tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33669875782620261572024-02-18T18:59:33.246-08:00Diversity Fellowship 07/08ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-67605975878329607282008-07-31T09:20:00.000-07:002008-12-09T10:28:37.042-08:00Last Day as a Fellow =(<font color=#CC99FF>Really? Is this reality? This is my last day here as a Diversity Fellow? Time has passed so quickly, and Ashley and I have accomplished so much. But it's as if we did all of that to lay the foundation for this program, and right before we can actually get into the groove of things...and build the house (metaphorically), we have to say farewell! Of course it is sad, sad to(technically) leave a job that I enjoy, but I am so happy and proud of what I have learned and accomplished.<br /><br />There definitely were ups and downs throughout the course of our fellowship, and I think it is normal when going through something that is completely new. It was new for Ashley and I, new for the full-timers who have been here for years, new for the administration, and for part-timers. Man, it was just new for everyone. But it was like a relationship - you learn about the other person day by day and your differences, but in the end you learn how to interact and make it work. We had to learn that there are cultural differences within the library staff - diverse personalities, different environments, diverse upbringing, different intellects, moods, sarcasm, positions.....the list goes on..... So we quickly realized diversity goes wayyyyyy beyond the labels of ethnicity, race and gender.<br /><br />Ashley and I definitely had to be "go with the flow" during our fellowship while our supervisor, Kristi, and others from the Diversity Council worked out kinks and helped solidify our positions as fellows. This experience was trial and error, and anytime we made a mistake (which was like never! Ok, just kidding...we had some misunderstandings..) we learned from them. You know? Just like with everything else in this world. Like Aaliyah, rest in peace, said "Dust yourself off and try again!" <br /><br />I realized Ashley and I became very passionate about certain projects. Ashley became passionate about the oral history she was conducting with Dr. Biegel. Unfortunately, Dr. Biegel passed away this spring semester, and Ashley was heart broken because she connected with Biegel. She told me that Biegel was such an interesting person and full of wisdom. But I think Ashley appreciated the opportunity to connect and create a relationship with Biegel, during a very critical time. I know Ashley learned from that experience how important it is to connect with one another. It is important to reach out and create relationships with one another. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxdjf2fAMhi9oSLtXnCE9VMTkdgEDy21I5k-rmJxAaC4hMkj9q8woPwhgcCWDz69zcmnGuhD8yPojgMslox-yKMONU3Dh5hu6Xf8OMukLBs4HGypcTXjJYqm_0PIEVXbE8NLG34A8UEI/s1600-h/P5230089.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxdjf2fAMhi9oSLtXnCE9VMTkdgEDy21I5k-rmJxAaC4hMkj9q8woPwhgcCWDz69zcmnGuhD8yPojgMslox-yKMONU3Dh5hu6Xf8OMukLBs4HGypcTXjJYqm_0PIEVXbE8NLG34A8UEI/s320/P5230089.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229223281324312114" /></a><br /><br />I became passionate about the READ poster project. I think it was a fabulous idea to help create a more friendly environment....and an environment that shows our diversity but also shows our patrons and employees who WE are...as an institution. As librarians. As people. Now, our library can be more familiar...by putting our pictures on these READ posters people will look at us, our names and positions. I am very confident that by showing our faces, it makes us more approachable. The patrons will feel like they know us. But this project has a deeper significance. I wanted to tear down the invisible wall of discrimination between part-timers, full-timers, and student workers. This is a project that brings all of us together, to participate in some fun. This project shows that we are all important. <br /><br />Ashley and I became very, very, very passionate about La Lagunilla and building a library collection for the community. We spent so much time, on and off the clock, working on gathering books, working out ideas, fund raising, and the list goes on. After going to Cuernavaca, Mexico, and meeting and creating relationships with the women and children, we have more than a passion. We are a part of their community and they are a part of our lives. We will always carry them in our hearts and memories. Ashley and I have discussed the idea of starting a nonprofit so we can continue to stay connected to the colony and develop their library. We have also been discussing annual visits to the colony. It is definite that we want to remain connected to this community. <br /><br />I have learned so much, about myself and about being passionate about things other than myself, by hearing the history of La Lagunilla and spending time with the women and children. Yes, I taught English to the women for four weeks, but boy did they teach me too. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO3E0moGvfFnzRy4IFrLb6FVNdWwtIkBA6_ipdUCtoRcxfsngo7qoSEMwm4jiG5P9eY22CWV9G8xsZJbdEzwuFOURBahVYhi5EHUT9JJajy46Jfd-88eSThzOj1O-XJCKitrjT1PcEwM/s1600-h/mygroup.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO3E0moGvfFnzRy4IFrLb6FVNdWwtIkBA6_ipdUCtoRcxfsngo7qoSEMwm4jiG5P9eY22CWV9G8xsZJbdEzwuFOURBahVYhi5EHUT9JJajy46Jfd-88eSThzOj1O-XJCKitrjT1PcEwM/s320/mygroup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229254637829821074" /></a><br />They corrected me on certain Spanish words. They taught me how to be a leader. They taught me about unity. They taught me about family, humor in a Mexican culture, and how to...to just relate and connect. All I had to do was be me and be open. I cannot explain all that I learned. To understand you will have to either A)Go to Lagunilla yourself B)Be a servant unto another! Help someone out...and you will know what I am trying to explain. The picture you see is a photo of me, Karen Whitney (IUPUI Dean of Students), and the women we taught! Not all are in this photo...the class size fluctuated everyday, but the women in this pic are the ones who were there almost everyday. :)<br /><br />This fellowship was a blessing. I have experienced so much in less than one year. This position was awesome because: 1)I had meaningful projects 2)Projects I was passionate about 3)Learning experiences 3)Experience in a professional setting 4)There were opportunities to share my opinions and my voice was heard....and I was given opportunities to carry out my ideas 5)We had an awesome supervisor - Kristi Palmer. Many kudos to her. 6)Meeting awesome people within the library and receiving their support and help. Gracias a todos! (Thanks to all).