Karen D. Centeno, MIS

When I have to speak in public, I experience everything from imposter syndrome to nervousness. When I think back on my first conference presentations, I can only laugh. The good news is that, with practice and preparation, you can overcome all of your fears. In this narrative, I want to share my experience attending and presenting a poster at a professional conference.

In 2017, I moved from Puerto Rico to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This difficult decision to embark on a new path, both personally and professionally, opened up a plethora of opportunities. While living on the island, I was working as a school librarian and adjunct professor. I was aware of the EBAM conference and planned to volunteer and be a part of the event’s organizing committee. However, because I relocated, I was unable to join the volunteer team.

During my first year at my former position as liaison librarian for the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies at Old Dominion University’s in Norfolk, Virginia, I managed a project to assist international students, connecting and strategizing to bring this underserved population closer to library resources and services. I decided to submit a participation proposal to the EBAM Conference from my position as a Hispanic librarian at an American university. The driving force behind my participation in this event was to highlight the special project in support of promoting equitable access to international students.

When you leave your comfort zone, there is always uncertainty, but having the courage to take risks can lead to many adventures and stories. This is true for professional development, as attending professional events, conferences, and learning activities is critical in the library profession. It is essential to participate in events as well as to share work and research experiences with colleagues. Many people in the profession benefit greatly from exchanging ideas and experiences with others. One of the most important aspects is that it assists professionals in developing leadership skills outside of the confines of an organization. Other advantages include developing a professional image and networking. Presentations at professional events can be in a variety of ways, including presenting papers, and research posters, participating in panels, and even volunteering to help organize the event.

Description of the event

EBAM stands for the Latin American Conference of Librarians, Archivists, and Museologists. San Juan, Puerto Rico, hosted the event for the eleventh time in 2019. The event’s theme was Access to Information and Cultural Heritage: A Shared Responsibility. This experience included a few firsts for me: the first time I participated in and attended EBAM, my first participation in an international event as an academic librarian, and my initial involvement in a conference situated in Puerto Rico following my immigration to the United States.

Proposal Application

It was an honor to present a proposal that was accepted for publication as a poster because it exemplified a best practice to share. With considerable eagerness, I initiated the protocol process for the trip to be authorized. Participation in this event was significant because I discovered that any trip outside of the forty-eight contiguous states is considered international travel for university purposes.

Poster Elaboration

While participating in professional events, there are moments of chaos and high adrenaline levels. One of the most difficult aspects of creating a poster is expressing the message concisely and precisely while attracting the attention of the potential reader. I decided to look at posters on various topics and analyze what stood out about them as well as how they were organized. No two products should be the same; while developing a product, you must be creative and willing to show off your style. My first step was to come up with ideas for my poster. To find references for my topic, I searched the databases and the university catalog.

The Trip

The journey to Puerto Rico was an exciting and deeply emotional one. I attended the event, traveled to my island, and engaged in conversation with colleagues, friends, and family. Creating the poster required considerable time. It is challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance when one is also a parent or spouse, studies, and engages in professional activities while working a full-time job. My poster was nearly complete ten hours before I departed for Puerto Rico. The product still required printing. I had previously determined the location where the poster would be printed: a store near the airport. After emailing the document for printing, I commenced packing my suitcase.

I was running out of time to board the plane. Upon my arrival at the print shop, the proprietor observed a printing error before delivering the poster to me. I was unable to reply before she tore the poster to shreds and recommenced printing it. The stress of getting to the airport on time consumed me for the following twenty minutes. I collected my finished product and proceeded to the airport. I arrived an hour before my flight. I had the privilege of having a small airport nearby, so checking in the suitcase and getting to the boarding gate was not difficult. The airline agent advised that, given the size and shape of the poster, it should be checked as a bag. The mere thought of the poster being with the suitcases made me nervous about the possibility of it being misplaced or damaged during the trip. The flight attendant was kind enough to let me carry the poster. The poster was, thankfully, not an issue for me to bring along on this or the following airplane.

