCvdzymO/s1600/DSC04634-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57XnVuR0j8XNGG5qzQw8FI5MY2cnmy1-kaHS6vFnN5xEE8GlKX74aEJREbyzublOfTdHHbqAiRudCMrpEUr3Cy0bIg5GrO_g4IKqZd7IUyowxeKa7bOZxRa4_DOuNTbmcMinIxCvdzymO/s320/DSC04634-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel so out of my comfort zone lately.<br />
So here's a reminder of a time I was totally in my element: in Africa. :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-52147692375766183222016-03-03T13:00:00.000-06:002016-03-03T13:00:39.675-06:00A Human LibraryOn Tuesday we held our <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2016/02/telling-stories-breaking-barriers.html" target="_blank">Human Library Event</a>. It was amazing.We filled almost every "Reader" spot available and afterward everyone -- Books, Readers, Moderators -- told us what a wonderful experience it was.<br />
<br />
Just a recap: a <a href="http://humanlibrary.org/" target="_blank">Human Library</a> is an event which encourages people to not judge a book by it's cover. Volunteers agree to be Human "Books" and share their stories. "Readers" can check out the Books, hear the stories, and then engage in meaningful conversation. Many, similar events allow for one-on-one conversation but we chose to have small groups meet with the Books. Moderators helped move the conversations along.<br />
<br />
It was a lot of work, I'll be honest. But I was invited to work with a wonderful group of people to figure out logistics, find Books, create signs, recruit Moderators, etc. We had a lot of details to organize.<br />
<br />
<br />
And in the end, it was beautiful. As one of the organizers, I was too busy running around to check out a Book. But I did get to walk around during each session and simply observe. It was hard not to tear up a bit, seeing people of many ages, cultures, and ethnicities sitting together, talking, listening, and sharing.<br />
<br />
I heard people say these things afterward:<br />
<br />
<b>"I never saw the library more alive as it was yesterday."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"The room was buzzing all morning."</b><br />
<br />
<b>"The energy was palpable." </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"That was life changing."</b><br />
<br />
<br />
I know there are crazy things going on in our world. I know there are bad people out there. But I can't help but wonder: how much of the awfulness might be solved if people would just <i>talk</i>? And <i>listen</i>? Human beings have a lot of things to disagree about. But our stories are more similar that we realize. What would happen if we focused on what we have in common? On what brings us together? Instead of what tears us apart?<br />
<br />
I like to think the world would be a better place.<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
For a visual representation of the event, here are a few photos from the Normandale Community College Facebook Page:<br />
<br />
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997243120324919/?type=3" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997243120324919/?type=3">
Faculty volunteers Shelly Freese and Aimee DuBois assist Human Library session attendee.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/">Normandale Community College</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997243120324919/?type=3">Wednesday, March 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997243210324910/?type=3" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997243210324910/?type=3">
Mari Harris (right) is a "book" participating in the Human Library.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/">Normandale Community College</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997243210324910/?type=3">Wednesday, March 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997247130324518/?type=3" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997247130324518/?type=3">
Amy Tix is a "book" that is part of the Human Library session.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/">Normandale Community College</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NormandaleCommunityCollege/photos/a.997242990324932.1073741905.137006069681966/997247130324518/?type=3">Wednesday, March 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-80885648486180314352016-02-26T11:48:00.002-06:002016-02-26T11:48:50.014-06:00Telling Stories, Breaking BarriersNext week our campus is hosting a College Success Day. Classes are cancelled and the day is full of sessions for students on many different topics: personal interest, careers, education, etc.<br />
<br />
This year I am working with several other faculty members to organize a <a href="http://humanlibrary.org/" target="_blank">Human Library</a>. I had never heard of this type of event before last fall but as soon as I got a few details, I was excited. Basically volunteers sign up to be "Books" and tell their stories to "Readers". After sharing their experiences, Books and Readers engage in meaningful conversation. The idea is to create a safe space for dialog and to learn from other people. Books come from all types of backgrounds so that the Readers have the opportunity to speak with people with a variety of life experiences.<br />
<br />
I believe that one of the best things we can do to understand others and break down barriers is to tell our stories. When we spend time with people whose stories are different than ours, we learn about the world and often about ourselves. We learn that despite cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and other differences, we're <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2012/04/cultural-differencesand-how-were-really.html" target="_blank">all just human</a>. I'm excited to be a part of an event that helps spread that message in a clear, tangible way. <br />
<br />
If you want to see our Books, go to <a href="http://www.normandale.edu/community/newsroom/newsroom-events-index/success-day---united-in-learning-" target="_blank">this page about Success Day</a> and click on Human Library Stories. I want to listen to all of them! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA6rkEigXMCr-RbFzhzo5ETT3xyJNVOumqTBAlKqQ2kbXT6B_SnjDKldOawL0UvCyTVoOAY77r2NzrG7Je1aFhgdOUJJt8fHeeltDHr7itjcB_JzcBteTLPT5h4IlTWzN5eTpoObWiuNc/s1600/HL_logo+pure+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA6rkEigXMCr-RbFzhzo5ETT3xyJNVOumqTBAlKqQ2kbXT6B_SnjDKldOawL0UvCyTVoOAY77r2NzrG7Je1aFhgdOUJJt8fHeeltDHr7itjcB_JzcBteTLPT5h4IlTWzN5eTpoObWiuNc/s320/HL_logo+pure+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-86350910913970822392016-01-29T14:20:00.001-06:002016-01-29T14:20:10.252-06:00Africa Taught Me To Wait*Note: I do not like to make sweeping generalizations about culture. But this post includes a few, I think. I try to keep them accurate to my story and experience.*<br />
<br />
I got my first taste of 'African time' when I studied abroad in Tanzania. I learned quickly that most events happen when they happen, not necessarily at a scheduled time. Trips were changed at the last minute and our daily schedule changed regularly. But I learned to love living in the moment. It was strange, actually. As an oldest child I had always thrived on schedule and predictability. But somehow I learned to 'go with the flow'.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few years (7 to be exact) and I got another taste of 'African time' while living in Uganda. I only lived in Uganda for a year and a half and in the grand scheme of things, that's not very long. But I believe those 18 months changed me. A day hardly goes by that I don't think about Uganda, Africa, and the people I miss. And about how much I learned about myself and about culture. I'm realizing more and more that 'African time' is one of those things that changed me. During my first visit back to the US from Uganda, my mom ended up in the hospital for a few days. And we spent a lot of time just waiting: waiting for doctors, waiting for appointments, waiting for news. Even at that point my family noticed how much more patient I was to just <i>be</i>.<br />
<br />
Fast forward three more years and I was back in Uganda last summer. My beloved East Africa. Before we started working at KEST last June, someone gave us some advice to make the most of our time: <br />
<ol>
<li>Slow down.</li>
<li>Listen more, talk less.</li>
<li>Focus on relationships. </li>
</ol>
Those three things guided decisions we made and conversations we had. And as we did so we found ourselves living on 'African time' every day. We discovered that slowing down and focusing on relationships made our short time in Uganda richer...richer because we focused on things bigger than our to-do lists and productivity.<br />
<br />
A few months ago, I picked up friends from the airport. I arrived early and waited in the Cell Phone Lot. I actually waited about 30-40 minutes until they were ready for me to get them at the terminal. I was thoroughly content watching cars drive by, checking my email on my phone, daydreaming. I thought about our time-conscious culture in the US and I *should* be annoyed by the wait. Instead I noticed the sunny day and the blue sky.<br />
<br />
In my job, I'm learning that living on African time means slowing down during each interaction with a student. Recently, a student was telling me about her frustrations about textbooks. In my head I literally thought, "Slow down. Look at her. <i>Listen</i>." Then I answered her question.<br />
<br />
We live in a go, go, go culture and it's easy to focus on "productivity" over relationships. <br />
<br />
But I also think that travel changes us and if we let it, we can take the good from more than one place and let those cultures shape us in new ways. I can either think: "Yay, Africa! I love it there!" And move on with my life. Or I can choose to think: what of East African culture do I value? How can I bring that into my daily life?<br />
<br />
And by doing that, I make the world a little smaller and myself a better person.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2ycxmeR5tfadxHwE8bCLP7Z4xpBREfrgo2lV07Mx9Yb-wchL7sWcDZA4e2tv3igT4-2NKo4cm7RlqXiPt5nNyx_hZ01FImBXs0DWoPCGyrkdXBQUMOR9uzN14OE8fZWOzNFcJg9xk9U2/s1600/IMG_1648-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2ycxmeR5tfadxHwE8bCLP7Z4xpBREfrgo2lV07Mx9Yb-wchL7sWcDZA4e2tv3igT4-2NKo4cm7RlqXiPt5nNyx_hZ01FImBXs0DWoPCGyrkdXBQUMOR9uzN14OE8fZWOzNFcJg9xk9U2/s320/IMG_1648-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Taxi Park in Kampala. This especially symbolizes waiting to me.<br />
You wait in a taxi bus until it is full. There is no schedule.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-1036284522325584602015-11-09T14:13:00.000-06:002015-11-09T14:13:55.639-06:00A Library of DonationsOne of the most widely read posts on this blog is <b><a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2011/01/when-donating-books.html" target="_blank">one that I wrote right after I arrived in Uganda</a></b>, in 2011. I had helped sort through a large donation of books and was wrestling with what I saw. It was disheartening to see so many books shipped to Africa with such little use to the library. I wrote about book donations and often during my 18 months in Uganda, I wrestled with what it was like to work in a library made up primarily by donations.<br />
<br />
This past summer we also saw the ramifications of book donations to KEST. They had received book donations that included hundreds of copies of the same title. While the titles themselves were not be bad per se, 100 copies were certainly unnecessary for a library. We talked about what the school could do with them: book sale, give to students, give at outreach events, etc. But it just seemed like such a shame that some organization would spend so much money to send/give books that were ultimately not helpful to the library's collection. And ultimately those organizations put the burden on the library and school to figure out what to do with all those books.<br />
<br />
Recently, I found <b><a href="https://www.academia.edu/13165497/Book_Donation_Programmes_for_Africa_Time_for_a_Reappraisal_Part_I" target="_blank">this study</a></b>, which I found fascinating. [It's long! You can read a summary in <b><a href="http://www.ala.org/irrt/sites/ala.org.irrt/files/content/intlleads/leadsarchive/201509.pdf" target="_blank">this newsletter</a></b>.] The study speaks to the bigger picture of book donations in across Africa. And the importance of supporting local, African publishers as opposed to just shipping in lots of books from Europe and the US. The study describes many of the things I've seen while being on the receiving
end of donations. I remember asking myself and others, where can you buy
books that have been printed here, in Africa? How can books and reading
be made more accessible? Are donations the best way to build a library collection?<br />
<br />
Last year, at my job here in Minnesota, we weeded a large number of books from our collection. We were able to offer a number of them to students. And some we were able to send to <b><a href="http://www.betterworldbooks.com/" target="_blank">Better World Books</a></b>. [I confess, I don't know much about Better World Books but I do know that they take donated books and try to resell them before re-donating them.] But there were also some that we had to recycle. People from campus asked why we were recycling instead of donating the books to another non-profit. For many people, the thought of throwing away books is almost sacrilegious. But the reality is, for many countries in Africa [and probably other developing countries], our time and money would be better spent supporting local publishers and authors, instead of shipping our old books around the world.<br />
<br />
The community developer in me thinks about issues like this all the time. How can I be a part of the bigger story of publishing, books, and information access around the world? What can I do with old books [both personally and at work] that builds into sustainable models of literacy development? What things are already happening in publishing around the world that I can support?<br />
<br />
I don't have answers yet. I may never have answers. But I hope that by asking the questions I can be a part of the solution.<br />
<br />
And I can remind my readers [whoever and wherever you are] to think about where you send your old books. :)<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-43397682136783954162015-09-30T11:04:00.000-05:002015-09-30T11:04:39.544-05:00MomentsI show a student how to search for their topic in the library's databases and I literally hear a sigh of relief when they see how many articles they can find.<br />
<br />
A student stops to tell me that the library is too cold (it is!) and then ends up talking to me for 20 minutes about her children and family. And what it's like to be a mother of four, working full time, and going to school. And how her sister was <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34350509" target="_blank">here</a> but is thankfully ok.<br />
<br />
The student who greets me every day in Swahili comes up to ask me a question. He asks the entire thing in Swahili and after processing what he said, I respond in English. And then tell him I don't know enough Swahili. And he laughs, telling me, "You know, you know. <i>Try</i>." As I walk away he is still smiling.<br />
<br />
I teach a class and make the students laugh when I say something incorrectly. We laugh together and I hope I have just shown them that librarians are human...and not scary. <br />
<br />
I chat with another faculty member about an assessment project we did last year in the library. I tell him how students who reported using Google as their first research (before using the library or anything else), had higher rates of failure in the class. And we laugh; this is not a surprise to us. <br />
<br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
These moments. These are why I became a librarian.<br />
<br />
This semester has been crazy. For a lot of reasons both personal and professional. But I choose -- I am choosing -- to <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2015/09/how-traveling-made-me-better-librarian.html" target="_blank">slow down</a> and remember these moments. And to treasure them. <br />
<br />