<br /><br />Con amor y paz,<br />Trina<br /></font color>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-28757362177545415542008-07-02T14:04:00.000-07:002008-07-02T14:16:12.640-07:00Value of Familia (Family)<strong><font color=#33CCCC>I began observing Mexican culture many years ago when I became very close to my friend Carla*, who is from Mexico City. I realized that their mother works her hardest just to have a refrigerator full of fresh food, clothes for Carla and Cristina* to wear, a safe home, etc. Their mother, Maria*, is a house cleaner and she probably cleans 10 to 15 houses a week, no joke. But Maria wasn’t a house cleaner in Mexico. She was an important assistant for the president of Mexico. For personal reasons, Maria and her two daughters moved to the U.S. and Maria’s credentials were seen as insignificant. That is how she became a house cleaner. But Maria does a fantastic job in the homes of her clients and she is very friendly with them, although her English is very poor. Somehow Maria and her clients communicate, and when Maria is lucky one of her daughters translates for her. Maria works hard and spoils her daughters – she gives them what they need and want (which is why they are spoiled). But I noticed that she spoils them because she has no one else in her life that means so much to her. If you look at their situation, they are foreigners in the U.S. with no family. The three of them only have each other, so of course Maria lives and breathes to take care of Carla and Cristina. The three of them do everything together – they go to cafes, restaurants, get-togethers, dinners, movies, shopping, etc. Anything you can think of, they do together. Carla and Cristina also help their mother clean homes when they are not at work or at school. I saw that the value of family is most important to them, especially in a foreign country. <br /><br />I haven’t been babbling about family for nothing. My whole reason behind this in-depth reflection about family is because I see the family ties at La Lagunilla. I teach the women at the center, so I get to see the women walk into the center and take their child(ren) to the appropriate class, and then they meet me for class. When classes are finished, the children run over to our class area and hug their mothers and show them what they did that day. It is so cute! I also notice a family bond between the mothers. The women in my class are friends, but they treat one another like sisters sometimes. They joke around, gossip and help each other. If Agustina doesn’t know how to pronounce a word Eve will help her. This always makes me feel joy inside, because Agustina is an abuela (grandmother) and Eve is of an age to where she can be mistaken as a daughter of Agustina. I’m not sure if they are related by blood, but I don’t think it matters. These women interact with one another as if they are a family. And in a sense they are. This center is a community. These children and women that come each week are a community, a family.<br /><br />*Names are changed for privacy<br /><br />Con paz y amor,<br />Trina<br /></font color></strong>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-27379708381974531582008-06-25T07:25:00.000-07:002008-06-25T08:58:16.408-07:00Reflexiónes de Mexico (Reflections from Mexico)<strong><font color=#FF9999>Hola! I have returned from Mexico, and I apologize for not blogging sooner. But as Ash said, we had a pretty tight schedule with many responsibilities. I'm going to follow Ashley's lead and share my reflections as well. The following is the reflection from the first week in Cuernavaca. Disfruten. (Enjoy)<br /><br />I must admit, though, being here in Cuernavaca has had an effect on me. I have been observing my host family. My observations have led me to reflect on myself and my family and how we operate. <br /><br />I have watched Mami Elena wake up early and prepare breakfast for her grandchildren, Carla and Rodrigo, my “sisters” and me. When I return from school the house is clean, my bed is remade (even though I make it in the morning), and food is cooking on the stove. Then she serves us la comida and watches us eat, making sure we are satisfied and full until we nearly explode. Then she cleans the kitchen along with her daughters, Norma and Gabriella. All the while, my “nephew” Rodrigo stands by the table talking and joking with us. Mami Elena makes sure we are okay before she leaves to go to her room. Mami Elena takes care of us, her two daughters and her grandchildren. Her daughter Gabriella and her two children, Carla and Rodrigo, live with Mami Elena and Norma is also living here temporarily. Mami Elena reminds me so much of my mother. I remember my mom would always have the house cleaned and food ready. And my mother’s pantry is never empty, and she is always ready to fatten you up. My mother gives and gives, and takes care of the family. Every time I visit she cooks a meal and when I leave I have a bag of various goodies that she packed. We (my brother, sisters, and I) can always go to my mother and be taken care of. Mami Elena and my mother are citadels. They are the glue in the family. These two women keep their family together. They are the super glue. Being here watching Mami Elena makes me appreciate and remember my mother. And I hope to one day be the super glue for my family.<br /><br />I told my roommate, Ashley, the other day that I am having a “walk a mile in my shoes” type of experience. I have so many friends in Indianapolis from other countries who are at IUPUI to study, and some of them live with their families, some live on their own, and others live with host families. Some of my international friends did not know how to speak English when they first arrived to the U.S. One friend who specifically comes to my mind is Kristiane. She is from Brazil and lived with a host family for four years and started to learn English when she came to the U.S. Even now, when we talk, she may not know a certain word and I will have to tell her and teach her how to pronounce it. This is how I am feeling down here. I already know how to speak broken Spanish, but actually being here in Mexico causes me to speak Spanish all the time, just like my friend has to speak English all the time in the U.S. But I have similar moments where I don’t know a word in Spanish and I have to ask a Spanish-speaker for help. It is a very humbling, exciting and a mind-opening experience. Being in Cuernavaca makes me feel so much like Kristiane – I am in a foreign country, living with a host family, studying at a school and learning an (almost) foreign language.<br /><br />Spanish isn’t really foreign to me at all, because I am Puerto Rican and my parents speak Spanish. They didn’t teach my siblings or me how to speak the language, however, and that is a long story in which I won’t attempt to explain. I heard Spanish all through my childhood and I decided to learn it in high school. Ever since high school I have had Latino friends and have spoken Spanglish. The language and Latino/Hispanic culture are not foreign to me at all, and I think that is why I feel so at peace here. I truly feel at home, as if I have lived here for years or was possibly born here. The culture here mirrors the culture of my family and my family in New York, Florida and Puerto Rico. The food (which is slightly different than Puerto Rican dishes), music, lifestyle, smells, and the colors remind me all too well of my Puerto Rican heritage. It doesn’t matter if I am in Mexico, I have begun to believe that we are the same. Yes, we have distinctions such as different dialects, facial features and unique foods, but there is some type of cord that threads us together. I even feel Mexican, which would have been odd to me a few years back.<br /><br />I would have laughed and denied myself a few years ago if someone told me that I was going to fall in love with Mexico. This is because there is this age-old “beef” or joke between Puerto Ricans and Mexicans. For some reason my family and my other Puerto Rican friends have made fun of Mexicans since I can remember, but I never really knew why. Also, we all would get very upset when someone would assume we were Mexicans. We would scrunch our faces up, throw our hands in the air and say things like, “What the hell are you thinking?” or “Hell no!” as if it is a disease to be Mexican. But once I befriended Carla*, who I have known from church since I was probably 10, my perceptions began to change. If someone accidentally assumed I was Mexican (which is quite often) I would not be as offended. I would politely tell them about my background and tell them that there are all types of Latinos in the United States. Carla introduced me to sopa de fidello, Paulina Rubio and Luis Miguel, and how to get down at Latino fiestas. She also taught me how to be lazy - that is what I used to call it, but now that I am in Mexico I see that everyone here just seems to take their time. Also, Carla would always talk about Mexico (and I am sure she still does). She would say, “Man, in Mexico the food is so much fresher than the food here” or “Well, in Mexico there are so many places one can go – you can never get bored.” She constantly compared Mexico to the U.S., and, frankly, it was very annoying. But dear Lord, I now know what she was saying. I find myself comparing Cuernavaca to Indianapolis almost everyday. I don’t want to leave this place!