Illinois - International

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-07-25T22:54:34Z

Hi and welcome!

I'm also curious about the differences and the key challenges. But I think we can look for just as much similarity. Are library staff in Zambia drawn to the profession for many of the same reasons as we are?

I blogged over at CEBuzz about the [url http://cebuzz.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/you-think-professional-development-is-tough/ ]international libraries presentation[/url] that I attended at ALA last month. There's certainly a lot of library energy in evidence around the world.

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-07-25T19:55:09Z

I'm working in a small library in Iowa -- about as middle-America as you can get! -- and am curious to hear about the experiences of those who have worked in different countries. Are there any major differences that stand out between libraries in the USA and elsewhere?

Computer classes in non-English languages

2008-02-26T22:16:36Z

I am reposting this question here in case anyone in this forum can answer it:

computer training in Farsi
Posted: Feb 26, 2008 4:58 PM

We are going to begin offering some basic computer training courses in Farsi. I've been trying to look for materials that have already been developed in Farsi for the two librarians who will be teaching the class but have not been successful. We were hoping to find something that we can adapt for the class. Has anyone been teaching these classes or similar classes in Farsi or know where to go to find similar materials?

ei57523

Re: Library2.0 goes global

2008-02-25T23:59:02Z

Take a quick visual tour of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photolibraries/sets/72157603984365194/">Second Life International Library District</a>.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photolibraries/2292503220/sizes/s/in/set-72157603984365194/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/2292503220_f10b5b5cc8_m_d.jpg"></a>

Librarian Exchanges

2008-02-19T01:05:38Z

Is your library supporting a librarian exchange? You can publicize your exchange here.

Library2.0 goes global

2008-02-18T19:20:21Z

Even in the midst of the current discussions about [url http://www.blyberg.net/2008/01/17/library-20-debased/ ]Library2.0 "debased[/url]," many libraries are putting Web 2.0 tools to work --and not just in the US. The [url http://library20.ning.com/ ]Library 2.0 group[/url] on ning links to a handful of like-minded groups in Europe:
--Dutch group: http://bibliotheek20.ning.com/
--Italian group: http://biblioteca20.ning.com/
--French group: http://bibliotheques.ning.com/
--Portuguese group: http://bibliotecarios20.ning.com/
--German group: http://bibliothek20.ning.com/
--Turkish group: http://library20.ning.com/group/librariansinturkey

I just learned from Pilar Pacheco, one of the insighful guest moderators from the [url forums/thread.jspa?threadID=1871&tstart=0 ]Public Access Computing Around the World[/url] discussion, that the BiblioRedes project in Chile is getting started with implementing social networking tools. Exciting!

I would like to hear about experiences with Web 2.0 in libraries outside of our borders. It will help us all figure out which of these newfangled tools really enhance library service.

Re: International Libraries Blog

2008-02-18T19:00:22Z

Hello Mumtaz. I'm so glad you joined this discussion.

You raise some very important issues about how a US-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.

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.

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.

Re: E-learning for the world --how realistic?

2008-02-18T18:58:46Z

I came across this paper over the weekend about distance/e-learning in Iraq. It brings up some interesting points about the benefits and challenges to e-learning in a conflict zone.

[url http://greatlibrarynews.blogspot.com/2008/02/distance-learninge-learning-for-iraq.html]Distance Learning/e-learning for Iraq: Concept and Road Map[/url].

Emily

E-learning for the world --how realistic?

2008-02-18T18:52:35Z

Online learning is picking up steam as a cost-effective, time-saving solution to training and development. Yet even in the US, I still see obstacles for some people to participate fully.
Issues include:
--bandwidth and connection speed
--having a dedicated computer for e-learning
--finding the time and getting supervisor support

When I try to imagine how library staff in other countries, especially developing countries, might take advantage of the e-learning courses available online, I start to see the hurdles mount. In another post, [url forums/thread.jspa?messageID=50195#50195 ]Mumtaz Memon[/url] talks about her experience trying to use WebJunction from Pakistan. She points out that just the terminology can be a major barrier.
All of the barriers above apply, plus some additional ones:
--access to the Internet
--how to pay for online courses
--how to address cultural differences

I'm sure there are many more. Let's talk about them. And let's see if we can come up with some solutions.

