The length of the Cunningham Fellowship

Subject: Re: [MLAICS-L] The length of the Cunningham Fellowship
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:26:34 -0500
From: Zana Etter
Reply-To: Zana Etter
To: MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
References: <144cfcad08b8c2d7ce24b94fb6231e87.squirrel@webmail.supanet.com>


I agree with Donna that the Cunningham fellow needs to be here longer to really achieve the goals of this program, and it would be a good idea if we could continue to offer one or two short term visits in addition to a longer one...as I recall at the meeting in Philadelphia, someone (Carla Funk perhaps?) mentioned the problem of obtaining visas for longer stays, as well as the hardship a long stay might cause for those leaving family and jobs. Maybe this issue needs to be "revisited" with someone at MLA or can be discussed at the section meeting in Hawaii? Zana Etter

The length of the Cunningham Fellowship

Subject: Re: [MLAICS-L] The length of the Cunningham Fellowship
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:44:37 +0000
From: vaferguson@supanet.com
Reply-To: vaferguson@supanet.com
To: MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU


I support Donna's proposal.
Although I have not experienced the Cunningham Fellowship scheme myself I have
travelled abroad for varying periods of time in different climates and time zones. I
am well aware of the need to allow time to a) overcome travel fatigue b)orient
myself to a different culture and time zone c)begin to take in and assimilate new
experiences and knowledge in a short space of time.
The MLA conference alone requires concentrated attention and energy.

I would urge a return to a more extended stay for at least one Cunningham Fellow per
year.
At the same time occasional Fellowships for a shorter stay confined to a specific
objective might be possible?? Did we not discuss this in 2007?

Best wishes to all

Valerie

The length of the Cunningham Fellowship

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [MLAICS-L] The length of the Cunningham Fellowship
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:28:35 -0500
From: Donna Flake
Reply-To: Donna Flake
To: MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU


Dear ICS Members,

I think the Cunningham Fellowship period should be lengthened to 4 months again. Currently MLA has 2 Cunningham Fellows and they are each in the US for 3 weeks, and one week is MLA week. This is much too short a period for the Cunningham Fellow to get accustomed to our culture, much less learn the many library functions which is the goal of the Cunningham Fellowship.

I have had lot of experience with the Cunningham Fellows, having hosted at least 6 of them, been on the itinerary committee multiple times, and chaired the Cunningham Taskforce in 1999 and 2000. From discussions with former Cunningham Fellows, the current practice of a 3 or 4 week stay is not enough time.


I know at our ICS Business meeting in Philadelphia in 2007, we had a lively discussion about this. According to our minutes of this meeting "Carla Funk noted the fellowship will continue with the current three week stay for one more year before a decision could be reached to change the duration of the fellowship."

What do other ICS members think?

Donna Flake, Library Director
Robert M. Fales Health Sciences Library
SEAHEC / South East Area Health Education Center
2131 South 17th Street / PO Box 9025
Wilmington, NC 28402-9025
Phone: (910) 343-2180 Fax: (910) 762-7600
Email: Donna.Flake@seahec.net

The length of the Cunningham Fellowship

Subject:     Re: [MLAICS-L] The length of the Cunningham Fellowship'
Date:     Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:48:50 -0400
From:     Reis, Tovah
Reply-To:     Reis, Tovah
To:     MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
References:     A <46a5f076.9070305@jaguar1.usouthal.edu> <4dad3135223947429c58d529c0b081e8019add75@exchangemb.ahecdom.coastalahec.org> <46a5fd65.5010305@email.unc.edu>



Dear ICS members,
Since I am a member of the Section, I have seen all the messages, and
will bring the issue of the Cunningham Fellowship to the September Board
meeting.

In one or two of the messages, it was mentioned that there was a
discussion about the Cunningham Fellowship at the business meeeting in
Phila.  Are there minutes already from the meeting, or can someone send
me a summary?  Sorry I could not be at the meeting.
Regarding Mindy's suggestion of increasing sections membership - just to
let you all know that Section Council has an Task Froce this year
looking at membership issues.