<br /><br />*Name has been changed for privacy <br /><br />Sinceramente (Sincerely),<br />Trina Otero<br /></strong></font color>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-37700949764908208982008-06-12T12:32:00.000-07:002008-06-12T12:40:57.911-07:00More from MexicoHere is part of one of my weekly reflections, ENJOY!<br /><br />Con amor,<br /><br />Ashley<br /><br />The La Lagunilla library project has been near and dear to my heart for the better part of a year now, and I still believe that the project is important to the people of La Lagunilla and to my own professional development. But, this week I truly had to question why I have never dedicated myself so completely to a service project as much as I have dedicated myself to this project. Though this is a complicated question that I am sure I will have to reflect upon more, the answer I came up with this week is this: sometimes when it comes to my own community and culture I am disinterested and complacent.<br /><br />Since I have been in Cuernavaca I have complained about not having enough time to see the sites, or truly immerse myself in the culture. But this week I truly thought about that. How much of my own hometown have I really seen? I am guilty of calling Indiana a boring place to live, but how many times have I really focused my energy on experiencing interesting things that Indianapolis has to offer? Perhaps one of the reasons I have a problem adjusting to the Mexican culture is because I do not really appreciate culture as much as I thought that I did.<br /><br />As I prepare to return to Indianapolis and IUPUI I have been thinking a lot about how the experience here can influence my personal and educational life. I came here expecting to learn a lot about ways to serve the growing Latino population in Indianapolis, and I have learned a lot. But, unexpectedly, I have also realized that it is really important for me to appreciate my own culture and share this culture with others.<br /><br />When I return to Indianapolis I hope that I can approach my daily activities with as much desire and passion that I have approached this program with. I hope that educating teens in Indianapolis will be as important to me as educating the kids at La Lagunilla has been to me while I have been here. Though I have been frustrated with my inabilities in certain areas since I have been in Cuernavaca, once the dust from the frustration settled I always wanted to push myself to do better and learn as much as I could. <br /><br />I hope that this drive will follow me to Indianapolis, and though I think I will be happy being back in a place where I know the customs and the language a lot better, I never want to be complacent about what I have to offer to or what I have to learn from my own environment again.ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-81563633318423913622008-06-03T16:37:00.000-07:002008-06-12T12:39:07.317-07:00ReflectionHola from Mexico,<br /><br />It has been a long time since I have blogged!!! Trina and I are in Mexico as week speak and our schedule is jammed packed with stuff to do. But, we are having a great time. I don't have a lot of time but I wanted to blog. As part of our participation in the "To Mexico with Love Program" we are required to write reflections each week that we are here. Since we don't have much downtime I am going to post part of my first reflection for you all to read. I hope you enjoy hearing about our experiences...<br /><br />Con Amor,<br /><br />Ashley<br /><br /><br />Reflection 1<br /><br />The one experience that stood out to me the most in the first week here was when we went to visit the service sites for the first time. I remembered that in our pre-departure meetings we talked a lot about some of the poverty that we might see here in Mexico. I expected that I would see many people that I would consider less fortunate than I am. Though I grew up in the inner city, and I knew many people that most would consider poor, before I came to Mexico I thought that the kind of poverty I would see in Mexico would be vast and depressing.<br /><br />Though I knew that the area around Ideal was going to be pretty nice, I was sure that when I went to visit La Lagunilla I would see some of the poverty we talked about in our meetings. But, I was completely surprised at what I saw when we first visited La Lagunilla. Though I expected the people of Mexico to be a lot different from my family and I, when I went to La Lagunilla I was surprised to see how similar the women there were to the women in my family. <br /><br />The women of La Lagunilla embodied something my mother used to say to me when I was a little girl. Whenever I was upset because I could not get some toy or name brand shoe that my friends had I would say to my mother, “I hate being poor!” My mother would just turn toward me and say, “You will never know what poor is because you have someone people who love you so much.” At the time I did not understand what she was saying, but as I grew up I began to understand how love is a force that can overcome any physical limitations. From the brightly painted walls, to the welcoming smiles of the women, La Lagunilla is a place filled with warmth and love. <br /><br />When I looked at the women of La Lagunilla for the first time I realized how much the strength of the human spirit is something that transcends culture, race, and economic status. When I listened to the elder of the group tell the history of the colony of La Lagunilla the feeling I felt was not amazement, but pride. She told us how the women had to rally against the government in order to protect their neighborhood and their culture. She also told us how the women came together to build the community center so that they could have a place where they could help one another with, childrearing and professional skills.<br /><br />Like at La Lagunilla, in my family it is the women who run the show. The women in my family have always shared childrearing responsibilities, and helped each other advance in their careers. I think I felt pride when I heard the story of La Lagunilla because, quite unexpectedly, I felt a connection with these women. Before going to La Lagunilla I saw myself as helping a group of less fortunate people gain access to information and skills that I had. After the first visit to La Lagunilla, I began to see myself as part of their community and see this service opportunity as a chance to exchange ideas and join a cross-cultural community of women.ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-2408038097704175122008-04-16T06:49:00.000-07:002008-04-16T06:53:04.526-07:00Did you miss me?I hope that no one remembers what I said in my first blog of this year. For those of you all who haven’t read that far back, let me just say that I broke my resolution. Though I am not proud of my lack of blogging in the past month I do have to say that I am really excited about the things that Trina and I are accomplishing through the fellowship. We are finishing our final push for the Mexico trip and we are also working on several projects independently.<br /><br />I am sorry though, that in this time of happiness and excitement, I have to report some sad news. As many of you may have read, I am working on an oral history project for the Special Collections and Archives at the library. I did not get an opportunity to write about Dr. Angenieta Biegel, the wonderful woman I chose for the project.