The Center for Southeast Asian Studies hosted a delegation of librarian professionals from Southeast Asia on June 23-24, 2008.  The delegation was invited to Illinois as part of the   International Visitors Leadership Program of the US Department of State.  The Illinois portion of their program was focused upon:

- Studying the principles of library management as practiced in the U.S., including staff and volunteer training, outreach programs, diversity and range of services

- Examining concepts of library design and operations for diverse user groups (sight/mobility impaired, children, seniors, etc.)

- Exploring innovations in collection development, including internet and print trends in public library collections

- Examining the application of advanced technologies to materials management, cataloging, and storage, including digitization, Internet access, and other Information Technology assets, and

- Learning about Southeast Asian Studies programs in the United States

The participants were:

From Indonesia:

Mr. Noer Jihad SALEH, Director of American Corner, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi

Ms. Retno SAYEKTI, Director of American Corner, State Institute of Islamic Studies of North Sumatra (IAIN Sumatra Utara), Medan, North Sumatra

Ms. Nur Cahyati WAHYUNI, Coordinator of American Corner, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta

From Malaysia

Dr. Zahidi Bin DATO ZAINOL RASHID, Director, State Public Library Corporation, Kedah

Dr. Rosidah binte Ismail, Chief Librarian and Deputy Director, Kuala Lumpur City Library

Mr. Megat Adnan MEGAT MOHAMAD, Director, Kelantan State Public Library

From the Philippines

Ms. Mona Gayon HARUN, College Professor III, Mindanao State University (Bongao, Tawi Tawi Campus)

Ms. Leonisa Parcon SALES, Director of Libraries, The American Corner, Ateneo de Davao University

Ms. Iluminada Wagas YAP, Library Director, Ateneo de Zamboanga University

A federally funded National Resource Center since 1997, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies provides leadership, focus, and coordination for Southeast Asian studies at the university.  cseas@niu.edu