[LM_NET] Librarian 2.0:Get out of the library!!

[edi campbell <edicampbell@GMAIL.COM>]

originally teachers of Chinese from China

A couple of days ago, I returned from having spent one year teaching English
in Taiwan so with some interest, I read the replies about Chinese teachers
from China.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find the original post but I did see
responses. I have to step upon my pedestal just for a moment to urge you to
get out of your library!!!  While computers and books can provide valuable
information about other places around the globe, you have no idea what a
country or its people are really  like until you experience it.  This first
hand knowledge is extremely important to library professionals for a couple
of reasons.  First, we need to be able to identify accurate sources of
information.  We should be collecting important works created in other
cultures which pertain to our students' needs and we need to be know
accurate historic and geographic facts about places.  Books and computers
are not always the most reliable sources. Second, we need to understand how
different students address their need for information. I could write volumes
on what I've learned about Taiwanese culture.  I know that Taiwan tends to
likes Jimmy Woo and the Yankees far more than they like baseball.  Specific
to me in the media center, it is important to to know that these students
are not trained to do research.  They are used to being told what they need
to know by their teachers.  I know that I will have to really help them with
research when they visit my media center.  Also, they will not admit what
they don't know, so a 'yes' is not always a 'yes'.  Having also spent time
in China and Japan, I can see vast differences in the students and know I
cannot generalize about similarities in Asian cultures.

While neither Japan nor China will be sending free librarians to the US
(they don't use librarians like we do!!!) they do send teachers here to
teach the culture and most states do have programs that send educators (yes,
that includes media specialists) to Taiwan.  The Taiwan Ministry of
Education is quite eager to hire Amreican teachers!  Taking advantage of
these programs or the Fulbrights or NEH programs or numerous others are
excellent ways for librarians to gain the knowledge necessary to providing
accurate and responsible library services.  While computers flatten the
earth in many ways, they also confine us in tiny rooms where we don't really
get to know the world around us. Regardless of political affiliations, or
perhaps because of them, there is much to be gained iby immersing ourselves
in other cultures so that we can develop a true understanding.

Edi Campbell
edicampbell@gmail.com

http://taiwanedi.wordpress.com
http://campbele.wordpress.com
"Peace - that was the other name for home." ~Kathleen Norris
**See you on the other side**

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