The event

The facilities of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music were ideal for hosting the event. The splendor of the building, the beauty of seeing Old San Juan in the distance, and the nostalgia that comes from knowing that if I had lived in Puerto Rico, I would have been one of the volunteers. The organizing team did an outstanding job with the organization of EBAM. This type of event is difficult and intricate to organize. Program coordination entails the organization of cultural activities, presentations, poster exhibitions, and special guests. I am extremely proud of my colleagues and those who worked tirelessly to make the event a reality.

I turned in my poster and was given the week’s activity schedule. I participated in the daily programs that were organized. It was exciting to see my colleagues, friends, and university professors again.

My poster presentation was scheduled for Tuesday morning, along with the other colleagues who were presenting. I met several poster presenters, including a colleague from Brazil and a graduate student from the EGCTI School of Information Sciences and Technologies. The exchange of knowledge during this process was a delightful experience. I have completed my mission: present my poster.

Networking

Connecting and sharing with other professionals is one of the most important aspects of attending professional events. EBAM provided a unique opportunity to share with both local and international colleagues. In my case, it is critical to establish and maintain relationships with my Spanish-speaking colleagues and Latin American brothers. The EBAM Puerto Rico event demonstrated a high level of scientific knowledge, best practices, and experiences in a broad context of information sciences. As the name implies, this event includes the libraries, museums, and archives of each of the represented nations. I met and exchanged ideas with professionals from Argentina, Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil. Aside from farewell hugs and the exchange of contact information, there were also new opportunities to meet at EBAM the following year.

Adventures with a colleague-friend

Ladis and I first met in 2014 at a conference in Ecuador, where we both spoke. Together with another Argentine speaker, we formed the ideal trio: librarians from Argentina, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. Our communication continues to this day. This EBAM event would provide me with the opportunity to reunite with Ladis. Our reunion was a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with endless updates on professional and personal matters, tears of joy, and embraces.

She and I attended EBAM’s daily activities together. In my spare time and after finishing the events, I showed Ladis some of the wonders of my island. We went to places like Old San Juan, Luis Muñoz Marin Park, the University of Puerto Rico, the University Tower, and the Graduate School of Information Sciences and Technologies. It was time to part ways following the exchange of such exquisite experiences. We said our emotional goodbyes, promising to see each other again at the next event and to visit each other in our respective countries.

Professional Events and Coronavirus

Four years have passed since my participation at EBAM Puerto Rico. The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has fundamentally altered participation in professional development events. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have opened up new avenues for exchanging information and developing professional activities. A variety of platforms, including Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, will facilitate the ability to remotely participate in activities and exchange information. Brazil’s Joao Pessoa was originally scheduled to host the eleventh annual conference of EBAM 2020. As a consequence of the pandemic, the event was postponed until 2021 and executed in a remote capacity. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my attendance at the online event was not feasible. EBAM XIII was held in Colombia in September 2022, and the theme was Co-Creation and Open Dialogue in the Interior of Archives, Libraries, and Museums. My experiences attending EBAM XIII will be the topic of my next essay. I am grateful for the easing of the pandemic and the benefits of remote videoconferencing, but nothing beats experiencing in-person events and human interactions. This next endeavor includes more firsts, such as visiting Colombia.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, participating in the EBAM 2019 conference was a transformative experience that not only broadened my professional horizons but also reinforced my commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the field. As a Hispanic librarian in the United States, the event underscored the importance of contributing a diverse perspective and supporting not only Hispanics but also other minority groups. Attending scientific events, whether at a national or international level, offers invaluable opportunities for learning, professional growth, and networking. While the pandemic has introduced new avenues for remote participation, the essence of in-person events, with their human interactions and shared experiences, remains unparalleled. As I eagerly look forward to attending the next in-person event, I carry with me the enduring impact of EBAM and the conviction that such experiences are essential for any librarian seeking to thrive in an ever-evolving profession.