Re: International Libraries Blog

2008-02-16T02:45:02Z

Hello
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. ( language of the module still remains english) 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 ...

International Libraries Question of the Month

2008-02-11T22:11:19Z

What is the biggest challenge your library has faced in the last year?

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-01-30T19:44:14Z

Welcome Karen -it's great to see you here!

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-01-24T01:22:48Z

Thanks for activating this station at WebJunction. I'm glad to see we are on board! Thanks, ALL!!

Karen D. Jessee, Co-Chair, ALA, IRRT
International Sustainable Library Development Interest Group (ISLD)

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-01-23T22:03:15Z

Hello all!

I am the Community Services Consultant at WebJunction and am also very happy to see this discussion space revived. I recently joined the International Sustainability Library Development interest group of IRRT as their publicity officer and am really interested in libraries as a tool for sustainable social development within developing countries - particularly in areas of conflict.

I've been involved with libraries in South Africa and Guatemala. It will be exciting to hear about other people's experiences working in international libraries - the stumbling blocks as well as the best practices that have been developed.

-Zola

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-01-22T19:02:11Z

Hello!
I am so glad that we have a new discussion forum for international public libraries. Look forward to further discussion.

Mollie Fein
Co-Chair-IRRT-Public Library Interest Group

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-01-22T17:34:13Z

Having started this forum way back in 2005, I am very happy to see the conversation revived. All of the social networking going on is bringing us all closer together to talk about library practices around the world.

There are many groups spinning off from the [url http://library20.ning.com/ ]Library 2.0 network[/url] on Ning:
Dutch group: http://bibliotheek20.ning.com/
Italian group: http://biblioteca20.ning.com/
French group: http://bibliotheques.ning.com/
Portuguese group: http://bibliotecarios20.ning.com/
German group: http://bibliothek20.ning.com/
Turkish group: http://library20.ning.com/group/librariansinturkey

What are the big issues in your world?

Re: International librarians -- say hello!

2008-01-22T17:21:45Z

Hello international librarians,
We'd like to revive this discussion area with folks who are involved in other international library networks, including ALA's IRRT, any Ning or Facebook groups your on, other library organizations, etc.

Let me introduce myself. I work on the Community Services team here at WebJunction though I formerly worked on the [url http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=10555]Spanish Language Outreach program[/url]. Before I came to WebJunction, I spent 6 months in Guatemala working with libraries. I've worked in public, school, academic, and special libraries, as well as used and new bookstores for a length of time. I try to think about international library issues, particularly around issues of international development and disaster preparedness/relief on my blog, [url http://devlibrarian.wordpress.com/]dev.librarian[/url].

I look forward to hearing more from everybody.

~Emily

Re: International Libraries Blog

2005-11-28T21:17:06Z

Fabulous! I'm adding this to my feedreader.

How cool to know about the foreign librarian exchange program, even if I'm not in any position to take advantage of it. If anyone has participated in an exchange, I would love to hear about it.

International Libraries Blog

2005-11-28T19:24:09Z

Cheri Crist has started a new blog:http://globallibraries.blogspot.com/

Looks like some good ideas for those seeking resources about international librarian exchange opportunities.

Re: WELCOME to the Public Access Computing Around the World online event!

2005-06-13T14:54:43Z

Pilar,

Aqui te envio algunas noticias acerca de las clases de computacion publicadas por el diario mas importante del Medioeste de USA.

Do you speak computer?
Hispanics get helpful boost into English-dominated digital world

By John Keilman
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 13, 2005
In a darkened community room at the Des Plaines Public Library, Hector Marino tells his students to fire up Microsoft Paint on their borrowed laptop computers. It's the perfect way, he says in Spanish, to get some practice with el raton.

That means "the mouse," one of many translations Marino uses to make the world of computing, which is dominated by English, more comprehensible for his Spanish-speaking students. The desktop is el escritorio. E-mail, he says, is correo electronico. And to get from one Web page to another, he tells them: haz un clic.

