This month, I’ll feature video of a recent conversation I had with Rima Zalghout, librarian at the Russell J. Abaid Library and Resource Center at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, MI. I encourage you to visit the Museum and its library and learn more about the Arab world and Arab Americans’ experiences. The video is just under 15 minutes in length, and I’ve summarized Rima’s answers to my questions below. Contact Rima to learn more about her library and arrange a visit at RZalghout@accesscommunity.org

Click the photo to watch the video.

Tell me about services your library offers and who your primary users are. (starts at 0:30) 

The Russell J. Abaid Library and Resource Center has the biggest collection by and about Arab Americans, featuring library collections on the Arab world, Arab studies, and the Michael Suleiman collection. The library has a reading room and a meeting room that hosts pre/post-tour discussions for museum visitors, poetry readings, and youth programs. It also has a recording studio for recording oral histories. Rima is a solo librarian and triages all reference requests. The Museum serves Dearborn’s high concentration of Arab Americans and is a national museum serving many including researchers from across the country. The library is open by appointment only.   

What is something you want your community and the MCLS community to know about your library and the impact it makes? (starts at 3:14) 

The library and Museum are full of history and knowledge, which Rima wants to provide to those who want it for uses including exhibits, education, and personal or professional research. The library’s space is versatile and used by different groups.  

What are some current priorities, plans, and projects at your library? (starts at 4:29) 

A current project is to turn their recording room into a community history room for oral histories, handling digital documents, and genealogy (which goes hand in hand with research). Rima also facilitates an annual Arab American book awards program with a ceremony in November. She is currently collecting fiction and non-fiction books to send to judges.   

What is a recent initiative or achievement you’re proud of? (starts at 5:55) 

Rima is proud of the community history room and can see them achieving the end goal for the space. She has also done a collection inventory to understand collection gaps and have more informed discussion with patrons.  

If your library collaborates with others (whether in your institution, library type, region, etc.), how do you do that? (starts at 7:24) 

The library is part of the DALNET consortium, which is a great resource that connects Rima with colleagues who are doing similar work (including at the Detroit Institute of the Arts). She also works with the Museum’s education department, public programming group for book events, and is helping gather resources for a traveling exhibit the Museum is planning.  

How does your library engage with MCLS? (starts at 9:07) 

MCLS is the means by which Rima does professional development as an early-career librarian who is learning. The library plans to join MeLCat this year, which will be a huge boon. 

How can people learn more about the Arab American National Museum and the library? (starts at 10:15) 

The easiest way to learn more is to visit! The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, and the library is open by appointment. Anyone can email her with questions, ideas, and more (RZalghout@accesscommunity.org).  

Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should have? (starts at 11:56) 

Rima suggested asking about her favorite collections in the library – two are their graphic novels and community cookbook collection. The cookbook collection contains church and other recipes that are embedded in the Arab American community’s history and shows its longevity.  

Thank you for reading and/or watching the video. If you’d like your library featured in an upcoming MCLS newsletter, contact me at garrisons@mcls.org.