1. 3 Years of Action! Exciting Developments in Southeast Asian Libraries since CONSAL XIII John Hickok, M.L.I.S., M.A. Librarian/Instructor California State University, Fullerton, USA

2. Hello CONSAL! Selamat petang/siang Selamat petang/siang Sawaddi krup Sawaddi krup Sabai dee Sabai dee Hello (la!) Hello (la!) Jom reap seur Jom reap seur Mingalarba Mingalarba Mabuhay Mabuhay Xin Chao Xin Chao

3. Background 2005-6: year-long travel grant to research conditions of libraries in Asia 2005-6: year-long travel grant to research conditions of libraries in Asia

4. Background Why? Because California is home to huge Asian populations (both immigrants and students)… all with different Information Literacy levels Why? Because California is home to huge Asian populations (both immigrants and students)… all with different Information Literacy levels

5. Background So by better understanding where immigrants/students are coming from… California librarians can better serve them So by better understanding where immigrants/students are coming from… California librarians can better serve them

6. In the next 20 minutes… Summarize challenges found in 2005-6 Summarize challenges found in 2005-6 Highlight some exciting successes since then Highlight some exciting successes since then (concluding with a photo jubilee!) (concluding with a photo jubilee!)

7. In the next 20 minutes… Summarize challenges found in 2005-6 Summarize challenges found in 2005-6 Highlight some exciting successes since then Highlight some exciting successes since then (concluding with a photo jubilee!) (concluding with a photo jubilee!) Note 1: successes noted are only a just a small sample; there are SO MANY more Note 1: successes noted are only a just a small sample; there are SO MANY more Note 2: successes noted do not mean one-size-fits all, or challenges are all gone Note 2: successes noted do not mean one-size-fits all, or challenges are all gone

8. Challenges

9. Challenges In these 6 categories… 1. Library Education 2. Library Services 3. Emerging Technologies 4. Management & Marketing 5. Library Associations 6. Library Dynamics

10. 1. Challenges in Library Education

11. Limited LIS Education in some countries Limited LIS Education in some countries LIS Curriculum challenges LIS Curriculum challenges Need for more User Education Need for more User Education

12. 1. Challenges in Library Education

13. Vietnam: foreign partnerships in LIS training (Simmons, etc.) Vietnam: foreign partnerships in LIS training (Simmons, etc.)

14. 1. Challenges in Library Education Vietnam: foreign partnerships in LIS training (Simmons, etc.) Vietnam: foreign partnerships in LIS training (Simmons, etc.) Singapore NTU / Malaysia UM: continued refinement of required Library Info.Lit. training Singapore NTU / Malaysia UM: continued refinement of required Library Info.Lit. training

15. 1. Challenges in Library Education Vietnam: foreign partnerships in LIS training (Simmons, etc.) Vietnam: foreign partnerships in LIS training (Simmons, etc.) Singapore NTU / Malaysia UM: continued refinement of required Library Info.Lit. training Singapore NTU / Malaysia UM: continued refinement of required Library Info.Lit. training Philippines UP: new LIS courses on library marketing, telecom networking, etc. Philippines UP: new LIS courses on library marketing, telecom networking, etc.

16. 2. Challenges in Library Services

17. Limited resources/staffing in school libraries Limited resources/staffing in school libraries Limited resources in (smaller/rural) public libraries Limited resources in (smaller/rural) public libraries Less proactive Reference service Less proactive Reference service

18. 2. Challenges in Library Services

19. Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library

20. 2. Challenges in Library Services Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations

21. 2. Challenges in Library Services Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations Malaysia: beautiful new rural public libraries Malaysia: beautiful new rural public libraries

22. 2. Challenges in Library Services Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations Malaysia: beautiful new rural public libraries Malaysia: beautiful new rural public libraries Brunei UBD / Thailand Chulalongkorn U.: proactive IM reference service Brunei UBD / Thailand Chulalongkorn U.: proactive IM reference service

