New Year Greetings

Let's meet on Sun, 1st January, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. (kuwait Time), 8:00 A.M. (GMT) in LIS Cafe's Chat Room. It will be a good opportunity to celebrate, share our thoughts, and recieve your comments and suggestions.
Best wishes to all of you in the year ahead!

Everyone is welcome to join

Information Professionals Oath?!

What gives a professions its distinctive nature is its service orientation which necessities intensive training, continued education, and a sincere adherence to a code of ethics.

Although entry to our professions is not as strict as other professions such as medicine or law or engineering, yet there is a wide spreading awareness about the importance of a degree in LIS before entering the field.

The adherence to the code of ethics is exemplified by the oath that professionals take upon graduation, so since LIS is a professions, why not see an oath taken by our graduates?

Do you think?

Wassalaam,
Hayat

Shocking News

Some news shocked me the other day and I would like to share it with my dear collogues. A few days ago, I was invited for an interview to work at one of the Kuwait university libraries. After having some conversation I was told, “If you are accepted to work at one of these libraries, your MA will not be considered and you would be hired according to your BA. Moreover, since your BA is not in Library and Information Science, you will not be entitled to a librarian position and its benefits. You will assume the responsibilities of an MA holder librarian while having an administrative title- and of course with a lower salary.” Any comments!?

Websites Worth a Click!

Let's build our own collection of websites related to the field (whether English or Arabic). I recommend that each one of you contributes and provides his/her favorte list of links. This way we can preserve them in a common place. I'll start with providing the following links (will provide more later on):

1. Al-Arabia 3000 (Qurterly Specialized in Information Science in the Arab world)
2. Cybrarians (البوابة العربية للمكتبات والمعلومات)
3. The New York Public Library
4. Bibliotheca Alexandrina (مكتبة الاسكندرية)
5. UNESCO Libraries Portal
6. Libraries FAQ
7. Internet Library for Librarians
8. Librarian's Internet Index
9. BookFinder.com
10. Conservation Online
11. Library Automation Systems and Vendors on the WWW
12. Library Privacy Cartoons

By the way, I borrowed the title of my post from Carolyn J. Sosnowski's column in "information Outlook" which I like most.

Public Lecture in DLIS

On Tuesday, a public lecture was presented in the International Hall in KU @ 6 pm. Dr. Laila Marouf presented an interestig lecture about ' The Role of Social Networks in Organizational KS'. She started her lecture by an introduction about the concepts of knowledge, information and knowledge management.
During her presentation, Dr. Laila illustrated different stages of her doctoral study. In her study, she was trying to find the relationship between the sharing of Public knowledge and the strength of business relations. In addition, she also tested the relation between the sharing of Private knowledge and social relations.
She illustrated the methodology of Social Network Analysis that she used, the data collection process and the statistical analysis and results.
She came up with a conclusion that Public KS exists more than Private KS in her sample and that KS is affected by the kinds of relations available in the organization, whether these are formal business relations or informal social ones.

Note

Dear LIS_Cafe~ members :
I heared that some of our friends were upset because the blog did not inform them about the LIAK reception. Actualy, we where informed before a few days of the celebration that it will be held on Sat. We did not have an idea about the right time, wether there are invitation cards or not ? We did not know if everybody is invited or not!
We recieved the right informatiom on the same day of the celebration @12 o'clock. It was late yes, but was not our fault.

Library and Information Association of Kuwait LIAK

The Library and Information Association of Kuwait gave a reception for its declaration under the patronage of his highness Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Mr. Faisal Al-Hajji, Yesterday, November 11,2005 in SaS Hotel "Al-Hashemi Hall" @ 6:30 P.M.

Reception Program

6:30 P.M.

• National Anthem
• Holy Qura'an
• Speeches by:

1. Mr. Faisal Al-Hajji, patronage of the ceremony and minister of social affairs and labor.
2. Ms. Firyal Al-Feraih, president of LIAK

• Honoring:

1. Mr. Faisal Al-Hajji, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor
2. Arabian Advanced Systems
3. Muhammad Abdul-Mohsen Al-Khurafi Institution
4. Al-Alamiya for Electronics

7:15 P.M.

