International Libraries Blog Betha Gutsche 2008-02-18T19:00:22Z 2008-02-18T19:00:22Z

Hello Mumtaz. I&#039;m so glad you joined this discussion. <img alt='emoticon' src='http://il.webjunction.org/webjunction-theme/images/emoticons/happy.gif' /><br /><br />You raise some very important issues about how a US&#045;centric community can support libraries and staff in developing countries. We at WebJunction are still working on making our site and our services easier for people in this country to use. I think we have a big challenge ahead when we start thinking about how an international library community might work.<br /><br />I like your idea of a mediator to help translate the vocabulary, the idioms, and the cultural differences. It seems that there would have to be such a support person for every country. <br /><br />I started another topic to [url forums/thread.jspa?threadID=8512 ]explore the challenges of providing online learning to the world[/url]. I hope you will comment there with more details about what it was like for you when you tried to use WebJunction while you were in Pakistan.

Betha Gutsche 2008-02-18T19:00:22Z Mumtaz Memon 2008-02-16T02:45:02Z 2008-02-16T02:45:02Z

Hello<br />I am Mumtaz S. Memon. A fulbright schollar from Pakistan at Mortenson Center, UIUC. I am very much interested in taking the webjunction activities home. How I can do that? Well when I was home I found it difficult to use web junction, but when I came to USA only a little help and I was on the go. What can be the reason? I feel that when products are designed for human resource development and underdeveloped countries have access to them just like any other developed country the understanding level does not match. Even the vocabulary does not match thus a lot of understanding issues arise. A mediator, a marketing body, a support system will greatly improve the understanding level which can multiply. A marketing survey can help in this bringing the number of users up and cost low. A solution that can work very well with under developed countries where native language is not english, but things work well when there is a mediator who can communicate practically. &#040; language of the module still remains english&#041; It works. It worked with me, I know what to do to make it work with my people back home. Same can be done in other developing countries Any comments ...

Mumtaz Memon 2008-02-16T02:45:02Z Betha Gutsche 2005-11-28T21:17:06Z 2005-11-28T21:17:06Z

Fabulous! I&#039;m adding this to my feedreader. <img alt='emoticon' src='http://il.webjunction.org/webjunction-theme/images/emoticons/happy.gif' /><br /><br />How cool to know about the foreign librarian exchange program, even if I&#039;m not in any position to take advantage of it. If anyone has participated in an exchange, I would love to hear about it.

Betha Gutsche 2005-11-28T21:17:06Z Jennifer Peterson 2005-11-28T19:24:09Z 2005-11-28T19:24:09Z

Cheri Crist has started a new blog:http://globallibraries.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Looks like some good ideas for those seeking resources about international librarian exchange opportunities.

Jennifer Peterson 2005-11-28T19:24:09Z