Pat and Amos visiting Mt. Nemrut, Turkey.
Our clients and colleagues are always so generous with us --- you kindly want to hear about our families, stories and travels even as we shine the spotlight on you.
Over the years as Pat Maughan and I got to know each other, I told her of my mom’s attempts (sometimes successful!) to become a writer. In Pat’s many faceted work as a UC Berkeley Librarian and later, Communications Director (and without telling me!), she used her incredible resources to unearth a few articles that my mom published over 45 years ago in some very obscure and I thought long-lost publications. That Pat even thought of this gift, let alone took the time (considerable!) to embark upon this project was, to me, breathtaking. But for those of you who know and have worked with Pat over the years, I’m sure this comes as no surprise to you. Lovely, kind, and pretty darn funny, fashion forward and always up for a great adventure, she’s the embodiment of the Librarian we should all be fortunate enough to have had coaching us in our times of need!
So fast forward a bit after we met, and she has met her future husband, Amos Lakos. Also a Librarian extraordinaire, with an amazing and brilliant wit, Amos has a world view that allows him to look at things with a perspective very different than many. I think you’ll really enjoy reading about his global upbringing, and the lucky chance that brought him and Pat together.
I also think you’ll find it fascinating to read their very informed thoughts about what the new Information Age bodes for the future of the written word, and how society is forever changed. Enjoy!
Pat, I first met you during the years when your mom was becoming increasingly frail and dependent on you. I truly admired how hard you worked to make her life as perfect for her as possible in HER vision during those tough later years. Tell us about your mom and family, your childhood, where you grew up and your core values.
Pat strolling on the Great Wall of China.
All four of my grandparents emigrated from Ireland to San Francisco. In addition to a sister, I grew up with 14 uncles and aunts and 21 first cousins nearly all of whom lived in the Bay Area. My parents were both products of San Francisco’s Mission District, where they learned, and in turn taught me, the importance of hard work, education, perseverance, loyalty, and humor. My mother was one of the most generous people I’ve ever known, and I wanted to repay her goodness in some small way by helping her when she needed it toward the end of her life. Though it was one of the most difficult periods in my own life, I have never regretted a single moment of helping her.
You became one of the premier and most distinguished library scientists in your field, Pat, retiring recently from UC Berkeley. How did you come to the field of Library Science? Walk us through your many roles at UC Berkeley.
Gosh, thank you for your flattering comments! As a matter of fact, I fell into librarianship quite by accident. I attended college during the late sixties and early seventies when students didn’t really think about “employability” or “career paths” as they do now. I attended Santa Clara University, which offered me a broad, well rounded liberal arts education but which did not prepare me to enter any particular field, “English major” that I was! My second job out of college was in a technical library in the Silicon Valley and it was there I discovered with an additional year of graduate school, I could actually enter a profession. I received a full scholarship to Pratt Institute and earned a Masters in Information Science. After working at Columbia University, I joined the staff at UC Berkeley Libraries where I had the most varied career of any librarian on staff, starting as Head of the Engineering Library, then heading Berkeley’s fourteen Science Libraries, becoming Library Communications Director, and finally serving as a charter member of Berkeley’s Teaching Library, where I designed and led assessment efforts and taught faculty, graduate students and undergraduates how to access, research, and manage information.
Over the years I’ve known you, you have participated in and spoken during many industry conferences. Tell us about some of your more memorable moments. Did attending these global conferences help spark your love of travel?
In the final decade of my career, I became recognized internationally in the field of Information Literacy programming, an emerging specialty within the field of higher education librarianship. As a result, I was invited to present papers at a Finnish National Conference in Higher Education in Helsinki, at several TICER (Tilburg Innovation Centre for Electronic Resources) Summer Institutes in Tilburg, Netherlands, at the Konstanz Workshop on Information Literacy, University of Konstanz, Germany, and online, with the Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administracion, in Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia. My capstone achievement came in 2010 when I designed and delivered a five-day workshop in Thessaloniki, Greece, for research librarians and faculty from throughout that country on integrating library research into undergraduate curricula. In all honesty, these conferences didn’t spark my love of travel. That happened long ago, when as a high school senior my parents took the family on a European tour. I was immediately hooked, and made sure to study a year abroad (in Paris) during college. Since then, I have visited over forty countries in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. I still have a long “bucket list” of destinations.
The Mongolian Steppe.
We often tease --- but it’s true --- that your talents could just have easily led to a successful career in fashion design --- you are TRULY a fashion forward thinker. Why isn’t that a path you chose? And how do you feed your inner “fashionista” short of taking up a second career in the industry?