• Dinner

................................................................

Current Board of Directors/ Directorate:

• Ms. Firyal Al- feraih President
• Dr. Husain Al-Ansari Vice president
• Dr. Iqbal Al Othaimen Secretary
• Dr. Ahmad Al- Ali Treasurer
• Dr. Nahla AlHumood Member
• Dr. Yaser Abdul-Motey Member
• Ms. Suad Al-Ateeqi Member
• Ms. Deya'a Al-Jasem Member
• Mr. Ahmad Al-Omran Member
• Dr. Ali Al-Khabbaz Member
• Mr. Suhail Al-Jalahma Member

Committees

• Technical Committee
• Media & PR Committee
• Educational/Cultural Committee

Membership

• Active Members: have full membership that entitles them to vote or put up as candidates, provided that they work in the field of library & information
• Honorary Members: selected by the directorate, provided that they have given venerable services in the field/or they represent personages that the association can benefit from their work, education, and experience>
• Working Members: contribute to the activities of the association but they don't have the right to vote or to put up as candidates for elections.

Contact Information

• Mail: Kuwait, Al-Yarmouk, Postal Code 72656, P.O.Box 538
• Tel: 00965-5316638
• Fax:00965-5316634

I hope you Liked my brief report

Library and Information Association in Kuwait

Dear LIS Cafe~ members,
Today, Information specialists in Kuwait will celebrate the establishment of Library and Information Association in Kuwait. the ceremony will be in SAS hotel in Al-Hashemi Hall @ 6:30
Nabeela asked me to inform all information specialists that I know, and here I am :)

Dear Guests

Are you a librarian/library director/information specialist/LIS teacher or student? Do u visit our blog frequently? Did you like our blog? Do you like your name to be listed in our blog under "Guests"? (for those outside Kuwait)

If yes, kindly send an email with your name and location to MLIS_Cafe@hotmail.com

Take a minute to sign our "Guestmap" and to vote in "LIS Cafe's Poll"

Library Journals and Newsletters

Links to library journals and newsletters were added to the blog.
Check'em out

library staff duties

so many discussion were made about the library staff duties. There is a point that there are less dicussion about the lib staff duties and it is how to deal with users: that are ill tempered, or seem to be distrubed or sick, someone might collapse and other emergencies. my question is what are the procedures the lib staff should follow in handling such cases?

Presentation of the international Knowledge managment Institute

Salam alikom all...

for those who are interested in KM... I recieved an invitation to attend a presentation of the international knowledge managment institute...
it will take a place on Nov. 28th at 11 am at the informatics training institute in the Gulf University , Hawally... the duration is between 1 to 2 hrs.

I have talked to them and asked whether this event is open for general public, and they welcomed any participation...

if you are interested, ,,, don't miss it...

for further details... you can call at 2456692 (Kadhema, scientific consultancy and services)

Take care

A Survey of Librarians and their Motivations for Blogging

I came across this survey while I was reading some library weblogs. It was prepared by Michael Stephens, a librarian, technology trainer and author living in North Indiana. It will lay the foundation for his further research and dissertation. I found it interesting and I personally contributed to the survey. So if you're one of the LIS bloggers and would like to contribute Click Here!

Hanadi is here

hi all ,
Happy every thing ... new year, 3eeds , and all occasions !
Just wana say Hallo to every body and thats all
yours
Hanadi Hussain

Thank you for the Invitation

I want to thank Asma for inviting me to join this blog. I'm glad to see it's up and running. I hope to see more librarians and information specialists participate. Good luck to all.
Mae

Attention

In response to the inquiries I recieved on how to join and post in LIS Cafe, I say: just send your e-mail address to MLIS_Cafe@hotmail.com . Then you'll recieve an invitation from blogger.com that entitles you to become a member. You should follow the instructions in the email (invitation) you recieve. Make sure that you read the instructions of the blog before joining us. As I and the other members can't reach everybody, please inform whoever intrested and kindly let them send their email addresses to the email mentioned above

