[Michlib-l] Chelsea District Library Announces Professional Exchange Program with South Africa

[Sandie Schulenburg]

It sounds wonderful!  Congrats on a great idea!

Sandie Schulenburg
Brighton District Library

On Tue, Mar 17, 2015 at 8:20 AM, Sheryl Mase <smase at mmll.org> wrote:

> Yay Bill Harmer, yay Chelsea District Library, yay Mausiphumelele
> Community Library!  Best of luck with the exchange ~ you make us proud ;-)
>
> ~Sheryl
>  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Sheryl L. Mase, Interim Director
> Mid-Michigan Library League
> 220 1/2 N. Mitchell, Cadillac MI 49601
> 231-775-3037 or 800-968-0046
> email: smase at mmll.org
> website: http://mmll.org
> ~visit us on facebook <https://www.facebook.com/4mmll>!~
>
>
>
> --------- Original Message ---------
> Subject: [Michlib-l] Chelsea District Library Announces Professional
> Exchange Program with South Africa
> From: "Bill Harmer" <bharmer at chelseadistrictlibrary.org>
> Date: 3/16/15 10:29 pm
> To: "michlib-l (michlib-l at lists.mcls.org)" <michlib-l at mail.mcls.org>
>
>  Dear Colleagues,
>
> I wanted to share a few words about an exciting new endeavor for the
> Chelsea District Library.
>
> I had such a wonderful experience visiting Cape Town and the rest of South
> Africa during my visit there in April 2013 as part of the Bill & Melinda
> Gates Foundation Peer Learning Meeting. One of the best experiences I had
> was visiting Sue Alexander and her wonderful library in Masiphumelele. I
> was moved by the many wonderful things that she and her staff members do
> for the community. It was during my visit to Cape Town and her library that
> I came up with the idea of a professional exchange program between our two
> libraries, which will take place from May 25 to June 20, 2015.
>
> The exchange program will function as a professional training program for
> two qualified staff members (Emily Meloche from Chelsea, and Nosiviwe
> Lutuli from South Africa) to advance developmental goals for capacity
> building, acquiring knowledge, skill, professional contacts, and
> friendships to help our two libraries broaden their impact as the go-to
> resource for building a culture of enlightened, engaged, and empowered
> citizens.
>
> Mausiphumelele Community Library is redefining how public institutions
> such as libraries can strengthen the foundations of community and civic
> engagement through volunteering, participating in civic and social
> organizations, participating in public dialogue and problem solving
> sessions, and working to make a difference in their community. Emily will
> meet with leading experts in her field across South Africa to gain new
> insights and approaches to create positive, sustainable change, which she
> will share with our community upon her return. Through careful study of
> this program, Emily will be able to strengthen her capacity to influence
> changes in new ways to our community.
>
> We will accomplish these goals by exposing both Emily and Nosiviwe to new
> practices in their areas of expertise, providing targeted training
> opportunities, and providing the resources and skills necessary to make
> informed decisions and implement what they have learned. The program will
> also provide a unique opportunity for them to learn about life in the US
> and South Africa through their stays with host families throughout the four
> week program.
>
> Working towards solutions to our challenges together, sharing knowledge,
> ideas, and experiences on a community level will help support sustainable
> progress and build stronger communities.
>
> Exchange programs are important because library professionals need to be
> successful in a business world that is globally competitive. A professional
> exchange is an enriching experience on many levels. It affects both
> professional and personal development, inspires creative ideas, enhances
> relationships, and strengthens multicultural understanding. Community and
> staff alike will experience firsthand different approaches to
> librarianship, teaching styles, research, and education. Conducting
> research, working, or teaching in a different environment presents new and
> rewarding challenges. Interacting with new professionals offers a
> perspective on your identify as a librarian, teacher or administrator in a
> global community.
>
> At the same time, Emily will serve as an ambassador for Chelsea, laying
> important foundations for future exchanges and collaborations. The
> community of Chelsea will also benefit further as we integrate new views
> and material into our service scope, promote study abroad, practice
> cross-cultural sensitivity in our daily interactions and lead the way in
> appreciating the diversity of people and cultures.
>
> Please join me in congratulating Emily on her exciting new journey.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Bill Harmer
> Director
> Chelsea District Library
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