The beginnings of academic and library life
Kenneth J. Oberembt, a distinguished librarian and educator from the United States, passed away on August 7, 2024, leaving behind an invaluable legacy in the field of librarianship. Born on December 16, 1940, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, Dr. Ken, as he is known in Kosovo, developed a distinguished academic and librarian career across continents and countries around the world, positively impacting the lives of the people he worked with, met, and mentored.
By: Besim Kokollari, his former assistant and friend
Dr. Keni received his undergraduate degree from St. John's University in Minnesota. He earned his master's degree in English literature from the University of Illinois and his doctorate from the University of Iowa. His passion for knowledge and education led him to teach at various institutions, including Mount Marty College, St. Bernard College, the University of Washington, the University of Scranton, and Syracuse University.
He also earned a master's degree in library science from Columbia University, a field that became his lifelong passion. As a result, Dr. Keni traveled around the world, working in various libraries in the Arab world, including the American University in Cairo and the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Keni served as Interim Director of the National and University Library of Kosovo in 2002-2003, where he made a valuable contribution to the development of Kosovo's libraries.
Visionary librarian with outstanding contribution to Kosovo libraries
Dr. Keni contributed to the development of Kosovo’s libraries while serving in Kosovo and beyond. From October 2002 to March 2003, he served as the Interim Director of the National and University Library of Kosovo. His position was funded by the then U.S. Office in Pristina (now the U.S. Embassy), reflecting the importance of his mission to advance Kosovo’s libraries, which had long been underdeveloped as a result of the war and institutional neglect of the then-violent administration. Dr. Keni also served briefly as Senior Advisor to the Minister of Education, Science and Technology on Library Development until July 2003.
Dr. Ken’s vision for the development of libraries in Kosovo was transformative. He was the originator of Kosovo Library Week, which continues to this day. Kosovo Library Week was originally intended to develop and promote libraries to the general public, attract government and community investment, and advance library knowledge. Although originally intended to be a forum for Kosovo librarians, the Week would soon become a regional and international library forum.
His strategic plan for the development of the National Library and the University Library, although never fully implemented, laid the foundations for a modern library system in Kosovo. In it, he presented a clear and simple vision for the development of these two independent institutions, which stemmed from the then law on libraries. Even the motto elaborated in his strategic plan for these two institutions that “The National Library looks towards the History, while the University Library looks towards FUTURE,” emphasized the special role and orientation of these two institutions in securing, preserving, and providing knowledge to the Kosovar public and beyond.
Dr. Keni was an ardent promoter of the use of information technologies in libraries. He had clear ideas for the modernization of Kosovo libraries, suggesting for them the most advanced library technological systems of the time. Of course, he was fully aware of the lack of proper development of Kosovo libraries throughout their history due to political and economic factors. Therefore, he took into account the urgent need for training library staff, for updating library knowledge, for diversifying library staff with staff from different fields and ages, for developing proper library education programs - as a path that must be followed in the advancement of Kosovo libraries to be by their side to their internal and external readers. As a result, he, together with his close friend Michael McClellan, former Public Affairs Officer at the US Office in Pristina, had planned and designed one of the first serious and practical training programs for Kosovo librarians. Thus, in 2005, the then US Office funded the four-month training of nine Kosovar librarians in the US in the field of library management and services. His dedication to this program was evident when he visited the participants in Amherst, Massachusetts, to share with them his experiences and the further direction of library development in Kosovo.
A legacy across generations
Dr. Ken's influence extended beyond the libraries where he worked. He was a master at managing expectations and instigating small changes that would yield significant results. He was an incomparable mentor who knew how to pass on knowledge, experience, and expertise to others. He knew how to build chains of knowledge and practice exchanges through forums, such as Kosovo Library Week, discussions, and meetings in different settings, such as visits to libraries and cultural institutions at home and abroad.
His efforts to understand the people of Kosovo, and consequently the possibilities for the development of its libraries, were extraordinary. In this context, he took time to visit the Jashari family in Prekaz and participated in martyrs’ anniversaries throughout Kosovo, demonstrating his deep commitment to properly understanding the local context. He knew that without this context, the institution of the National Library of Kosovo would not be able to fulfill its mission of documenting such great events that had shaped the history of Kosovo. He would also visit Tirana, Zagreb, Ljubljana and many other places to shape the best and most practical ideas for Kosovo’s libraries. He also knew that without this context, he would not be able to suggest the right and advanced path for the development of Kosovo’s libraries.
After Kosovo, Dr. Ken returned to his home in Seattle, Washington (USA), but his interest in Kosovo never waned. He remained a beloved figure in the Kosovo librarian community and beyond, remembered for his visionary approach and unwavering commitment to improving and advancing library services. He will continue to be widely cited in academic and scholarly articles by Kosovo librarians and beyond.
Dr. Ken’s legacy continues to inspire librarians and culture lovers in Kosovo. His work laid the foundation for a healthy library system, ensuring that future generations have access to the resources and services they need. While this article remembers Dr. Ken for his contributions to Kosovo, we also highly appreciate his career and dedication to the advancement of knowledge and the development of libraries wherever he has served and contributed.
This link contains a book of memories for those who knew him or who want to leave a memory for him: https://obits.smartcremation.com/kenneth-oberembt
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