Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) Midwest Chapter Annual Program, Bloomington IN, May 13-14, 2005

Jen-chien Yu
Electronic Information Services Librarian/Data Specialist
211 King Library
Miami University Libraries
E-mail: jyu@lib.muohio.edu

Abstract        [Full text of the presentation (pdf)]

Title: Becoming a Librarian: A Beginner’s Guide to Academic Librarianship

Are you interested in becoming an academic librarian? Do you get confused when looking at all the job advertisements and trying to figure out what’s the best job for you? “Becoming a Librarian: A Beginner’s Guide to Academic Librarianship” will provide information that you need for starting your career as an academic librarian – including tips for job-searching, current trends in academic libraries, and how to position yourself in an academic institution. This presentation is designed for graduate students and recent graduates who want to pursue academic librarianship.

Bio

Jen-chien Yu, Electronic Information Services Librarian at Miami University Libraries, Oxford Ohio, received her MLIS in 2000 from Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has held the current position since 2001. Her work responsibilities include developing web-based services and products for the library, reference, and teaching. She is also involved in several initiatives on promoting diversity on the Miami campus. Jen-chien has been a CALA member since 2003 and currently serves on the Conference Program Committee and the Web Advisory Committee.

Ning Zou, Academic Resident Librarian at Miami University King Library, Liaison to Accountancy and Decision Sciencs, received her MIS and MLS in Aug. 2004 from School of Library and Information Science, Indiana University Bloomington.

[Full text of the presentation (pdf)]

Liana Zhou

Abstract        [ Full text of the presentation (pdf)]

Title: Collection Management of Special Libraries: An Experience With the Kinsey Institute Library

Kinsey Institute Library is known for its special collections, archives and films that focus on sexuality, gender and reproduction. Founded by Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey in 1947, this special research library offers many unique perspectives for librarians who are interested in collection development, donor relations, preservation and organization that with a specific subject focus.  I will outline the history of the Institute and the collections and share my experiences as a librarian who oversees both the technical services and public services, and above all, who works with researchers and individuals for collection development and fund raising purposes.

Bio

Liana Zhou serves as head of the Kinsey Institute Library, overseeing all aspects of the library including special collections such as archives and the films. She has more than 14 years of experience working with special collections focusing on sexuality, gender and reporduction. She is a past president of CALA and CALA Midwest Chapter, and currently serves on the ALA Nomination Committee and JCLC06 Steering Committee. She received her degree in philosophy from Sichuan University and MLS from Indiana University Bloomington.

Jian Anna Xiong
Assistant Professor/Government
Information Librarian
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
605 Agriculture Drive . Mailcode 6632
Carbondale , IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-7108
FAX: 618-453-2492
E-mail: axiong@lib.siu.edu

Abstract        [Full text of the presentation (pdf)]

Title: Becoming a Professional Librarian or Faculty Member in an Academic Library

Those considering a librarian career in an academic library have a choice between becoming a “professional librarian”, or a “professional librarian and faculty member with professorship”, which means very different requirements and expectations. It is important to know the difference and prepare oneself. It is also good to know the mysterious hiring process and how the candidates are evaluated and selected by the employers. The presenter will address these issues, describe her experience becoming and working as Assistant Professor/Government Information Librarian and Chinese Minority at Southern Illinois University Carbondale , and talk about the hiring process and application strategies based on her participation in hiring other librarians. This presentation is designed for SLIS students and recent graduates, who may have an interest in becoming a librarian in an academic library.

Bio

Jian Anna Xiong is Assistant Professor/Government Information Librarian, Government Documents Unit Head, Morris Library, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), Carbondale , Illinois . Author of a couple of journal publications. Interested in research on Government Documents publication, organization, education, and dissemination. Chair of Membership Committee, Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) (2004-2005). Rare and Endangered Government Documents Committee, ALA – Government Documents Round Table (2004-2006). Policy Committee (2003-), Library Affair, SIUC. CALA Midwest Chapter Membership Committee (2003-2004). Indiana Local Chair (2002-2003), CALA Midwest Chapter. She received her MLS in 2003 from Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana , and M.A. in German Language and Literature in 1998 from Beijing Foreign Studies University .