I often say in my classes that I became a librarian because I enjoy helping students. And yet, it's easy to get caught up in the lesson planning, meetings, reports, statistics, book buying, and details and forget the <i>people</i>. <br />
<br />
So today I'm taking time to remember the moments. The people. What I love about my job.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-81144294834408150012015-09-11T12:50:00.001-05:002015-09-17T14:37:44.152-05:00How Traveling Made Me a Better LibrarianMy library 'career' started over fifteen years ago, with a job at my local public library at age 16. Since then I've held a variety of positions in a number of different libraries. And I've enjoyed the opportunity to understand libraries from multiple positions and levels. I believe that those positions make me a good librarian because I understand comprehensive library workflow and understand how all the positions in a library work together to provide access to patrons.<br />
<br />
But as I'm reflecting on this past summer in Uganda, I believe it's my time in Africa that has really made me the librarian I am at this point. Not because I gained important library skills [which I did!] but because by it's nature, travel changes us. Traveling to new countries and cultures allows us to see the world in news ways and to get outside ourselves and our own experiences. And those are the ways that have had the greatest impact on me, and ultimately on my career. <br />
<br />
For example, I am more compassionate toward students since living in Uganda. I've always had great empathy for others. Recently I even found my Preschool Report Card that said "Rachel is very sensitive to the other students." Apparently I've always cared about other people. :) But spending time with my students in Uganda gave my heart even more compassion for them and others. I often say that I am not a particularly great librarian. That is, I don't always ask the perfect questions when I'm helping someone and I may not be the best teacher in the classroom. But I show students <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2014/12/intangibles-in-library.html" target="_blank">compassion and empathy</a> so that they felt heard and understood in the midst of their research frustrations. Which ultimately, I hope, does make me a great librarian.<br />
<br />
I've also learned to slow down. In East African culture, life moves at a slower pace than here in the US. In Uganda that meant stopping to talk with neighbors when walking home or taking the time to fully greet people as they walk into the library. But when helping students in the US, it can be easy to rush through their question, give them some resources, and go back to 'my other work'. Multitasking and busy-ness are buzzwords here. And I'm learning [and re-learning] to slow down and <i>listen</i>. Sometimes slowing down creates moments that have a lasting impact. Not because I answered a student's question in the most amazing way but because they trust me and share a piece of their story with me. I've had students tell me about how hard it is to be a single parent and a full-time student or the difficulties of returning to school after serving in the military. It's such a privilege when students share those things with me and they only do that when I slow down enough to really listen.<br />
<br />
Most importantly, though, my time in Uganda has given me a bigger perspective on life and also librarianship. One of the best things about traveling and living in another country, is the chance to get outside yourself and your own experiences. Living in Uganda gave me the chance to not only see life in and through another culture but to also see librarianship in a different context. Now when I am tempted to think that something at work is 'the end of the world', I try to remember that librarians in other parts of the world are dealing with many of the same things. There are men and women around the world, working to provide access to information with few resources or personnel. They are the heros of the library world. My random issues with a problem patron or furniture placement in the library are nothing compared to what others deal with every day.<br />
<br />
This past summer, someone gave us some advice to make the most of our time in Uganda. We were told that in order to have an impact we should: <b>slow down, listen more, talk less, and focus on people</b>. Without those things it wouldn't matter what 'did' in the library. I'm realizing that those aren't just lessons I needed while I was in Uganda. Those are things I need to do here, in the US, everyday. Because those are the things that will ultimately make a difference in someone's life. Finding someone the perfect book is great but what they will remember is how they were treated while they found the book. So, that's my new focus. As the new school year begins I want to come to work every day with a mindset to slow down, listen, and focus on people. Because really, helping people is what being a librarian is all about.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-66176951572618592392015-08-03T10:41:00.002-05:002015-08-05T14:38:28.802-05:00Defending InformationI know I was only in Uganda for two months this summer but I still have so
much to process. This time was shorter and different than my last time
in Uganda in 2011-2012. But it was just as meaningful and has given me
so much to think about. As I settle back into the US, I'm thinking back over conversations and experiences, trying to remember it all.<br />
<br />
Every day KEST gets a copy of the local newspaper. It gets passed around campus until it lands in the library. Several weeks ago there was an article about Uganda’s transition from analog television stations to digital, which prompted an interesting conversation with Ivan, the librarian.<br />
<br />
I asked Ivan about this process and what was happening. I had been seeing lots of headlines and ads saying: don’t lose your TV! Don’t get turned off!, etc. He explained to me how the government was making the switch from analog to digital TV stations and if people wanted to continue to use their older TVs, they would need to purchase a converter for about 150,000 Ugandan shillings ($50), give or take.<br />
<br />
This prompted a discussion about the impact this would have on people. While the TV channels themselves might be continue to be free, the converter box is far from free for people who don't have much money. And for many of those people, the TV is a main source of information and news. Some people do not have the money or ability to buy and read a newspaper or books. The TV they saved up for years ago is their main source of information.<br />
<br />
Anyway, Ivan was saying that it's not the change in technology that is the problem but rather making people pay so much for the change. It might very well limit their access to their only source of information.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was interesting to me in so many ways. I confess, I do not own a TV here in the US, nor did I have one in Uganda. I often see a TV as a needless piece of technology. I honestly hadn't thought much about it being someone's <i>main</i> source of information. And as I thought about it, I remembered in 2011, going outside to watch the Royal Wedding in the UK on a TV at a
small shop. It was sort of a shared, neighborhood TV. And I crowded around that old TV with my neighbors, trying to see
the big event. That memory sticks in my mind as a clear picture of how a
TV (and the programs on it) could impact people thousands of miles
away. <br />
<br />
But as Ivan and I were talking a few weeks ago, he said something that has stuck with me: Librarians are defenders of information. And issues like this should concern us.<br />
<br />
I love that image. Defenders. Any one of my regular readers knows that being a librarian is not about passively sitting in a room of books. It's about information and people. And I think what Ivan was saying is that we also need to defend the ways in which people access that information. Information is different in different places but, regardless, we can and should defend people's ability to access that information. And, ultimately, we provide access so that people are empowered.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-22393595463197118672015-07-25T14:38:00.000-05:002015-09-05T10:42:24.049-05:00Saying Goodbye<div dir="ltr">
