We spent two weeks on accessions for the hundreds of new books Botswana National Library Service sent us: registering them, making circulation cards, tattle-taping... Finally, by this morning, they are ready. Then I overhear Ashley in conversation with some staff members, over on the other end of the library from where I'm doing some work for Max. It turns out the staff's plan is to box up all the new books and save them for the new library. Note that the library has been under construction for as long as anyone can remember, and the current collection is old, worn, and often irrelevant or even incorrect. It pained us to think these new books would just be boxed away. One of the staff--"L-- agreed with us, and pitched it to the staff, but another woman--"M"-- nixed our plan to make use of our new prizes. L told us to run it by Max.
Well, once he came back from a meeting, Max gave us a victory--he said we should absolutely shelve the books. We cycled the new ones that had been on display for a week to the shelves and created a new display, with a plan to add more new books, in that cycle, weekly. So exciting for us!
We were unprepared for the staff lashback. There was a muffled confrontation, complete with raised voices, in the office. The staff is now mostly not talking to us.
Ashley and I find ourselves in a cultural bind. I understand completely how irritating it must be for the staff to have two white kids come in and redo the library. On the other hand, we really want to help, and the new displays are getting user attention and circulation. I suspect no one on the Botswana side is really clear why we're here or what our intentions are. I plan to start a conversation the best I can about how they feel about our presence and how we can help them. In the end, I have a sneaking suspicion we're largely not welcome. I'm not sure what to do if that's the case.
In fact, Ashley and I discuss our internship obstacles quite a bit. There is the enormous problem of still being in the old building, where we can't hold programs and there are no public computers, for just a start. Then there is the cultural attitude towards interlopers and even the approach to work. Every day, I try to have a positive attitude and take small steps to make things better for users, but I'm not sure we are or can make a difference, or if change is desired.
I would really value some insight, suggestions, or comments of any sort. We're trying over here!
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Was there ever a formal introduction when you arrived as to what purpose you served? There should be a staff meeting where the two of you can introduce yourselves. Ask your boss to facilitate this and pose as a united front with you as to what their goals for the summer are and how you two are going to help. Or just try to kill the with kindness through treats in the lounge. How about I send you some Hershey Kisses to kiss ass with? :) If that all fails, you should ultimately take comfort in the fact that if you are helping the patrons and increasing circulation, that is the main thing. That impact will remain even after you are gone.
ReplyDeleteIt is time to befriend the other employees and find out what works for them, what they like about their former system, and if they had asked for help from interns. Do they know anything about you? What facts are important to them inorder to start a relationship? Family, weather, children, jobs etc? More listening and watching time for you both.How important is their library job in the community and to themselves? It is a stretch in a new environment to learn how others work and live.
ReplyDeleteGood ideas. It is unclear but doubtful that our purpose was explained, so I will be trying to communicate that. There is skepticism for anything that happens in a meeting, from the boss. I think it'll work better to discuss informally, one on one, when they can speak their minds more freely.
ReplyDeleteWe're slowly building relationships.
Angela, a lounge? Huh? This is a cinder block rectangle, my friend.
I guess you mentioned a trailer earlier where people did nothing an i thought, "lounge?". I guess it goes to show how difficult it is to visualize anything other than a typical American library. Culture shock, for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou are encountering all the problems I expected, perhaps. I thought that Max would have explained a bit more even if one on one. Family is very important to them, so if you have pictures, you might share them.
ReplyDelete