<br /><br />Dr. Biegel was Professor Emerita at the IUMC and was a member of the IUPUI family. She was one of the first women to receive many great medical distinctions and honors through the university. Sadly Dr. Biegel passed away April 11, 2008. I only had the opportunity to meet with her three times, but my life was truly enriched with her presence. She was kind, extremely hospitable, and feisty. She also had a wealth of information and knowledge and I only wished I had the opportunity to get to know her better.<br /><br />Though I did not get to finish the oral history of Dr. Angenieta Biegel, I did tape record one session with her. In her honor, once the editing and transcription are completed, that interview will be housed in the Special Collections and Archives at IUPUI.<br /><br />If I have not learned anything else in my time as a diversity fellow, I have learned this, people are precious gifts. I think that what the fellowship does (through helping us understand and embrace diversity) is to try to help the fellows and those around us remember that we are not just in this profession to serve demographics, or statistics, but the library is a place that serves people. We should never take the opportunity to engage in conversation with or assist someone for granted.<br /><br />Carrying on as always,<br /><br />AshleyULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-78530872903934975322008-03-21T12:28:00.000-07:002008-03-21T12:50:23.037-07:00Diversity Seminar at the School of Journalism<font color=#CC99FF>It's me again....I briefly attended the Mary I. Benedict Critical Issues Seminar at the School of Journalism today. I just found out this is an annual gig the school does for high school students involved in journalism, photography and the yearbook. The guest speaker was Mercedes Lynn De Uriarte, University of Texas at Austin's associate professor of the school of journalism. Today the seminar was about diversity! And boy, it was a juicy seminar because Ms. De Uriarte, and the other facilitators, mentioned that diversity goes beyond skin color, origin of birth and language. The seminar had a strong focus on intellectual diversity and how these high school students could break out of the monotonous mold of journalistic writing. IUPUI journalism faculty and Ms. De Uriarte encouraged the students to reflect on their school newspaper and pin-point what was lacking....and where was the diversity? Did the paper reflect their school? Are these students digging deep enough to capture diverse stories for the paper? Are these students stepping out of their comfort zones in order to interview a diverse person or seek a diverse issue?<br /><br />This seminar was a great eye-opener for me. Diversity has become an important idea. A goal. An issue. A fear. A gem. A realization.<br /><br />The facilitators wanted the students to critical think, and as a visitor at the event, I too began to think. This whole event reminds me of the many conversations I have with Ash about diversity, and how there is a stereotype ABOUT diversity - that it is just about race, ethnicity and religion. Race, ethnicity and religion are some of the many facets OF diversity....or maybe even a sub-sub-category. Let's think about it.<br /><br />On another note, this seminar got my noodle in motion (my brain guys!). Do our library collections reflect the university as a whole? Do we have a diverse collection? I can say that while working on the most recent display case I had some trouble finding information on some Black poets when I searched the UL collections. So why does our library lack here? How can this be improved?<br /><br />Also, does our library environment welcome all diversity? Do the library tools such as the computers, chairs, rooms, phones, printers, books, etc. (anything you can think of) target and satisfy our diverse patrons and users? Let's think about it.<br /><br />Does our library organize diverse events? Does our library organize events for diverse groups or reasons? Let's think about it.<br /><br />Just some food for thought,<br />Trina<br /></font color>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-92170124037871834172008-03-20T14:17:00.000-07:002008-03-20T14:24:30.590-07:00A new Cause on Dosomething.org<font color=#FF6666>I just discovered dosomething.org and posted a Cause/Project on the site for our collaboration efforts with "To Mexico, with Love." I hope this will help bring awareness to the library construction project and to the University Library's Diversity Fellowship. =)<br /><br />We will see. In the mean time, please check out the <a href="http://www.dosomething.org/node/62727">cause</a>.<br /><br />Gracias,<br />Trina<br /></font color>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-75799747647253993102008-03-17T10:27:00.000-07:002008-03-17T10:44:49.012-07:00Quick Blurb<font color=#CCFFCC>Ashley and I were able to inventory all the books and materials that have been donated thus far for the library project in Xoxocotla, Mexico. We finished up the inventory before spring break, and we will continue to inventory books and materials until it is time to leave in May. We will soon be working on a catalog system for the new library....I am excited about this!<br /><br />I will also be working on a project within the library, beginning this week. Ashley and I sat down sometime last semester and brainstormed on why the library isn't and may not be a very inviting, friendly environment for patrons and visitors. We all thought of how we could make a more positive environment.....and one of our ideas was to put pictures of IUPUI University Library librarians on READ posters and to post these up around the library! I'm excited to say that this idea has taken off and is about to be in effect!!!! So watch out guys!! If this project proves to be effective (in a good way) we will branch out and post READ posters in different schools and departments (i.e. READ poster of Ed Gonzalez, a science, engineering, technology, informatics and nursing librarian, in the appropriate buildings). :) </font color><br /><br /><font color=#CCFFCC>Ciao!<br />Trina</font color>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-91983360816185661432008-02-25T08:39:00.000-08:002008-02-25T09:02:12.435-08:00An Update - Catching a Breathe from the FrenzyHola! The new year has been ridiculous - a good kind. When the new year came in, so did new projects and ideas....so it has been busy and hectic. But hey, I work GREAT under pressure!<br /><br />I finally finished my part of the display case earlier last week. I really like the way Ashley and I infused Black History Month (Feb.), National Women's History Month (March), National Poetry Month and Community Spirit Month (April). We decided we will keep this display up until the end of April; therefore, our display celebrates each of these months. You should really check it out because Ashley did a fabulous job of researching and finding awesome photos of the Black community that once existed right where our university now sits! (Hence, celebrating the Black History and Community Spirit months). My display showcases pictures and information on influential Black women and poets (male and female) in/from Indianapolis. If you check out the display you will see Etheridge Knight, poet; Mari Evans, poet/writer; Julia Carson, congresswoman; Tasha Jones, poet; and Madame C. J. Walker, entrepreneur. So my display case celebrates the Black History and National Poetry months. <br /><br />I had the blessing and opportunity to make contact with Madame C. J. Walker's great-great-granddaughter, A'Lelia Bundles, who provided me with fabulous pictures of Madame C. J. Walker. Ms. Bundles also told me she was going to be at IUPUI to talk at the "Marching to Justice" display, and she also told me she wanted to stop by and see our finished display! I was ecstatic! Sure enough, last Tuesday, Ms. Bundles stopped by to look at our work! I was very nervous, after all, she knows much more about her great-great-grandmother than I do. But she left me a note saying she enjoyed the display! So, now I am even more excited and proud of Ashley and my work! How awesome is that guys?