CALAMW 2006 Annual Program

four picture of
Cleveland Public Library

Challenges for Libraries
Chinese American Libraians' Perspectives

CALAMW 2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Cleveland, Ohio, May 6 2006
Cleveland Public Library, Co-Host

When: May 6, 2006, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Where
Treasure Room in Special Collections Dept. 314, Main Library
Cleveland Public Library
325 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Keynote speaker: Mr. Milos Markovic
Mr. Milos Markovic is the head of Foreign Literature Department and co-chairs the New Americans Committee of the Cleveland Public Library. He will discuss how Cleveland Public Library connects to its surrounding community and develops programs and materials to serve many different ethnic groups.
Agenda

*May 5 (Friday), 2006

4:00-5:00 p.m. Tour of Cleveland Public Library

5:00-6:00 Social

6:00-9:30 Working Dinner

7:30-8:30 Committee Reports

8:30-9:30 Social

*May 6 (Saturday) 2006

8:30-9:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast

9:00-9:10 Welcome speech by Li Fu, CALAMW 2005/06 President

9:10-9:20 Greeting from Holly Carroll, Deputy Director of CPL

9:20-10:05 Keynote Speech by Mr. Milos Markovic
Head, Foreign Literature Department and Co-chair of the New Americans Committee of the Cleveland Public Library
10:05-10:20 Break - Tai Chi/Haipeng Li

10:20-10:50 Session I: Understanding Librarian Performance Assessment: A Case Study--Junlin Pan.

Abstract:
This article discusses the managerial function of performance assessment in academic libraries from both theoretical and practical perspectives. In theory, an integrated, equitable, and effective assessment system is designed with sufficient considerations given to the following: objectives, assessment categories and criteria, participants and their roles, qualitative evaluation, quantitative ratings, and implementation and improvement procedures. In practice, however, performance assessment always, more or less, involves human factors which may result in unfairness. Although it is an unrealistic ideal to completely eliminate subjectivity, it is possible to restrict it to the utmost via the evaluation mechanisms in order to achieve equity.
In this study, the researchers conduct a descriptive analysis of one existing assessment system of a university library. The findings reveal the following problems of this system. Firstly, weight allocation among evaluated categories is inequitable. The rating of one single category has the absolute decisive impact on the final rating. Secondly, the evaluation criteria are implicit and non-standardized. The same performance achievements may receive totally different ratings. Finally, the voting assignment is unreasonable. The most qualified evaluator (the direct supervisor) is deprived of the numeric rating vote.
Via analysis and discussion, the authors point out that as a managerial means, a library performance assessment system directly reflects the equity conscientiousness and managerial standards of the library administrator. A sound system can effectively help to create a healthy work environment, establish nice interpersonal relationships, encourage active work attitude, and promote work efficiency. In contrast, a poorly constructed system may bring unfairness, arouse conflicts, and deteriorate interpersonal relationships at the work place. How to establish and continuingly improve a performance assessment system, therefore, is an urgent issue that needs to be adequately addressed in library administration.

Author Information:
Junlin Pan
Ph.D. Currently associate professor, reference librarian, coordinator of reference desk services.

Gaoyin Qian
Associate Professor, City University of New York

10:50-11:00 Q & A

11:00-11:30 Panel Session II: Sit back & relax - enjoy the tech-services--Lu, Yangyang
Abstract:

Current technology trend - what do you think the current technology booming? Do you feel you are falling behind? Have you ever thought you could be a programmer one day?
An overview of the local Chinese community website I am building

Author information:
Yangyang Lu
is a software engineer and an IT firm owner in Cleveland Ohio.

11:30-11:40 Q & A

11:40-12:00 Photo Taking/Social

12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00-1:30 Panel Session III: A Cradle of Chinese American Librarians - The GSLIS Chinese Group--Xiao Hu, Minjie Chen

Abstract:
Established in December 2004, the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) Chinese Group in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has been an important platform to nurture Chinese students as future LIS leaders in USA. With twenty-four Chinese student members, seven American members and twelve Chinese Alumni, the group is the largest international student organization in GSLIS. The Group aims to provide leadership-practicing environment for Chinese students in American culture; and to serve as a bridge between GSLIS and China in LIS research, practice, and education. The presentation will focus on activities reflecting our values and our plans for the near future. Vivid photos and audio clips will bring the audience back to the scenes of activities such as featured talks, career workshops and the Chinese Librarian Summer School in UIUC. Through the presentation, we hope to get advices from CALA and enhance the Group's connection with CALA.

Author information:
Xiao Hu
is a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She has been the president of GSLIS Chinese Group in UIUC since May 2005, and was the vice president of the Group from December 2004.

