« WebJunction Presentation | Main | NaNoWriMo fun @ my library »
October 13, 2005
So I'm going to China in March
Sometime in late September, I received a letter from Carol Brey-Casiano, immediate past-president of ALA, stating that she was assembling a delegation of librarians to go to China for 10 days as a cultural and professional exchange program in March of 2006. To quote the original invitation letter:
Libraries in both China and the U.S. are in the midst of change and therefore, a necessary consequence is the review of current services, new technologies, and the incorporating historical research materials. The financing of libraries is also a tremendous concern within both countries based on an expanding population and the use of new technology. Advocacy for libraries is key in this changing environment, and the delegation will explore how advocacy techniques used in the United States might be applied to China, as well as how Chinese libraries currently promote awareness of their programs and services. The goal of this delegation is to understand how library service is being provided in China and how Western approaches may be helpful in this transitional time. Additionally, the Americans would like to learn from their counterparts how China is preserving their rich history and providing access to others.
Since this is a private citizen effort, I need to raise $5,000 to go on this trip. But it is the trip of a lifetime, so naturally, I'm going. My friend Jen has also been invited, and as both a good friend and fabulous librarian colleague (she was my VP when I was president of the student association at Simmons, and went on to be president herself after I graduated), we're ecstatic to be going to China on a librarian mindshare mission of this nature.
I've got tons of ideas on how to raise money, including applying for grants and scholarships. I've got a short list of grants I'm looking at (there don't seem to be many non-student professional development travel grants out there), but if you know of any travel grants, library-related or not, please let me know. I'm prepared to give presentations and write papers as necessary.
I'll probably finally open the Cafe Press shop I've rambled about on occasion at conferences, I'm thinking I'll be making and selling chocolates again (something I've done in the past as a hobby), and I'll certainly be collecting people's unwanted pennies. I've even joked about putting out a tip jar at work ;D (my library is totally stoked and supportive of me as an employee about this opportunity, though I think the tip jar might not be an option).
I'll also be requesting and accepting donations. I now have a PayPal Donate button on my blog specifically for the purpose of raising funds to go to China. I'll totally be blogging and Flickring the whole trip wherever I can get Internet access. I'd like to make a T-shirt that has the name of all of my donation contributors on it, and where it at least twice on my trip to China, to show my thanks and gratitude for everyone's help. Every little bit counts.
To read more about the trip itself, check out the description on the People to People Ambassador Programs web site. If you are also going on this trip, I'd love to hear from you.
OMG, I'm going to China.
October 13, 2005 8:30 PM