American Academic Libraries in Afghanistan and Qatar

Collaborative Librarianship

Volume 2 Issue 2 Article 6

2010

Assistance across Borders: American Academic Libraries in Afghanistan and Qatar

Carole Thompson Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Thompson, Carole (2010) "Assistance across Borders: American Academic Libraries in Afghanistan and Qatar," Collaborative Librarianship: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 6. Available at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/collaborativelibrarianship/vol2/iss2/6

This From the Field is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Collaborative Librarianship by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. Thompson, Frouzan & Malone, et al.: Assistance across Borders

Assistance across Borders: American Academic Libraries in Afghanistan and Qatar

Carole Thompson, Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) ([email protected])

Zoreh Raein Frouzan, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GUSFSQ)

Jim Malone, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMCQ)

Bijan Esfahani, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ)

Michael Hanson, American University of Afghanistan (AUAF)

Abstract

A recent outreach project brought together the American University of Afghanistan and four world renowned US universities with branch campuses in Qatar’s Education City. Librarians in Qatar often collaborate with each other, but this unusual effort was the first time their collaboration reached across international borders to extend assistance to another country. The experience became a cultural exchange that brought together these dramatically different worlds. By utiliz- ing technologies that make connecting and collaborating so easy these days, four librarians with backgrounds in public and technical services worked together to share their expertise, culminat- ing in a learning visit by an AUAF library assistant to Doha. The sharing of skills and knowledge was a wonderful experience on many levels and made a distinct difference in a part of the world that needs and wants so much to change.

Keywords: Collaborative outreach; learning visit; cultural exchange

Introduction loaded and purchased books, serials, government documents, non-governmental In March 2009, senior administrators from technical reports and other miscellanea, in the American University of Afghanistan print and electronic formats. With limited (AUAF) made contact with the Dean of Li- access to MARC records, a higher propor- braries at Texas A&M, who in turn volun- tion of these resources required original ca- teered the librarian at the branch campus in taloging. Impediments faced in the AUAF Qatar to assist the library at AUAF with library were the lack of trained, experienced staff training. It wasn’t clear how it would library staff and virtually no training oppor- work, but it seemed simple enough to make tunities in Afghanistan. contact via email and initiate conversation to determine what was needed. Through a Every project benefits from collaborative series of exchanges between AUAF Library input, therefore other librarians in Educa- Director, Mike Hanson, and Texas A & M tion City were contacted and invited to join University at Qatar Library Director, Carole the effort. Two of these librarians in Educa- Thompson, the details of a collaborative ef- tion City were originally from Iran and their fort were outlined. first language was Farsi, one of the languages also spoken in Afghanistan. The lan- Initial conversations via email, Skype calls guage commonality would prove invalua- and web conferencing had identified their ble. The histories of Iran and Afghanistan need to perform cataloging, both original are closely related, dating from the earliest and copied from sources. Resources in the days of the Persian Empire. The two preva- library consist of a mix of donated, down- lent native languages, Iranian Farsi and

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(L to R) AUAF Library staff Laila Azimi, Stephanie Schmitt, Mike Hanson, Hamayoun Ghafoori, Fardeen Safdari, Wali Akhtari

Afghan Dari, would enable conversation The AUAF library had implemented Koha, when limited English skills proved to be an open source integrated library system, on confusing during explanations of complex a local Windows workstation. Soon after cataloging concepts and procedures. Addi- Mike’s arrival as director, the ILS had be- tionally, the former library director from come corrupted and the library lost all use AUAF, Jim Malone, had joined an Education City university and was also interested in of the system for nearly two months. With this effort. Thus, a project team was born. no in-library technical expertise or IT support from an administration unaware of the At AUAF, Mike Hanson had joined the li- technological sophistication required to brary as director to head the small team, support an academic library, Mike con- which included two local staff. Laila Azimi tracted with LibLime, Inc. to host an up- had joined the library early in its startup, dated version on servers in the US. After and worked with Jim Malone during his the conversion from the self-installed ver- tenure as director in 2007. Afghan citizen, sion to the commercially supported online Hamayoun Ghafoori, joined the staff in 2008 version was completed by LibLime, remote to work in technical services, having gained access to the OPAC, circulation, cataloging experience working with Non- and other modules, was made possible. Governmental Organization libraries in Pa- This would underpin the hands-on training kistan and Afghanistan. in Doha, and enable cataloging of resources directly in the AUAF bibliographic database.