1:30-1:40 Q & A

1:40-2:10
Panel Session IV: Library Application of Blogs and Podcasts--Haiwang Yuan, Jen Yu

Abstract:
Does "Web 2.0" sound familiar to you? Or "social Web tools?" You must have heard about "RSS," and you may have already been exposed to blogs and podcasts. What are they, and how do they work? This presentation will answer these questions. By showcasing exemplary blogs and podcasts, the presenters will walk you through the process of setting up your own blog and podcast. The presentation also discusses how blogs and podcasts can be used in library environment, and what are the "do's" and "don'ts" in their design. At the center of the presentation is an examination of how the people behind the new technologies are managed. Other issues such as marketing, ethics, and copyright are also covered in the presentation.
Author information:
Haiwang Yuan
has been a member of the Department of Library Public Services faculty at Western Kentucky University Libraries since 1997. He is Web Site & Virtual Library Coordinator of the University Libraries and editor of the Libraries' newsletter. He is author of the monograph The Magic Lotus Lantern and Tales from the Han Chinese (Libraries Unlimited, 2006) and Virtual Libraries' Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Huayi, Beijing 2002) and contributor of Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture (Routlege 2004). He has authored and co-authored papers published in regional and national journals like CR&L, Library Administration and Management and Kentucky Libraries. He is recipient of the 1999 Kentucky Libraries Award. He co-chairs the Web Advisory Committee of the Chinese American Librarian Association and of the KYVL Information Literacy Committee, and president-elect of CALA Midwest Chapter (2005-06).

Jen-chien Yu
has been an Electronic Information Services Librarian/Data Specialist at Miami University Libraries since 2001. She develops web-based services and applications, with a focus on applications for numeric data users and instructional outreach to first-year students. She is involved in the development of E-learn, a web-based instruction for first-year students funded by the Ohio Board of Regents Grant. She teaches "Introduction to Information Studies in the Digital Age," a semester-long course in locating and creating information in a variety of digital formats.

2:10-2:20 Q & A

2:20-2:40 Break - Tai Chi/Haipeng Li

2:40-3:10 Panel Session V: What's new at OCLC?--Wei Bender

Abstract:
A brief update on OCLC, which include:

New membership report: Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources
Recent Acquisitions: Fretwell-Downing Informatics and Openly Informatics, Inc
Open WorldCat: User-contributed content; new records installed using FRBR tools; link to QuestionPoint 24/7
QuestionPoint 24/7: Blogging on QuestionPoint; New platform
Author information:
Wei Bender
is Senior Segment Analyst, OCLC Corporate Marketing Division. He got his M.L.S. in Library and Information Science, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio in 1995-1998 and M.A. in Education Theory and Practice, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio in 1988-1989.

3:10-3:20 Q & A

3:20-3:40 Panel Session VI: Promoting Global Librarianship: CALAMW-China Collaboration--Xudong Jin, Haipeng Li

Abstract:
As the field of librarianship is advancing rapidly throughout the world, the training for librarians has become a crucial factor in promoting global librarianship and in providing the best services possible to our library users, in particular. This presentation is based on a collaborative project between the Chinese American Librarians Association Midwest Chapter and the Yunnan Provincial Commission on Academic Libraries. Five librarians who work at the frontlines of academic libraries in the United States each with more than ten years of experience gather at Yunnan University to conduct lectures, seminars and discussion sessions for librarians from all over China. Topics range widely, from library management to user services, from information literacy to collaborative collection development, from library consortia to digitalization and virtual libraries, and from information commons to googlization. The presentation will discuss the rationale behind this project, the planning, coordination, process of implementation, and more importantly the long-term impact of this project.
Author information:
Xudong Jin
has been Associate Director of Libraries and Head of Technical Services at Ohio Wesleyan University since March 2000. Before moving to Ohio, he worked as Cataloging Coordinator at Southern Oregon University for 4 years and Librarian, Cataloger and Systems at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania for two years. He has B.A. and M.A. in history from Yunnan University, China, M.A. in international affairs from Ohio University, and MLS. from St. John's University, NY. He served as Vice Chair of ALA PromptCat Discussion Group 2002-2003 and President of CALA Midwest Chapter 2004-2005.

Haipeng Li
is Reference Librarian/Outreach Coordinator at Oberlin College in Ohio. Prior to coming to Oberlin, he was Reference Librarian at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. In Oberlin, he has served as Reference Librarian/BI Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, and Co-Director of a diversity intern program funded by IMLS from 2000-2003. Haipeng is an active member of the CALA. He has served in many roles as officers, committee chairs and members for CALA. He is also a member of other library associations including ALA, ACRL, and ALAO (Academic Library Association of Ohio). Haipeng also served as Vice President (1999-2004) and a member on the board of trustees of the Oberlin Shansi Association (1996-2004). In 2001, he helped organize an international conference: "Academic Librarianship in the New Millennium," in Kunming, China. His research interests include diversity, leadership, information literacy, and international librarianship.

