PAARL Awards and Awardees 2010

The Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) has announced the library and librarian awardees for 2010.

The link can be viewed here.

Storytelling Without the Book

This conversation happened a few minutes before a storytelling performance.

Teacher: Hi! Ms. Zarah, thank you for saying yes to our invitation.

Me: My pleasure!

Teacher: May I know what book you'll be using for storytelling this morning?

Me: I won't use a book (smiles).

Teacher looked shocked. Disbelief etched all over her face. After a few seconds her surprise died  and she nervously smiled.

Teacher: May I know what story you'll tell then.

Me: Hmmm... I have not decided yet.

Teacher was horrified!

Me: I'll tell from the oral tradition. I'll use paper, chalk, my Sagada walking stick and my malong. Participation stories... (smiles some more)

Teacher: Can you at least give me the title of your story?

Me: I'll start with the story of this dog named Bingo. Then move on to some more animal stories. A bird, yes. And a spider.

Teacher sighed and went to the podium to start the morning program.

Librarian Makeover

Director Lou David of the Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila did something we didn't at all expect she would do. Get a makeover. Cool!

Boycotting Tanya Markova's Linda Blair

There's this interesting discussion in one of my egroups - Pinoy Teacher's Network, on the song Linda Blair by Tanya Markova. The song has some lyrics that are offensive and a story line that puts teachers in a very bad light. A suggestion to boycott the song is in discussion. I gave my two cents worth on the matter and I'm posting it here --

I do not like the song at all but my 13 year old son listens to both versions - the edited one and the original one. I have no issues on this. As a parent, I have discussed and processed the context of the song. My husband is a musician and majored in Psychology in college so I have an ally.

As a teacher, I see two perspectives on this  - one is to boycott the song and raise hell. The other is to continuously teach our students high order thinking skills -- critical thinking and analysis, creating value judgement in art and life in general, and allow them to make decisions themselves for they have a voice too. They too have rights. Every one does, actually. Even Tanya Markova has the right to express their angst towards school and teachers in particular. 

In some schools, there exist a program known as MEDIA EDUCATION where students are taught and given engagement on the different media available in the market. This would mean, teachers creating activities that lead students to think critically on the print material they read, movies they watch, TV shows they patronize, the music that they love and online resources they interface with. Such programs can be in place and implemented across curricular offerings. I have seen schools who run Media Education programs integrated in the Guidance Program. A good number of schools choose to have this under the Reading and Filipino Program or Language Arts Program. One time, in an accreditation visit, I observed a teacher who was teaching Christian Life Education on the Passion of Christ but used Michael V's song. I forgot what it was but it was very violent. One line of the song goes like -- Sinaktan mo ang puso ko! Pinukpok mo ng martilyo!

What a violent song! But the teacher successfully processed the violence that the song implies; the black humor embedded in the song; and the passion and sacrifice of the persona in the song. I was even impressed at how the teacher compared and contrasted the song's persona  to the redeeming sacrifice of Christ's love and God's message of eternal salvation.

The point is, we can boycott the song but we are not sure if our students would never be exposed to such songs -- ever. If we teach them how to critically examine the media and the different stimulus that surround them, I think we stand at a better chance in creating skilled and empowered thinkers.

Perhaps the more pro-active thing to do is to inform and educate students on songs like those of Tanya Markova. Maybe, we can learn strategies on MEDIA EDUCATION and see how we can possibly integrate this in our lesson plans. It might also help if a training session on MEDIA EDUCATION or MEDIA LITERACY be given to teachers, parents and other allied professionals.

Being a librarian as well (who owns a blog), I can post and talk about this in my blog. In my work place, I can suggest and recommend media and other learning materials that lead teachers and students to opportunities in becoming intelligent users of media and information. At the same time, have them appreciate art and culture.

Reading Inventory 2010

Here's keeping up to another blogging tradition -- a round up of books read in 2010. 

At the start of the year, I joined PaperTigers' Read Around the World challenge and failed. I only read and reviewed two books from the UK, US. Dismal. I know. 

I have to try harder this year. Sigh.

Apart from Percy Jackson and Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, here's a random list of books I've read in 2010.

a. Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

b. Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

c. Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

d. The Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

e. The Solitary Vice Against Reading by Mikita Brottman

f. Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl

g. Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud

h. The Science of Harry Potter by Rodger Highfield

i. Lost and Found by Rica Bolipata-Santos

j. Batang Bayani Series by KUTING

k. Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynn Jones

l. Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman

m. Grimm Fairy Tales by Zenescope Entertainment

A pitiful count of fifteen books. Argh. I didn't include the folk tale books I read and used in finishing the ms for Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories though. 

