Today, Anya and I both took the bus to MHS, as this is the first day of a week of praktiss or a practicum. The whole class is out this week in sites that they have arranged (perhaps with some parental help–like mine) to check out a potential career. I guess depending upon the career, it may be from job shadowing to some hands-on work.
As we have a very limited network here, I contacted the head librarian and head archivist at MHS to ask if they would be willing to have Anya there to look at information technology in those areas. They were willing to have her in a shared praktiss, half in the library and half in the archives. I think this is even better, as she will have a broader experience–and more varied things to do.
How did it go today? Anya was bored silly reshelving books. She said she sang the alphabet song in her head a zillion times. She also had to learn how to alphabetize in Swedish. The interesting thing is that MHS’s library uses an old German theological library cataloging system. So, their software is from the 70s! It works well for them, but it seems strange to us.
From the MHS website, “The library holds a collection of approximately 90.000 volumes covering theology, missiology, religion, and intercultural studies.” Check out more at http://www.mhs.no/bibliotek/?432
Here’s a bit more to give you a sense of Anya’s cross-cultural library experience today. Regardless, she will be able to put on her resume’ her practicum in a university library. We’re hoping that this may help her get a library job when she goes to university (instead of the custodial crew).
Library orientation
Hovedlesesalen / Main reading room (main floor)
- Le Encyclopedias and reference works
- Bi Bible
- GT Old Testament
- Jød Judaism
- NT New Testament
- ST Systematique theology
Galleriet / Gallery (1st floor)
- KH Church history
- PT Practical theology
- Ps Psychology
Nysalen (main floor)
- RV Religion and religions
- MV Missiology
- Ku Cultural studies
- SV Languages
Tidskriftsrommet / Journals (basement)
- Ti Periodicals
- År Yearbooks
I was in my office reading and writing on my dissertation most of the day. I did get a good sub-section written, but it was back in chapter 3 instead of progressing on chapter 4. I need to talk with Knut a bit more about my chapter 4. I will provide a sample and express my questions with some tangible content to critique.
We bused home both tired. I worked on a tax payment online, bill payments online, banking online, and figuring out that our tolls to Bergen and back were $109.95, which was divided 4 ways. This covered roads, It is about $2.50 just to drive into the Sandnes city limits, another $2.50 for the Stavanger city limits, and back through on the return.
Probably several cities had tolls like this. Each tunnel and probably bridge had tolls. The ferry’s were extra at about $40 on average per ferry ride.
I still have Bergen highlights to share, but I’ll find a day when I have nothing much to say.
With blessings,
Beth