A world apart, bound by books

Last week, two librarians from different parts of the globe came together in Bloomington to trade ideas and learn from one another. Liu Caixia, head librarian at Beijing University of Physical Education (BUPE), met with Mary Strow, head librarian at IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, to learn about programs available at U.S. libraries. The meeting was the most recent exchange between the two educational facilities that have been affiliated with each other since 1989.\nBetween Tuesday and Thursday, Liu and Wang Huizhai, a BUPE library staff member, visited the HPER Library, the Lilly Library, the Main Library, the Monroe County Public Library, the Fine Arts Library and the Kinsey Institute Library. \nStrow said Liu was eager to learn how U.S. libraries function.\n"She was very interested in looking at U.S. libraries and the different services that U.S. libraries offer," Strow said. "There are a lot of things that we take for granted, such as interlibrary loans, that they don't have. Also, students don't work in her library, and here, we rely a lot on students, so that was a new concept for her too. We gave her a lot of names and addresses of people to talk to about these programs."\nStrow also gave Liu two boxes of books about physical education and sports and recreation to add to the BUPE Library. She said the books are crucial for BUPE students because they are written in English.\n"Whether or not students are interested in the subject matter, they use them to learn English," Strow said.\nThe visit marked the first time Liu had visited the United States. She was introduced to American food at various restaurants and a barbecue Wednesday night at Strow's home.\nRichard Doty, a media relations specialist for the Office of Communications and Marketing, said in a press release that Liu spoke through an interpreter, Hui Tian. Hui supervises the English program at BUPE and is spending a year in Bloomington as a HPER employee.\nIn addition, Wang, who is considering applying to the School of Library and Information Science, was given the opportunity to meet with Rhonda Spencer, SLIS director of admissions and placement. Liu and Wang returned to China on Friday.\nOver the past 13 years, students and staff from both schools have visited each other on many occasions. In May 2001, Strow was one of 40 HPER representatives to visit BUPE and hike along the Great Wall of China. Liu and Strow met for the first time during that exchange, and Strow received six boxes of Chinese books.\nIn the future, more BUPE librarians will visit IU, and Liu will send Strow more Chinese books about ping pong and martial arts. Strow said she will probably return to BUPE in 2005.\n"It's a great reciprocal relationship," Strow said.\nHPER Dean Tony Mobley said exchanges between the two schools have a lot of educational value.\n"The world is getting to be a much smaller place," he said. "When you have an international experience, it adds richness to your life and background that you can bring back to the classroom, and you can develop a world view." \nFor more information about BUPE, visit http://www.cscse.edu.cn/laihua/c-gaoxiao/bjtydx.html. For more information about the HPER Library, visit http://www.indiana.edu/~libhper/index.html.