Let's see how I will fare this year, 2011!

Library News From Near and Far

Over the past few days, I have been inundated by bits and pieces of library news.

First is about this PM I got from a friend who is currently residing in Canada. His kids got their library cards from the local public library. What amazed him and his wife was the fact that even infants are given library cards. That only goes to show that children should not be deprived of their right to literacy and access to information. More than a love of reading, the library has a role to play in actualizing the basic human rights of people. Children included. A library is an institution that promotes the basic tenets of freedom of information for all.

Does the news make a librarian happy? Even envious, I would say for the reality of public library services in the country is dismal. Sure, there are cities with flourishing libraries in the National Capitol Region. But Manila, in spite of its rich history and commercial status is not the entire Philippines.

This being said, I was disappointed learning of the news on the plans of demolishing the library at UP Mindanao. Details are vague. I got wind of the news via Facebook. It's viral so facts are not easy to establish.

I could not help but reflect on the work that I do for the past year -- building libraries and helping teachers become advocates of reading and literacy. The task gets difficult every year with every technological upgrade.

Picture! Picture!

Live Blogging: LIS Congress 2011

Here's a working outline of my lecture for today's LIS Congress at UP Diliman.

School Libraries Are Cool! School Librarians Rule

A. Storytelling – The Library Mouse

- What was Sam’s great discovery in the library?
- Where did this lead him to?

B. The Process of Creation

- Reading / Writing / Speaking / Listening

These four translate into one word – literacy. Sam, the library mouse discovered literacy in the library. He may be shy in the speaking department, but he was able to influence others the way the library and the librarian inspired him to become an author.

Authorship – may refer to writing a book or an article, but in a bigger sense, it means involvement in the process of creation (not limited to creating a book)

The process of creation is a very HUMAN act. For the process of creation to happen, it has three fundamental things –experience, imagination and literacy.

The library is one of the many venues where children grow in life experiences and take flight in imagination.

The library is one vehicle for children to develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills thereby, helping them exercise their right to LITERACY.

How are these things translated to library services?

a. Library programs and activities
b. Library collection
c. Collaboration with teachers
d. Communication with administrators and stake holders
e. Linkages with the community – parents, alumni, local, national and international

C. School libraries are cool

-Because they are part and parcel of a child’s development into becoming a human being.

Candy Gourlay’s story – I was a Librarian’s Pet

The Rise of Facebook & Mark Zuckerberg

The Busy Librarian's post about Facebook is one piece I wish I'd have written. Interesting insights!

Zuckerberg's invention has been phenomenal. Then again, there are skeptics who say that Zuckerberg's rise to online power may soon find its demise. As all things are, what goes up will eventually go down. But we're having fun, are we not? We find old friends in Facebook and connect with distant relatives abroad. I, for one, get my invitations to do workshops and lectures in Facebook. I get the news from TV and the internet, but flooding in Australia takes on a more human and realistic view when a friend set her profile at how Brisbane floods rivaled ours. A breakfast cereal eaten in the morning sounds very trivial, but I want to try it for its nutritional value. I buy my clothes from friends in Facebook now. That saves me the hassle of going to the malls. I tag photos of friends and family and somehow, we're closer sharing something in common no matter how mundane it is.

Facebook is not just a tool to connect people anymore. It's an environment that has to be managed and a community that fosters interaction.

Deal with it.

Tan Yan Kee Library

Somewhere in the middle of China town in Manila is a library that promotes and preserves Chinese culture and provides cultural and information services for Chinoys (Filipino of Chinese decent) in the community. The Tan Yan Kee Foundation had set up a library for kids and grown-ups where they can trace their geographical roots and claim new routes in their second country.

The Tan Yan Kee Library by the Tan Yan Kee Foundation was put together in honor of Mr. Lucio Tan's late father. The foundation provides funding for the library's collection and many activities.

Apart from books, the library houses a collection of AV materials alongside the children's and young adult area. A space for listening and film viewing is alloted as well as a huge map of China and the Philippines. Reference books and the general collection are located in a different floor away from the more dynamic and noisier children's area.

In the summer, storytelling activities, film viewing, performances and summer workshops on writing, dance, caligraphy and the like take place in the library. To avail of such services, one has to be a member. Members can borrow the library's resources and get discounts on the many activities held during summer and on special occasions like, Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival.

For more information on the foundation and its efforts to develop the library, visit this link on the

School Libraries Are Cool

Here's an abstract of my talk on 15 January 2011 at the LIS Congress 2011 in UP Diliman. 