<br /><br />**Check out the <a href="http://www.madamecjwalker.com/">official website</a> of Madame C. J. Walker to learn more about her and her great-great-granddaughter, A'Lelia Bundles.<br /><br />Well, that is all for today! <br />Until next time,<br />TrinaULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-59817400038698002452008-02-20T07:29:00.000-08:002008-02-20T08:00:26.663-08:00Just an update<div>Hey everyone. I just wanted to take out a little time to Blog and catch everyone up on what has been going on with the Fellowship. Last week was a productive and fun week. Trina and I had the opportunity to meet with Michelle from "To Mexico with Love" to talk about getting some initial inventory underway for the Xoxocotla library project. Both Trina and I are super excited and waiting to hear back from scholarship committees in order to help us fund this study abroad/ service learning experience. We will start our official inventory next week.<br /><br />We were also invited to the TL&R (Teaching, Learning and Research) retreat. At this meeting we talked with several different librarians and library staff members. The aim of the retreat was to figure out (or at least start talking about) which goals UL should start setting in order to help UL continue on the path of becoming a premiere academic library. I felt honored to be called upon to share the student perspective on matters from everything from marketing to the appropriateness of technology. I think the Diversity Fellowship was created to foster these kinds of student/staff/faculty interactions. This type of exchange serves the purpose of teaching Trina and I about the issues facing today's library and also allows us to offer our own perspectives to this conversation.<br /><br />Kudos to the TL&R team for taking this approach.<br /><br />Well...there are many things to come so I will say bye-bye-bye for right now.<br /><br />Carry On,<br />Ashley<br /><br /></div>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-41656230527117351152008-02-04T06:04:00.000-08:002008-04-29T08:05:20.254-07:00Book fairs, oral histories, and displays...oh myOk, ok, I admit it. I haven't been keeping up with my resolution. There has been ever so much to do around here. But, that is no excuse I am still going to work on getting more blogs posted so that I can share the exciting things that are going on with the fellowship...<br /><br />This week Trina and I will be working with the external relations team in order to get ready for the book fair next week. This morning we will be working on signs and figuring out where to place them to get the best student response. We have also decided to put the information about the book fair on the Diversity Fellowship's and the University Library's Facebook pages. These kind of social networking sites really reach out to the student population so we are hoping to get a good response.<br /><br />This week I will also begin working on an oral history project with the special collections and archives team. For this project I will choose someone connected to IUPUI and collect a oral history of the university from that person. At this time I am most interested in collecting an oral history from someone who once lived in this neighborhood and is now affiliated with the school. I am particularly interested in this project because my mother's and father's families both have ties to the neighborhood where IUPUI now resides. My father attended Crispus Attucks High School, and my mother lived on Blake Street. During my mother's childhood Blake Street was part of a thriving African-American community. This community was displaced when the university and other city buildings were built. I think that it is important for the university to acknowledge and pay homage to these people.<br /><br />Speaking of this African- American community, in recognition of this history, one of the displays in the lower lobby of the University Library is dedicated to the old neighborhood. Please come by and take a look at the photos and information on display. The photographs from Crispus Attucks and The Flanner House are housed in IUPUI's special collections and many are available online through the University Library Digital Catalog. The bulk of the other information can be accessed through the University Library's online database search. For other Indiana and Indianapolis information you might want to check out the Indiana Historical Society's database.<br /><br />This display will run February 4th - May 11th so you have plenty of time to come see it.<br /><br />Well until next time, Carry on.<br /><br />AshleyULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-90898379036166210842008-01-16T06:53:00.001-08:002008-01-16T06:54:04.248-08:00NEW YEARS ResolutionWrite one blog per week!<br /><br /><br />Ash :)ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-16010258902648287592008-01-16T06:04:00.000-08:002008-01-16T06:52:31.487-08:00Time moves...and moves...and moves...and...It has been a little while since the last time I wrote a blog. Over a month. The holiday season has come and gone leaving in its wake lots of work to be done. Trina and I have been working on several projects lately.<br /><br />The first project is the To Mexico with Love project. To Mexico with Love is an organization at IUPUI. This organization revolves around a cultural exchange/community service/ study abroad opportunity in the town of Cuernavaca in Morelos, Mexico. Trina and I both found out about the program through the many fliers posted around the campus. It just so happened that one day Trina came in and saw the flier on my desk and told me that she was also interested in the program.<br /><br />Neither one of us thought about ways that we could connect the To Mexico with Love program with the Diversity Fellowship. However, later on that week I attended the University Library's Board meeting and was inspired by Dr. Uday Sukhatme (Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of Faculties at IUPUI) who spoke about IUPUI's vision for diversity, community engagement, service learning and study abroad programs. When I came back from the meeting I talked to Trina about the things he'd said. She and I formulated the idea to combine the skills we are learning at the UL with IUPUI initiatives to promote diversity, service learning, and study abroad programs.<br /><br />With the help of Michelle Verduzco (Director of To Mexico with Love) and Kristi Palmer (Advisor for the UL Diversity Fellowship) we formulated a plan that would allow Trina and I to use our acquired librarianship skills to serve in an elementary school in Cuernavaca. It actually worked out that Michelle Verduzco and her colleagues from To Mexico with Love were already planning to work on collecting books, and building a library for the elementary school.<br /><br />With some much needed support from Dean Lewis (Dean of UL) we have been able to move forward with this project.<br /><br />But that is not even the half of it! Today we are meeting with the library's External Relations team to talk about a book fair project that we will be working on, and last week I was able to meet with the Special Collections team about working on an oral history project. We also are working on an ongoing project with Digitization. With so much to do the 7 months before our term as the University Library's Diversity Fellows will be over before we know it...But I won't think about that just yet. Now I am going to get back to work...there is always a lot to be done.