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Pacific Library Training Institute 2007

• Pacific Library Training Institute 2006
• Pacific Library Training Institute 2007
• Pacific Library Training Institute 2008

For most school librarians, the summer school break is a chance to relax and unwind after a busy school year, but for 19 dedicated school librarians from throughout Pacific Resources for Education and Learning’s (PREL’s) service region, this summer was a busy and challenging time for their own classroom learning.

Nineteen residents of the U.S.-affiliated Pacific, working in school libraries or responsible for training school librarians in their respective home jurisdictions, were selected to attend the 2007 Pacific Library Training Institute (PLTI), which took place July 16 through August 3, 2007, at the University of Guam (UOG). Christine Scott-Smith, Director of the RFK Library at the UOG, was the lead instructor for the 2007 PLTI. Jane Barnwell, Director of PREL’s Pacific Resource Center, is the Project Director. Ms. Sonja Evensen, PREL Evaluation Specialist, is the evaluator for this project.

Following is a list of attendees: Ruth Apulu and Mata Tiligo from American Samoa; Elipi Betwell and Kieko Kanemoto from Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM); Patricia Aguon-Cruz and Elizabeth Lizama from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI); Elizabeth Brown, Julia Lord, and Tevita Vuniwaqa from Guam; Romeo Aliksa and Kiosy Renton from Kosrae, FSM; Carmina Lihpai and Cartina Aisek from Pohnpei, FSM; Elisen John and Lola Schutz from the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI); Frienda Wasisang and Ilong Ngitong from the Republic of Palau; and Erica Ruwepin and Helen Salap from Yap, FSM.

In 2005, PREL received a Laura Bush Librarians for the 21st Century grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to conduct a 3-year project designed to provide training for staff from island libraries in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands (i.e., American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the CNMI, Guam, the RMI, and the Republic of Palau). PREL designed the Pacific Library Training Institute in response to a survey that established training as the primary need for libraries in these Pacific island entities. The 2007 PLTI was the second in a series of three summer training institutes directed by PREL. In 2006, the PLTI was held in Hawai‘i for public and academic library staff.

By providing professional development to preprofessional staff working in libraries in their home jurisdictions, the PLTI seeks to improve library services across the region. Institute participants in 2007 gained expertise in acquisitions, collection management, reference, library instruction, and cataloging, in addition to school library methods and collaboration with principals and teachers. The program included classes, field trips, mentoring, and site visits to various libraries on Guam.

The lead instructor for 2008 will be Dr. Karen M. Peacock, Head of Special Collections and Curator of the Pacific Collection at the University of Hawai‘i’s (UH’s) Hamilton Library. An additional 18 participants from special libraries will be selected to attend the PLTI next summer at UH Mānoa. Institute dates for 2008 will be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact Jane Barnwell, Director, at barnwellj@prel.org.

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