School libraries are cool. School librarians rule.

School libraries open up a world of opportunities for students, teachers, and even parents. It's the place to go to find a great book or magazine, locate a cool Web site, watch a DVD, listen to a story, get help with a homework assignment or a video project, and participate in fun programs (like puppet show, read-a-thons, and book clubs). Something's always happening! School libraries are the place to be. And, who's in charge? That's right, school librarians rule.

The congress is targeting to pool in as many students of Library and Information Science (LIS) in Manila as well as graduating high school students. The event is a career-vocational talk alright, but it will give participants a good perspective of LIS as a discipline worthy of study and continuous development.

2011 American Library Association Winners and Honors

Many thanks to Children's Plus for sending this in --

John Newbery Medal Most outstanding contribution to children’s literature

2011 Newbery Medal Winner:
“Moon over Manifest,” written by Clare Vanderpool

2011 Newbery Honor Books:
Turtle in Paradise,” by Jennifer L. Holm
“Heart of a Samurai,” written by Margi Preus
“Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night,” written by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen
“One Crazy Summer,” by Rita Williams-Garcia

Randolph Caldecott Medal Most distinguished American picture book for children
2011 Caldecott Medal Winner:
“A Sick Day for Amos McGee,” illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead

2011 Caldecott Honor Books:
“Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Laban Carrick Hill
“Interrupting Chicken,” written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein

Michael L. Printz Award Excellence in literature written for young adults
2011 Printz Award Winner:
“Ship Breaker,” written by Paolo Bacigalupi

2011 Printz Honor Books:
“Stolen,” by Lucy Christopher
“Please Ignore Vera Dietz,” by A.S. King
“Revolver,” by Marcus Sedgwick
“Nothing,” by Janne Teller

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award Recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults

2011 King Author Book Winner:
“One Crazy Summer,” written by Rita Williams-Garcia

2011 King Author Honor Book:
“Lockdown,” by Walter Dean Myers
“Ninth Ward,” by Jewell Parker Rhodes
“Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty,” written by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award
2011 King Illustrator Book Winner:
“Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Laban Carrick Hill

2011 King Illustrator Honor Book:
“Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix,” illustrated by Javaka Steptoe, written by Gary Golio Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award
2011 Steptoe New Talent Author Winner:
“Zora and Me,” written by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award
2011 Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Winner:
“Seeds of Change,” illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement This award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton

2011 Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement Winner:
Dr. Henrietta Mays Smith


Pura Belpré (Illustrator) AwardHonoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience

2011 Belpré Illustrator Award Winner:
“Grandma’s Gift,” illustrated and written by Eric Velasquez 2011 Belpré Illustrator Honor Books:
“Fiesta Babies,” illustrated by Amy Córdova, written by Carmen Tafolla
“Me, Frida,” illustrated by David Diaz, written by Amy Novesky
“Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin,” illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh

Pura Belpré (Author) Award 
2011 Belpré Author Award Winner:
“The Dreamer,” written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
2011 Belpré Author Honor Books:
“¡Olé! Flamenco,” written and illustrated by George Ancona
“The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba,” written by Margarita Engle
“90 Miles to Havana,” written by Enrique Flores-Galbis

Schneider Family Book Award Books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience

Schneider Family Book Award, Best Young Children’s (Ages 0-10):
“The Pirate of Kindergarten,” written by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril

Schneider Family Book Award, Middle Grades (Ages 11-13):
“After Ever After,” written by Jordan Sonnenblic

Schneider Family Book Award, Teen (Ages 13-18):
“Five Flavors of Dumb,” written by Antony John

William C. Morris Award
Honors a book written by a first-time author for young adults

2011 Morris Award Winner “The Freak Observer,” written by Blythe Woolston

2011 Morris Award Finalists
“Hush,” by Eishes Chayil
“Guardian of the Dead,” by Karen Healey
“Hold Me Closer, Necromancer,” by Lish McBride
“Crossing the Tracks,” by Barbara Stuber

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Most distinguished beginning reader book
2011 Geisel Award Winner:
“Bink and Gollie,” written by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile

2011 Geisel Honor Books:
“Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!” written and illustrated by Grace Lin
“We Are in a Book!” written and illustrated by Mo Willems

Margaret A. Edwards Award Lifetime achievement in writing for young adults

2011 Edwards Award Winner:
Sir Terry Pratchett

Robert F. Sibert Medal Most distinguished informational book for children
2011 Sibert Award Winner:
“Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot,” written by Sy Montgomery,