Two months.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Two months goes by so fast. It's hard to believe that tomorrow I will be back in the US. These two months have been so....actually there are no words. My heart is full. Thankful. Sad. Blessed. I have a lot to reflect on and process. The library, the land, the people...they have all touched my heart.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I've re-discovered a Ugandan tradition this trip. Whenever there is a big thing happening -- a birthday, a goodbye, a party, etc. -- and friends are together, they will all make a small speech, give encouraging words, and/or say something nice to the person of honor. Admittedly, at first I found this awkward. But after a couple times of participating (as a speech maker) I realized these words of affirmation are such a blessing. It's a beautiful way to honor someone as they embark on a milestone. And on Wednesday, as I sat with my friends at KEST to say goodbye, I wanted to freeze time. As the guest of honor this time, I wanted to remember every word spoken to me and capture every smile. It was such an amazingly meaningful way to say goodbye. And after everyone said something kind to me, I had the opportunity to share my own thoughts. To say thank you to my friends and tell them how much I will miss them.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Two days later, I'm sitting at the airport shocked at how fast this day came. I am surrounded by people from different cultures and languages, thinking of my friends. I love flying internationally and seeing the cultures and hearing the languages. Except today, knowing I am leaving a place I love.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
But I am trusting and hoping this is not goodbye forever. Just for now.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
And I will soak in my last moments of African sun.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzV2gu0028GJf8qtqjNv9YRqEB08ktySCo0jU3b4FHL32PI89mosU_WEaeTcagmLmXX7G6EHLnp2aj1Bda0Mdsd24WCqeryd_V9EpB8w_hEd-SNG5GkTriOmNwv-Ibzrzwr1h_7WhDiph/s1600/20150724_182204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzV2gu0028GJf8qtqjNv9YRqEB08ktySCo0jU3b4FHL32PI89mosU_WEaeTcagmLmXX7G6EHLnp2aj1Bda0Mdsd24WCqeryd_V9EpB8w_hEd-SNG5GkTriOmNwv-Ibzrzwr1h_7WhDiph/s640/20150724_182204.jpg" /> </a> </div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-19483800054867020562015-07-19T07:58:00.001-05:002015-07-19T07:58:36.774-05:00Learning From Extremes<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brian and I have talked a lot about the contrasts we've seen here in Uganda. I've <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2012/02/this-world-is-crazy-place.html" target="_blank">written about this before</a> but I find myself thinking about it again and again.<br /><br />Lately, my heart breaks for people I see selling things in the streets of Kampala. Sometimes it's young men standing at major intersections trying to sell packs of gum. Sometimes it's someone carrying 5 pairs of jeans on their arm, hoping to sell a pair. Other times it's women along the highway with a basket of bananas for sale. These people. These beautiful, hard working people. I don't want to pity them; pity doesn't leave room for much dignity. Instead, I wonder about their stories...who are they? What kind of family do they come from? What will they buy with the money they earn? What are their names? My heart goes out to them and I just want to tell them they are amazing and inspiring.<br /><br /> And while we see these glimpses of hardship, we also see glimpses of abundance. </span>Expensive cars driving right past the people selling things. <span style="font-family: inherit;">New malls full of expensive clothing stores and cinemas are being built in Kampala. (Who shops at these stores?) New, shiny office buildings next to small shops made of scrap wood and metal. The side by side contrasts can be hard to process sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />How do these worlds exist at the same time?<br /><br />Admittedly, in the US I can avoid some (most?) of the extremes, if I want to. It is easy to stay in my middle class bubble if I want. But seeing these extremes, side by side reminds me that humanity surrounds me no matter where I am. And that ignoring the extremes don't help anyone, including myself.<br /><br />And yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not just the monetary extremes that are easy to ignore. A friend tells me about going to the hospital to visit a friend who lost a baby. He then tells me how the next day he is going to celebrate an introduction -- an engagement party -- for another friend. Sadness. Followed by joy. It's easy to skate through, avoiding vulnerability and ignoring the fragility and realities of life. To stay safe and not share the sadness or the joys. It's easy to think that life presented via social media is all there is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But the world is full of extremes and opposites. Rich and poor. Joy and sadness. </span><br />
<br />
Humanity.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can choose engage. To learn from these extremes and from others. Or I can ignore them. Staying inside myself and within my own experiences.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, how I want to choose to engage! To feel and to see. And to learn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRW949YCQ_Fjri62ETFeI-01iiN6MIdEcw1loIq5NikqNDIWiR-N8qKRCsUvAYBizc3Uf1xkNL4Tnec6hmf6wAgLo6AJtl-O9AbUoEsq4cah6i7tvtpdgaLDWQSS4I9Ywf3uopLfs3Jvd/s1600/DSC00310_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRW949YCQ_Fjri62ETFeI-01iiN6MIdEcw1loIq5NikqNDIWiR-N8qKRCsUvAYBizc3Uf1xkNL4Tnec6hmf6wAgLo6AJtl-O9AbUoEsq4cah6i7tvtpdgaLDWQSS4I9Ywf3uopLfs3Jvd/s320/DSC00310_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgPmf-kwdWWiuBkFmemP-hMunYjfaanxl3pu38WFHFJ19FJgPi7-_UJdHMj7TxI3RjY4RK48RwokwEGtqzxabqVwMN72CLgJogGjt8epvSNdw3_lPRZmnZSHKUiDSJ6VWE2umEkdnp0ej/s1600/DSC00693_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgPmf-kwdWWiuBkFmemP-hMunYjfaanxl3pu38WFHFJ19FJgPi7-_UJdHMj7TxI3RjY4RK48RwokwEGtqzxabqVwMN72CLgJogGjt8epvSNdw3_lPRZmnZSHKUiDSJ6VWE2umEkdnp0ej/s320/DSC00693_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-54787135306487604632015-07-12T23:27:00.000-05:002015-07-13T12:24:44.757-05:00Choosing AdventureLast weekend I had the opportunity to attend a deaf church. When my roommate suggested I come with her, I didn't hesitate. Of course I would go! I also had the opportunity to go with a colleague and his family to visit his daughter at boarding school. Again, when the idea was presented, I didn't hesitate. Then, this past weekend, I went with my roommate to a sports gala for kids with special needs. I said I would help and had absolutely no idea what the day was except that it was a big event for kids with disabilities. All three adventures were amazing experiences -- memories I will treasure.<br />
<br />
I'm realizing that this time in Uganda, and my last time in here, I was and am so willing to just say yes. To anything. I want to experience all this country, culture, and people have to offer. I want to build relationships and immerse myself. So I often say yes to doing things, even if I have no idea what I am in for.<br />
<br />
Which has me thinking: am I as willing to choose adventure when I'm in the US?<br />
<br />
To be honest, I think I shy away from many things when I am in my home culture. I feel hesitant to try new things or to just say yes. Even going to church by myself when Brian is out of town feels like a stretch. Why am I so willing to go off to who knows where and to sign up to do things here, when at home I hesitate?<br />
<br />
I don't know why yet but I do know that I want to be more bold. To embrace the adventure of living in the US the way I embrace life in Uganda. This is one of those lessons I'm trying to hold on to and remember. I want to learn to embrace experiences in the US the way I've done here. To remain flexible and excited to try something new. To accept invitations without hesitation, knowing that by saying yes I am opening myself up to learning something new.<br />