3:40-3:50 Q & A

3:50-4:00 Evaluation/Wrap-up (Haiwang Yuan, Incoming President of CALAMW)

4:00pm Adjourn

*May 5 (Friday), 2006
4:00-5:00 p.m.	Tour of Cleveland Public Library
5:00-6:00	Social
6:00-9:30	Working Dinner
7:30-8:30	Committee Reports
8:30-9:30	Social
*May 6 (Saturday) 2006
8:30-9:00 a.m.	Registration and Breakfast
9:00-9:10	Welcome speech by Li Fu, CALAMW 2005/06 President
9:10-9:20	Greeting from Holly Carroll, Deputy Director of CPL
9:20-10:05	Keynote Speech by Mr. Milos Markovic Head, Foreign Literature Department and Co-chair of the New Americans Committee of the Cleveland Public Library
10:05-10:20	Break - Tai Chi/Haipeng Li
10:20-10:50	Session I: Understanding Librarian Performance Assessment: A Case Study--Junlin Pan. Abstract: This article discusses the managerial function of performance assessment in academic libraries from both theoretical and practical perspectives. In theory, an integrated, equitable, and effective assessment system is designed with sufficient considerations given to the following: objectives, assessment categories and criteria, participants and their roles, qualitative evaluation, quantitative ratings, and implementation and improvement procedures. In practice, however, performance assessment always, more or less, involves human factors which may result in unfairness. Although it is an unrealistic ideal to completely eliminate subjectivity, it is possible to restrict it to the utmost via the evaluation mechanisms in order to achieve equity. In this study, the researchers conduct a descriptive analysis of one existing assessment system of a university library. The findings reveal the following problems of this system. Firstly, weight allocation among evaluated categories is inequitable. The rating of one single category has the absolute decisive impact on the final rating. Secondly, the evaluation criteria are implicit and non-standardized. The same performance achievements may receive totally different ratings. Finally, the voting assignment is unreasonable. The most qualified evaluator (the direct supervisor) is deprived of the numeric rating vote. Via analysis and discussion, the authors point out that as a managerial means, a library performance assessment system directly reflects the equity conscientiousness and managerial standards of the library administrator. A sound system can effectively help to create a healthy work environment, establish nice interpersonal relationships, encourage active work attitude, and promote work efficiency. In contrast, a poorly constructed system may bring unfairness, arouse conflicts, and deteriorate interpersonal relationships at the work place. How to establish and continuingly improve a performance assessment system, therefore, is an urgent issue that needs to be adequately addressed in library administration. Author Information: Junlin Pan Ph.D. Currently associate professor, reference librarian, coordinator of reference desk services. Gaoyin Qian Associate Professor, City University of New York
10:50-11:00	Q & A
11:00-11:30	Panel Session II: Sit back & relax - enjoy the tech-services--Lu, Yangyang Abstract: Current technology trend - what do you think the current technology booming? Do you feel you are falling behind? Have you ever thought you could be a programmer one day? An overview of the local Chinese community website I am building Author information: Yangyang Lu is a software engineer and an IT firm owner in Cleveland Ohio.
11:30-11:40	Q & A
11:40-12:00	Photo Taking/Social
12:00-1:00 p.m.	Lunch
1:00-1:30	Panel Session III: A Cradle of Chinese American Librarians - The GSLIS Chinese Group--Xiao Hu, Minjie Chen Abstract: Established in December 2004, the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) Chinese Group in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has been an important platform to nurture Chinese students as future LIS leaders in USA. With twenty-four Chinese student members, seven American members and twelve Chinese Alumni, the group is the largest international student organization in GSLIS. The Group aims to provide leadership-practicing environment for Chinese students in American culture; and to serve as a bridge between GSLIS and China in LIS research, practice, and education. The presentation will focus on activities reflecting our values and our plans for the near future. Vivid photos and audio clips will bring the audience back to the scenes of activities such as featured talks, career workshops and the Chinese Librarian Summer School in UIUC. Through the presentation, we hope to get advices from CALA and enhance the Group's connection with CALA. Author information: Xiao Hu is a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She has been the president of GSLIS Chinese Group in UIUC since May 2005, and was the vice president of the Group from December 2004.
1:30-1:40	Q & A