2011 Sibert Honor Books:
“Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring,” written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Brian Floca
“Lafayette and the American Revolution,” written by Russell Freedman

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award 
2011 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award:
“Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing,” written by Ann Angel

2011 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalists
“They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group,” by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
“Spies of Mississippi:  The True Story of the Spy Network that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement,” by Rick Bowers
“The Dark Game: True Spy Stories,” by Paul Janeczko
“Every Bone Tells a Story: Hominin Discoveries, Deductions, and Debates,” by Jill Rubalcaba and Peter Robertshaw


Mildred L. Batchelder Award Outstanding children’s book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States

2011 Batchelder Award Winner;
“A Time of Miracles, originally published in French in 2009 as “Le Temps des Miracles,” written by Anne-Laure Bondoux and translated by Y. Maudet,

2011 Batchelder Honor Books:
“Departure Time,” written by Truus Matti and translated by Nancy Forest-Flier
“Nothing,” written by Janne Teller and translated by Martin Aitken

Alex Awards The 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences

“The Reapers Are the Angels: A Novel,” by Alden Bell
“The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake: A Novel,” by Aimee Bender
“The House of Tomorrow,” by Peter Bognanni
“Room: A Novel,” by Emma Donoghue
“The Vanishing of Katharina Linden: A Novel,” by Helen Grant
“The Radleys,” by Matt Haig
“The Lock Artist,” by Steve Hamilton
“Girl in Translation,” by Jean Kwok
“Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard,” by Liz Murray
“The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To,” by DC Pierson

Innovate. Collaborate. Revolutionize!

I'll be speaking in this year's LIS Congress on the topic of School Libraries and Career as School Librarian. The congress is organized by the University of the Philippines Library and Infromation Science Students Association (UPLLISSA). This will be my second speaking engagement with the organization having presented a talk on Storytelling in 2009.

Below is a description and objectives of the 2011 LIS Congress -

The field of Library and Information Science (LIS) is diverse. As with any idea that branches out from its roots, it starts to develop and eventually becomes its own field of specialization. It is necessary that these fields be introduced and represented to aspiring LIS students so that, with common interest, their efforts would lead to the emergence of new ways in dealing with information. The theme "Innovate. Collaborate. Revolutionize." shows how librarianship evolved - innovations bring new fields of specialization, and collaboration among these fields revolutionizes the profession. This 2011, the University of the Philippines Library and Information Science Students' Association (UPLISSA) presents a bigger and better Library and Information Science (LIS) Congress.

Objectives:

To provide a venue for the further academic growth of LIS students.

To foster the scholastic, professional, and socio-cultural development of LIS students, educators, and library professionals.

Provide a venue for LIS students, educators, and professionals to network.

To introduce the profession and its respective fields of specialization to aspiring LIS students.

There are many conferences and lectures conducted by various professional organizations on the subject of librarianship and information science in the country. But sometimes, these lectures can be cost prohibitive for students. The UPLISSA in 2009, as part of its contribution to its beloved field, organized the first ever congress for the Library and Information Sciences for students by students.

The LIS Congress is envisioned to be the premier gathering of students of Library and Information Science in the Philippines. A gathering that would allow students to learn about the latest trends in their field, and to network with fellow students from different schools and some of the country's leading information professionals. LIS Congress is a learning opportunity which is the key towards the development of our profession.

I hope to see you there! Would love to meet readers of this blog in person. Don't be shy! Say hi!

SLIA's Reply on Library Staff Supervisory Program

Here is my reply for Rose Marie Quilantang's email about making a supervisory program for the library staff - 

Dear Rose --

What you can do is to refer to the school's HR department for a set guideline and rules on supervision. Do they have a supervisory program for all faculty and staff that managers of each department can follow? What expectations do they have of librarians? Are there indicators for assessment and evaluation of performance? Most schools have. Use this as your guide. If you are supervising your librarians, refer to their job description next. 

Create a list of focus areas that merges the school's standards on performance and the librarian's or staff's expected job description. This is for your perusal. This comes in handy during supervision and monitoring where notes can be written or documented. In time, this could be used as your reference when finalizing a report or document during staff evaluation and rating purposes. 

There are performance instruments as well. These are made by the HR department. It has, basically, three components -- Professional Competence; Work Ethics; Personal and Community Relationship.

