A group photo of Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums conference participants in Koror, Palau.
Team Joeten-Kiyu Public Library at the welcoming dinner for the Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums conference participants in Koror, Palau.
Pacific Islands Association of Libraries President Erlinda Naputi of the CNMI presents a gift to Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. after he delivered a welcoming address during the PIALA conference in Koror, Palau.
KOROR, Palau (PIALA) — The Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums recently concluded its 32nd annual conference, with attendees hailing the event as a tremendous success. The conference took place in-person in pristine Koror, Palau on Nov. 13-17, 2023, and brought over 75 professionals from across the Pacific region to share best practices and discuss innovative strategies for preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Re-evaluate, Re-focus, and Re-connect: Adapting to the New Norm in the Pacific” and featured a wide range of presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees from the Pacific — the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Yap, Kosrae, and Pohnpei), New Zealand, American Samoa and the U.S. mainland — had the chance to learn from industry experts, participate in hands-on activities, and engage in discussions about the unique challenges and opportunities facing cultural institutions in the Pacific.
“I would like to take this time to thank the amazing the PIALA Organizing Committee members responsible for coordinating these efforts — the Palau Association of Libraries, PAL President Lorraine Tellei and PIALA Vice President Abel Noah,” PIALA President Erlinda C. Naputi, who is also Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s director.
Naputi added, “I am delighted to see so many dedicated professionals from across the Pacific region and beyond coming together to share knowledge, experiences, and insights in the field of libraries, archives, and museums. Our collective commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of our islands is what unites us, and it is this shared sense of purpose that makes our work so important and meaningful. I also want to extend my gratitude to our sponsors and partners who have generously supported this conference, as well as, again to the amazing organizing committee and all the people who are working behind the scenes and in the front lines for their hard work in planning and coordinating this event. Your dedication and commitment are truly commendable, and I am confident that this conference will be a valuable and enriching experience for all who participate.”
Naputi also recognizes “all the PIALA delegates that are here for this conference, as well as those who are with us in spirit! I also would like to thank my incredible Team Joeten-Kiyu Public Library for holding down the fort back on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, as well as Team JKPL who are representing our CNMI here in Palau, the Northern Marianas Library Association, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, the 23rd Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, the Office of the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, CNMI Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and the Commonwealth Library Council. We are thrilled with the turnout and the level of engagement at this year’s PIALA conference. The passion and dedication of our members is truly inspiring, and we were able to have fruitful discussions on issues regarding programs, services, digitization, community outreach, and the role of indigenous knowledge in our work.”
The conference also provided a platform for participants to showcase their work and their projects. This included exhibitions and silent auctions of traditional crafts, as well as presentations on initiatives aimed at preserving and revitalizing indigenous culture. Furthermore, the event offered the opportunity for attendees to explore Palau’s own rich cultural heritage through organized site visits to Palau Community College, Archives, Museums, and Rock Island Tour.
The success of the PIALA conference was a testament to the hard work of the organizing committee and the support of the host country, the Republic of Palau.
Unwavering commitment
Abel Noah, who was the overall chairman of the 32nd PIALA Organizing Committee and PIALA vice president shared the following statement:
“On behalf of the PIALA 2023 Organizing Committee, I congratulate each and everyone of you for a successful completion of the 32nd PIALA Annual Conference. The theme for this year’s conference, ‘Re-evaluate, Re-focus, Re-connect: Adapting to the new norm in the Pacific,’ reflects on the need for each island entities to ensure the survival of our libraries, archives and museums, in this new technological age. It is a testament on the unwavering commitment of PIALA members and partners to guarantee that our information services can continue to serve our communities, regardless of the challenges we face. It was an opportunity for PIALA members to put their heads together, re-evaluate their objectives, re-focus their aim and re-connect with each other to strengthen the information service in the Pacific region.
“Over the course of three days, we heard from experts and notable people who offered many different ways, we can develop the services offered by our entities. Topic ranged from topographic and archaeological studies to the space program, and everything in between. All of these proved one thing: information on these topics should be readily available in our archives, museums and libraries, to help grow our children who have desires and dreams to become the very people who shared with us their expertise on these subjects. That is the ultimate goal and our endgame. The success of our libraries, archives and museums is the growth of our youth, and thus, the development of our societies.