<br />
And, as always I want to remember that: the scary things, the things that make me hesitate, are always worth doing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxK4oIfpYACC-xJ15YFGGTf6qdLsKohK85C6iFfxxZz5xsvt1m52ByvUTfHLFVfCnI9qhecr0LwnWco3NZTE5-Q4p56kegaztfS-zpLRA4jVAIRngyR4GkxnYEpJ1qSHVES8l1pzpfPcC/s1600/DSC01018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxK4oIfpYACC-xJ15YFGGTf6qdLsKohK85C6iFfxxZz5xsvt1m52ByvUTfHLFVfCnI9qhecr0LwnWco3NZTE5-Q4p56kegaztfS-zpLRA4jVAIRngyR4GkxnYEpJ1qSHVES8l1pzpfPcC/s320/DSC01018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids performing at the Sports Gala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-54117076311636473672015-07-02T12:44:00.003-05:002015-07-02T12:44:50.824-05:00On How Libraries Are (Mostly) All the SameAt this point in my life, I have now worked in 9 different libraries. And over the course of the 16 years I have worked in said libraries, I've seen some library universals. Things that are the same, even across cultures and countries. It's pretty cool, I think. I spend time with librarians and in libraries halfway around the world and see that many things are the same. I love making the world smaller! :)<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Printers and photocopiers are the bane of a library employee's existence.</b> People are always asking about these machines. Paper jams, double sided copies, etc. I admit, sometimes my patience runs thin with these questions. But then I remind myself to <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2012/02/youre-not-as-important-as-you-think-you.html" target="_blank">not take myself too seriously.</a></li>
<li><b>Patrons rarely ask for what they actually need.</b> In the US I once had a student ask for books on "identity". When I asked follow up questions, it turned out he actually needed books on second generation immigrants. The same kind of thing happens here. A student asks for a book on one thing but after asking a few questions, we find out he or she really needs something different. </li>
<li><b>Uninvited critters can find their way into libraries.</b> In the US, it might be mice or bugs. I've even heard of a squirrel sneaking in. Here? Who knows. Once, when I was at RTC, I had chickens wander in. And, of course, there are geckos everywhere.</li>
<li><b>Regular shelf reading is key.</b> No offense to all you non-library folk out there, but sometimes you don't know where to put books back and books can get out of order. If they are out of order, they become hard (read: impossible) to find. Library employees have to shelf read regularly to make sure books are in the right place.</li>
<li><b>Be flexible.</b> You never know what will come up: a meeting, a student with an in-depth question, etc. I try to make a daily to-do list but I've learned to hold that list loosely. That's in the US and in Uganda.</li>
<li><b>People are the most important. </b>I've said it a thousand times: libraries exist for people. If we're not making our collections accessible, we are failing. It doesn't matter -- US or Uganda -- we want to help people gain access to information.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDE6kHxKZwzAV5585eQcaRVzL5-8NULYbFqgf8BAOGfc-OnfzzB5PICCVMRLn8t4AXXuoimNFISA7cPb8GwdmemA_seFc-a7tkVlwybhA9KzeGoiofoLW8tVozsPlT87Fk7dBu7UWaU7P/s1600/DSC00522_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDE6kHxKZwzAV5585eQcaRVzL5-8NULYbFqgf8BAOGfc-OnfzzB5PICCVMRLn8t4AXXuoimNFISA7cPb8GwdmemA_seFc-a7tkVlwybhA9KzeGoiofoLW8tVozsPlT87Fk7dBu7UWaU7P/s320/DSC00522_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Librarians with students. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span id="goog_1516569718"></span><span id="goog_1516569719"></span><br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-1669070081599507342015-06-28T14:00:00.001-05:002015-06-28T14:00:33.659-05:00African BirthdaysI have now celebrated three birthdays in Africa. I know 3 out of 30+ isn't that many. But at the same time it feels special to this girl who never dreamed of traveling so far from home.<br />
<br />
My first African birthday was my 21st, celebrated during my study abroad semester in Tanzania. It was a strange day and I remember feeling conflicted: thankful that my boyfriend at the time had organized a bunch of birthday cards to be sent to me but also sad to be with people I didn't know very well and far from those I loved.<br />
<br />
I had decided early on in my college career that I wanted to study abroad. I chose Tanzania because I thought that, for me who had never left the country, Tanzania would be the most stretching. I figured if I was going to leave the country I might as well learn a lot. And I thought I would learn the most in Africa. I did learn a lot, especially on my birthday that year. I learned there are ups and downs to being in a different culture -- it doesn't always feel fun and happy. And I discovered that as much as you might love a place and it's people, sometimes it's still hard to be far away from loved ones.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few years and I spent my 28th birthday rafting the Nile with my sister and a good friend. That African birthday brought fear and exhilaration -- I had never rafter before and am admittedly not a good swimmer. But I survived and had a blast. And was reminded that scary things are always worth doing.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few more years and here I am, just spent a third birthday in East Africa. I don't know what the lesson is this year, except maybe a reminder that you never know what doors will open in life. When I left Uganda three years ago I never pictured I would be spending another birthday in this beautiful country so soon.<br />
<br />
And yet, here I am. So grateful. So very blessed to be here. So excited to see how Africa continues to weave itself into my future story.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-6814288141863450122015-06-23T12:55:00.000-05:002015-06-23T12:55:17.930-05:00Hiding InformantionThese past couple weeks at the Kampala Evangelical School of Theology (KEST) Library have been so good. From spending time with my old colleague, Pastor Emma (from RTC, now working at KEST), to learning about the library and college, to working with and getting to know Ivan the librarian, to meeting the students...it's been a whirlwind. And one we are so grateful for.<br />
<br />
Something we have heard several times since arriving, from different people (Africans), is that Africa/Uganda does not have a reading culture. That is, people in Uganda/Africa do not read very much, nor are many people interested in reading. We have heard this during several different conversations, in various iterations. But the version that stands out most to me is someone who said, "There is a saying: if you want to hide something from an African, hide it in a book."<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about this for days, wondering what to do with this statement. It's just wiggling around in my brain. It's one of those things you just mull over and can't quite forget and wonder what to do with. I know that it makes me sad. Sad to hear these comments and wondering how to respond as a librarian.<br />
<br />
And yet, the KEST library is used. Students come to the library not only for their studies but also for materials for personal projects and research.<br />
<br />
I wonder, but am not sure yet, if part of why we are here is to be a part of un-hiding information. Don't get me wrong, I love the oral aspect of this culture. I find it fascinating and beautiful. And I always want to be conscious about the culture we are in. But we've had so many conversations these past couple weeks with people who WANT written information. And they want it more easily accessible.<br />
<br />
It's humbling, really. Something many of us take for granted, I think, in the US...the abundance of books, libraries, internet, etc.<br />
<br />
And yet.<br />
<br />
We are here.<br />
<br />