1:40-2:10	Panel Session IV: Library Application of Blogs and Podcasts--Haiwang Yuan, Jen Yu Abstract: Does "Web 2.0" sound familiar to you? Or "social Web tools?" You must have heard about "RSS," and you may have already been exposed to blogs and podcasts. What are they, and how do they work? This presentation will answer these questions. By showcasing exemplary blogs and podcasts, the presenters will walk you through the process of setting up your own blog and podcast. The presentation also discusses how blogs and podcasts can be used in library environment, and what are the "do's" and "don'ts" in their design. At the center of the presentation is an examination of how the people behind the new technologies are managed. Other issues such as marketing, ethics, and copyright are also covered in the presentation. Author information: Haiwang Yuan has been a member of the Department of Library Public Services faculty at Western Kentucky University Libraries since 1997. He is Web Site & Virtual Library Coordinator of the University Libraries and editor of the Libraries' newsletter. He is author of the monograph The Magic Lotus Lantern and Tales from the Han Chinese (Libraries Unlimited, 2006) and Virtual Libraries' Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Huayi, Beijing 2002) and contributor of Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture (Routlege 2004). He has authored and co-authored papers published in regional and national journals like CR&L, Library Administration and Management and Kentucky Libraries. He is recipient of the 1999 Kentucky Libraries Award. He co-chairs the Web Advisory Committee of the Chinese American Librarian Association and of the KYVL Information Literacy Committee, and president-elect of CALA Midwest Chapter (2005-06). Jen-chien Yu has been an Electronic Information Services Librarian/Data Specialist at Miami University Libraries since 2001. She develops web-based services and applications, with a focus on applications for numeric data users and instructional outreach to first-year students. She is involved in the development of E-learn, a web-based instruction for first-year students funded by the Ohio Board of Regents Grant. She teaches "Introduction to Information Studies in the Digital Age," a semester-long course in locating and creating information in a variety of digital formats.
2:10-2:20	Q & A
2:20-2:40	Break - Tai Chi/Haipeng Li
2:40-3:10	Panel Session V: What's new at OCLC?--Wei Bender Abstract: A brief update on OCLC, which include: New membership report: Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources Recent Acquisitions: Fretwell-Downing Informatics and Openly Informatics, Inc Open WorldCat: User-contributed content; new records installed using FRBR tools; link to QuestionPoint 24/7 QuestionPoint 24/7: Blogging on QuestionPoint; New platform Author information: Wei Bender is Senior Segment Analyst, OCLC Corporate Marketing Division. He got his M.L.S. in Library and Information Science, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio in 1995-1998 and M.A. in Education Theory and Practice, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio in 1988-1989.
3:10-3:20	Q & A
3:20-3:40	Panel Session VI: Promoting Global Librarianship: CALAMW-China Collaboration--Xudong Jin, Haipeng Li Abstract: As the field of librarianship is advancing rapidly throughout the world, the training for librarians has become a crucial factor in promoting global librarianship and in providing the best services possible to our library users, in particular. This presentation is based on a collaborative project between the Chinese American Librarians Association Midwest Chapter and the Yunnan Provincial Commission on Academic Libraries. Five librarians who work at the frontlines of academic libraries in the United States each with more than ten years of experience gather at Yunnan University to conduct lectures, seminars and discussion sessions for librarians from all over China. Topics range widely, from library management to user services, from information literacy to collaborative collection development, from library consortia to digitalization and virtual libraries, and from information commons to googlization. The presentation will discuss the rationale behind this project, the planning, coordination, process of implementation, and more importantly the long-term impact of this project. Author information: Xudong Jin has been Associate Director of Libraries and Head of Technical Services at Ohio Wesleyan University since March 2000. Before moving to Ohio, he worked as Cataloging Coordinator at Southern Oregon University for 4 years and Librarian, Cataloger and Systems at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania for two years. He has B.A. and M.A. in history from Yunnan University, China, M.A. in international affairs from Ohio University, and MLS. from St. John's University, NY. He served as Vice Chair of ALA PromptCat Discussion Group 2002-2003 and President of CALA Midwest Chapter 2004-2005. Haipeng Li is Reference Librarian/Outreach Coordinator at Oberlin College in Ohio. Prior to coming to Oberlin, he was Reference Librarian at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. In Oberlin, he has served as Reference Librarian/BI Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, and Co-Director of a diversity intern program funded by IMLS from 2000-2003. Haipeng is an active member of the CALA. He has served in many roles as officers, committee chairs and members for CALA. He is also a member of other library associations including ALA, ACRL, and ALAO (Academic Library Association of Ohio). Haipeng also served as Vice President (1999-2004) and a member on the board of trustees of the Oberlin Shansi Association (1996-2004). In 2001, he helped organize an international conference: "Academic Librarianship in the New Millennium," in Kunming, China. His research interests include diversity, leadership, information literacy, and international librarianship.
3:40-3:50	Q & A
3:50-4:00	Evaluation/Wrap-up (Haiwang Yuan, Incoming President of CALAMW)
4:00pm Adjourn