“I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to the PIALA Executive Board, sponsors, presenters and guests who made our three-day conference enjoyable and memorable. I also give thanks to those who gave donations, in-kind or monetary, that led to the successful conclusion of our conference. A special thanks to Palau Association of Libraries for assisting the Organizing committee. And finally: thanks to the Organizing Committee for a great conference. Mesulang! Thank You! I look forward to seeing you all at the 33rd PIALA Annual Conference.”
Highlights
Notable highlights of the 32nd Conference included the special remarks delivered by the Honorable Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. president of the Republic of Palau; closing remarks from Master Navigator Cesario Piailug; Dr. Karen Peacock Memorial Award presentation to Erica Ruwepin from Yap, Federated States of Micronesia; 25th Anniversary of Hawai’i Library Association Partnership with PIALA; a moment of silence for PIALA lifetime friend Aaron Sigrah from Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia; closing dinner remarks and serenade from Palau Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior.
PIALA also humbly extends a special shoutout and congratulations to Suciana Mark from the Republic of the Marshall Islands on being re-elected secretary and Erlinda C. Naputi from the Northern Mariana Islands on being re-elected president of PIALA.
The 32nd Annual PIALA Conference offered 15 presentations:
• “Understanding grants and project management” presented by Jane Barnwell (University of Florida) during the Pre-Conference Workshop at the Palau Community College Assembly Hall
• “Sade’ yan Susu: Book Banning & Censorship in Oceania” presented by Roberto Santos (archive manager, Northern Marianas Humanities Council)
• “Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education” presented by Roland San Nicolas (University of Guam academic librarian)
• “Information Access, Technology, and Challenges, Preservation” presented by McMichael Mutok Jr. (Palau registrar, Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation)
• “Preservation of marine papers for what, for whom and where?” Richard Page (Palau Community College)
• “Trust Territory of the Pacific Archives: Uncovering a Collection’s History and Reframing Value” presented by Leticia Sisior (circulation manager, Hawaiian Pacific Collection, University of Hawaii at Manoa Hamilton Library)
• “Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Best Practices” presented by Martin Naputi (president), Jolene Demapan (treasurer), Patricia Aguon-Cruz (secretary), and Beth Demapan (advisor)
• “Mākau Moʻomeheu: Cultural Competency’s role in diversity, inclusion, and community engagement” presented by Helen Wong Smith (archivist for University Records, Ppesident, Society of American Archivists, University of Hawaii at Manoa)
• “Serving & Growing our Communities-HSPLS Looks Ahead” presented by Matthew Brown (manager, Hawaii State Library for the Blind & Print Disabled, Hawaii State Public Library System
• “Harvesting, nourishing, and thriving — Digitalpasifik’s journey to provide access and visibility of Pacific Culture” presented by Taputukura Raea (Pacific Virtual Museum program manager) & Ulu Afaese (Pacific Virtual Museum content analyst, National Library of New Zealand-Pacific Virtual Museum)
• “Disaster Preparedness Training: Damaged Paper Recovery” hands on demonstration/workshop presented by Team JKPL with Erlinda C. Naputi (PIALA president/library director), Ray Jr. Deleon Guerrero (computer specialist), Beth Demapan (technical services librarian), Vincent Sablan (administrative officer III), Kaleina Reyes (library assistant), Caitlyn Crisostomo (library assistant), Celina Foreman (librarian II), Leoralynn Terlaje (bookmobile supervisor), Kaleina Reyes (library assistant), Caitlyn Crisostomo (library assistant), Shianalyn Lizama (library outreach assistant)
• “Children of Homeland, Bookmobile Outreach Services, Teen Services of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library” presented by Caitlyn Crisostomo (library assistant), Celina Foreman (librarian II), Leoralynn Terlaje (Bookmobile supervisor), Kaleina Reyes (library assistant), Caitlyn Crisostomo (library assistant), Shianalyn Lizama (library outreach assistant)
• “Oiedel a Chas: Safeguarding Our Precious Cultural Heritage Through” presented by Sandy Fernandez (cultural affairs program coordinator, Department of State & Cultural Affairs, Koror State Government)
• “Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries: High-Impact Programming on a Low-Cost Budget” presented by Brooks W. Mitchell (STAR Net, Space Science Institute)