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The greatest need was to provide training and initiate support projects in Afghanistan. for copy and original cataloging, but how By hosting Hamayoun in our homes, the could that be accomplished given the dis- AUAF library was able to save many dollars tance, security issues in Afghanistan, re- for much needed materials. In July, the as- quirements for travel and the lack of budget sistance crossed borders with a training visit to support travel? Moving beyond simple by an AUAF library staff member to Doha, emails, conference calls using Skype, a voice Qatar. over IP software, helped facilitate group communication. To some extent, screen Background shots and simple communication were help- ful, but there was a desire on the part of Qatar is a small but well-funded Middle AUAF to send the technical services staff Eastern country in the Persian Gulf with a person for hands on training, as a jump start commitment to providing assistance to de- to the longer term support of the library veloping countries in the region, particular- project. ly in the area of education. To this end, a non-profit foundation was set up in 1995 to While only a three hour flight separated Ka- develop education in Qatar. Headed by bul and Doha, other hurdles existed. In a Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser country where many citizens flee to sur- Al-Missned, Qatar Foundation has brought rounding countries as refugees, it is not six universities into its Education City, as common to possess a passport. In Qatar, part of the mission to develop and support where coming and going is a way of life, education, science and community devel- everything begins and ends around pass- opment. In addition to the universities, oth- ports, visas, and entry and exit permits. er educational projects include: Qatar Acad- This collaborative effort needed a boost to emy, a kindergarten through secondary move past these obstacles. school, the Learning Center for special needs children, an Academic Bridge Pro- In working together, the four participating gram, the Faculty of Islamic Studies, the librarians discussed the possible roles of Heritage Library, and a central library cur- each of their universities, while staying rently under development, along with sev- within institutional policies. For instance, eral other special purpose units. CMUQ could easily sponsor the visit visa, while underwriting the cost of meals was The idea to establish the American Universi- more easily supported at GUSFSQ. The cost ty of Afghanistan began in 2002, based on of airfare was the largest problem. Members the success of other American Universities of the team contacted Reach Out To Asia, a around the world. By 2006, supported in sister organization in the Qatar Foundation large part by USAID, the American Univer- portfolio, and a relief and rebuilding organ- sity of Afghanistan progressed from idea to ization whose nine primary target countries reality. The initial class of students began in include Afghanistan. When contacted, the March 2006 to improve their English lan- ROTA staff was open to considering a pro- guage and study skills in foundation posal, although the project was outside their courses. As “the only independent, private, usual scope, and their involvement in libra- not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution of ries is limited in their target countries. A higher learning in Afghanistan,” AUAF now grant proposal was written and sent to RO- offers programs in business administration, TA, who agreed to fund and arrange the air information technology, and general studies travel between Kabul and Doha. In turn, and it will graduate its first class in 2010. AUAF library staff agreed to reciprocate as future contacts when ROTA staff investigate

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Entrance to the University and its administration building, originally Soviet built and occupied.

In early 2009, the library had five staff The Learning Visit members: a professionally trained librarian /director and four local staff with limited While the initial collaboration was useful for experience and no formal library education. setting a context and understanding the issues, it became obvious that faster progress Academic libraries often rely on paraprofes- would be made if a learning visit could be sional staff or student assistants in technical arranged for several days of one-on-one services to complete copy cataloging, while training. Remote access to the AUAF Koha supported by trained professional staff. system had been made possible during the However, the situation in the developing conversion to the LibLime installation, countries of Africa and Asia is very differ- which would allow training to include ent. Libraries are often managed and run hands-on cataloging in the AUAF catalog. without formally trained personnel, and Hamayoun Ghafoori, responsible for cata- local community members are given only loging and other technical services, traveled minimal instruction in operational tasks. to Doha to enhance his skills and benefit Very few professional-level library school from the in-person training and mentoring. programs exist outside of the developed He had attended high school in Peshawar, world, and current technology requires cur- Pakistan, and completed English training rency of training and familiarity with best and limited library training courses offered practices. In developing regions, inadequate through the USAID/Afghanistan Parlia- budgets often keep facilities and services at mentary Assistance Project (APAP) in Ka- minimal levels. bul. His work experience in libraries was principally in non-governmental aid organi- This can be contrasted to the rapid devel- zations and the Afghanistan National As- opment of western university campuses and sembly Library. their academic libraries in the oil rich Mid- dle Eastern countries in the last ten years. The primary learning goals for the two- This has introduced professional staff and week visit centered around providing the access to extensive online information re- opportunity to observe the academic libra- sources into the region, and stimulated an ries operating in Qatar’s Education City, and increase of interest in library services. covering the principles and practice of original and copy cataloging, which were taught at the libraries of Georgetown Uni- versity School of Foreign Service (GUSFSQ) and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TA-

