By Ella Lathan
This past fall we had the honor and pleasure of hosting Irene Awenteba Alhassan, an electronic resources librarian from the Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). She participated in a Temple University international exchange program that facilitates academic collaboration, partnership and interdisciplinary engagement. Irene’s goals before arriving were centered around wanting to learn about new trends in library services, collaborate in the sharing of knowledge, and establish a lasting relationship between GIMPA and Temple Libraries.
Through observation, attending workshops, and meeting with staff – Irene has immersed herself into the Temple community. The editor for Speaking Volumes recently had the opportunity to sit down with Irene and discuss what she has learned at Temple Libraries and what she hopes to bring home with her to GIMPA.
Ella Lathan: What specific trends did you discover during your learning journey, and how do you plan to implement these trends at the GIMPA?
Irene Alhassan: First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Temple University, GIMPA, and Temple University Libraries and University Press for making this experience possible. My journey at Charles Library has been both insightful and transformative.
One major trend in library services that stood out to me was the architecture and setup of the library. Unlike the traditional library setup, Charles Library embraces a user-centered design, creating spaces that meet diverse learning needs. The inclusion of bean bags and the allowance of food in the library creates a welcoming and accommodating environment for students. I was also impressed by the design of the one-stop service desk. Despite being positioned behind the stairs, it remains highly visible and approachable thanks to the raised seat and computers. I admired how staff multitasked seamlessly, handling both in-person and online queries with efficiency and warmth.
Another area I hope to champion at GIMPA is the promotion of open access, open education, and open pedagogy. I was inspired by the innovative spirit of the staff at Temple Libraries, who consistently strive to find solutions to challenges and deliver impactful services.
EL: What unique challenges does your institution face regarding library support and engagement?
IAH: The mandate of libraries is to support teaching, learning, and research; the challenge of limited budgets and staffing is a major challenge in GIMPA, which I observed is a challenge at Charles Library too. However, I found Charles Library’s approach to community engagement particularly inspiring. Programs such as training community members in internet use and safety, as well as offering career training sessions on CV and résumé writing, stood out to me. These are initiatives I hope to replicate at GIMPA to foster lifelong learning and meaningful connections within our community.
I want to extend a special thanks to John Oram, Stacks Supervisor, who not only facilitated these initiatives but also gave me the opportunity to assist as a teaching assistant and instructor. This experience allowed me to contribute directly to lifelong learning initiatives, and seeing the positive impact on participants was truly gratifying.
EL: Reflecting on your experiences, what is something that has been unexpected that you have learned?
IAH: The BookBot! I was absolutely fascinated by its efficiency and speed in retrieving books. Observing it in action was a highlight of my time at Charles Library; it was an innovative feature that left me thrilled and inspired. Once again, thank you to everyone who made this experience memorable. I am excited to apply the knowledge and insights I’ve gained here to my work at GIMPA and to continue fostering the strong connection between GIMPA and Temple Libraries.