In a non-reading culture, wondering how to find a way forward. Asking how do you support a library (a rather Western institution) in Uganda? We do not want to create an American library in Africa. We want to be a part of supporting a sustainable, Ugandan library in Uganda.<br />
<br />
I hope and pray we can help to un-hide information. To make it accessible to those that want it. A library is not just a static place of books. It is a place to empower people and shine light into those hidden places.<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-66665950044371674472015-06-15T11:37:00.004-05:002015-06-23T13:00:20.087-05:00Taking It All InI wish I could bottle up the sights, sounds, and smells of Uganda for all of you reading this blog in the US. I would share the perpetual smell of dust and cooking fires and the blue sky above red roads, green grass, and traffic <b>jams</b>. I would share the sounds of babies crying, kids shouting, horns blasting, motors back firing, birds singing, and African music. I wish I could capture this place for you.<br />
<br />
This place.<br />
<br />
This place I love so much.<br />
<br />
This country that became home.<br />
<br />
These people -- FRIENDS -- I love so much.<br />
<br />
We take boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) to work each morning and since I wear skirts, I ride like a lady, aka side saddle. Sitting sideways and wizzing and bumping by people, traffic, shops, markets, chaos, and beauty makes me contemplative. I love watching the world on a boda...seeing snatches of life here and there. I catch glimpses of friends talking, women cooking, men washing cars and buses, children walking to school, and babies toddling. There is so much beauty in these moments amidst the chaos that is Kampala.<br />
<br />
The other day we had a boda driver tell us that everyone here dreams of going to America. And I told him how I dreamed of coming here, to Uganda. He said, "But I don't know why. There is nothing here." And I wanted to wave my arms and say, because of all of THIS!<br />
<br />
I guess I'm trying to take everything in and hold it all in my heart. And I guess, these words, from my heart, are my bottle home, capturing this place for all of you.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-67526948081271335822015-06-07T13:51:00.001-05:002015-11-17T21:14:29.894-06:00You are calling me from where?!We made it! Last weekend, after a long 24 hours of travel we landed in Uganda. We stepped off the plane into the humid, African air and I'm sure I was grinning ear to ear as I hopped impatiently through the visa line. We arrived!<br />
<br />
This first week was both busy and slow...just like life. Bursts of things to do and people to see, followed by long stretches of jet-lagged quiet when Brian and I looked at each other and said: now what?<br />
<br />
But we are here! In Uganda!<br />
<br />
We found our way to the grocery stores, set up our internet, attended an orientation, started to connect with friends, rode boda bodas, and even took an overnight trip to the nearby town of Jinja and saw the source of the Nile. It's not what we were expecting, to be honest. We thought we might start at the library. But, instead, we started to figure out how to explore a different culture together. It's different coming back as part of a married couple and I'm thankful for this week to spend some time figuring it out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvDbkn3xl0nsd7f9mSAU0ftwRlCJTYY7BG_LokSpiO9wmSUHpy-joTSDPPv25JKKz5wa2vyKCVRMySqbF_o1Z1PyMFaY_NfkOczL-z7bJg6LISTnXRyBy5xeGxNrlyoUCTmxlemOqRcFU/s1600/20150606_113727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvDbkn3xl0nsd7f9mSAU0ftwRlCJTYY7BG_LokSpiO9wmSUHpy-joTSDPPv25JKKz5wa2vyKCVRMySqbF_o1Z1PyMFaY_NfkOczL-z7bJg6LISTnXRyBy5xeGxNrlyoUCTmxlemOqRcFU/s320/20150606_113727.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nile behind us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My highlight this week: seeing my old boda boda driver, Sunday. Sunday is a good driver and a hard worker. I called him and when I said, "Hello, Sunday, this is Rachel." He said, "Rachel! But you are calling me from where?!" And he was so surprised when I said I was calling from my old flat. [Honestly, I was so excited to say that I'm here, in Uganda!] He was happy to come pick me and Brian up. And I was delighted to see an old friend.<br />
<br />
Which reminded me why we are here: we are here to build relationships. We will go to the library tomorrow. And we will meet our new colleagues. And we will help somehow in the library over the next few weeks and months.<br />
<br />
But more importantly we will build relationships and grow friendships. We will listen and learn. We will remember that our story is not about us, it is about loving others well.<br />
<br />
And the world will grow smaller.<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-16096070218531297882015-05-08T11:53:00.000-05:002015-05-10T10:44:52.277-05:00Uganda, Part 2May 30th. That's our departure date. Or 'wheels up' as Brian says in military lingo. :)<br />
<br />
It's coming FAST. At this point there is plenty to do. But we are getting things crossed off our list one by one: paperwork, immunizations, etc.<br />
<br />
And, my excitement is growing. I look at pictures and realize: I am going to see some of these faces again! The people, the places, and all that I miss, I can and will see again. I often say that my heart feels torn: part of it here in Minneapolis with my husband and community and part of it is waiting for me in Uganda. <br />
<br />
I think what is most powerful about this upcoming experience is that I really feel like going back to Uganda is such a natural 'part 2'. What I mean is that one of the most important things when I lived in Uganda from 2011-2012 was building relationships. And it is because of those relationships we have the opportunity to go back. Friends reached out to us, asking us to come back. It's such a privilege to be going back and to enter into the lives of students at KEST. We have the opportunity to continue to build relationships with Ugandan friends and colleagues and it's not something we take lightly.<br />
<br />
I've also been thinking a lot about the timing of this trip. It's so fortuitous in so many ways. I've told many people: the door just keeps opening! Here are just a few examples of the things that make this trip possible:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>My job has amazing summer flexibility</li>
<li>Brian's (new!) job is allowing him to take extra time off beyond his vacation days</li>
<li>The invitation to go came right after our own conversations about returning to Africa 'someday'</li>
<li>We only really started discussing this at the beginning of the year...basically, the whole trip has been planned in 4 months</li>
<li>A friend is able and willing to house sit for us and take care of our kitties</li>
</ul>
<br />
Going back, to support students, is such a privilege.We don't take this opportunity lightly. But rather we see this trip as a way to partner with Ugandan educators and librarians, to listen to them and learn from them, to share ideas, to hear stories, and to empower. Our story will be better because of this trip. Our story will change because of the people we meet. Just like last time, we want 'Uganda, Part 2' to be about something bigger than us.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<span id="goog_1939171972"></span><span id="goog_1939171973"></span><br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-80059799050017190722015-03-19T08:37:00.000-05:002015-03-19T09:01:44.916-05:00Returning to UgandaWe are going back!<br />
<br />
Yes, you read that right. Three years after I left Uganda (almost to the day), Brian and I will go back together.<br />
<br />
But let me back up. Here's our story:<br />
<br />
As many of you know, I spent January 2011 - June 2012 living and working in Uganda. I was a <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2012/04/lessons-learned-while-working-solo.html" target="_blank">librarian </a>at a small theological college and I loved the opportunity to bring together so many of my interests and passions: community development, libraries, Africa. It was a dream come true in many ways. [<a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2011/04/non-library-story.html" target="_blank">This post</a> still captures so many emotions from my experiences.]<br />