<br /><br />Carry On,<br />AshULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-44094616157544840652007-12-12T13:11:00.000-08:002007-12-12T14:07:12.365-08:00Beyond Diversity - MulticulturalismI am really surprised at how fast this semester has passed. Ashley and I began working as Fellows at the beginning of October....and it is already the middle of December.<br /><br />I am very proud to be one of the first Fellows at the UL, and the title seems to hold very important values and responsibilities. I am, however, a little disappointed with how disorganized the fellowship is - thus far. But, I know that because this is a NEW job, a NEW initiative within the UL, that these kinks have to be worked out...and Ash and I need patience and to do the best we can. We have to set an example and lay the foundation for this new initiative. Of course, as time goes by and new Fellows come and go, this will grow into something more set into stone.<br /><br />I think because this is so new....and with the implications of the title "Diversity Fellows," that we should really be promoting the education of multi-culturalism and cross cultural interaction, especially within the library. I don't think we should be promoting "diversity." I will tell you why. Ed Gonzalez said something SO intelligent and true: Diversity is difference. Knowing you and I are different from each other. Merriam-webster.com defines diversity as: "the condition of being diverse" and "an instance of being diverse."<br /><br />Does the UL really want us to promote DIFFERENCES? Or do they want us to promote how our differences contribute to a GREATER cause? How distinct cultures contribute to the country, and in a more personal perspective, our campus? How the different, diverse people in the library work as teams to run this institution? How IUPUI's ever-growing diverse campus continues to thrive - because of the different contributions of faculty, staff, student, visitor's (etc.) different cultures and qualities?<br /><br />We (Fellows) need to set the goal of showing that we, and the school, welcome diversity (different cultures, ethnicities, religions, careers, goals, appearances, studies, people, environments, knowledge..). We (Fellows) need to set the goal that we will immerse ourselves in all types of cultures, in order to learn and understand, and then share that experience with our audience. Hopefully, we will be great role models so that others - regardless if you are of the IUPUI community or from another state or country - will be motivated to reach out and educate yourself of cultures outside of your comfort zone, or your own cultural environment. I hope we will motivate you to learn that the only barriers that exist are the ones you create.<br /><br />I am very hopeful for the project/campaign that Ash and I would like to engage in. Our initiative to partner with To Mexico w/ Love has been approved by Dean Lewis! Now, I feel that this will be a great project that will allow us to work and show that our fellowship can entail independence, imagination and ambition. I think this fellowship can be a wonderful opportunity for students to learn and demonstrate how to responsibly be a part of the "real world," and contribute to it by leaving a positive impression (works of good). Promoting multi culturalism goes beyond reading, talking or setting displays. You must live it!<br /><br />P.S. Merriam-webster defines multicultural as: <span class="sense_content">of, relating to, reflecting, or adapted to diverse cultures.<br /><br />♥<br />Trina<br /></span>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-72595154325575928992007-12-12T10:54:00.000-08:002007-12-12T11:35:25.056-08:00What is it Good For?<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Monday I had the opportunity to attend a</span> </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:11;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Indiana State Library Diversity Initiatives Task Force meeting at the Indiana State Library. It was a nice opportunity to see the different ways librarians from across the state are working to promote diversity in their own libraries and in library professions as a whole. Most of the meeting centered around a discussion about a program that the Task Force wants to build to encourage graduate students to consider entering the field.<br /><br />This discussions triggered my own thoughts about the field of library sciences and my new awareness of all of the different opportunities within library science.<br /> Before I became a Diversity Fellow at UL, I was a library assistant at an elementary school. In that position I gained a greater appreciation for the inner workings of the library. Though the elementary school library was much, much, much smaller than UL it faced many of the same problems that the Task Force addressed in their meeting. The librarian at the elementary school wore many hats. Not only did she do the traditional school librarian duties (checking in and out books, making sure that people stayed quiet) she also spent a lot of time working on grants and developing the library's collection.<br /><br /> As the Task Force members debated I thought about what ways the issue of diversity effects libraries from elementary schools to large public libraries to academic libraries. Through this fellowship I have had an opportunity to work with or collaborate with people who work in all different parts of UL. Recently I have spent some time working on a digital collections project, and after the holiday I will be working with archives. I tried to think of ways that diversity effects these types of library projects also. I came up with this conclusion: after all is said and done, it boils down to representation.<br /><br /> Librarians are the keepers of history and information. Diversity is important in library science because librarians have an obligation to do their best to represent the world around them. During the meeting several people mentioned that they did not want the Task Force to be seen as another "affirmative action program". While I believe that affirmative action, in many cases, opens doors for minorities, when we think about diversity it should not be limited to quotas. Libraries should be concerned about the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and ideas in the library profession. This exchange will enhance the quality of Indiana libraries in every way. Even elementary school libraries should reflect their patrons, inviting everyone to come and join the fun.<br /><br />Until next time...make it work,<br />Ashley</span><br /></span></span>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-72187766291769849232007-11-19T10:22:00.000-08:002007-11-19T10:46:44.393-08:00American Indian History Month DisplayMy mother used to tell me that anything worth having is worth working for. I definitely put that principle to the test for the last week while Trina and I were working to complete the display for American Indian History Month. Preparation for this display began about a month ago and when it came to crunch time things just weren't falling into place like they were supposed to. If you have ever done the type of displays we do here I think that you might appreciate what I am saying. Every little step takes time and precision and with some aspects of the display (i.e. mounting photographs on to matte board, or scanning pictures) if you mess up the first time you have to go back and do the process all over again. Finally, this morning (after much screaming and gnashing of teeth) I finished my portion of the display. Woo hoo!<br /><br />One of the things that I think made this display so difficult to complete (a sentiment that I think may carry through to the rest of our displays and reaches back to the first display) is a want to make sure we are accurately portraying our display subjects. Our displays are very people centered and that adds the extra challenge of being sensitive to cultures that are not our own, and that we may not be well acquainted with. Before we finalize decisions on our displays we like to enlist the help of others who know more. This month we had help from Greg and Debra our friends in Special Collections, IUPUI staff members, and members of the NASA (Native American Student Association) at IUPUI.