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MUQ). Some additional time was left for Technical Training examining basic library operations and use of resources, particularly electronic, to be Hamayoun Ghafoori, the AUAF cataloger, overseen by the libraries of Carnegie Mellon was essentially self taught but very moti- University in Qatar (CMUQ) and Weill Cor- vated and quick. He needed an opportunity nell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q). to observe a mature and well-functioning In determining how training would take library and, also, to obtain some rudimenta- place, tasks were not assigned so much as ry instruction in copy cataloging and inte- identified and owned by participating libra- grated library systems. rians, whose skills were fairly evenly di- vided between technical and public services, Throughout the sessions with Hamayoun, technology, language and interpersonal the importance of face-to-face conversation skills. The librarians with the most cata- in the Farsi (Persian) language was essential loging and technical skills devised the train- and allowed for immediate feedback both in ing program, other librarians filled in by verbal and non-verbal communication. training in access and reference services, as While most of the technical vocabulary of well as arranging housing, transportation librarianship was spoken in English, Farsi and cultural events. was used to contextualize the conversation by presenting descriptive terms and sen- Any spare time during the visit was to be tences that added detail to the information, filled with visiting other libraries, speaking allowing discussion of technical terminology to the community members at Education and concepts in greater detail. Farsi was City about the status of education in Afgha- used both to contextualize the technical de- nistan, radio and newspaper interviews. tails and to create a backup context where a Unplanned activities provided a means of higher degree of communication comfort carrying on satisfying and interesting com- was possible, reducing stress and improving munications in a mix of English, Arabic, understanding. The combination of the Farsi and Dari through dinners, lunches, face-to-face interaction and discourse in Far- and museum visits. si also permitted a greater degree of flexibili- ty in providing feedback from Hamayoun to Before the visit began, Arthur Smith, OCLC Zoreh and Bijan, so that additional informa- Middle East Support Services Director, was tion could be added as necessary until a suf- consulted to set up an account and authori- ficient level of understanding was achieved. zation code for the AUAF library to access Connexion, OCLC’s original and copy cata- The one-on-one training began with an in- loging interface, and to test the import and troduction to the Library of Congress and export processes from OCLC to their Koha MARC, and systematic library procedures, system. OCLC offers one year free access including various methods of acquisition, for new libraries in less advantaged coun- with some emphasis on using book selection tries. The librarians in Education City tested profiles to support the university curricu- access to the AUAF online Koha catalog, to lum. Discussion introduced a variety of gauge how hands-on training in the biblio- vendor types, differentiating between new graphic database could be handled, and to and used book sellers, serials resellers and gain familiarity with the functional opera- how to evaluate and select commercial ven- tion of the Koha system, the import process, dors. This led to extensive discussions of item creation, and maintenance routines. how best to create or load records from the various sources, whether from OCLC PromptCat, book vendors’ databases or libraries with specialized Afghan collections.

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Zoreh Raein Frouzan (GUSFSQ library cataloger) and Hamayoun Ghafoori (AUAF)

After introducing the bibliographic, hold- eliminate inappropriate data characters of ings and item records, Zoreh provided an unknown origin. For example, the string overview of adding new records in an Inno- ‘frey50’ was found in many of the brief vative Interfaces’ Millennium system, de- records following the main entry 100 data monstrating the step-by-step process of and was determined to require manual dele- identifying, selecting, exporting, importing tion, as was diacritics cleanup, such as and building bibliographic, holdings and ‘GarcÃ¢ia MÃ¢arquez.’ item level records. This training was fol- lowed by an overview of the workflow at Examining the AUAF catalog showed that GUSFSQ library technical services that in- the OPAC did not display all the library cluded unpacking the shipments, checking holdings and several consultations with the invoices, uploading records and invoice de- LibLime trainer helped resolve this issue tails and physical processing. Other before the start of the training visit. In the workflows covered included batch import OCLC Connexion software, local save files from OCLC, bibliographic tools, AACR2, LC were created for AUAF staff use while im- classification and assignment of subject porting records, and several macros were headings, explaining the relationship of the established for different item types in Con- bibliographic records to the OPAC display, nexion to make the copy cataloging process and reviewing acquisition workflow from easier for the AUAF staff. selection to processing of physical materials. Texas A&M librarians took a completely Containing approximately 1000 records of hands-on approach, by connecting directly primarily print materials, the AUAF biblio- into the AUAF catalog to perform original graphic catalog had undergone a conversion and copy cataloging of records. Several by the LibLime technical staff from the ma- emails were sent to the Koha trainer at Lib- nually catalogued local records to a current Lime to correct problems with records, and installation of a commercially supported to report problems to the technical staff set- online version of Koha. As with any con- ting up the Koha installation for AUAF re- version, cleanup projects were identified to motely. Several formats were reviewed,