Thank you all for your feedback and comments. - Tovah

Tovah Reis
Chair, Section Council

The length of the Cunningham Fellowship

Subject:     Re: [MLAICS-L] The length of the Cunningham Fellowship'
Date:     Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:23:49 -0400
From:     Jill Mayer
Reply-To:     Jill Mayer
To:     MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
References:     A <46a5f076.9070305@jaguar1.usouthal.edu> <4dad3135223947429c58d529c0b081e8019add75@exchangemb.ahecdom.coastalahec.org>



Tovah, I certainly agree with everyone that this issue needs to be taken to the Board.   I support returning to a 3 month fellowship. Jill

The length of the Cunningham Fellowship

Subject:     [MLAICS-L] The length of the Cunningham Fellowship'
Date:     Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:56:16 -0400
From:     Donna Flake
Reply-To:     Donna Flake
To:     MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
References:     A <46a5f076.9070305@jaguar1.usouthal.edu>

I strongly support having the length of the fellowship be at least 3
months.  A three week Fellowship hardly allows one to get used to the
new country.  I tried to arrange for one of this year's Cunningham
Fellows to come here to Wilmington, NC, but because it could not be
coordinated  in advance (this was not part of the official fellowship,)
I was unable to arrange it.  With advanced planning, I would have hosted
with eagerness.

We are diminishing the success, and the learning experience of the
Cunningham Fellowship by having it be such a short period of time.  I
have personally hosted about 6 Cunningham Fellows and asked many of them
about this change to 3 weeks when the change was made, and all said it
would have lessened their learning experience.  Many told me that the
Cunningham Fellowship provided  a very high knowledge level  in medical
librarianship that sustained them greatly in their careers.
Donna Flake
-----Original Message-----
From: MLA International Cooperation Section
[mailto:MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU] On Behalf Of Jie
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 8:29 AM
To: MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Subject: [MLAICS-L] [Fwd: RE: [MLAICS-L] [Fwd: [mla-section] MLA:
Section Council - ACTION]]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:     RE: [MLAICS-L] [Fwd: [mla-section] MLA: Section Council
- ACTION]
Date:     Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:30:27 -0400
From:     Tylman, Vislava
To:     Jie

Hi Jie,
Yes, very much so. It seems to me that the 3-month  fellowship was
perfect (I remember when it was longer). In addition to the time for
learning, how many fellows and/or their institution are ready to pay
airfare and other travel expenses (visa, etc.) for a 3-weeks visit?
Thanks Jie for the reminder,
Vislava

Cunningham fellow

Subject:     Re: [MLAICS-L] Cunningham fellow
Date:     Sat, 29 Oct 2005 16:29:29 +0500
From:     azra.qureshi
Reply-To:     azra.qureshi
To:     MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU



Thank you for bringing this point up in discussion. As a developing
country librarian my understanding of this particular award has always
been for developing or Third World Librarian. That is why it was named
Cunningham Award. 
The lady Eileen Cunningham had great professional contribution to less
developed world.  In 1959-60 she established JPMC (Jinnah Postgraduate
Medical Center) library in Karachi, Pakistan. JPMC library was
considered the best in the country as it used to subscribe some 250
medical journals in those days. It is unable to subscribe even 20 today.

I fully support the view of Mr. Rhine that these librarians are most in
need of such training and updating opportunities.  At least one award
could be spared just for them.  Even the misunderstanding in the
statement "librarians outside US and Canada" may be removed by saying
"librarians from developing countries". Thank you.

Azra Qureshi
Librarian, Aga Khan University
Karachi, Pakistan
-----Original Message-----
From: MLA International Cooperation Section
[mailto:MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU] On Behalf Of Tom Williams
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 6:59 PM
To: MLAICS-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Subject: Re: [MLAICS-L] Cunningham fellow

I strongly support Lenny's point that we should give priority to lesser or underdeveloped countries.  These people are far less likely to find the financing in their countries for such an endeavor.

Tom