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Post date: Aug 30, 2011 4:42:37 PM
The Future Development and Service of Global Children's Librarianship Conference was held August 8-10, 2011 in New York City, and it was a great success. The conference is co-sponsored by the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) and the Library Society of China (LSC), and hosted by the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library, the Queens Library, and the C.V.Starr East Asian Library of Columbia University. A Chinese delegation of 79 library administrators and librarians joined American colleagues for a two- day program in NYC. The conference included library tours and a series of presentations which focused on library services to children and youth, library management, and the future development of libraries. Dr. Chen Chuanfun, head of the Chinese delegation said that they gained good practical knowledge to take home to share with their colleagues. And Ms. Zhang zhang, conference liaison for Library Society of China wrote back after returning to China that the Chinese delegates learned a lot from the libraries and librarians in US, and they look forward to more collaboration and exchange with CALA in the future.
Children are the future of the world. This conference theme is the first of its kind sponsored by Chinese and American Library Associations that is not only meaningful but will also make a lasting impact on the global exchange on children's librarianship in the future. The Chinese American Librarians Association, in particular its Northeast Chapter took great pride in helping organize such a conference, and make it such a successful event. We look forward to more collaboration and exchange with the Library Society of China, and working together for our shared value: to inspire life-long learning, advance knowledge, and build communities.
Below are some program highlights from each hosting library:
Program at the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)
Tuesday Morning, August 9th
The Global Children’s Librarianship Conference opened in the Dweck Auditorium of the Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza. Linda Johnson, Director of the Brooklyn Public Library, gave a welcome speech. Min Chou, President of CALA, welcomed the Chinese delegation on behalf of CALA. Several presentations were given by BPL librarians: Rachel Payne presented on children’s services at Brooklyn Public Library; Carrie Banks on the Children’s Place for children with special needs and Kidsmobile; Marilyn Ackerman & Francesca Burgess on collection development for children’s materials. After the presentations, Dr. Chen Chuanfun, head of the Chinese delegation, went to the podium and thanked the Brooklyn Public Library and its wonderful librarians for a great program. Dr. Chen also presented gifts to the Library and the presenters. Afterwards, the Chinese delegates toured the Library accompanied by CALA members, who answered questions and exchanged information with the Chinese delegates.
Program at the New York Public Library (NYPL)
Tuesday Afternoon, August 9th
The conference continued with its afternoon program at the New York Public Library, located on 5th Ave. at 42nd street. Ms. Theresa Myrhol, Chief Librarian of Mid-Manhattan Library, delivered a welcome speech. Mr. Kevin Winkler, Deputy Director for Public Services at NYPL, gave a presentation titled “Creating the Library of the Future” followed by a Q & A session. The Chinese delegates were impressed by Mr Kevin’s presentation on how to manage and run the largest public library system in the United States, and the important role the Library plays to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of people in New York City. Afterwards, the delegates enjoyed a tour of the Research Library, a historical and cultural landmark of New York City. Dr. Anthony Marx, President of the New York Public Library regretted not being able to join his Chinese guests, but he welcomed each and everyone with a heart-warming letter in a souvenir book The New York Public Library, Its Past, Present, and Future. Just recently, the New York Public Library celebrated its 100th birthday, and so did many libraries in China. Dr. Marx said it well that “As institutions with strong ties to the past, the vision we all share is how to face and overcome a variety of new challenges over the next 100 years, while continuing to strive to provide essential services to users of all educational and economic backgrounds.”
Program at the Queens Library, Wednesday Morning, August 10th
The conference continued for a second day with program at the Queens Library, Jamaica. Thomas W. Galante, Director of Queens Library, delivered a welcome speech, followed by presentations. Daniel Nkansah, Coordinator of Children’s Services, provided an overview of children’s services at Queens Library. Leslie Taylor, Coordinator of Youth Enrichment Services, talked about the BOOST (Best Out of School Time) program. Sharon Cox, CLDC Manager, introduced the newly-opened Children’s Library Discovery Center (CLDC). After the presentations, Dr. Chen, head of the Chinese delegation, thanked the Queens Library and its wonderful librarians with gifts. Afterwards, the Chinese delegates were given a tour of the new Children’s Library Discovery Center, an amazing place for children ages 3-12. The Discovery Center includes hands-on interactive exhibits and learning labs that enable children to find information and develop interest in books, reading, and learning while discovering the joy of scientific exploration. The Chinese delegates took great interest in the Center, asked a lot of questions, and interacted with many of the exciting exhibits including Discover Bugs: Bug Viewer, Discover Perception: Instruction Games, and Discover Magnets: Magnetic Spinner. Everyone enjoyed the Discovery Center tour.
Program at the C.V. Starr East Asian Library of Columbia University
Wednesday Afternoon, August 10th
The Chinese delegation arrived at Columbia University for the final part of the conference: visiting C.V. Starr East Asian Library. They received a warm welcome from Jim Cheng, Director of the C.V.Starr East Asian Library, and enjoyed a guided tour of the East Asian library, and the University campus. Afterwards, the Chinese delegation left New York for
Washington D.C. to attend the conference program at the Library of Congress.
Acknowledgement:
Min Chou and Judy Xiao, on behalf of the Chinese American Librarians Association and its Northeast Chapter, would like to thank the Library Society of China, the hosting libraries and their wonderful staff for making the Future Development and Service of Global Children's Librarianship Conference a great success! (We also sent thank-you letter to the director of each hosting library). We would also like to thank Haipeng Li, the Executive Director of CALA, and Lina Ding, the past President of CALA Northeast Chapter for initiating the project and working diligently on the details. Finally we want to extend a special thank-you to all our CALA, especially our Northeast Chapter officers and members: Lina Ding, Maria Fung, Frank Xu, and many others at the Brooklyn Public Library; Hung-Yun Chang and many others at the New York Public Library; Fred Gitner, Loida Garcia-Febo, Elizabeth Hsu, Yuan Shang (Constance) Hsi, and many others at the Queens Public Library; Charlene Zhou, Sarah Elman, Jim Cheng, and many others at the C.V. Starr East Asian Library of Columbia University. And Tian Zhang, our NE Chapter secretary. We thank you for making the Chinese delegates feel so much at home with the translation and the library tours. We thank you for your hard work and excellent coordination skills that made the program at each library run so exceptionally well.
Check Out the Press Release about the Conference from:
Google Sites
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