February was supposed to be library visits in China and India. But due to COVID outbreaks in China, and visa/flight difficulties to India, these two locations had to be changed. Instead, I returned to several Southeast Asia cities for additional library visits: Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore.
1. Guest lecturing at University of Santo Tomas. I returned to UST to guest teach Bachelor of Library & Information Science (BLIS) students. Left: teaching Reference skills, using a Jeopardy game format. Right: with the BLIS students, and their professor, Dr. Pri-Ann Tinipunan.
2. Visiting Manila public libraries. The capital city of Manila has 10 small public libraries, rather than a single, large, central library. Left: the main branch (headquarters of administrative staff). It is quite small, so not really representative of a large, central municipal library. Right: the Sacramento Friendship branch. This branch established a Sister-Library relationship with the Sacramento, California Public Library several years ago.
Visiting Thammasat University Library and International Office. Thammasat is one of Thailand's top universities, and its library is impressive: modern facilities, robust collections, and great e-resources. Left: outside the library entrance. Right: in the book stacks with Thai LC classification signs.
Left: Library outreach promotion: a sign promoting a library Valentine's Day program--a free cupcake making workshop. Right: The library adopted a stray cat which has now become its unofficial mascot. It has its own library living space, and students are invited to come pet or play with the cat any time.
Left: the Thammasat Library Reference Desk (decorated with hearts for Valentines Day). Right: meeting with officers of Thammasat University's International Office: Ms. Surussawadee Artnonla and Mr. Tatthana Swatdiwetin. We discussed ideas for increasing student exchanges in both directions, as well as a library training video to better prepare students. A press release from Thammasat, on this meeting, is here.
Visiting the (new!) Jakarta Provincial Public Library. The province of the capital city, Jakarta, has a new public library, and it is beautiful! Located in Central Jakarta, it is a multi-story building with many modern features: casual commons areas, children's section, music production lab, makerspace lab, and much more. Banners with a QR code provide a video tour of all floors (very cool!) The library uses Dewey for is book shelves.
Visiting the Kuala Lumpur Public Library. Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur has a beautiful municipal public library! Right: the amazing glass exterior, with two rotunda ends on each side. Left: up close with the library's "Perpustakaan" sign ("Library" in Malaysian language).
Left: a lovely, new cafe & coffee shop inside the library. Right: In the book stacks (Dewey classification) finding some Malaysian cookbooks!
Left: a banner promoting the library's e-books. Right: the festive children's library, with a forest interior design.
Visiting the Stamford American International School Library. This private school library is the school library participant for Singapore in the ALA ASEAN Sister Library project. The school's Librarian, Ms. Susan Grigsby, is an expert in school libraries, bringing years of experience to her post.