"It's a challenge for them. But we try to make it easy," Marino said. "We use the very basics. They don't need to create PowerPoint presentations. They need basic things--to save, erase, copy and paste. We're trying to teach them the essentials."

A growing number of Spanish speaking people are interested in joining the digital realm, hoping to stay in touch with overseas relatives, get ahead at work and keep up with what their kids are learning. That's testing the ingenuity of computer instructors trying to teach a subject whose technical terms can be hard to grasp even without a language barrier.

"It's double the effort," said Mauricio Blanco, who teaches at the computer center of Onward Neighborhood House in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. "All the software, all the programs are in English."

The latest federal statistics show that only 1 in 3 Hispanics uses the Internet, the lowest rate of any ethnic group covered by the report. The percentage is slowly climbing, but Andy Carvin of the Digital Divide Network, an advocacy group based in Newton, Mass., said the gap remains a problem.

"The issue of the `digital divide' is based on whether all people have equal opportunities to improve their quality of life," he said. "A lot of people may think of the Internet as a place to check the latest sports scores. But for a lot of people, it's a lifeline to get training for job prospects, help their kids' education or stay connected with their family."

The first step toward reaping online benefits is figuring out the essentials of working with a computer. While it's possible to customize the machines with a Spanish-language interface, the vast majority of computers sold in stores or available in public places use English menus and commands.

That's why organizations like the Poder Learning Center pair computer instruction with English lessons. The Pilsen-based adult education group doesn't hand out Spanish-English cheat sheets or translate the vocabulary of computing as students learn to navigate Windows.

"When we introduce the technology, we introduce it in English," executive director Daniel Loftus said. "Eventually, you'll need to know those computer terms in English, so let's just attack this head-on."

The West Chicago Public Library in DuPage County sticks with the bilingual approach with its computer classes for Spanish speakers. Librarian Jennifer Winter said that, language aside, the main problem for her students--many of whom are middle age or older--is getting comfortable with a machine that, to the uninitiated, can seem as impenetrable as Esperanto.

"For anyone who didn't grow up in the computer culture, I think it's equally confusing in any language," she said. "People who are 25 or so, who have had computers in school since the day they started, it's not even a hurdle for them."

Indeed, gaining insight into their kids' technology is a big reason Hispanic parents have crowded computer classes at Maine West High School in Des Plaines over the last five years.

An English-speaking teacher usually leads the 15- to 20-person classes, with an aide serving as interpreter. Sheila Rudden-Shorey, a social worker at the school, said the classes attract parents who want to understand what their children are doing at school.

"Most of them realize that it's the way of the future," she said. "You can see homework assignments, e-mail teachers. They see their children as young as five and six being exposed to it. That's a big motivation."

Spanish-speaking parents in Chicago can also take classes through the public schools, learning everything from how to navigate the desktop to the finer points of video editing.

"When they come out of it, they're going to know a lot more than most of the people in school buildings," said Jesus Esquivel, who designed the program at the Bilingual Parent Resource Center in Pilsen.

He said that in the fall, the school system plans to expand the program to other languages, including Polish, Chinese and Arabic.

Hector Marino has become an old hand at leading computer classes in Spanish. He estimates he has taught 1,000 students since 2000, when the Des Plaines Library began offering the courses, and he recently conducted a workshop for 20 other libraries interested in setting up similar programs.

In one recent class, a warm-up with Microsoft Paint led to exercises with PowerPoint and Web surfing. Most of the seven students had little trouble following along--one woman even began checking flights to Mexico on a travel Web site as Marino tutored others on the mechanics of cutting and pasting. Araceli Aguilar, 39, of Niles said playing games used to be her only activity on the computer. Then her son, a Marine, went to Iraq.

"I couldn't communicate with him," she said. "That's why I needed to learn how to use it."

Along with e-mail, the library's program covers topics from word processing to hooking up cameras and scanners. It's no more than the basics, but it's enough to demystify the machine, from teclado (keyboard) to pantalla (monitor).

"I hear good stories that people are able to send e-mail messages to their families, or they're able to use Google in Spanish to find information," Marino said. "The bottom line is that we want to make them comfortable with technology to access that information. It's extremely important for their lives."

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jkeilman@tribune.com