ندوة في مركز خدمة المجتمع

الاخوه و الاخوات الكرام

أود أن أعلمكم بأنه ستقام ندوة تابعه لمركز خدمة المجتمع بعنوان "مركز الاستماع قلوب وعقول" سيحاضر فيها السيد عماد الهاجري يوم الاثنين الموافق 14 ـ 11ـ 2005

و >لك في تمام الساعه 6.30 مساءا في جامعة الكويت , الخالديه, قاعة المؤتمرات

Eid Mubarak

Library Etiquette

Since we are approaching Eid Al-Fitr, I'd like to discuss with you an interesting and light topic "Library Etiquette".

1. In your own point of view, what can be considered library etiquette?

2. How do we educate users about this?

3. How does it affect the library and its users?

4. Any examples, ideas, or experiences?

Librarians and Library Weblogs

Links to librarians and library weblogs were added to LIS Cafe.
Check them, they are interesting and full of information.

Library Lovers' Month

Have you ever asked yourself if you really love libraries?! ( regardless of being a librarian, information specialist, LIS student, or teacher..etc). Do you regard our libraries as great places of knowledge? Have your perceptions about libraries changed after joining LIS program?!

These questions came to my mind after reading about an interesting news online. It says that the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) has designated February 2005 as "Library Lovers' Month" in an attempt to create a celebration in honor of libraries of all types and also to assure that libraries will continue to serve.

The site offers free downloadable bookmarks, online postcards, banners & buttons for your website, all related to library lovers' month. It also provides tips on how to love your library and make others love it. For more details, follow the link given at the top.

Finally, I'd like to end this post with a poem written by Varda One ( a young library lover). The poem is taken from the same source.

MY LIBRARY

by Varda One

It's only a room with shelves and books,

but it's far more magical than it looks

It's a jet on which I soar

to lands that exist no more.

Or a key with which I find

answers to questions crowding my mind.

Building my habit of learning and growing,

asking and researching till I reach knowing.

Here, I've been a mermaid and an elf

I've even learned to be more myself.

I think that I shall never see

a place that's been more useful to me.

With encouraging kind friends with wit

Who tell me to dream big and never quit.

It's only a room with shelves and books,

but it's far more magical than it looks

Public Lecture

Yesterday a public lecture was held in Al-Yarmouk Public Library.
It discussed the role of public library in society. Dr.Adela Al-Turkait discussed the issue with us.

Public Lecture

Dear members

A public lecture is going 2 b held in Al-Yarmouk Public Library @ 9 o'clock, 15 of Ramadan.
If you would like 2 attend you r welcome.

My Transcript

Last semester, despite health problems I was fortunate to take "541 Knowledge Management" course. It's an interesting and promising area. However, I got disappointed when I got my transcript after graduation in which I didnt see any KM course title. Instead, I found "541 Online Information Retrieval"!! How come the wrong title was left unchanged for more than 4 months?! Is it that noboday updates the system in Khaldiya? Me and my ex-classmates are dissatisfied. We were the first group to take this course and we want to have it in our transcripts as soon as possible. If you guys have any good news about this please inform us

DLIS or DIS ? which one is better?

Hello all,,,

Since I've joined the MLIS program, I've been learning a lot about information in areas as storage, retrieval, technology, management, classification, use, and many other things which I am sure all of you have experienced...
and I believe that such knowledge is not limited to the profession related to libraries. I think that in today's working environment, such knowledge and skills are required in all kind of organizations.

This is why I think it would be better if the name of the program and the department is changed by removing the word library, not that I have anything against libraries or librarians, but I think that such word limits our profession to a building or a place, and unfortunately it doesn't serve well to promote our selves as information specialists… The sad reality is that the general idea people have about librarians does not represent who we are and the things we can do… every time I tell someone about the program, I have to clarify and explain more for them to understand that what we study is not necessarily related to libraries. And I know that many library schools and departments all around the world did change their names because they realized that what they teach is not limited to libraries.

