Rather than boring everyone to death with a play-by-play of the conference, here are the things that I learned from my trip. Videos are here, photos are here. Check out the ACURIL website, the conference page and the conference blog. I really enjoyed ACURIL; if you get the chance, go!
Things I learned about librarianship:
- Librarians are the same everywhere. We all face the same problems, and all have our own quirks. And we generally like meeting other librarians.
- US libraries/librarians and ALA are pretty much like a clique on a very large playground. They ignore (and are pretty much ignored) by the rest of the kids on the playground, who are all hanging out with each other. The only ones losing out are the US; no one is looking to us for inspiration. It is I who have been inspired.
- A master’s degree isn’t necessary to be a librarian. Librarianship is a skill that is learned through practice, regardless of the degree in your hands.
Things I learned about Jamaica/the Carribbean:
- Everything starts about 15-20 minutes late…”Jamaica time.” I felt right at home.
- Walk on the left. Since people drive on the left, they walk on the left. If you walk on the right, you stop traffic. I finally got this down by the end of the week.
- Lots of camera, few laptops. I realized very quickly that I was among librarians when there were more people recording the cultural events with their cameras than there were folks just watching; after all, we’re in the business of preserving history & culture! Hey folks who took pictures, share them on the ACURIL2008 Flickr group!
- People are cold and unfriendly at first, but they’re quick to warm up once they realize you’re not a self-inflated tourist or American jerk.
- It’s “yeah, man” not “yeah, mon”
- It’s “persons” not “people”
- Don’t believe everything you read. The poverty, crime, etc. won’t eclipse the amazing people you’ll meet. Positive news stories don’t sell papers.
Things I learned about traveling:
- It’ll take some time to adjust to the accent. Be prepared to ask people to repeat themselves.
- You don’t *really* need all that stuff that you pack.
- Doing travel laundry is ok for manmade fabrics, but it’ll make cotton stiff.
- Time your meals and showers–there’s always a rush on both at certain times.
- Check the iron before you iron your clothes. Rust can be quite a surprise on a new white shirt.
Things I learned about myself:
- A vacation alone isn’t really a vacation. Experiences are meant to be shared.
- My idea of a great holiday is sitting around watching cartoons and napping (i.e. letting my brain rest). Not sitting in the sun. There’s no need to feel guilty for not wanting to hang out on the beach.
- I value the people in my life, and really do miss those I love, no matter how independent I believe myself to be.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:01 am
This is a beautiful post in every way. It only goes to show that you are indeed everything I thought you were when we met: professional, thoughtful, kind, smart.
Thanks for sharing so many sides to your trip. And to you.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I really enjoyed this post– mostly because some of it mirrored myself and it is nice to be “justified” to some degree. Sitting inside instead of in the sun for instance!
Do you really feel that librarianship is a skill learned and that a MLS is not absolutely neccessary? I am curious about this- I recently took on a position that the last person had an MLS. I currently do not and it is not required of me to get one. My director is amazing. I love my job and it is quite the feeling when you find where you belong. However, there is a part of me that feels insecure because I do not have the MLS.
Enough rambling– thanks for your blog!
June 10th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Hi A,
Let me explain; I think that my MLIS degree was extremely helpful in giving me the theory behind the work that I do as a librarian. It taught me many of the ideas and concepts that are necessary to understand how a library works and how all the parts of librarianship are interconnected. However, most of the actual skills that I needed I learned on the job. So it was no surprise to me that librarians in other countries have bachelor’s degrees in LIS and do not question the truth that they are librarians. However, here in the States most jobs ask for an ALA-Accredited MLIS. So in the end, I think that you would learn a lot about librarianship if you get an MLIS, but I think you’ll still be able to do your job just fine without it. If you have the time and money, sure, get the degree (if only for the attached pay raise!).
Most librarians can tell you that they know of library staff who are more competent and skilled than many librarians, but are looked down upon because they lack that piece of paper. This is an injustice in our profession that folks are continuing to work on resolving.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Hi Cliff. I think you’re speaking for most of us in this post. There are so many small lessons that crop up when we’re away and in a concentrated environment like a conference–big picture and small. All the time we’re fiddling with our PowerPoints and running from conference room to discussion panel (to our room for a nano-nap) we’re gathering small bits of insight, wisdom and being transformed in small ways. Travel and meeting new people can be the best teachers. Add a meaningful conversation, laughter over things non-conference related (and, well, sometimes trying to contain the laughter or non-appropriate commentary at, say, a banquet), along with unexpected a-ha moments and you have the makings of something very memorable, indeed. Indeed. Viva, Jamaica.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Hi Cliff
Happy to have met you. (we met at the lunch table “sugar” was the topic) Thanks for all the positives about Jamaica and for sharing your many opinions. Come again.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Hi Elizabeth! It was great to meet you too, and thanks for making me feel welcome and sharing a laugh with me!