<br />
Then, in June 2012, I moved back the US. I got married and moved to a new state. I floundered for a while, to be honest. I felt lonely and wasn't sure <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2013/03/on-continuing-to-tell-good-story.html" target="_blank">if I had a purpose</a>. But eventually I found a job and life settled down. We made friends and I learned to navigate a new culture and city.<br />
<br />
Life settled so much in fact, that this past summer we decided to buy a house. We made this decision the way we make most of our decisions: this feels right, the door is open, let's walk through. And as we started pursuing a house I felt that familiar tug in my heart -- the tug that says: but Africa! I worried that by buying a house we were 'tying' ourselves to Minnesota and I would never see my beloved Ugandan friends again.<br />
<br />
But life has a funny way of working out. Brian and I were dreaming one night about how and when we might go back to Africa together. We didn't really know how, we just knew that someday we wanted to go back. And literally within a week of that conversation, a couple of my colleagues from Uganda emailed and asked if we would be willing to come back to work together on a library project for a couple months. Coincidence? I doubt it.<br />
<br />
So, we find ourselves making the decision to go to Uganda for the summer the same way we decided to buy a house: the door is open and we're walking through!<br />
<br />
Details at this point are fuzzy, at best. There are a lot of logistics to work out on a short time frame. But we are trusting that this is the right decision for us. A chance to go back, to reconnect with friends, to build new relationships, to learn. We will keep you posted along the way.<br />
<br />
We are so grateful for this opportunity. Our hearts are full as we look ahead. There are so many emotions. And, to be honest, I am a bit sad to miss our first summer in our new house. But there is also a stirring in my heart. An excitement that makes me catch my breath: is this really happening? A whisper inside says: <i>hold on, a new adventure is waiting</i>. <br />
<br />
Because Africa, libraries, community, and relationships...these are our things!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMicAPfxuxkL8lON9gDnhJ58jiOTzlXsdeqtXvgunf9xmnEXiOGG1VcRo2fDqH-RF7d53ASeFYRBoC_xjJQXA0RccYG0u1Vm37oUaInjSghU9HcSSPku27vrWx5OFmG0FWl84vsSzS87v3/s1600/DSC06008-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMicAPfxuxkL8lON9gDnhJ58jiOTzlXsdeqtXvgunf9xmnEXiOGG1VcRo2fDqH-RF7d53ASeFYRBoC_xjJQXA0RccYG0u1Vm37oUaInjSghU9HcSSPku27vrWx5OFmG0FWl84vsSzS87v3/s1600/DSC06008-1.JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of Brian and me at RTC when he came to visit in 2011.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. I can't wait for:<br />
<ul>
<li>The African Sun (it's different than the North American Sun, I swear)</li>
<li>Seeing old friends</li>
<li>African church services</li>
<li>Dirt roads</li>
<li>Making new friends </li>
<li>Rolex (Ugandan street food) </li>
<li>Continuing to learn about how Ugandan culture and libraries go together</li>
</ul>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-66096696400005483352015-02-18T12:48:00.001-06:002015-02-18T12:48:48.866-06:00Things They Don't Teach You in Library School, Part 2I wrote my <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2012/05/things-they-dont-teach-you-in-library.html" target="_blank">original post on things they don't teach you in library school</a> several years ago, when I was living in Uganda. It's one of my most popular posts and I still think all those things are true. However, in the years since I wrote that list, I've learned a lot more about being a librarian. The fact is, one grad school just can't teach you everything you need to know about being a professional librarian. You will learn a lot but there's plenty more to learn on the job. [Isn't that the case with any job, though?]<br />
<br />
So, here are more things they don't teach you in library school...in a US, reference librarian context:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Some days, you will spend much of your time helping patrons with things like: email, printing, wifi, etc. It might feel a bit 'beneath' you, especially if you have a long to-do list of lesson planning, meetings, etc. Think of those questions as outreach...if you're friendly and approachable while you help a patron print, hopefully they will come back when they have a research question.</li>
<li>And, speaking of that to-do list. You will have one. A long one, no doubt.</li>
<li>And on that list will be meetings. Lots of meetings. </li>
<li>Some patrons will not understand what you do. At all. They will ask you: to watch their stuff, proofread a paper, help them with their homework, etc. Just smile. And remind them what you can do for them: send them to the tutoring center, show them a book that answers their question, use a locker on campus, etc. Librarians connect people to information, even if it's not 'traditional' research information. </li>
<li>Sometimes patrons just need <a href="http://alibrarystory.blogspot.com/2014/12/intangibles-in-library.html" target="_blank">encouragement or a listening ear</a>. I can't tell you how many students ask for help finding articles or books and end up asking some variation: this is a good topic...right? Which I interpret as: Can I really do this big, scary assignment?</li>
<li>There will be some questions that will cause you to have a moment of
inner panic. [You want to find what?!] Take a deep breath. You'll be
fine. And that will likely be the most interesting question you will answer all week.</li>
<li>The best reference interactions end with: Thank you! This is exactly what I need! And you will feel like you just changed that patron's world.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Again, this is a very reference librarian focused list. But, hey, it's all true, right? :) Librarians do a lot of things besides shushing and reading...most of which you discover along the way.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-6061480547396271662014-12-19T15:15:00.000-06:002014-12-19T15:18:15.621-06:00Intangibles In the LibraryI think there are a lot of misconceptions about librarians. You know, that we all wear glasses, shush people, and love reading. Some of those things make sense: libraries are often valued as quiet spaces and many librarians did join the profession because of their love of reading or literature.<br />
<br />
But as I was telling someone recently: libraries are also about people! One of the reasons I love my job is because of the students and people I get to work with every day. And a big part of why I loved living and working in Uganda was because I loved the people. Libraries are about books, yes. But they are also about empowering <i>people</i> with information.<br />
<br />
The longer I work as a reference librarian, the more I realize the things I provide patrons. Not just books, articles, study space, and other resources but many intangibles. For example, I also:<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Show compassion.</i> Students struggle with research. With life. With school. Some don't know how to start a research paper or don't understand why they should come to the library. Some of them are just struggling in general. I want to show compassion to these students. To care about their previous experiences and meet them where they're at.</li>
<li><i>Give patience.</i> Along with showing compassion, I give patience. Students sometimes come to the library stressed by life and school. They aren't always in the best mood. But I strive to be patient with them and understand that they have a lot going on in their lives.</li>
