Xenia Kourgouzova
Information & Knowledge Manager
Lausanne, Switzerland
Trip Co-Lead, Professional Development Team Lead
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
I’m a graduate of the McGill University School of Information Studies in Montreal, Canada, and was the co-chair of the McGill LWB Student Committee.
Where else have you travelled?
I’ve travelled all over the world. I’ve lived in Russia, Canada and now Switzerland. I spent summers in Florida as a child. I haven’t been to South America or Australia yet!
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I went on the service trip in 2012. I made great friends on that trip and stayed in touch with them. I always wanted to come back because somehow I felt that I wasn’t done with Guatemala after the first trip. I can actually see a big change between three years ago and now. The country’s developing and the library grew as well - at least 50% since the last time I was here. Dorita [Asturias librarian] has taken on a strong role in the library as well, and just by looking around the library you can see that it’s being used to discuss important topics and themes.
Alexandra Ferguson
Collection Development
Edmundston, New Brunswick
Trip Co-Lead
Where do you work?
Haut-St.-Jean Library Region, Regional Office
Where have you traveled?
I’ve traveled throughout Canada and the U.S., and England and France as a student. After my undergrad I moved to Japan to teach English for a year and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in India. Afterward I moved to South Korea for two years, traveled to Indonesia, and backpacked South America for four months visiting Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Columbia. In 2013 I visited Guatemala as a student participant in LWB’s service trip.
What is your connection to LWB?
I was originally a student member then co-chair of the LWB committee at Western University Faculty of Information and Media Studies. I heard about the project trip to Guatemala in 2012 and was very fortunate to be chosen as a trip participant in 2013.
How did you hear about the trip:
As an LWB member, I receive updates and news from the organization. I saw a posting for project lead in one of their emails and decided to apply. I had such a wonderful experience as a student participant on the 2013 service trip, so I just jumped at the opportunity to co-lead this year’s trip.
What made you want to come?
My trip in 2013 was so memorable that ever since I’ve wanted to return to the Miguel Asturias Academy. Jorge, his family, and all the staff there have done and continue to do amazing work and if I can help out in any way, I would love to be a part of it. It’s wonderful to see how much the library has grown and how well-used it’s become to students and teachers alike.
Erika Heesen
CEO, Perth and District Union Public Library
Perth, Ontario, Canada
Communications Team Lead
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
I was one of the founding members of the University of Toronto iSchool LWB student committee in 2009. I wanted to stay involved with the work that LWB is doing, so I’ve been volunteering as Membership Director since 2011.
Where else have you traveled?
I lived in Ireland for four months and traveled throughout Europe and in Canada and the United States.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I’ve wanted to come on this trip for a few years, and this year was finally the year! I really wanted to be able to use the skills that I have to help develop the library at the Asturias Academy, and I’m also here to learn—what libraries are like in Guatemala, what the culture around books and reading looks like, and what our partner’s goals are for the future.
Elissa Sperling
Library Science Student at McGill University School of Information Studies, Canada
Working at a Public Library in Montreal, Canada
Library Day Project
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
LWB was part of what attracted me to McGill, the Information Science programs in the U.S. don’t have LWB. I got involved right away as part of the LWB McGill student chapter and will be the Co-Chair next year.
Where else have you traveled?
I’ve been to over 40 countries. I’ve enjoyed many places, but my favorites so far have been Mongolia and Georgia.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
My interest in this trip is related to why I wanted to study Library Science. I want to be a librarian and work in public libraries. This trip really combines all of my interests. I love books and reading. I like to teach and I love to work with children. I like to help people and of course I love to travel.
Jasmin Avila
Library Science Student at San Jose State University, California
Working as Programming Aide at Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Santa Cruz, California
Communications Project
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
I work as a Library Aide for the Santa Cruz Public Libraries in our Programs and Partnerships department. I first heard about LWB in one of my classes at SJSU because it was used as a case study while learning about global libraries.
Where else have you traveled?
I have traveled to Italy, Mexico and Canada.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I heard about the trip through my Information Science Program and wanted to come because I wanted to experience first hand how libraries function in other countries outside of the U.S. I was very inspired by the work LWB does and wanted to contribute to the documentation of the project as well as put into practice what I’ve learned in both my Information Science program and my library.
Debbie Chavez
Adult Services Librarian at Pima County Public Library
Tucson, Arizona
Library Day Project
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
At my library I work in Adult Services. I work a lot with refugees and immigrants from all around the world and I’ve also done a lot of work in Early Literacy. I had heard about LWB before and had kept up with the organization’s work.
Where else have you traveled?
I have traveled mostly in Mexico while visiting family and working with an organization that helps people from a poor neighborhood.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I heard about the trip through Facebook and I wanted to be part of the trip because I have wanted to come and do work in Guatemala since the 90’s after reading “I, Rigoberta Menchu”. This book focused the worlds attention on the horrific events and atrocities being committed against the indigenous people of Guatemala. When I saw that LWB had the opportunity to come and do good work here I knew I wanted to come.
Rebecca Lahr
Library Science Student at University of British Columbia
Worked at Small Business Accelerator, UBC Libraries
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Professional Development Project
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
I’m a student right now - aspiring librarian! I worked in an academic library when I was an undergrad at the University of Minnesota and I did an archiving internship at the Library of Congress. I’ve attended a few LWB events at UBC and this has been a great opportunity to get to know LWB a little bit more and what they’re all about.
Where else have you travelled?
As an undergrad at the University of Minnesota, my minor was in Spanish Studies and I travelled to Venezuela for about six weeks to improve those language skills. I’ve also done a lot of domestic travel in the US, particularly the Mountain West, and of course, being American, travelled to Canada for my studies.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I had heard about LWB before starting library studies. Most recently a close friend recommended I look into the trip and I decided to apply. I think it’s very important as professionals to look at the different ways that people view libraries and the different contexts in which libraries exist. I think that we take for granted the openness of public library systems. Being here and seeing what the libraries offer here - you understand the privilege that we have to really utilize some amazing resources in our own areas.
Natalie Baur
Archivist, Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami Libraries
Miami, Florida
Professional Development Project
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
I am a librarian by training. I have a degree in library science from the University of Maryland, but I specialized in archives, information and records management. I have a background in history, and I decided to go into special collections and went from there into archives. For LWB, my interest was in getting to know another sector of library work—I don’t have any experience with school libraries - and also that the project was in Guatemala. I’m very interested in library and archives development in Latin America.
Where else have you traveled?
I lived in Ecuador for two years and travel back there frequently for both fun and work. I’ve also been to Colombia, Suriname, Aruba, Spain, Canada, and Panama.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I actually heard about the trip a few years ago through a listserv and I’ve been following the trip since then through Facebook and the website. This year I finally had a chance to apply so I’m happy to be here!
Sheila Laroque
Library Science Student at the University of Toronto, Canada
Working at Robarts at the University of Toronto, Canada
Library Day Project
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
I was first year co-chair of the U of T student chapter this past year. I heard about what LWB was doing and I thought it was amazing, I really wanted to get involved.
Where else have you traveled?
I studied abroad in India and I’ve also been to Italy, Greece, New York and Hawaii.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I thought this project in and of itself was a great thing to contribute to and something that would be a new experience for me but also a space where I could reinforce and use the skills I already have.
Kerry Purvis
Portland, Maine, USA
Communications Team
San José State University i-School
Where have you traveled?
USA, Canada, Spain, Honduras, and now Guatemala!
What is your connection to LWB/libraries?
I am working on my MLIS through San José State University. I recently took a course called Global Library Issues Using Project-Based Learning that specifically focused on literacy issues in the Guatemalan communities working with LWB. I also worked at Fogler Library at the University of Maine when I was getting my BA, and I volunteered with the public relations department at the Bangor Public Library in Bangor, Maine.
How did you hear about the trip?
Through an email announcement through San José State.
What made you want to come on the trip?
I went to Honduras on a University of Maine service trip seven years ago and I have been wanting to do more international service work since then. I have a BA in Spanish and I am working on an MLIS, so I was really excited to learn about a trip that involved two of my passions, the Spanish language and libraries! I am a firm believer that all people deserve access to information regardless of where they live, so I was thrilled to see an opportunity to work with an organization that is working toward that goal on a global level.
Cheryl Rowan
Collection Development
Kingwood (Greater Houston), Texas, USA
Where have you traveled?
USA, Mexico, Canada, Guatemala, Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island
Where do you Work?
Most recently, I held two positions with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region as the Consumer Health Coordinator and Public Health Coordinator. In those positions, I promoted resources and services throughout the states of Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. For the past three months I have been working as a “freelance” medical librarian, providing health information resources to a wide variety of audiences. I have very recently been appointed to a three-year position as the Editor for MLA News.
What is your connection to LWB/libraries?
Prior to this trip, I had no connection with LWB. I have worked in public, K-12 school, and medical sciences libraries.
How did you hear about the trip?
I received the announcement from a colleague who knew about my previous connections to Guatemala and thought I might be interested.
What made you want to come on the trip?
I have been to Guatemala many times with the organization CEDEPCA (the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America) centered in Guatemala City and wanted to expand the scope of my experience in Guatemala. Whenever I spend time in Guatemala I learn new things about the country, its culture, and the issues facing the people here.
Madiha Choksi
Collection Development
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
University of Toronto
Where have you traveled?
Canada, US, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Jamaica, Spain and France
What is your connection to LWB?
I joined the LWB group at the University of Toronto iSchool.
How did you hear about the trip?
In an email from the LWB chapter at University of Toronto
What made you want to come on the trip?
I think what drew me to the trip was the opportunity to use what I am learning in class about collection development and cataloging to help out a library that could use the help for free. I knew it would be very fulfilling and rewarding to see my work make a difference.
Angela Kwok
Library Science Student at the University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada
Collection Development Team
What’s your connection to LWB and/or libraries?
I serve as the chair of the LWB student chapter at the University of Western Ontario; this will be my third term with LWB. I also volunteer at the archives of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in London, Ontario.
Where have you traveled?
Aside from Canada I have lived in France and Japan. I’ve also traveled to Eastern Canada, United States, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, and now Guatemala.
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
I first heard about the trip at the student orientation at the University of Western Ontario in September, and then again on Facebook when LWB was looking for volunteers. What drew me to LWB was its mission of providing people access to information regardless of their region, gender, religion, etc. I thought I could help make a positive impact on communities with information needs. I think it’s extremely important for us as librarians to be aware and get involved in international librarianship in order to build stronger communities.
Carlos Torres
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Collection Development Team
Algonquin College
Where have you traveled?
US, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Morocco, Mexico, Europe
What is your connection to libraries/LWB?
I studied library studies at Algonquin College
How did you hear about the trip?
A friend of mine from college told me about it. He went on the trip two years ago.
What made you want to come on the trip?
I wanted to help others in doing what I love to do. I have Latin American roots so it is a good match. It is also good to go to new countries and understand new cultures.
Stephanie Anderson
Library Science Student, University of Arizona
Library Assistant, Salt Lake County Library
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Professional Development Team
What is your connection to libraries and/or LWB?
I currently work as a library assistant managing a small outreach branch. We take the discards from the library system and I sort them, etc, and then I give a free book to every child who visits to encourage literacy in the home. I also do outreach to hospitals, homeless shelters, refugee centers, and a shelter for abused or neglected children. So I do a lot of outreach with high-risk and low-income families.
Where else have you travelled?
I’ve been to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Panama, and now Guatemala!
How did you hear about the Guatemala trip and what made you want to come?
It was an email from my university, and I’d been looking to do some sort of study abroad because I love travelling and working in developing countries. I’d never been to Guatemala, and I was very interested in learning more about how libraries worked here, so I was really excited when I came across this!
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Join Librarians Without Borders on Tuesday, February 9 at 9 pm EST / 6 pm PST for an online information meeting about our upcoming service trip to Guatemala. This is an open meeting — all are welcome! 
Asturias, Events, News | admin February 4, 2016 | 
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