So, let's hear what you think about this issue?

LIS Cafe

باسمي وباسم زملائي وزميلاتي في قسم علوم المكتبات المعلومات أتقدم بأحر التعازي الى الزميله دلال وذلك لوفاة جدها
انالله وانا اليه راجعون
علياء الموسوي

World Summit on the Information Society - Tunis 2005

Comming in 16-18 November 2005 ( after Ramadan month )

* World Summit on the Information Society - Tunis 2005
* القمة العالمية لمجتمع المعلومات - تونس 2005

- Kuwait's Paper in WSIS - Geneva 2003 - Arabic, .pdf

السجل العربي للمكتبات والمعلومات

Libraries @ the heart of Arab Information Society

المكتبات في قلب مجتمع المعلومات العربي

يعتبر السجل العربي للمكتبات والمعلومات الثمرة النهائية التي سوف تخرج من المشروع البحثي الضخم " الطريق إلى قمة تونس 2005"

والسجل العربي للمكتبات والمعلومات هو عبارة عن سجل يتضمن أرقاما وحقائق واقعية حديثة تعكس الوضع الراهن للمكتبات والمعلومات في كل دولة عربية ، ويتطرق السجل الى جوانب متعددة في التخصص، مثل : تعليم المكتبات والمعلومات والبحث العلمي, والمكتبات ومرافق المعلومات، الخبرات البشرية، الجمعيات العلمية والمهنية، وغيرها من الجوانب

القسم الأول: تعليم المكتبات وعلم المعلومات, ويتضمن الأقسام الفرعية الآتية

أقسام وكليات المكتبات وعلم المعلومات
البرامج الدراسية للمكتبات وعلم المعلومات

الدورات التدريبية في المكتبات وعلم المعلومات على مستوى الدولة ككل

القسم الثاني: اتجاهات البحث العلمي والنشر الأكاديمي, ويتضمن الأقسام الفرعية الآتية

الدوريات العلمية المتخصصة - المطبوعة والإلكترونية

الرسائل الجامعية

أبحاث المؤتمرات والندوات العلمية
القسم الثالث: مرافق المعلومات, ويتضمن الأقسام الفرعية الآتية
المكتبات العامة

المكتبات الأكاديمية
المكتبات الوطنية
المكتبات المدرسية
المكتبات المتخصصة
مكتبات الأطفال
مراكز المعلومات
مراكز الوثائق ودور الأرشيف
المتاحف الفنية والأثرية والحربية والثقافية وغيرها

القسم الرابع: الجمعيات المهنية
القسم الخامس: الاتحاد العربي للمكتبات والمعلومات
القسم السادس: إدارة التوثيق والمعلومات - المنظمة العربية للتربية والثقافة والعلوم
القسم السابع: الخبرات البشرية المتخصصة
القسم الثامن: القطاع الخاص في مجال تقنيات المعلومات في المكتبات
القسم التاسع: مشروعات وخطط وطنية في مجال تطبيقات تقنية المعلومات في مرافق المعلومات

Suggestion

Hi every one, I would like 2 suggest 2 ideas
1- why don't we share information about job apportunities? we will help each other.
2- why don't we establish an MLIS magazine? so that we could produce something special and share our knowledge, needs and fears. we will share it with every person that has an interest in LIS, we will spread the word in LIS society :)
I'll be happy 2 hear your answers

What changed in your career after MLIS?

I would like everyone to share with us in this topic, what is changed in your career or job after getting MLIS degree. I will start from myself.

After working in Libraries Department at MOE for 12 years, I left the department and I'm working now in "Information Center" – a technical department – why? The following is what happened to me.

After getting my MLIS degree it suppose by legislation I get a (25 KD) increase on salary as a bonus (علاوة) for anyone hold a master degree, but in our ministry they didn't accept my degree or the effort I did. They told me since your bachelor is not in education field, therefore it is like you did nothing with your master degree. Then they put in front of me a list of statutes and laws from the Civil Service Committees, anyway I didn't want to argue much about it, since it is only 25 KD.