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Carole Thompson, TAMUQ library director, introducing Hamayoun Ghafoori who spoke about education in Afghanistan including monographs, serials, government The cultural collaboration documents, and media, so that a broad perspective would be developed. All perti- As part of the grant award, ROTA had re- nent fields in the MARC record were de- quested that Hamayoun deliver a presenta- scribed. Hamayoun was required to catalog tion to the Education City community about several records, and to correct each fixed education in Afghanistan. Despite the tim- and variable field and tag. This hands-on ing during vacation season when Qatar is all practice permitted ongoing questions and but deserted, nearly 30 people came to listen answers in order to reinforce his experience to the descriptions of rebuilding schools and editing records. Online artifacts were education in Afghanistan, where opportuni- downloaded and several pages printed for ties are limited but growing due to the in- use as examples, then manual original cata- tense interest of local populations supported loging was completed by Hamayoun with by international efforts. prompting by the TAMUQ cataloger. A step-by-step walk through reinforced the The diverse international community in Qa- procedure that would be needed to clean up tar, where nearly 80% of the country’s popu- inaccurate records and bad data. lation is expatriates, is globally minded and intensely interested in the events in the im- Additionally, several key Z39.50-accessible mediate and broader Middle East and Cen- library catalogs were added to facilitate tral Asian region. Much effort is expended record import, particularly those with by people in Qatar to be a part of solutions strong Afghan document collections such as that affect lives in positive and productive Library of Congress, Melvyl at California ways. The message that Hamayoun Gha- Digital Library, University of Arizona, Uni- foori brought was hopeful, and well re- versity of Nebraska-Omaha and Columbia ceived by educators and others. University, as well as having WorldCat as a resource and model.

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Iranian dishes during the visit to introduce the group to the delights of Persian cuisine.

On the personal level, project participants worked comfortably together and established a bond that grew beyond the scope of the workplace contact, scheduling social events and engaging in discussions that developed ideas and possibilities. Having Hamayoun ‘home-stay’ heightened the Typical village school in Afghanistan sense that the project had taken on a more human, personal level, that our homes and Interest grew rapidly as the word of the lives were open to him as well. scheduled presentation spread. QF Radio (Qatar Foundation) staff requested an hour- Post visit and continuing collaboration long interview be scheduled with Ha- mayoun. Reflecting on his time as AUAF An unexpected outcome of the visit was the library director, Jim Malone added his identification and transfer of a library secu- thoughts and perspective to describe his rity gate and sensitizing/desensitizing unit experience there. A local Doha newspaper, worth nearly $30,000 USD, no longer used at Peninsula, featured the project in an article the GUSFSQ library and awaiting disposal, not only as a current event, but also to high- but much needed in the AUAF library to light the project as an achievement that de- address the porous situation at the library monstrates Qatar’s global perspective and front doors. Not knowing if such equip- interest beyond its borders. ment would withstand the extreme envi- ronmental conditions without air condition- ing or heating to temper the blazing summer heat and chilly winter snows not to mention the omnipresent dust that permeates into every interstice in Kabul buildings, such a purchase was out of the question. By arranging for a wooden container to surround the units, the shipment of equipment ar- rived undamaged via air freight, has been operating effectively since, and has im- proved the operation and security of the library.

Additional contact has occurred since the training visit through Skype web calls, Hamayoun Ghafoori at QF Radio interview emails and questions posted to the Google group, Friends of the AUAF Library To supplement the academic and profes- ([email protected]) to sional activities, various tours and jaunts allow broader collaboration. Starting a were planned to show Hamayoun around long-distance “Friends” group using email Doha, where a burgeoning cultural move- can provide ‘armchair aid’ and support for ment has introduced a Museum of Islamic an otherwise under-resourced library staff Art and a restored and expanded traditional in need of advice. Mike Hanson occasional- souq (marketplace). Also, no activity in Qa- ly posts questions to the group seeking ad- tar is complete without a long and convivial vice on how others might approach an issue meal. Zoreh Frouzan prepared traditional the AUAF library is facing. For instance, when the library faculty committee was