• “Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums & Joeten-Kiyu Public Library: Indigenizing Library Programs and Services: from the Panel: Museums in Militarized/ Colonized Spaces: The Case of the Mariana Islands” presented by Erlinda C. Naputi
Supporters
PIALA would also like to humbly thank the following sponsors, donors, and community partners for their support and assistance in making the 32nd Annual PIALA Conference a success:
Institute of Museum and Library Services, Palau Association of Libraries, Palau Visitors Authority, Ministry of Education, Palau Community College, Western Caroline Trading Company, Palau National Congress, Belau National Museum, Best Coffee & Donut House, IRudimch and Company, Shimbros Inc. Delegate Yutaka Gibbons Jr., Belau Transfer and Terminal Company, Senator Andrew Tabelual, Globus Trading Company, Senator Kazuki L. Topps Sungino, Delegate Frutoso Toto Tellei, Sun’s Flower Shop, Koror State Government, House of Delegates Vice Speaker Lucio Ngiraiwet, Delegate Warren Umetaro, House of Delegates Speaker Sabino Anastacio, Asailee Yamada, Bangladesh Association, Sonsorol State Government, PIALA President Erlinda Naputi, The Taj, Eco Paradise EPFM 87.9 “Ngerel Belau,” Tia Belau Newspaper, Aldan Llecholch, Pasquana Tirso, Clarice Melus, Darlene Higa, Rodney Omelau, Heather Mira Imengel Mad, Mary Arius, Gerda Setts, Mary Banphis, Charlotte Yomai, Vera Melimarang, Annalisa Ngiraklei, Tanya Ngirkuteling, Jaselyn Pedro, Lorraine Tellei, Reilly Hideos, Yvonne Demei, Priscilla Soalablai, Abel Noah, Vania Ringang, James Chin, Halora Fakatou, Raymie Omelau Jr., Raymie Omelau, Sayuri & Andry Hiromi, Nikka Masahiro, staff and management at the West Plaza Hotel at Lebuu Street, Pacific Advisory Services, 4EVER CNMI, Friends of Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Marianas Visitors Authority, Office of the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, CNMI Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, the 23rd Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, Stitched Hat Co., Fresku Clothing, Fokai, University of Guam, Northern Marianas Library Association, Jane Barnwell, Chuuk Association of Libraries, Guam Library Association, Hawaii Library Association, Kosrae Library Association, Libraries, Archives, and Museums of Pohnpei, Marshall Islands Library Association, Palau Association of Libraries, and Yap State Library Association.
About PIALA
The Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums is a Pacific regional association established in 1991 and formed to address the needs of Pacific librarians, archivists, museum staff and other information professionals, with a special geographic focus on Micronesia.
The seeds for PIALA were planted during the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Governor’s Conference for Libraries and Information Services, held in Saipan in October 1990. At another informal meeting held November, 1990 at the Guam Governor’s Conference for Libraries and Information Services, plans for an organizational meeting were developed. An organizational meeting was then held at the University of Guam in February, 1991 at which two participants each from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands and the Territory of Guam attended.
PIALA is committed to the development of resource-sharing tools and networks among the libraries, archives, museums, and related institutions of the Pacific Islands, development of continuing education programs and experiences, and promoting technology and telecommunications applications throughout the region.
PIALA’s mission is to enhance the quality of leadership in order to support and strengthen libraries, archives, and museums across the Pacific Islands.
Since the inception of PIALA, the membership has grown to 66 individual members from over 35 institutions representing countries and U.S. territories including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia: Kosrae, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Palau, Tinian, Rota, Saipan, Guam, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Japan, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom.
PIALA regional members comprise the following key associations in the Pacific: Northern Marianas Library Association, Chuuk Association of Libraries, Guam Library Association, Hawaii Library Association, Kosrae Library Association, Libraries, Archives, and Museums of Pohnpei, Marshall Islands Library Association, Palau Association of Libraries, and Yap State Library Association.
To learn more about PIALA, visit https://piala-pacific.wixsite.com/piala-pacific
