American Corner Gyumri

Fourth Annual American Corners Conference Prepares Coordinators for Active Role in Social Media

2:01pm 21.08.2009

From August 18-20, 2009, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan hosted the fourth annual American Corners in Armenia Workshop in the town of Dilijan. Implemented by U.S. Embassy Information Resource Center (IRC) Director Nerses Hayrapetyan, the conference included the participation of American Corner coordinators from all four of Armenia's American Corners, information technology (IT) specialists, library directors, and assistant librarians from host library institutions.

Vienna-based U.S. Information Resource Officer (IRO) Catherine Marsicek and Hayrapetyan opened the workshop. Hayrapetyan then provided a review of American Corner activities over the past year. American Corner coordinators from Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Kapan presented annual reports about their activities. Yerevan American Corner host library director Hasmik Karapetyan discussed Yerevan-based activities.

Workshop training, conducted by U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section Program Specialist Avetik Petrosyan, focused on audio and video editing for broadcast and web oriented applications. Participants learned how to better utilize their digital video and audio equipment, state of the art technology furnished by U.S. Government funds, in order to create video files and post program information and materials to American Corners web pages and YouTube. Internet usage rates in Armenia are low, but growing quickly, and the American Corners now stand to be on the cutting edge in incorporating new technologies and social media into outreach efforts.

U.S. Embassy Assistant Public Affairs Officer Susan Bridenstine delivered a presentation on how to write a good highlight, which discussed in detail helpful hints on English grammar, writing styles, and effectively advertising Corner activities. After reviewing several highlights, participants broke into small groups and wrote their own highlights, incorporating many of the tips shared by Bridenstine.

On August 19, American Corner coordinators and librarians participated in a live video web chat with Washington, guided by Marsicek. The IRO also gave an introduction to using web chats in Corner programming. During the one hour session, Program Officer Mark Betka conducted a short demonstration of CoNx web chats and Washington-based IRO Barbara Conaty spoke about different American Corners around the world. Marsicek also discussed professional development issues and new resources for Corner programming.

Other covered topics included “U.S. and International Holliday Programming” and “Using EBSCO Databases.” A "Fish Bowl Discussion" also generated lively debate on various aspects of daily American Corner activities, including how to find a native English speaker to volunteer for possible programs, how to recruit new members for Corners, how to deal with local media, and how to organize a documentary film program.

American Corner coordinators and all other participants took away many new ideas for activities that will be implemented in the coming year.