Honestly, at the time I was determining a career direction, design and fashion never presented themselves to me as options. Although I have some innate artistic and design talents, they were never formally developed. My education was rigorously academic and scholarly. Later in life, I took a battery of tests to determine what fields my skills and abilities were most suited to. Interestingly, librarianship turned out to be one of them (so did entrepreneurship). Twenty years or more after I’d graduated from college, my dad reminded me of a conversation we’d had when I was twenty-one, where I’d told him I’d wanted to “work in academia.” I had forgotten all about it, but it’s funny that’s where I ended up. I feed my “inner fashionista” by following trade publications, watching fashion-related programs on T.V., and designing jewelry for myself and friends. I’ve recently taught myself to knit and am enjoying making fashion pieces in yarn, too.
So, let’s focus a bit on your husband now. Amos, I didn’t meet you until much later when you and Pat became, forgive this, an “item,” and eventually, husband and wife! Please share with us your life growing up, the places you’ve lived, and key moments that really shaped who you are.
I was born in Romania (1946) – in Transylvania (I don’t bite). My mother tongue is Hungarian –part of Romania that used to belong to the Austro-Hungarian Empire before WWI. I used to speak fluent Romanian as well, but after we immigrated to Israel in 1959, I stopped speaking Romanian and forgot the language. We settled in Jerusalem, where my mother (91) still lives. I finished high school in 1965, after which I served in the Israeli Army for three years. After that I studied Poli-Sci and International Relations at Hebrew University, graduating with a B.A. in 1972. I left Israel for Canada in 1972, but got stuck in Germany, as the Canadians changed the immigration requirements. I lived in West Berlin for the next 2-1/2 years, working mainly as a waiter. I also learned German and traveled all over Europe. In 1975 I moved to Vancouver, B.C., as a landed immigrant and studied for a Master of Library Science at UBC. In 1977 I moved to Waterloo, Ontario, to work as a librarian at the University of Waterloo. After meeting Pat in 2001 in Denver, I started looking to move closer to her and in 2002, moved to work at UCLA. In 2007, after 5 years of commuting between L.A. and Oakland, I retired to live together at last with Pat in Oakland.
Actually, Amos, I know much less about your professional career path than I do Pat’s. Please share your professional journey with us.
During my 25 years at the University of Waterloo, among other things, I published a number of scholarly bibliographies (Terrorism, Negotiations between States) which are still used today (I hope). Later on I concentrated on Performance Measures and Assessment, set up the first MIS (Management Information System) in academic libraries and developed the first full time Assessment Librarian position in our profession. I developed the concept of “Culture of Assessment,” which is now an accepted concept and goal in libraries. I became quite busy with delivering papers, writing articles and conducting workshops. After I retired from UCLA, I was one of the first three recipients of the Career Life Achievement Award for my work in the area of assessment and measurements in libraries from the Association of Research Libraries.
The nomadic life, Gun Galuut Ger Camp, Mongolia.
You two actually met while you were both working for the UC Library system, correct? Tell us about how you met and your courtship --- I can’t believe how amazingly well you dealt with a long-distance relationship! How did you make that work? And what finally made you decide to get married after so many years? Nor-Cal won! How did that happen?
Pat: Amos and I were introduced by a colleague at a Higher Education Assessment Conference in Denver. At the time, Amos was living in Waterloo, Ontario, and I was living in Oakland, California. At the conference’s end, Amos invited me to dinner to which I replied, “I’d love to go, but it will have to be early. I’m taking a tango class this evening.” Amos replied, “I LOVE tango!” and summarily joined me for the class. It turned out that what Amos “knew” about tango had nothing whatsoever to do with the Argentine tango I’d been studying. (In fact, he’s shown no interest in tango since that evening!) After parting ways in Denver, Amos began to call me every evening from Canada, and we made plans to meet again in Amsterdam later that year when I was scheduled to travel to Tilburg for a lecture. The rest is pretty much history! Soon thereafter, Amos sought work in the U.S. and landed a job at UCLA. We were married three years later and conducted a long distance relationship and marriage for five years before he was able to join me in Oakland following his retirement.
You’ve both seen significant changes in your profession during your careers. What are some of the most profound and useful to those of us who depend on libraries in both our personal and professional lives? What changes are worrisome?
Pat: By far, the most significant changes in our profession have been the widespread use of the Internet and introduction of the Web. When I was in Library School, “computerized information searching” had just been introduced by the National Library of Medicine. It required mediation by a librarian and involved generating thousands of punch cards that were in turn mailed to Washington, D.C., where the search was run. Results arrived by mail on thick tablets of computer paper. There was no full-text of the retrieved articles, only citations/references to them. Now searches can be performed by the end user at his/her desk with results usually available immediately, and often including the full text of articles. Quite a change! I still observe a lack of knowledge among the public about both the nature and availability of particular types of information. Novice internet searchers often retrieve too little, unreliable, or an overabundance of information, because they haven’t mastered the basics of searching. They may also be completely unaware of what they are unable to retrieve through a Google – or other – search.
