Hello Everyone,
I am at Dongguan in the Public Electronic Reading Room using their Internet. However, the Blogger website is blocked, so Jessica is uploading this.
One word for today (11/20) - AMAZING!! Be sure to come to our Brown Bag, because a blog post can not effectively communicate what we have experienced today during our tours of Dongguan Library and the Children's Library. Yes, one whole library just for children.
Today's Tidbits:
Dongguan Library is HUGE!
- They are able to leave doors and windows open and there is fresh air @ the library! There are 5 levels, 4 with public services, 1 for staff offices. There is a Comic Reading room for the graphic novels, manga, and anime collections -- children's, teens, and adults. They also give drawing classes taught by artists in this room. Their Annual Anime Expo here draws thousands of people, Tracey (my translator) says "It is really, really crazy!)
- They truly have 24/7 service. There are 20 "Book ATMs" throughout the city and 20 "Self Service Rooms." The Self Service Rooms can be accessed when the libray is closed with a library card. Patrons can also pick up their holds in these rooms. They use the SCO for check out and CHECK IN! The books are tagged so when a book is checked out the door will open, if not they can not leave the room and a security guard will be dispatched to assist the patron.
The Children's Library is a destination library. The first words the Head of Childrens' used to describe their work were "beauty and love."
Everything they do here is to share beauty and love with children. The entire building is made to stimulate children, again, an email is not sufficient to explain it all. But here a couple highlights:
Everything they do here is to share beauty and love with children. The entire building is made to stimulate children, again, an email is not sufficient to explain it all. But here a couple highlights:
- An interactive big screen game that reinforces basic Chinese knowledge, like a giant Jeopardy.
- They have a dedicated Toy Library Room. There are shoe cubbies outside the room and when you go in the floor is covered by soft foam. There is a play house and climber. Children "check out" toys from the cabinet behind a desk.
- They have a dedicated Creative Center. There are tables for children to create art and a magnetic board where they can be displayed. There is an additional display area for children's art in the entry. The works are displayed on large boards (like we have the for our "art") and their creations are impressive! Wait to you see my photo of what a 5 year can draw -- amazing!!!
- They have a dedicated "Elderly and Opera Room." Most children are cared for by their grandmothers, so the Children's Library has space for them, too! While the children are in school or attending a program, the grandparents go to their special space to read, practice caligraphy, or listen to Chinese Opera (very popular). The furniture is "old fashioned," which they like as well.
We went to convention center where they are still constructing our "booth." They enlarged the photos and logo we sent and it is going to be outstanding. The workers caught my attention as they were wearing flip flops and shorts. Here and there were a few hard hats, I was a little worried but I guess that is normal here. Also, I met with my translator for my presentation. I edited it again, because we realized it might take twice as long since I will need to wait for the translation before I move on. He is a doctoral student from Bejing and will be presenting his disertation during the conference. Finally we rode in a Taxi today and I was able to use my Yoga breathing effectively.
I ran early this morning. Our hotel is near a park and there are a few runners in China, including "Granny" runners like me. I feel very safe here, and plan to run every morning. I may be going to Hong Kong and Macau this weekend, why not?
I will forward some photos from my phone camera. I am using my camera for most of my photos so I probably will not be sending too many.
Heather
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| Comic Library |