<br /><br />With their help I think that we have made this display interesting and informative. However, after spending hours and hours researching, gluing, taping, mounting and printing, when I finished hanging the final picture and stood back to look at the work i realized something: displays can only do so much. The most fulfilling and important part of this fellowship is the fact that we have the opportunity to have others share their experiences with us. The time we spend immersed in the diversity of the human experience is more enriching than any amount of research will ever be.<br /><br />Until next week...in the words of Tim Gunn "Carry on" and "Make it work!"<br />AshleyULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-42368824035950084502007-11-09T05:22:00.000-08:002007-11-09T06:31:24.185-08:00Taking the Good with the BadThis morning I came to work a little later than usual and used the UL main entrance to come in. From a distance I saw a tiny yellow post-it note sticking to one of the display cases. I figured that it was an honest mistake and went over to take it down. That is when I noticed that something was written on the post-it: "STOP GAY CELEBRATION". I looked towards the other display case and winced when I saw another little yellow note. This one read: "WHEN DOES GAY (month) CELEBRATION END?.<br /><br />Reading these notes I felt both upset and empowered. I felt upset because of two things.<br />1.) I am just generally fed up with intolerance (maybe being intolerant of intolerance is a bit hypocritical of me).<br />2.) I don't know how to address this problem. I am big on letter writing and speaking up for what I believe, but how do I address a single person and his/her lack of respect for the diverse cultures and experiences of others?<br /><br />I guess the feeling of empowerment I have at this moment comes from the answer I gave myself for #2: I can't.<br /><br />The notes that were posted on the display case were not signed. There was no contact information given for whomever wrote the notes and unless they somehow stumble upon this blog, I will never have a chance to sit down and talk with her/him and get a better understanding of his/her position. However, I can feel empowered by knowing that the things we do here can be both educational, thought provoking and hopefully somewhat empowering to people from under/misrepresented cultures.<br /><br />There are many people who do not believe, as I do, in the equal rights and protections that the Constitution is supposed to provide each United States citizen. That is their right. However, through this fellowship, Trina and I, have and opportunity and obligation to make it known that it is our stance that all people deserve representation. And, though we have limited resources, we will do our best to represent the diversity of the IUPUI community.<br /><br />In the future I will remain focused on not only displaying diversity on the surface, but also, through the opportunities and endeavors we will seek through this fellowship, immerse myself (as much as I can) in diverse cultures and ideas.<br /><br />Still loving this job!<br />AshleyULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-35447667668972036572007-11-06T12:35:00.000-08:002007-11-06T13:11:29.137-08:00Current Buzz at the Fellowship<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Kim Sorrell got my brain ticking.....and I decided to list all the web resources I had found and then used to help Ashley and I create the GLBT display cases. I have listed these resources on our Diversity Fellowship group page on Facebook, under the discussion topic "GLBT Resources." This is a great way to incorporate and encourage group members or net surfers to research this topic further - and I have given them a headstart with the resources I have found.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">On another note, Ashley and I have an awesome idea and want to launch it as a project during our time here as Fellows. We discovered that we both were interested in the </span><a style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" href="https://mexico.iupui.edu/">To Mexico With Love</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> program, and we began to wonder if we could incorporate our Fellowship goals (diversity and librarianship) with this trip to Mexico. I mean, it is a program of cultural immersion, education, experience and service learning. So, we wondered, couldn't we possibly help a library in Cuernavaca as a service learning project?? Yes indeed, I believe we can! We just have to ask the right people and do the research!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">So we have begun the initial part of our "project." We contacted the Director of Campus & Community Life at IUPUI (Michelle Verduzco) and we discovered that there will be a new service learning site for the trip next summer.......and guess what it is? They want to help build a library for an elementary school in a rural indigenous community!! Isn't this exciting? Ashley and I can put our new skills to the test and definitely help! Ashley and I are very excited to meet with Michelle this Friday, to learn about this new service learning site and to discuss what we can do in preparation for this trip. I believe that once we are filled in on the planning and preparation that has already been accomplished, we can help by finishing the following steps with them. Like, if they need books Ashley and I can start a book drive or see if we can have books donated by scholarly companies, etc. Also, they will need some type of organization process or cataloging system - Ash and I can be trained on this so that we can do that when we are in Mexico. If there are other sources we need to contact to make this happen, then we can help make the connections before next summer! I definitely want to be a part of this planning process! And I am sure there is much to do before next summer...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Also, Ash has this brilliant idea: Receive training on how to write grant/funding proposals and letters. We learned that the UL External Relations team does a lot of this, along with public relations work. But instead of "stepping on their toes" we can be trained, practice, and then write proposals to see if we can receive funding for this trip (it costs around $2,000 per person). This will be another great opportunity to utilize new skills that we will learn as Fellows.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">When Ash and I do go (I am saying </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >"when" </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">instead of </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 255, 255); font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >"if"</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> because I am going to stay positive about this), we want to record our experiences and activities so that when we return we can use it for our end-of-the-year display/project. (We are supposed to make a project at the end of the year to display what diversity means to us....or what we learned throughout the Fellowship). I think that the pictures, tokens, artifacts, journals, etc. that we bring back will be great resources and assets for our final project.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">In the meantime, until Friday....Ash and I have been working on submitting scholarly work to Idea (an IUPUI digital archive) and gathering information for our National American Indian Heritage Month displays......