Remember that supervision is two-way. It can be directed by you, as supervisor, or by them as independent workers. It would depend on the librarian's or library staff's level of experience, competence and yes, EQ. For senior staff, they can be self-directed, meaning, they can set their own goals and objectives at work. They can also be depended upon to manage their time better. Therefore, monitoring and supervision of their work can be done periodically, say once a quarter or semestral. Or, their report on the work they do is enough for you to know that they deliver. If not, then change strategy. There are cases when supervising a senior staff is like mentoring a newbie or worse.

For newbies and junior staff, more frequent monitoring and supervision should be done until such time when they manifest self-directed work skills and ethics.

What will you supervise and how? Begin with assessment of their skills. We're talking of library skills here inclusive of basic communication skills. You may also refer to past performance records of the staff. That's a starting point to assessment. Focus on areas that need improvement in a given time - six months, one year, etc. What measurements will you employ to see improvements or otherwise. Rating scale? Narrative reports? This must be clear.

When these are identified - areas of focus, indicators and measurement, speak with the staff and work together. Staff should also be aware of his or her weakness and strength. The result of your dialogue becomes the supervisory plan for that staff. The accumulated supervisory plan for each staff becomes the supervisory program.

The trick here is that, you, as library manager, must be able to set individual objectives leading to the attainment of library goals. You act as conductor giving direction and achieving harmony. It's not so much as who is doing the job or not, but seeing to it that library goals and objectives are achieved by the people you've entrusted to do the work. Praise when necessary. Manage behavior as needed. Managing and mentoring people can be tough, but keep trying. I wish you all the best!

Ms. Zarah

The Games We Play: RPG Metanoia Movie Review

You know you've seen a good movie when you talk about it with great interest hours after having watched it. That's been my experience with RPG Metanoia. My kids and I had a long conversation on the movie over cups of chocolate at home. Needless to say, we truly enjoyed it!

What worked

The story and the script - The story is about an eleven year old boy named Nico who is addicted with online computer games, particularly RPG Metanoia. He and his friends frequent an internet cafe where they play online. For Nico,  a computer at home that hangs every now and then could not satiate his addiction for the game. Soon an online tournament will take place and he and his friends are all eager to participate. Having discovered the Helmet of Destiny, an item that would lead them to victory, Nico and his friends were confident at winning the tournament. During the tournament, he failed to heed his friends' advice losing the game in the process.

Just when I thought I've seen this one coming, the plot takes a turn for the better. Nico's story arc was surprisingly good and well crafted. From a self  centered only child, sheltered and fearful, he transformed into the story's hero that everyone will cheer for.

The supporting characters - Thanks to endearing and interesting characters in the movie! Nico has parents, who, despite their limitations, try their best to fill gaps in Nico's life. He also has friends who, despite himself will tell him the truth and can accept him, faults and all. If not for them, Nico would have turned out like the villain, Sargo.

Among Nico's friends, it is May, the girl next door, who showed him what he's been missing all along - real games played in the streets or in Filipino, larong kalye. With his boy barkada (gang) they spent the remaining summer days playing patinetero, piko (hop scotch), taguan (hide and seek), and tumbang preso. It is in playing these games where in Nico learned life lessons. Being good at virtual games does not equal to the vicarious experiences learned through play. Besides, Nico was able to overcome his own    insecurities. In the end, he became better at computer games because he established a healthy relationship with his friends thus, strengthening his character.

The visual metaphors and avatars - The band aid straps on Nico's leg; the first rain drop on Mark's knee;   the avatars of Nico and his friends are some of the reasons why the movie has lasting impressions. And yes, they are all good ones. Life is filled with growing pains. You get bumped and bruised, hurt and wounded. But hey, that's what it is to live and grow. Seasons come and go but true friends are forever. The Filipino has a very unique and diverse culture. Be proud that you're Pinoy!

The depiction of the modern Filipino child - It is the handling and depiction of the modern Pinoy child that I find most effective in RPG Metanoia. Nico is current and relevant. One may counter  that his character is too ideal or stereotypical, but to me, it is just but right to give him a good set of middle class parents and supportive friends. Put these all together and the movie is a certified Philippine Children's Literature material. Children have RIGHTS and the adults who take care of them is responsible to ensure that these rights are expressed and exercised.

As far as the 3D animation is concerned, I can say that it's a good start. Then again, I always go for content and the storytelling rendition. In many ways, the creators and producers of RPG Metanoia have succeeded in making it a movie that can be enjoyed by kids and kids at heart.

What did not work

I was looking for a solid closure on Sargo/Cel at the end. I'm not satisfied seeing him attend May's birthday party. Other than that, I have no more complains.

Congratulations to the creators of RPG Metanoia! Here's hoping that they continue creating satisfying stories rendered in relevant and meaningful medium in the future!