23. 2. Challenges in Library Services Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Laos: beautiful new Vientiane Public Library Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations Cambodia/Myanmar: schools partnering with NGOs for book donations Malaysia: beautiful new rural public libraries Malaysia: beautiful new rural public libraries Brunei UBD / Thailand Chulalongkorn U.: proactive IM reference service Brunei UBD / Thailand Chulalongkorn U.: proactive IM reference service Vietnam Hue U.: Library staff must actively interact with students Vietnam Hue U.: Library staff must actively interact with students

24. 3. Challenges in Emerging Technologies

25. Some libraries still developing electronically Some libraries still developing electronically Unconnected or Incompatible software among libraries Unconnected or Incompatible software among libraries In libraries already heavily electronic, an over-reliance on technology In libraries already heavily electronic, an over-reliance on technology

26. 3. Challenges in Emerging Technologies

27. New electronic achievements: Laos NUOL: open source software. Malaysia UKM: new library proxy server. Vietnam: VNU- Hanoi: new subscriptions to scholarly databases. Cambodia PUC, Philippines UCM: new computers New electronic achievements: Laos NUOL: open source software. Malaysia UKM: new library proxy server. Vietnam: VNU- Hanoi: new subscriptions to scholarly databases. Cambodia PUC, Philippines UCM: new computers

28. 3. Challenges in Emerging Technologies New electronic achievements: Laos NUOL: open source software. Malaysia UKM: new library proxy server. Vietnam: VNU- Hanoi: new subscriptions to scholarly databases. Cambodia PUC, Philippines UCM: new computers New electronic achievements: Laos NUOL: open source software. Malaysia UKM: new library proxy server. Vietnam: VNU- Hanoi: new subscriptions to scholarly databases. Cambodia PUC, Philippines UCM: new computers Newly connected branch libraries: Indonesia UI, Airlangga, Brawijaya Newly connected branch libraries: Indonesia UI, Airlangga, Brawijaya

29. 3. Challenges in Emerging Technologies New electronic achievements: Laos NUOL: open source software. Malaysia UKM: new library proxy server. Vietnam: VNU- Hanoi: new subscriptions to scholarly databases. Cambodia PUC, Philippines UCM: new computers New electronic achievements: Laos NUOL: open source software. Malaysia UKM: new library proxy server. Vietnam: VNU- Hanoi: new subscriptions to scholarly databases. Cambodia PUC, Philippines UCM: new computers Newly connected branch libraries: Indonesia UI, Airlangga, Brawijaya Newly connected branch libraries: Indonesia UI, Airlangga, Brawijaya Great user guides/tutorials to accompany technology: Philippines DeLaSalle, Singapore NUS, Malaysia IIUM Great user guides/tutorials to accompany technology: Philippines DeLaSalle, Singapore NUS, Malaysia IIUM

30. 4. Challenges in Management & Marketing

31. Limited budgets Limited budgets Under-utilization of Librarians skills/potential Under-utilization of Librarians skills/potential In some libraries, a maintenance rather than proactive leadership In some libraries, a maintenance rather than proactive leadership

32. 4. Challenges in Management & Marketing

33. Cambodia PUC & CMU: partnering with outside organizations to supplement book budgets Cambodia PUC & CMU: partnering with outside organizations to supplement book budgets

34. 4. Challenges in Management & Marketing Cambodia PUC & CMU: partnering with outside organizations to supplement book budgets Cambodia PUC & CMU: partnering with outside organizations to supplement book budgets Laos Natl Lib: expanding its Book Box donation program Laos Natl Lib: expanding its Book Box donation program

35. 4. Challenges in Management & Marketing Cambodia PUC & CMU: partnering with outside organizations to supplement book budgets Cambodia PUC & CMU: partnering with outside organizations to supplement book budgets Laos Natl Lib: expanding its Book Box donation program Laos Natl Lib: expanding its Book Box donation program Proactive leaderships: everywhere! (ex: Aida Cruz, Feati U., Philippines) Proactive leaderships: everywhere! (ex: Aida Cruz, Feati U., Philippines)