What further changes do you anticipate? We hear that books and in fact the paper printed word itself will completely vanish someday and be totally and permanently replaced by the digital word. What do you think of that notion? As a baby boomer who loves to read and write, I find it very difficult --- am I alone?
Pat: I can foresee a world where the printed word emanating from the developed world will be replaced by digital content. Much further into the future, the possibility of digitizing published works from the past and from developing parts of the world may also be possible, but it would take an enormous commitment by libraries and governments worldwide to achieve this. I also can envision new forms of communication taking the place of the more traditional form of books and articles. Multi-media tools are likely to grow in importance as will data manipulation tools. Today’s students prefer their information delivered quickly, on demand, and in easily “digestible” packets, rather than poring through book chapters and long scholarly articles. This, in addition to the unsustainability of current publication models, will likely affect how information is produced in the future.
Amos: Publications will change to digital format. Learning will change and with it universities. Technology pushes change, but real long term change will depend on how the U.S. comes to terms with economic and tech changes. Lack of clear goals and outmoded systems – especially political and legal – will slow down or even derail the country. I see an increasing percentage of the population with lower standards of living. If the cost of education continues to escalate, I think that the future is bleak.
You two are truly retired globe trotters. How do you decide where to go? Do you prefer to simply go it on your own or join a tour?
Pat: We usually choose based on something we’ve seen or read referencing a particular destination. For most of our lives, we were independent travelers, planning our own itineraries and finding our ways around the countries we visited. Just recently, we have experimented with a few small group tours, and we’ve found them to be quite good. In particular, not having to schlep suitcases on and off buses, or running to catch a train, has been a luxurious experience for us.
Amos and Pat relaxing at Lake Suwa, Japan.
We’d love to live vicariously through your travels. Please tell us about some of your more memorable adventures.
Pat: For me India would definitely be on top of my list of favorite places. It is a complete 180 from just about anything we experience here in the U.S. It is magical, exotic, colorful, and provides an overabundance of sensory stimulation. Egypt is another favorite, the grandeur and beauty of the ancient monuments are truly impressive. For a completely different experience, Mongolia is another favorite of mine. In contrast to India and Egypt, Mongolia is a nomadic country so there are few historic monuments to visit, but the nomadic way of life and the expansiveness of the country speak volumes to the soul. I could go on … I have loved all of the places I’ve visited for different reasons. The only destination I would caution people about before setting out is China – I loved a great deal about the country but the air pollution is truly oppressive. As to tour groups, we have traveled with Odysseys Unlimited (www.odysseys-unlimited.com/) three times now, and I highly recommend them. The company focuses on small group travel, and usually our groups have been 14-18 in size.
What trips are you planning now? What is your “must see” list?
Pat: Despite having visited over 40 countries, I still have a robust “bucket list,” including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan (… all the “stans!”), Bhutan, Tibet, Niger, Namibia, Yemen and Syria, Argentina and Peru, to name a few. My lifelong dream has been to visit all of the countries comprising the Silk Road. With political conditions as they are worldwide, I realize this may not happen, but I can still dream, can’t I, Lynn? We’re thinking about Sicily in 2012 or visiting the paradores and posadas of Spain and Portugal.
Amos: We hope to continue traveling as much as our health and our finances allow. I want to go to Argentina and the southern tip of South America, New Zealand, Sicily, Spain and France.
The Blue Mosque, Istanbul.
What else is on the horizon for Pat and Amos? And what else have I not asked you about that I should have?
Pat: I’d like to design and plant a Japanese garden in our front yard, and volunteer either with the public schools or with a social service or nonprofit in need of help. I also hope to further develop my watercolor and calligraphy skills and pursue other artistic projects.
Amos: to be healthy, relax, travel, read books, eat good food and enjoy my time with Pat and our friends!
If readers would like to contact you for ideas and adventures, how can they reach you?
Pat: pmaughan@yahoo.com
Amos: aalakos@gmail.com
I think, in closing, we can agree that Pat and Amos have contributed hugely to our collective body of knowledge and information. If you’ve been blessed to know them professionally or perhaps as a student, I know they’d love to hear from you. Or, if you have any follow up questions, or thoughts, be sure to reach out to this remarkable couple. We’ll circle back around with them in the future to hear more about their adventures, but also to have them keep us current in this never ending and ever curious (and yes, sometimes quite frustrating!) new age of information and technology.
Kanizawa Gardens, Japan, a place of tranquility in the middle of a fast-paced world.
