Librarian by Day

I’ve been back from Kuala Lumpur for over a week but between Jetlag, Thanksgiving and working this weekend I’m still not back to normal (whatever that means for me).  However, I want to write a wrap up and thank you post before my memories get too hazy.

I think one of the best things about ICoLIS was hearing an international perspective on many issues that are discussed at US conferences.   The Keynote was given by Professor Christine Bruce from Australia, the following panel included speakers from Singapore, Iran and the US (me).  Despite differences, it does seem, for the most part, we all have the same problems and are looking in the same direction.

I also taught a post conference workshop to about 30 people.

The conference was a great experience and I’m very thankful to everyone who made my attendance possible!

Monday I gave a modified and longer version of my presentation for ICoLIS to Librarians at the University of Malaya, including demonstrations of several sites like Facebook and FriendFeed. It was a wonderful group who asked some great questions.  After there was a small tea reception with some delicious Malay food.

Today is my first presentation so I thought I’d better write a post sharing what I’ve done over the last two days (besides prepping) before all the official stuff starts!

I’ve spent a lot of time at this desk, tweaking presentations and checking email accounts, this is a work trip after all.  Luckily the view is great.

I went to the Butterfly Park, so many butterflies!

I went to the Orchid Gardens, incredible to see and to smell!

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Climbed all 272 steps to the Batu Caves

Viewed the Petronas Towers from the top of the Menara Tower

And walked around a lot at all the different markets and malls!

I know I’ve shared this story with many of you in person, so forgive me if you’ve already heard it.

It seems like ages ago that I got invited to attend the International Conference on Libraries, Information and Society, but it was only in June that I got a Facebook message asking me if I would consider attending. Yes that’s right a Facebook message, about 90% of the communication, planning and details for this visit, were done though Facebook. It seems like I’ve been planning and preparing for it for ages. I know some of you wondered where I’ve been over the last month or so. But the time has finally come. I’ll leave next week! I’ll be presenting at the conference and giving a post conference workshop, but there will be time for sightseeing too!

Summer Storm over Kuala Lumpur, originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs.