Library Operation and Automation
Study Abroad Experience
THAILAND, May 2005
Classes Start May 16
Leave for Thailand May 19
Return June 6


Dr. Carol Simpson and Barbara Schultz-Jones
School of Library and Information Sciences
University of North Texas

CONTACT  INFORMATION
    carol_simpson@unt.edu

Hello!  We will be taking a group of approximately ten students in Maymester, 2005, to Chiang Rai, in the far north, and Phuket, at the far southwest side of fascinating Thailand. Dr. Simpson and Dr. Figa did a similar trip to Chiang Rai, Thailand  in June 2003, and Barbara Schultz-Jones and Dr. Simpson took a similar trip to Phuket, Thailand in May 2004. These projects set the foundation for our trip. This project will assist two schools: Chiang Rai Montessori School in Chiang Rai, and Rawai Progressive School in Phuket, both age 3-grade 8 Montessori schools. In Chiang Rai, the group will automate their library of English language materials, picking up after a disastrous loss of data. We will work for approximately two days at the Rawai Progressive School, in Phuket, doing data cleanup after last summer's massive data entry project. UNT students will participate in the complete conversion process, from installing and configuring the automation software, performing the retrospective conversion, developing policies, training staff and students, and turning a sustainable system over to the school. All this is accomplished in the exotic locale of Thailand! Chiang Rai is an ancient capital located in hills of the far north, not far from the intersection of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Located in the southwest of Thailand, Phuket is a resort and fishing community. It is a popular tourist destination with many resorts and spectacular beaches. 

Anticipated program dates are May 19 - June 6, 2005. NOTE: June 6, 2005 is the first day of Summer 1, 2005. 

Courses to be taught in this field experience:
SLIS5680 Library Operation and Policy Development (Simpson)
SLIS5369 Automation Processes (Simpson/Schultz-Jones)

ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM QUALIFY FOR A $500 SCHOLARSHIP TOWARD TUITION COSTS FOR THE PROGRAM!

As part of Dr. Simpson's course, our team will transform the library materials into a circulating collection and develop policies to assist the School to operate the system. As part of Barbara Schultz-Jones' course, the team will install, configure, operate, and train staff on an integrated library system.

We actively seek students outside of the school library program for this experience. The installation of the ILS system and the development of operational policies are universal skills that students in many programs of study will find transferable to other situations.
It promises to be a memorable trip!


 
STUDENTS SELECTED

Mandy DeMott
Rose Herstad
Jon Luckstead
Julie Manax
Larry McClung
Anna Sampson
Linda Spiro
Artie Turner
Hannah Watson
Mary Castleberry


 

SLIS5680 LIBRARY OPERATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN THAILAND

In this course, students will convert materials from a foreign-language non-standardized system into a standards-based, modern English automation system. Developing operational policies, cataloging and repair of materials will be major objectives. Preparing the system to run independently is a significant goal of the project. Official SLIS Course Description: Operational procedures for administrative supervision of school libraries, including acquisition, processing and maintenance of collections. Policy development within the context of the school community, including stakeholder assessment, policy preparation, legal implications and political impact of school library operations. Extended field experience is required. Prerequisite(s): SLIS 5208, 5210 or consent of school. 

 

SLIS5369 Automation Processes

Chiang Rai Montessori School has a library that was automated but lost its data in a hardware failure. Rawai Progressive School  in Phuket, Thailand, has a library that is mostly automated. Students will have the opportunity to install, configure, and load an integrated library system in a real-world situation in Chiang Rai, and to perform data cleanup and control as part of the wrap-up of the project in Rawai. Students have these experiences while providing pro bono service in an area where similar skills are unavailable to the local residents. Official SLIS course description:  Intensive study of selected types of special libraries, information systems and related organizations; their development, administration, resources, functions and services. Individual investigation of selected types of libraries and information systems, and of related issues and trends. Prerequisite(s): consent of school. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. This course will involve a 2 week intensive field experience configuring and installing an integrated library system for  libraries in Chiang Rai and Phuket, Thailand.  PLEASE NOTE:  This course is being “bundled” with SLIS5680 Library Operation and Policy Development being taught by Dr. Carol Simpson, so students will be working on two, field experience-based courses/projects simultaneously.


 

TENTATIVE ITINERARY FOR THE THAILAND EXPERIENCE

SLIS5680 Library Operation and Policy Development and 
SLIS5369
Automation Processes

Maymester 2005

Chiang Rai and Phuket, Thailand

 

Thursday, May 19, 2005                               Depart Dallas-Ft. Worth for Chiang Rai, Thailand.

 

Friday, May 20, 2005                                   Arrival in Bangkok. Overnight.

 

Saturday, May 21, 2005                                Arrival in Chiang Rai and transfer to guest house. All meals on own. Free time to acclimate to time difference.

 

Sunday, May 22, 2005                                 Orientation to program, plan of work, division of responsibilities. All meals on own. Tour of Chiang Rai.

 

Monday, May 23, 2005                                 Day one at Chiang Rai Montessori school, 8AM-4PM. Assess scope of work, begin data entry and classification. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own.  Dinner meeting to plan work for following day. Rest of evening free.

 

Tuesday, May 24, 2005                                Day two at Chiang Rai Montessori school, 8AM-4PM. Continue data entry. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own. Optional excursion to local craft center.

 

Wednesday, May 25, 2005                          Day three at Chiang Rai Montessori school, 8AM-4PM. Interview staff for policy development. Processing of materials. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own. Rest of evening free.

 

Thursday, May 26, 2005                               Day four at Chiang Rai Montessori school, 8AM-4PM. Processing of materials. Collect patron data. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own.  Dinner meeting to assess progress.

 

Friday, May 27, 2005                                   Day five at Chiang Rai Montessori school, 8AM-4PM. Data entry. Verification of catalog records. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own. Evening trip to local market.

 

Saturday, May 28, 2005                               Excursion to Ma Fa Luang, Mae Sai (border with Bruma), Golden Triangle (Burma, Thailand, Laos borders).

 

Sunday, May 29, 2005                                 Optional visit to rain forest for elephant riding. Rest of day for shopping, sightseeing.

 

Monday, May 30, 2005                                 Day six at Chiang Rai Montessori school, 8AM-4PM. Data entry and verification. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own. Authorities processing.  Evening free

 

Tuesday, May 31, 2005                                Day seven at Chiang Rai Montessori school, 8AM-4PM. Data entry and verification. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own. Visit ceramic factory or batik center.

 

Wednesday, June 1, 2005                           Travel day to Phuket. Plan scope of cleanup work.

 

Thursday, June 2, 2005                                Day one at Rawai Progressive school, 8AM-4PM Authorities processing. Debrief upon return. Breakfast at guest house, lunch at school, dinner on own. After school visit to batik factory, followed by beach time.

 

Friday, June 3, 2005                                     Day two at Rawai Progressive school, 8AM-4PM. Complete materials processing. Lunch at school. Final presentation to school staff.  Debrief upon return. Evening transfer to Bangkok.

 

Saturday, June 4, 2005                                Sightseeing on own in Bangkok.

 

Sunday, June 5, 2005                                   Sightseeing on own in Bangkok.

 

Monday, June 6, 2005                                 Return trip to Dallas-Ft. Worth.

 

Projected costs for the Thailand Experience


 

University of North Texas
Study Abroad Center

PLEASE READ THIS! As a participant in a Faculty-Led UNT study abroad program, you are responsible for knowing the following information.

• You must submit an application payment with your application form.

• The application payment is non-refundable.

• You are responsible for knowing payment amounts and deadlines for your chosen program.

• You must fill out a drop slip if you are dropping a program. You will not receive any applicable refund if you do not.

• Financial Aid is disbursed according to the regular campus disbursement dates, which are usually not until AFTER all payment deadlines have passed. DO NOT DEPEND on Financial Aid to pay your program costs if the deadline falls before disbursement.

• If you do not pay your program fees by the deadline, you will be administratively dropped from the program.

• SAC will send you important information by email. You must have an email account and check it weekly.

• IEFS Scholarships are applied to your UNT tuition account and are not available to pay your study abroad program costs.

• You must register for your study abroad class(es) at the time you would normally register & pay tuition on the normal payment schedule. Your program fees do not pay for your UNT tuition.

• There is a $25 fee to change from one program to another. (This fee is waived if your original program is cancelled.)

• There is a $25 fee for returned checks. This list contains information on some of the most common situations students encounter when participating in a study abroad program. Please let us know if you have other questions about your program.

By signing the following APPLICATION FORM, you certify that you have read and understood these guidelines.


 

NOTE: all applications will first be cleared through SLIS.  Only those accepted to the program will forward materials and deposits as noted below:

Application Guidelines 

UNT FACULTY-LED Study Abroad Programs

A Completed Application consists of the following parts:

Application Form Filled out completely, signed by you and your parent/guardian (if you will be less than 18 years old at time of participation).

$150 Study Abroad Application Payment This payment is non-refundable (unless you are not accepted to a program or the program does not make), and is due at the time of application.

Components of your application also include the following items (attached):

• Consent Release Form - This form allows the Study Abroad Center to act in a limited manner as your representative on campus while you are abroad. It is not equal to Power of Attorney and does not allow us to act on your behalf with the Financial Aid Office.

• Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement - This form releases the Study Abroad Center and the University of North Texas from any responsibility for damages, loss, or injury sustained by you or your property while participating in the Study Abroad Program.

• International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS) Application and Acceptance Form - All UNT students who have been enrolled in the past 12 months are eligible for this scholarship. You must submit the attached Scholarship Application and Acceptance Form, attend orientation, complete your program successfully and upon finishing your term of study, fill out a Study Abroad Center Program Evaluation Form. Failure to meet these terms will result in your scholarship being rescinded.

• Faculty Signature - Applications are not complete without the faculty’s signature on the bottom of the first page.

All application materials must be hand-delivered to Kendall Hall, Room 115 or mailed to:

Study Abroad Center
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 311067
Denton, TX 76203-1067
Telephone: (940) 565-2207 Fax: (940)565-4822

Withdrawal from a Study Abroad Program Please note that if you withdraw for any other than medical reasons, you will not be refunded the $150 application payment.

Pre-Departure Orientation and other Procedures
Upon acceptance, you must immediately apply for a passport (if you do not already have one). Contact the District Court’s Office on E. McKinney St., or one nearest your place of residence. Depending on the location and length of your program, you may also need to apply for a visa. Information about this will be included with your program orientation materials. Please check with the US Department of State website for more information: www.travel.state.gov

Financial Aid Information
Most scholarships and/or financial aid which you receive may be applied directly to the cost of your program. However, it is your responsibility to make all arrangements for this. Since most forms of aid do not arrive until after your departure, you will need to contact the Financial Aid Office concerning authorization of all papers (pre- and post- departure) plus collection and disbursement of your aid checks in your absence. Each semester the Study Abroad Center hosts an informational meeting with representatives from the UNT Financial Aid Office in order to assist with questions you may have about applying financial aid toward the cost of the program you have chosen. Only students who are degree candidates at UNT can receive financial aid from this campus. If you are a participant from another institution, you must ask your home campus financial aid office to transfer your aid to the University of North Texas for the term(s) of your program. A formal, signed document between the two financial aid offices, sometimes called a "consortium agreement," must be completed. Check the procedures on your home campus to verify that you will be able to transfer your aid.

Where To Get Help
These guidelines should answer most questions about the application and placement process. If you need assistance or advice, the staff in the Study Abroad Center are here to help you. We also have materials on each of the programs which you can consult and review in our office. Our goal is to make your foreign study experience successful. A solid foundation from the beginning of the process can help make that a reality for you.


 

APPLICATION PROCESS

1.  Applications are required to formally apply for the Thailand Study Abroad Experience.
2.  Participants will be expected to fully participate in BOTH courses.
3.  Priority for selection will be given to applicants registering for BOTH courses.
4.  First round application deadline is December 15, 2004.  Early application is encouraged.
5.  First round review decisions will be on a "rolling" basis and we hope to fill the slots by February 1.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

1.  PHASE ONE:  Send to Dr. Simpson:

Submit by via email to carol_simpson@unt.edu  a letter of application containing the following two parts:
a.  One page narrative about why you would like to participate in the Thailand Study Abroad Experience.
b.  List of courses taken and grades.

The application forms for the Study Abroad program below, and the associated application fee, will be due after the student is notified by Dr. Simpson of acceptance to the program.
 

2.  PHASE TWO:  Send to the Study Abroad Office after notification from Dr. Simpson that the student has been accepted into the program:

Complete and submit the forms located at the link below: 

http://courses.unt.edu/csimpson/thailand_2005/applicationforms.htm