</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">♥,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Trina</span></span><br /></span></span></span>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-67255516263650276052007-10-24T04:43:00.000-07:002007-10-24T05:10:54.959-07:00Board MeetingThis week I had the very cool and exciting opportunity to meet with the IUPUI University Library (UL) board. At first I was super, super nervous. But, when I got to the meeting I definitely relaxed. The atmosphere was friendly and inviting and most importantly the information I received was really interesting. I got an amazing opportunity to meet some of the UL board members who are all very influential in the Indianapolis community and the meeting was really inspirational.<br /><br />I know, I know, that sounds really corny but I am telling the truth. IUPUI's Dean of Faculties, Dr. Sukhatme, spoke to the board about some ongoing initiatives for the IUPUI student and faculty population. He emphasized the importance of service and research for both students and faculty. He also talked about the university's desire to promote international study opportunities for the students. His talk really got me think about some of my goals in general and some of my goals as a Diversity Fellow.<br /><br />For me diversity is about awareness: learning, knowing and understanding others to the best of your ability. I think that the initiatives that IUPUI has set forth are very similar to what I hope to do through this fellowship. Too often, I believe, diversity is something that people try to achieve unnaturally. What I mean by this is that often times people try to mend the wounds of the historic cultural disparities in this country by superficially addressing the problem. We approach one another's differences from the outside, as if the value of another's cultural heritage is nothing more than an accessory to our own.<br /><br />I have to say that this approach to diversity is better than no approach at all, but I am happy to say that it seems like IUPUI is offering more experiential opportunities for cultural exploration. I think if we try our best to experience other cultures we will start to see that are similarities outweigh our differences. Who knows maybe then we will become more sensitive to and respectful of the humanity that binds us all...<br />just a thought<br />Ashley:)ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-20477619044972488582007-10-19T15:00:00.000-07:002007-10-19T15:23:34.615-07:00Fellowship Succcess<em>Before and after I was selected as a Diversity Fellow, I felt in the dark as to what responsibilites the position would hold. After working for a few weeks, Ashley and I have dived head-first into action. We have been introduced to so many people that work here at the library.....and it was overwhelming (especially trying to remember names). I was excited when we were given the "go" to take over the display cases in the library, collaborating with one another (Ashley and I). This month we were to create a display for GLBT History Month! I feel that our unique individual creativity is excellent, and I love the way our ideas - which are different - can be pieced together to flow as one. I am so happy because today we have finished the displays. And I say this with honesty - it took longer than I thought. It took much research and some public relations. Through this process I have met professors, students and campus organizations from IUPUI that support GLBT and its many causes. I was also able to contact national organizations and other university organizations that support GLBT. I hope that through out the year, and in the future, I can go to all these people and organizations if I need any information or help. And vice-versa.</em><br /><br />**Please take time to check out our efforts! It's at the first floor of the library by the new coffee kiosk and mini cafe area! You can't miss it.<br /><em></em><br /><em>Also, just in these few weeks Ashley and I have worked in the digitization lab in the basement of the library. Some of the procedures I am familiar with...and some I have learned while being there. I never used or played around with Photoshop before, and being in the digi lab gave me some experience. It is pretty cool because the lab scans very old articles, papers, artifacts, etc. in order to digitize it and post it on their digital database (which you can find on the university library's website). Right now I believe Blake and others are working on a project for Crispus Atticks school (I hope I have spelled this right!) They are scanning all their year books so as to make them digital!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I've also been introduced to those that work in the Special Archives and Collections department. People, you should go to the basement of the library and check out their most recent display in the lobby. It is cool....it's for the Future Farmers of America (FFA), I believe. Also, check out their displays inside the Special Collections room.....pretty neat stuff.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>This week I was able to work a little with the External Relations department - and I am pretty excited about this! My major is journalism, with focus in pr, so I am excited to learn more experience with what goes on in this department! Ashley and I will be helping the team with planning of the book fair, which will be in the spring. So....stay tuned!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Oh, our cubicle neighbor rocks! =D</em>ULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3366987578262026157.post-65269501085973421272007-10-18T06:04:00.000-07:002007-10-18T06:32:24.439-07:00What is the ULIB Diversity Fellowship?When I applied for the Diversity Fellowship UL (University Library IUPUI) the first thing I wanted to know was "exactly what is the Diversity Fellowship". After working in the UL for the past three weeks, I am finally starting to understand what our (the Diversity Fellows - myself and Trina) job is.<br /><br />There are basically two parts to our job, innovation and support. <span style="font-style: italic;">Innovation </span>is a fancy way for me to describe the part of our work that has to do with coming up with diversity initiatives and projects that have to do with Trina and myself reaching out to the campus community.<br /><br />Our first major project was to create a display for GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans-gender) History month. In order to create this display we not only used the library to do research, but we also reached out to several different campus organizations.<br /><br />In the future, besides continuing our series of displays, Trina and I hope to be in contact with campus organizations in order to help them learn ways that the UL can help them complete their own projects. By doing this we hope to make the UL a place that is more reflective of the diversity of the student population.<br /><br />The support portion of our job is just what it sounds like. When we are finished with our own projects. We are encouraged to help librarians do their work. In the short three weeks that we have been here, we have worked in several different areas of the library including the digitization lab, special collections (the team that without which our display would have never been more than a good idea) and external relations.<br /><br />Helping these librarians with their projects not only helps us become more familiar with how the library works, but it allows us to offer the librarians our own unique student perspectives...<br /><br />So far the fellowship has been a really cool experience...I will keep you posted throughout the year on our latest and greatest adventure.<br /><br />Be well,<br />AshleyULIB Diversity Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05129108825640578475noreply@blogger.com0