Librarian as PR Manager

Last Monday, July 21, 2008, I entertained some visitors from St. Paul, Bulacan. Headed by Sis. Marissa Tumbali, they wanted to see the physical facilities that modern school libraries of today have. Their visit was in preparation for PAASCU accreditation. But to me, I revel in the moment because it's PR work. It's something I enjoy doing.



Aside from the tour I gave them (three libraries all - Early Education Library; GS LRC and a brief trip to the HS LRC), I presented basic library programs and services we provide students and teachers. For them, what made an impression was the centralization process that the library is currently undertaking in areas like structures and manpower. I think, centralization is one relevant issue facing librarians today that needs to be discussed and articulated. It has advantages and limitations, but clearing the air and foreseeing its benefits and possible pitfalls may help the librarian adjust.

Librarian Seminars & Workshops Galore!

Who ever said that nothing happens in Philippine librarianship should read this. There abound in the industry a plethora of seminars, workshops, fora and lectures. If only participants could identify and publish concrete results from their attendance to such professional growth activities then, indeed, librarianship in the Philippines is far from dormant.

October 25; 27-30, 2008
Seminar-workshop on "Updates on Library Operations"
Sponsor: Philippine Normal University Department of Library & Information Science
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/

September 10-11, 2008
LIBRARY & INFORMATION LITERACY POWER PACKAGES
Sponsor: PNU-LISAA, Inc., A Caring Alumni Group
OBJECTIVES; To share and enrich the knowledge of fellow professionals and library personnel on information literacy with customers' competencies in mind through authentic learning by: (1) introducing information literacy as a power tool in the discovery for best practices enriching customers' library experience; (2) apply professional assessment procedures in upgrading customers' information literacy; and, (3) create relevant library information literacy plans and packages.
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/2008/05/september-10-11-2008-information.html

August 29, 2008
Forum on "Libraries and Librarians: their roles as tools for research"
Sponsor: The Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. Central Luzon Region Librarians Council
Holy Angel University
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/2008/07/august-29-2008-libraries-and-librarians.html

August 21-22, 2008
1st LibraryLink Conference: Be Connected to Go Forward!
Sponsor: LibraryLink
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/2008/04/august-21-22-2008-1st-librarylink.html

August 13-15, 2008
2nd Phil-BIST (Book, Information Science and Technology) Conference and Fair with the theme: "EMERGING LANDSCAPE, MINDSCAPE AND NETSCAPE OF THE PhILIPPINE BOOKS, INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR QUALITY SERVICES"
Sponsor: Davao Colleges and Universities Network (DACUN) through its Library Committee
Mindanao Alliance of Educators in Library arid Information Science (MAELIS)
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/2008/06/august-13-15-2008-conference-and-fair.html

July 25-27, 2008
Seminar-workshop on "Information and Library Centers Value added Service: e-library and Content Management"
Sponsor: Philippine Society of Librarians and Information Specialists
Integrated Society of Information Professionals of the Philippines (ISIPP)
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/2008/07/july-25-27-2008-information-and-library.html

July 24-25, 2008
SEMINAR WORKSHOP ON "INFORMATION LITERACY (IL) AND THE LIBRARIAN-TEACHER PARTNERSHIP"
Sponsor: International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) – ALP and Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) CEAP-NCR Tertiary Commission Library Committee
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/2008/06/july-24-25-2008-seminar-workshop-on.html

July 23-25, 2008
Conference on "INFORMATION ACCESS: INTERNET AND LIBRARIES"
Sponsor: The Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.
National Capital Region Librarians Council (PLAI-NCR)
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions – Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (IFLA-FAIFE)
http://libraryseminarsworkshopsfora.blogspot.com/2008/04/july-23-25-2008-conference-on.html

Inventors, Inventions & INFOLIB

Some good news!

The library information systems we use in our GS library, INFOLIB, has a website. The best part is the availability of free downloads to patrons and users. Congratulations to Gerry Laroza! May the spirit of open source continue to flourish.

Speaking of new born websites, I am experimenting on WordPress.com for new blogs. Here's what I've conjured at The SMIT Files. I'm still trying to figure out my way in WordPress.com but with great ease. It helped that I used a MacBook for the job.

Another Launch

From my Inbox --

You are cordially invited to the book launch and one-man art exhibition of CANVAS' latest children's book, Si Lupito at ang Baryo Sirkero (Lupito and Circus Village). Written by Rowald Almazar, with original artworks by Jose Santos III, the story is the winner of CANVAS' 3rd Annual Romeo Forbes Children's Storywriting Competition.

The book launch and art exhibition opens with cocktails on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 6pm at the Ayala Museum's ArtistSpace. The show runs until July 21, 2008.

After the very "privy" book launch of The Night Monkeys last night at Mary Grace, Serendra by Tahanan Books, CANVAS maintains the momentum. Such events keep the industry abuzz. With the 25th NCBD coming in this July 15, 2008, what new titles of books would arouse the child reader's reading interest?