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 Makiko Ueoka,Associate Professor, Center for Active Engagement and Student Learning, Teikyo University, Japan.
Can you tell us about yourself and your work?
I am a faculty of Center of Active Engagement and Student Learning at Teikyo University in Japan and teach library science. This spring, we opened a new commons style learning space in a new building. You can see from the photos that it is a very “Japanese” one. I like seeing people learning, and I am interested in how people can learn better. Therefore, my research interest is how libraries can contribute to creative and innovative teaching and learning. Libraries addressed this theme for a long time, and it remains a contemporary concern.
My dissertation is on the history of the information literacy movement in the United States (read regarding educational reform). The past is connected to the present, so now, I focus on the learning commons, collaboration, and of course, information literacy. I see how they impact and change teaching and learning and I am trying to capture the exciting and changing scene and position it in the history of our profession.
Why is it important to be a librarian today?
Simply, it is important to know not only about your country but also about the world. We definitely have a lot to learn from ALA and American libraries.For example, today in Japan, ongoing higher education reforms are modeled on the U.S.. Therefore, it is critical to know how American libraries contribute to the qualitative improvement of teaching and learning, not only for my research but also for Japanese librarians.I got a national grant, so I came to the United States several times a year for the last three years. Of course, I attended all the ALA conferences. Every time I come to the United States, I meet great cases and librarians. What I got to know has been reported at meetings, panels and symposium upon in Japan.
Tell us three words that describe you.
Enthusiastic, optimistic, cat lover
How has ALA helped you in your career?
For me, ALA is a network hub of American librarians across the country. At ALA and ACRL conferences, I have learned many things by knowing the most advanced cases, encountering passionate librarians filled with diversity. I also get timely information from C & RL News and list-serve. In September I got information from list-serve and participated in the Designing Libraries Conference. The conference was incredibly exciting, and I met several influential figures. I plan to visit several libraries in the future. ALA is affecting librarians around the world. In information literacy, which is my area of concern, the final report, the competency standards, and now the framework of information literacy has a significant influence on Japanese librarians as well. So, ALA is a precious resource in my career.
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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