Then after a while of accepting the new situation , we had a vacancy in our work for a position of "The cataloging head division". I have all the needed requirement for this position, so I put up my name, and no one at work else has a chance like me, as a master degree and the years of experience. So I was the one who will get this position.

In the middle of processing my papers , I stopped and cancelled everything at one point. The ministry told me: " if you accept the new position your job title (Programmer Developer) will changed, and that means you will lose all your computer bounces!!"

Now what does that mean? Well, if I add all the bounces I will receive from the new position plus the master, all that will not reach the bounce I receive from my bachelor in computer!! Odd, right!!

Master degree bonus = 25 KD
Librarian's bonus = 60 KD
Supervision's bonus = 10 KD

Well after hearing that I took back my papers, and told my boss, I don't want the new position, Thank you.

Now imagine with me what will be my situation after 5 or 10 years, any new employee who graduate with a bachelor degree in library can be a candidate to be in supervision position as (رئيس قسم ) , (مراقب) , (مدير) and he had less degree than me and less years of experience of work. It is like I'm burying myself if I stay more in that place. It was very clear to me that there is no future there, so I left.

Anyway, I'm working now in "Information Center", and by the way the Counsel of Ministers (مجلس الوزراء) agreed lately – in September - to give more bounce for employees who hold a degree in Computer.

Now lets hear from you, what happened to you?

Are you disappointed?

My dear friends, did you feel disappointed after graduation? Why?
I would like 2 hear from u.

How much is enough for MLIS?

I finished my MLIS in 2 and half year (graduated in 2005). In the normal situation the program for a "part time" student takes 3 years to finish. A "full time" student should do it in less than 3 years for sure, since they don't have anything to do except studying.

From my experience after finishing the MLIS program, I think a "part time" student can finish the degree in 2 years, if they take 3 classes in each semester. I did this at the last year of my degree, I found that the stress with 3 classes was the same as 2 classes, so why delaying yourself if you are in front of stress all the time and in all situation.

What you think do you agree or no? How much is enough to finish MLIS degree?

Ramadan Kareem

Dear all,
Happy Ramadan!
Thank you Asma for creating this weblog which keeps all of us in touch.
Anahita

الاخوه والاخوات الكرام

مبارك عليكم الشهر

علياء الموسوي

MLIS Cafe

سلام عليكم
الاخوه و الاخوات
سيعقد مؤتمر تابع للامانه العامه للاوقاف
سيناقش مكنز علوم الوقف الذي تم انشاؤه من قبل الامانه العامه للاوقاف و الذي يضم اهم المصطلحات التابعه لعلوم الوقف
سيكون في الفتره من بداية شهر اكتوبر

Dear Members

Make sure you read the comments under each post. Somebody might be addressing you.
For those who are still students, please notify us about the latest events and news of LIS department
For any help regarding the use of this blog, please visit http://help.blogger.com/

Instructions

1. Only MLIS holders & students are eligible for the membership of this blog, Others can only comment on our posts.
2. Members should use their real names, otherwise their membership will not be accepted.
3. Any post that seems to be inappropriate shall be deleted from the blog.
4. Do not replay, answer or comment on a post with another post. It would be more logical to click on the comment link as long as you are targeting the same topic.
5. Do not use vulgar language, unwanted photos...etc. otherwise your membership will be deleted without prior notice.
6. Do not use our blog to share assignments....Its not the place for plagiarism!
7. Please respect the privacy of others. Do not mention things which seem to be private in your posts (i,e a member's e-mail or personal information).
8. Those who would like to be members of our blog shall e-mail me at MLIS_cafe@hotmail.com
9. Suggestions and comments are welcomed as well at the e-mail mentioned above.

Welcome!

I'd like to urge all MLIS holders and students in Kuwait to become members of this blog. It will be the place where we can share our thoughts, experiences and concerns. Let your voice be heard by others who have the same interests and educational background.

You can contribute by posting interesting articles, discussing latest issues, commenting on expressive photos and sharing your favorite links and online resources.