Embedded: a systems librarian’s experience in Afghanistan
| Published date | 12 August 2019 |
| Date | 12 August 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-10-2018-0076 |
| Pages | 453-460 |
| Author | Justin D. Kovalcik |
Embedded: a systems librarian’s
experience in Afghanistan
Justin D. Kovalcik
Oviatt Library, California State University Northridge,
Northridge, California, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to present the experience of a systems librarian deployed to
Afghanistan as an academic advisor from the US Military Academy, West Point. While discussing tasks and
challenges faced, the author provides accounts of events that shaped and strengthened professional lessons
learned as the first library academic advisor to the National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA). The
focus of the paper emphasizes the importance of listening, collaborating, leadership, immersion and
integration of disparate teams into a cohesive unit.
Design/methodology/approach –Utilizing summaries of daily events taken during a six-month
deployment along with relevant research on library’s in developing countries and embedded librarianship,
this paper provides an overview of the projects, challenges and relationships necessary to become
successfully embedded.
Findings –Integration into various aspects of NMAA and the advisor team leads to successful project
outcomes and greater relevance of the library in the academy.
Practical implications –Administrators and librarians will be able to review the experience and
professional lessons learned of an embedded librarian into a foreign environment and team.
Originality/value –In addition to providing unique perspectives involving embedded librarianship, this
paper addresses topics of leadership, team cohesion and influence.
Keywords Leadership, Collaboration, Partnerships, Embedded, Advisor, Service academy
Paper type Case study
Introduction
In January 2012, I boarded a plane and began my journey as an embedded librarian
deployed to the National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA).
The academy had hosted many advisors from various disciplines since its inception in
2005; however, the library was in need of attention for its development and migration to
NMAA’s new facilities in Qargha. The majority of work had been devoted to modeling
NMAA after the US Military Academy and ensuring the new academy was able to function
and graduate leaders for the Afghan National Army and Afghan Air Force. Akin to other
institutions of higher education, acquiring and retraining highly qualified faculty, providing
a rigorous educational system and improving facilities were and remain focal points of
NMAA. In addition, NMAA is similar to service academies in the USA by requiring physical
development along with military leadership.
Unlike many universities and colleges in advanced countries, NMAA does not benefit
from sister institutions or membership in a larger system. Although NMAA is one part of
the Afghan National Defense University (now known as the Defense University of Marshal
Fahim), NMAA has the sole function of providing both an academic and military education
in order to graduate cadets with a four-year degree before their commission as military
officers in the Afghan National Army or Afghan Air Force.
Related to what Kargbo (2009) noted in Sierra Leone, “In advanced countries like Britain,
Canada, Australia, Germany, and the United States of America, library and information
staff make attempts to join in cooperative ventures to achieve more comprehensive coverage
and easier access through planning material expenditures and sharing their resources.
Sierra Leone is bereft of such collaborative ventures, and there is every need to establish
them to improve library services for all citizens.”The lack of opportunity to collaborate and
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 6/7, 2019
pp. 453-460
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-10-2018-0076
Received 2 October 2018
Revised 17 May 2019
Accepted 20 May 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
453
Systems
librarian’s
experience in
Afghanistan
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