Haiwang Yuan
Web Site & Virtual Library Coordinator Cravens 103, University Libraries
Western Kentucky University
1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green , KY.
270-745-5084
E-mail: Haiwang.yuan@wku.edu

Abstract

Title: Becoming an Author: A Beginner’s Guide to Landing a Book Contract

You have published a number of articles and want to do a monograph in the United States . You want to know how? An author of 26 entries for the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture by Rutledge and a book published by Huayi in China, one who has squandered the opportunity to write a book for the ALA Editions and is working passionately on a new contract with Libraries Unlimited, this presenter will share the frustrations he has experienced and the lessons he has learned. The issue of getting a grant to support a book project after getting a contract will also be briefly discussed. This presentation is designed to encourage junior academic librarians to take on a book project that he or she might think to be too difficult.

Bio

Haiwang Yuan, Web Site & Virtual Library Coordinator and Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University Libraries, Bowling Green , KY , received his MA in 1990 and MLIS in 1995 from Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana.

Abstract        [Full text of the presentation (pdf)]

Title: Classify Ourselves: Being a successful professional

My presentation aims to encourage people open mind to see the whole picture and significance of being a professional, value what we are doing, and make efforts toward success. I am going to discuss the difference between an expert and a professional; qualities a professional should possess, the measurements and what we could do to be successful.

Bio

Lisa Zhao received her MA from University of Ill. at Chicago and her MLS from University of Ill. at Urbana-Champaign. She has worked for the University of Illinois at Chicago since 1990. All her library experiences are in the Technical Service field. Since 1995 she has been worked in the Catalog Dept. Her responsibility includes cataloger monographs, serials, electronic resources and resources in other formats.

Abstract

Title: Will Google replace libraries: Relationship Between Google and Libraries

Recent developments in Google search technology are generating heated debates in the library community over what libraries should do to compete with, or work with or to ignore these developments. I would like to review these trends and share with you my thoughts on the roles that libraries should play in order to serve our clientile better.

Bio

Jian Liu is the Reference Librarian and Bibliographer for Linguistics at Indiana University Bloomington Libraries. He also teaches library reference and automation courses at IU SLIS as an adjunct faculty member. He is a CALA Board member and Newsletter editor.

Wen-ling Liu
Librarian for East Asian Studies
Main Library E860
Indiana University Libraries
1320 E 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47405
Email: wliu@indiana.edu
Phone: 812-855-9695

Abstract        [Full text of the presentation (pdf) ]

Title: Career Development in a Changing Library Environment

Choosing our career path requires intuition, deliberation, and concentration. It is important that we keep looking forward, having a vision of the things we want to do. How do we keep afloat in our daily job with expectation of achieving professional growth in a changing library envionment? I will tackle the topic through categories such as, assessing our potentials, participating professional trainings and meetings, and improving technical and communication skills, etc.

Bio

Wen-ling has served as the Librarian for East Asian Studies at Indiana University Bloomington Libraries since 2001. Previously, she worked more than ten years in the Technical Services at the same library. A long-time ALA member, she has served in various capacities in many CALA committees.

Lian Ruan
Director/Head Librarian
Illinois Fire Service Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
11 Gerty Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217 265-6107
Fax: 217 333-8979
e-mail: lruan@fsi.uiuc.edu

Minjie Chen
mchen6@uiuc.edu

Subbing for Lian Ruan for the presentation

Abstract        [Full text of the presentation (pdf)]

Title: Courage to Lead

Bio

Mrs. Lian Ruan is Director/Head Librarian at the statutory State Fire Academy - Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 1999. Ruan serves Illinois Library Association Cultural and Racial Diversity Committee (2004-), Scholarship Committee Chinese American Librarians Association (2004-), and IILINETNetwork Advisory Council (INAC) (2003-). She also served Downstate Board of Director Special Libraries Association Illinois Chapter and the inFIRE (an international fire library consortium) Committee and is inFIRE Treasurer since 2001. She has numerous research publications and is an adjunct faculty at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a participant of the 2004 Synergy - The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative. She is the winner of the Special Libraries Association Diversity Leadership Development Program award and the University of Illinois Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence award in 2003. She is profiled in the 2005 edition of Who's Who in the World, also in the 58th edition of Who's Who in America, published by Marquis Who's Who.

Minjie Chen, Ph.D. student in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received her MLIS in May 2004 from the same school. She has worked as a Graduate Assistant at the Illinois Fire Service Institute Library since 2003. Her research interest is multiculturalism in American children's literature and the representation of Chinese (culture) in children's books of this country.