Collaborative Librarianship 2(2): 86-95 (2010) 93 Thompson, Frouzan & Malone, et al.: Assistance across Borders struggling with the issue of cinematic and tan we may be able to add activities relevant documentary DVDs that show scenes in- to the ROTA knowledge network.” The ex- imical to Afghanistan’s prevailing conserva- change fits well into the vision and mission tive ethos, the answers to Mike Hanson’s set by Qatar’s rulers to assist educational query to the Friends group served to sup- efforts in Afghanistan. Hamayoun agreed port the collection development and evalua- to act as a liaison for ROTA staff in their fu- tion policy that had originally garnered ture efforts to make contact with primary harsh and impassioned criticism, with vali- and secondary schools in Kabul, and to as- dation from librarians operating in nearby sist them when they travel to Kabul to in- countries of similar conservative environ- itiate projects. ments. It is often librarians from the newer startup Middle Eastern campuses who an- Communication has continued between all, swer, sharing their experiences and wisdom, singly or in groups, principally through as they have recently pondered the same email and Skype calls, and not only on the types of issues. professional level. The personal relation- ships have strengthened, and engagement A cataloger consultant, Sarah Ziebel, was has matured to commitment. contracted to spend three months at the AUAF library to work on the backlog and to Conclusion continue the training of library staff. Now back in New York but continuing to work Some projects begin and end without inspi- with AUAF staff remotely, Sarah accom- ration, but this one exceeded anything orig- plished more than expected. Based on her inally envisioned. One unexpected conse- contributions and accomplishments, AUAF quence was the heightened awareness by library gained permission to hire Stephanie AUAF administration caused by the training Schmitt, as a full-time original cata- process, the grant awarded by Reach Out To loger/systems librarian in a permanent staff Asia, and the resulting radio and newspaper position. interviews. The attention paid by others to the AUAF library’s achievements, the com- Progress is incremental, but a collaborative plexities of the tasks and the difficulties effort can fill a gap, provide impetus, or faced convinced the administration to agree jumpstart a solution. Says Mike Hanson, to a short-term consultant and ultimately, a “From training Hamayoun to getting a con- full-time experienced systems/cataloging sultant to hiring a full-time original- librarian. cataloger/systems librarian, I think the future of this library is pretty well set now.” Paying it forward, the AUAF library is now Jim Malone, planning to visit Kabul again beginning to look at how they can provide for AUAF’s first graduation in May 2010, outreach, beyond merely making newly ca- may be able to initiate arrangements for taloged indigenous research reports accessi- another learning visit from an AUAF library ble or by making modest book donations to staff member or to provide ‘training the other Kabul libraries. The area of know- trainers’ style instruction for information ledge transfer is the most important contri- discovery and retrieval using AUAF re- bution that could be passed along and sources and equipment. shared, by visiting other libraries in Kabul to offer advice, opinions and views on profes- ROTA staff were also pleased with the out- sional matters, and in the future perhaps, to comes of the project after receipt of the as- offer structured training on technical service sessment documentation. Lamis Sabra, RO- topics to interested Afghan libraries and TA Program Manager for Develop ROTAsia librarians, with the goal of creating accre- and responsible for developing projects in- dited courses and an officially recognized side Afghanistan reported, “Once our Con- program. nect ROTAsia activities begin in Afghanis-

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Using collaboration as an interface to build Rivera, R. “Reaching out to Afghanistan.” common ground, it is possible for communi- The Peninsula. July 15, 2009. ties of librarians to contribute their know- http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Displa ledge beyond the confines of national bor- y_news.asp?section=local_news&month=jul ders to reinforce, encourage and sustain y2009&file=local_news200907156504.xml those in the field now working to construct a new history of achievement in spite of the Zoepf, K. "American Higher Education destruction caused by decades of war or Comes to Kabul." Chronicle of Higher Educa- poverty. Sharing the wealth from our de- tion 52.21 (2006): A46-A47. veloped countries may be as easy and simple as sharing our knowledge using current internet technologies.

There are a number of locations where people are developing education programs and libraries, where a group of collaborators with expertise, interest and a spirit of curios- ity and generosity could lend a virtual hand by offering advice. Startup efforts such as the American University of Afghanistan are beginning in Iraq, Serbia, and other Asian and African countries.

And at the heart of it, the hearts of librarians, in all the right places.

References

“Spreading the word to Kabul – a learning visit brings hope.” QF Radio Interview by John Bullock. July 9, 2009 http://www.qfradio.org.qa/sites/default/f iles/uploads/file/Library%20Afghanistan4 web.mp3

AUAF on NATOChannel. 3:36 min. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmr WnwxPRGI

Baehr, P. “An American University in Afg- hanistan.” Society. 46.1 (2009): 9-11.

Labi, A. "At American U. of Afghanistan, Turmoil at the Top." Chronicle of Higher Edu- cation 55.14 (2008): A23-A24.

“Once Upon a Time – Afghanistan” (15:47 min.) Journeyman Pictures. ca. 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKR VQDKMwU&NR=1&feature=fvwp

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