<li><i>Give hospitality.</i> One of the definitions of hospitality is:<span class="oneClick-link"> <b>the</b></span><b> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">quality</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link">disposition</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">receiving</span> <span class="oneClick-link">and</span> <span class="oneClick-link">treating</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">guests</span> <span class="oneClick-link">and</span> <span class="oneClick-link">strangers</span> <span class="oneClick-link">in</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link">warm,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">friendly,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">generous</span> </b><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"><b>way. </b>This is exactly what I try to do: create a space that is friendly and welcoming and encourages students to come back when they need help.</span> </li>
<li><i>Provide a listening ear.</i> In some ways, this is similar to showing compassion. Some students love to talk! I'm always amazed at what personal information students will share with me when they're stressed by school. I listen to their stories and it's always a privilege when someone offers a part of their life to me by sharing those stories.</li>
<li><i>Share excitement.</i> Students I've helped in the past often stop by to share the grade they got on assignment I helped them with. Or they tell me that the book we found was perfect. I love sharing their excitement over finding good information. </li>
</ul>
<br />
These are the intangibles that make my job worth it. I help students with many things but these are my favorite things to provide. I'm not perfect at any of them, but I'm learning. Being a librarian is about a lot more than than being a keeper of the books, at least for me. It's about the bigger picture...about people, caring for them, and providing a space to empower them with information.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-73663755308968925682014-10-31T13:00:00.003-05:002014-10-31T13:00:45.434-05:00Africa In MinnesotaNot surprisingly, I find myself drawn to students who come from countries and cultures other than my own. Even less surprisingly, I am particularly interested in connecting with students from Africa.<br />
<br />
Last week a student, whom I had helped a number of times last year, approached me and asked if I could help her friend. I said, of course! She came back with her friend who had a question about formatting her powerpoint presentation. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to help much but I noticed that her slides mentioned Nairobi. I told the students that I had been to Nairobi and they both were excited because they were Kenyan. We then had a conversation about East Africa, the weather, and food, and how I had lived in Uganda, studied in Tanzania, visited Kenya, and knew a bit of Swahili.<br />
<br />
It made my day. My week, actually.<br />
<br />
Since that day, the friend has come back several times for additional help and each time she speaks to me almost entirely in Swahili. I can't always respond in Swahili but I usually understand what she is saying. I told her one day how much I appreciated her speaking to me in Swahili because it helps me learn. <br />
<br />
She answered with this:<br />
<br />
<b>Thank you for letting me speak Swahili. It makes me feel comfortable. It makes me feel at home.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
This conversation reminded me of two things:<br />
<ol>
<li><i>Relationships are reciprocal.</i> Yes, I help students all day. Help that might be one way. But I don't want that help to always be one way. Just like in Uganda, I have the opportunity to learn from my students. Sometimes I learn something like a language or a new subject they're researching. But other times a student may offer me the gift of their story. And I can learn who they are. (Side note: it's actually quite amazing what students will tell you when you are willing to listen.)</li>
<li><i>I don't have to forget Uganda or East Africa.</i> It's been hard for me to reconcile my two stories and to find ways to connect my new life in Minnesota to my old life in Uganda. But moments like this remind me that the world is small. And those experiences will never leave me. And sometimes, they might just lead me to make new connections.</li>
</ol>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664117281322078966.post-59114150078814052442014-05-16T14:18:00.000-05:002014-05-16T14:18:30.393-05:00Getting to Know 6,000 StudentsOne of the biggest changes in going from a theological college in Uganda to a community college in the Twin Cities, is the size of the college campus and student body. In Uganda, the college enrolled 100 students, at most. In my current job, the college has over 6,000 full-time students plus many part-time students.<br />
<br />
In Uganda, I loved the opportunity to get to know the students on a very personal level. I helped the same students over and over. I learned their stories. They learned mine. We talked about the differences between African and American culture. We shared meals and discussed our families.<br />
<br />
But working at a college with a much larger student body is obviously different. Not just because of the logistics, number of classes, etc. but because my role as a librarian is to support all these thousands of students. At first, I really missed the opportunity to see the same students every day. Some students are only on campus a couple times a week. But I am just as determined to get to know the students here.<br />
<br />
These are just a few of the ways I've started building relationships with students:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Stop</b> what I'm doing when a student asks me a question. I don't start typing, researching, or anything else until I've listened to their question. I look at them when they talk to me.</li>
<li><b>Follow up.</b> If I help a student at the reference desk and notice them still at the computers a half hour later, I'll go over and ask how it's going.</li>
<li>We make Research Guides (like LibGuides) for the classes we teach. Instead of simply listing my name and email address on the guide, I've started including my <b>office hours</b>.These include a few of the hours I'm in my office each week. Most students are used to visiting professors during office hours. I wanted to use language that's familiar to them in order to make them more comfortable stopping by with questions.</li>
<li><b>Smile!</b> When people walk by the desk I try to smile at them.</li>
<li>We keep a stapler at the Reference Desk for student use. If someone comes to just use the stapler, I try to <b>greet</b> them.</li>
<li><b>Sit down</b> next to them, if I can. Often I will ask the student I'm helping to log into a computer so I can teach them how to research a particular resource or database. Instead of hovering over them, pointing at their screens, if there is an open seat next to them I sit down for a minute. I do this to try to make the interaction just a bit more personal. </li>
<li>Or, ask them to sit with me. We keep an extra chair at the Reference Desk. I tell the students they can have a seat while I show them what I'm doing. Often once they're seated they will tell me how frustrated they are with research or about their assignment in more detail. It gives me the opportunity to ask questions and reassure them we WILL find what they need. Sometimes it leads to more personal conversation and I am able to simply <b>listen</b> to the students. I've heard of one student's frustration with being a single mom in college and about another's involvement with a non-profit in Kenya. I never know where a reference interview will lead but I'm always happy to be a listening ear.</li>
</ul>
The students here all have stories. And I've discovered that by doing these things, I'm slowly learning those stories.<br />
<br />
Several students will make a point to stop by, say hello, and tell me how their research is going. Others start their question with, "Remember me?" Others still ask specifically for me at the desk. One student even wrote me a thank you note. :)<br />
<br />
So, here I am in the same place I was in Uganda...getting to know the students, one at a time. <br />
<ul>
</ul>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650721179688886925noreply@blogger.com0