36. 5. Challenges in Library Associations

37. Low Perception (image) of librarians Low Perception (image) of librarians Limited influence/reach of some Library Associations Limited influence/reach of some Library Associations Limited networking/partnering in some countries Limited networking/partnering in some countries

38. 5. Challenges in Library Associations

39. Continued lobbying activity by Library Associations of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia Continued lobbying activity by Library Associations of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia

40. 5. Challenges in Library Associations Continued lobbying activity by Library Associations of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia Continued lobbying activity by Library Associations of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia Individual directors promoting Librarian image (ex. Singapore NTUs Choy Fatt Cheong: all librarians on the front lines interacting) Individual directors promoting Librarian image (ex. Singapore NTUs Choy Fatt Cheong: all librarians on the front lines interacting)

41. 5. Challenges in Library Associations Continued lobbying activity by Library Associations of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia Continued lobbying activity by Library Associations of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia Individual directors promoting Librarian image (ex. Singapore NTUs Choy Fatt Cheong: all librarians on the front lines interacting) Individual directors promoting Librarian image (ex. Singapore NTUs Choy Fatt Cheong: all librarians on the front lines interacting) Formal formation of Vietnams Library Association, 2006 (hooray!) Formal formation of Vietnams Library Association, 2006 (hooray!)

42. 6. Challenges of Library Dynamics

43. Perception of libraries as merely quiet arhives rather than active learning centers Perception of libraries as merely quiet arhives rather than active learning centers Newer resources of libraries not always advertised/known Newer resources of libraries not always advertised/known Nature of SEA education often standardized examinations over independent library research Nature of SEA education often standardized examinations over independent library research

44. 6. Challenges of Library Dynamics

45. Singapores NUS promotes activity in the library with its Info Commons; Malaysias UTM has lounge & game areas Singapores NUS promotes activity in the library with its Info Commons; Malaysias UTM has lounge & game areas

46. 6. Challenges of Library Dynamics Singapores NUS promotes activity in the library with its Info Commons; Malaysias UTM has lounge & game areas Singapores NUS promotes activity in the library with its Info Commons; Malaysias UTM has lounge & game areas Philippines UP lists free open-source e- sources for all to see Philippines UP lists free open-source e- sources for all to see

47. 6. Challenges of Library Dynamics Singapores NUS promotes activity in the library with its Info Commons; Malaysias UTM has lounge & game areas Singapores NUS promotes activity in the library with its Info Commons; Malaysias UTM has lounge & game areas Philippines UP lists free open-source e- sources for all to see Philippines UP lists free open-source e- sources for all to see Thailands Chiang Mai U. features extracurricular events in the library (movies, lectures, discussion groups, etc.) Thailands Chiang Mai U. features extracurricular events in the library (movies, lectures, discussion groups, etc.)

48. And now… A photo jubilee of these successes, to represent ALL your successes!

49. And now… A photo jubilee of these successes, to represent ALL your successes!

50. Myanmar: school library NGO donations

51. Laos: continuing Book Box program

52. Philippines: new school library ribbon-cutting ceremony

53. Thailand: CM U.s Library-- events/lectures at the American Corner.

54. Cambodia: school library NGO donations

55. Singapore: NUSs Information Commons

56. Myanmar: NGO book fair donation for community libraries

57. Brunei: Proactive ReferenceLive IM chat

58. Vietnam: new CanTho LIS curriclum

59. Laos: new Vientiane public library

60. Singapore: proactive Librarian reference, NTU

61. Malaysia: rural public libraries

62. Vietnam: Hue U. learning resource center--active learning

63. Thailand: new/improved Thai Library Association Web site

64. Cambodia: PUC libraryupgrading computers

65. Philippines: Director Aida Cruz, rebuilding a library from scratch

66. Indonesia: UIs new integrated online catalog

67. And of course… Vietnam: VLA formed (2006)! Chuc mung thanh cong !

68. Thank You Cám ơn