I am ALA INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT is one of several new initiatives by ALA President 2018-2019 Loida Garcia-Febo to expand ALA’s global presence. By highlighting and recognizing talented international members from different regions around the world, ALA is truly a global association with a strong mission in supporting library workers and advocates. Each month, I am ALA INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT will feature a new international member who will share how ALA has supported their work and how they see the profession today. This month, we feature Dr. Jesús Lau, a research professor from Mexico.
Can you tell us about yourself and your work?
I worked mostly as library director since I concluded my MA in Library Science because there were few professional librarians in Mexico. My experience has been at university libraries and have worked for eight universities in different regions of the country. An unusual rotation for my society. However, as my positions have been academic, I have always taught at least a credit course per term and carried out research along with management duties; a combination that has enabled me to understand and play better roles at universities. Lately, in the last seven years, I have dedicated full time to research and teaching. Associations have been at the core of my leadership development, for example I am a member of ALA and my own national library association (AMBAC) since I was a student, as well as affiliating later to SLA, IFLA, BRLA, REFORMA and other organizations.
Why is it important to be a librarian today?
It is an important because we are at the crucible of going back to the key role played into the Middle Ages. Librarians need to be the experts in every organization they work for as they were in monasteries centuries ago. Our society is demanding greater and faster changes to our profession: We need to be the knowledge experts in whatever library role we play. Artificial intelligence, for example, is already packing information to give quick answers, simple to complicated ones, not to mention the almost-perfect actions information enabled-robots play in industry. Those who survive in this profession will be those who adopt learning and technology as a staple food for their minds, so that they are more intelligent than robotized information systems.
Tell us three words that describe you?
My joy: Leadership (Institutional and at associations);
My love: travel (69 countries);
My concern: information literacy (teaching and research subject)
How has ALA helped you in your career?
ALA has been a great place to meet leaders in our discipline, an organization to learn about the latest information service trends, a place to learn about new information science and information technology developments. For example, at ALA exhibits I have found IT solutions that I have implemented in libraries, not to mention information services. It is also a place to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie of colleagues. If I had the money, I would attend every winter and annual conferences.
Dr. Jesus Lau is an active contributor to the fields of information science and library and information science since 1977. A leader and spokesperson for information literacy, Dr. Lau has traveled professionally to more than 60 countries as a passionate advocate for the role information competencies play in our global knowledge society, and the potential of information to transform lives. Having led five academic libraries, with the responsibility for raising funds and building new library facilities at two of them, Dr. Lau currently holds the position of adviser to the Academic Provost, Universidad Veracruzana, the fourth largest public university in Mexico.
Are you an ALA international member? We want to recognize ALA’s international members; they are important to us. To be considered for the ALA International Member Spotlight, please fill out this short questionnaire.
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