Guam and Micronesian Libraries

About the Book

Guam and Micronesian Libraries: Historical Events, Information Sources, and Others collects Dr. Chih Wang’s selected research articles, short papers, and reports, primarily relating to libraries on Guam and Micronesian islands written during the decade (1989-1998) when he served as dean and professor of library science at the University of Guam (UOG), except the last two articles. Many of the selected works were published in library journals and other sources. Some of the short opinion and marketing papers appeared in Guam local newspapers. As a collection, the primary purpose of the book is to gather and to preserve the author’s articles and papers on Guam and Micronesian libraries in one volume. Containing a total of 19 articles, the book is grouped into three sections: the UOG Library; Guam and Micronesia libraries; and Micronesian information sources and others. As indicated by the headings, section one selects articles, reporting UOG Library activities. A chronology of important events of the Library since its beginning is appended. Section two covers those papers dealing with the overall library activities on Guam and Micronesia. The last section includes two works, describing the contents and activities of the Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC) at UOG and the Palau National Museum. Chapter 17 is an idea of a Micronesian information system and chapter 18 presents the issues of freedom or security on Internet information. The last chapter is an essay, “Wandering in the Library” to promote libraries and books. Micronesia is a geographic region, covering 2,106 islands with over 1,104 square miles of land area in the northern Pacific Ocean. Guam, a U.S. territory, is the largest single island in the region. On the basis of its strategic location, occupation of a vast geographic area, having a diverse human races and cultures, and covering several independent nations, Micronesia is now recognized as an important region in all aspects of world affairs, such as in international politics, world economy, and anthropological studies. Libraries are always the centers for information, which is the lifeblood, supporting all human activities. The importance of libraries cannot be overemphasized, especially in today’s information age. Because of the influential power of Micronesia in world affairs and because of the significant role of libraries in society, the collected results of Dr. Wang’s research and writing are valuable to the academic world, particularly to the library science field. These works provide useful information for further research and studying on Guam and Micronesian islands. Chapter 14 and 15 are specific information sources of many subject matters pertaining to the studies of the region. The collection may also help librarians, especially those serving on remote islands or rural areas, plan, promote, and administer their library services. More importantly, the collected works record, preserve, and present the major historical events of Guam and Micronesian libraries, especially in chapter 2 and 13. These works will certainly help library professionals and others understand and appreciate the unusual progress Guam and Micronesian libraries in an unusual geographic region have done, notably during the 1990s, the transitional decade to the new millennium. The recent suggestions made by Steven Weinberg would explain the meaning of this passage of library history in the Micronesian region. As the 1979 Nobel Prize winner for physics, Weinberg urged scientists to “learn something about the history of science” or at minimum the history of their own fields. He said: history may be useful for their work; can make their work more worthwhile; and they would get great satisfaction by recognizing that their contributions are a part of history.” (Nature, November 27, 2003, p. 389). The works collected in this book primarily relates to the American-flagged Micron

About the Author

Dr. Chih Wang is professor of library science at the University of Guam’s Learning Resources unit. He was dean of the unit from 1989 to 1998. Before serving on Guam, he had been a library professional in different capacities in other U.S. academic libraries for over twenty years. Prior to that he was an English teacher, a researcher, an army officer, and so on in Taiwan for about two decades. Dr. Wang earned his doctor of philosophy in library science from the University of Pittsburgh and holds two master’s degrees, a B.A. degree in English literature (summa Cum laude) and a diploma from the Chinese Military Academy. He has published numerous articles, papers, and essays and editorial opinions in Chinese and English; many of which are collected in his monographs. Dr. Chih Wang’s monographs: Essays, Notes, and Miscellanies (a collection of articles written in Chinese), 2004 The Patches of Light Clouds (a collection of essays, notes, and miscellanies written in English). Philadelphia, PA: Xlibries, 2004. Guam and Micronesian Libraries: Historical Events, Information Sources, and Others. Philadelphia, PA: Xlibries, 2004. Thirty-Years’ Practice in Libraries: Recollections and Ruminations. Philadelphia, PA: Xlibries, 2004 Government of Guam, 1981-1995: An Information Sources. Mangilao, Guam: University of Guam’s Micronesian Area Research Center, 1997. Guam Governor’s Conference on Library and Information Services, 1990 (a report). Agana, Guam: Government of Guam, 1991. Electronic Publishing and Its Impact on Print Publishing: A Study of Expenditure and Usage in Three Selected Libraries in Atlanta, Georgia (a doctorate thesis). Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh’s School of Library and Information Science, 1988.