Working as a lecturing Fulbright Scholar is the most fulfilling experience that I have yet to have in my professional life. I believe that this information exchange, which is made possible through Fulbright, supports the positive development of independent Ukraine's libraries and helps to inform American librarians about their Ukrainian colleagues. Upon return to the US, I plan to give presentations and write about contemporary Ukrainian librarianship issues based on my experiences. Of course, I also plan to stay in contact with my Ukrainian colleagues because this information exchange should not be hindered due to our geographical locations.

As a guest lecturer at workshops, university classes, conferences and symposiums, I present on topics such as creating library web sites, managing web content, promoting library services using Blogs and other Web 2.0 technologies, digital library and digitization concepts, American library trends and Library & Information Science Education in the US. In addition to lecturing, I am writing articles for publication in Ukrainian journals and coordinating two clubs: the English Speaking Librarians' Club of Kyiv and an English conversation group at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. I enjoy the independence of deciding which direction to take the project, reaching out to my colleagues and coordinating my speaking engagements.

Ukrainian libraries are in a period of great transition. Many of the issues and problems are related to the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union and the political instability that followed. In addition to problems finding funding, librarians here tell me an urgent problem is recruiting young talented professionals. Young people simply do not want to become librarians since the salaries are so low. This sounds familiar to American librarians, but it is even more extreme in Ukraine.

During my time here, I have experienced many high points and been involved in fun activities I had not imagined nor expected. For example I spoke to a group of teenagers at a small school outside of Donetsk about life in America. The students were eager and enthusiastic to learn whether or not American teenagers have similar hobbies and are involved in similar activities as those popular in Ukraine. I also found myself giving interviews to local television stations once in Vinnitsya Oblast Region and once in Donetsk Oblast Region. In addition, my host library displayed my photographs in an exhibit “Ukraine through the Eyes of an American Fulbright Scholar.” Of course, there have been social occasions as well such as celebrating the opening of a conference with librarians drinking, eating and dancing on a ship cruising down the Dnipro River in Kyiv.

Recently I traveled out to a small public library outside of Donetsk for a conference. I arrived in a bus with approximately 40 regional librarians. We were greeted with cake and smiles. The fact that the library had no running water at the time did not deter the host librarians from feeding us and hosting this conference. In fact there was no running water throughout the entire two days and somehow they managed to provide us with several meals including an elaborate dinner with live music and theater. If this had been an American library I think they would have canceled the conference. Not this lively group! They did not seem to be fazed in the slightest as this is a common occurrence. Not only were they not fazed but also they were enthusiastic and proud of their library! Their energy was so positive and open that I immediately felt at home.

Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has generously provided office space and a computer in its American Library. My colleagues there are very supportive and have helped me make contacts with other libraries and universities. In the American Library, I have started an English conversation group for library members. Demand for this service is growing. We are also attracting American volunteers who will continue to provide this service after I leave.

My project blog brooklyn2kyiv.blogspot.com documents my work and provides a forum for discussing professional topics and announcing upcoming events