Identify ways in which information professionals can contribute to the cultural, economic, educational, and social well-being of our global communities. A satisfactory statement of competence – Demonstrates the ability to consider issues from a global perspective Shows the ability to apply international standards and practices within the discipline or professional area Demonstrates an appreciation of the relationship between the chosen field of study and professional traditions elsewhere Demonstrates appreciation of the diversity of language and culture
Information professionals can contribute to global communities by learning about international standards and practices by offering service and partnership. In a team effort to promote literacy in Guatemala, I had the chance to joined Librarians Without Borders as a volunteer. Through this experience, I can identify with the indigenous Mayan population and learn about their cultural, economic, and educational well-being in a school library setting. Another kind of evidence I can provide for competency is my role as a researcher for the IDNA(International Directory of National Archives) where I address the challenges of managing and preserving national archives unique to each country.
Justification of the Evidence
Evidence #1: Librarians Without Borders in Guatemala
I volunteered with a team of 22 other librarians from all over the country, including Canada to learn about the school library system in Xela, Guatemala. Before I went to Guatemala, I learned through the history of LWB we had adopted this library in a school, and a majority of the funds I raised for the cause went towards this adoption project. During the three week duration, as a team we created children’s literacy programs and presented stories to students at the school. We worked closely with the head school librarian and assisted with collection development. One of the valuable lessons learned from this experience was the stark difference in perceptions about public libraries. These observations in cultural and socioeconomic differences truly broadened my perspective as an American information professional, helping me to understand identify the unique needs of the Mayan population where we served.
Evidence #2: IDNA Project
One summer, I joined a team of researchers to help gather data for a national archives project by researching several assigned countries in order to manage and preserve international documentary heritage worldwide. By applying universal collection management principles I am able to complete a template for a country outlining key concepts such as its history(about how its national archival repository may have been first established). The template gives an overview of the state of the archives today in the country, its mission statement, the internal and external structure of the archive, its digital infrastructures as well as any current focus or spotlight about its collection. Through this experience, I can demonstrate my ability to consider communication and cultural differences from a global perspective. This allows me to expand on my professional identity as a librarian with a global mindset based on relationships I have gained both through my diverse library peers as well as the international community at large.
Conclusion
I believe it is imperative to immerse ourselves as information professionals in as many different contexts as possible to gain a wider, deeper, and global perspective. Through my experiences volunteering abroad, I have had the honor of fully immersing myself into a totally different culture many times and I have never regretted these experiences. For future plans, I am still connected to my LWB professional peers on a Facebook page as well as other sources of social media. I also plan to take another trip with a team when I have another opportunity. In addition, my goal is to create a sister library(unless there is a sister city that already exists through IRRT-Sister Libraries database) and to expand on a multicultural collection at the library where I end up in my professional career.