A Letter of Thanks

Yesterday, I received a letter from Flynn, my library staff, thanking me of the small things I do that matter a lot to him. I was touched by the gesture. What a fitting way to end the month of hearts.

His letter gave me a lot to think about. Not only did he thank me for the professional mentoring and guidance, but also for the personal advice and tokens of friendship I've given him and his family over the course of three years of working together. I could only say welcome and respond with gratitude because, really, I could not do everything alone in the library. I feel I've done a good job at organizing the library with his help. I'm glad that he values the training set up for him.

Managing work is one thing. Human relations is another.

Looking for Andoy: The Revolutionary Hero

K-12 for School Librarians: How the School Library Supports K-12P

Worksheet k12 p from Zarah Gagatiga

Live Blogging: Seminar on K-12Program @ St. Bridget College

I arrived in St. Bridget College of Batangas safe and dry. Thanks to GoldenRey for sponsoring my transportation. The bad weather did not dampen the spirits of attendees. There are more than seventy teacher librarians and school librarians present in today's seminar forum. Like in past seminars and workshops, I feel good to being with friends in the profession.

Lilian Rabino of DLS Lipa presents the seminar certificate to Dr. Vivian Fababier

 Dr. Vivian Fababier of the DepEd, Batangas City, has done a good job introducing the key features of the K-12 Program. I will use some of her inputs in my session later as I discuss the role of school libraries and librarians in the K-12 Program.

With Josie Tuzon of the Holy Spirit School, Cubao

Right now, Rene Banda Manlangit is presenting PLAI news. I'm happy to know that, among the many projects PLAI is pushing, one is the inclusion of an item for school librarians in the public school system. Good luck, PLAI!

Kwentuhan Tayo: Storytelling Tips & Strategies

Up slis lecture series program invitation from Zarah Gagatiga

Bibliography & Notecards

Biblio notecards from Zarah Gagatiga

Information Sources

Grade11 information sources from Zarah Gagatiga

Research @ the Library

Researchinthe library 1 from Zarah Gagatiga

Approaches to Teaching & Learning Day 2013

It was a big day in school last Friday as the learning community came together to spend half a day for strengthening research skills. Each grade level had work to do. Grade nine had sessions on citations; grade ten firmed up this set skill in context to their Personal Project; grade eleven journeyed through the first phase of the research cycle as they prepare for the Extended Essay; and the grade twelve worked on their Internal Assessments and TOK essays.

Research is a cyclical process; a journey to take.

 I had a session with the grade nines on library resources and spent most of the morning with the grade elevens as the team headed by the Diploma Program Coordinator, English Teacher, Environmental Sciences Teacher, Psychology Teacher, Business Management Teacher and myself intensively conducted sessions on questioning, crafting hypothesis or thesis statement and use of information sources. The grade elevens in particular were very receptive. Aware that the Extended Essay is a make or break requirement to earn a DP diploma, there was effort on their end to focus on the activities.

Students worked in groups in determining research questions, crafting hypothesis and identifying sources to answer the research question. Use of the school library and outside resources were included in the session.

As I told them at the start of the session, research is a cyclical process; a journey that will lead them to many surprises and discoveries. We are but at the start of the journey.

What's on your research backpack?

Spreading the Book Love to Kids

 Grade one students of Loma Elementary School received books in celebration of International Book Giving Day.

Spreading the Book Love

 Because it's International Book Giving Day, I left a book each at the school faculty lounges and gave one book to a friend.

Rica Bolipata-Santos' Lost and Found found its way to Faculty Lounge A, where a co-teacher immediately picked up the book!

 

 In Faculty Lounge B, our Filipino teacher, Ms. Lening,  holds a copy of Ambeth Ocampo's Looking Back 6: Prehistoric Philippines.

 

Gave a copy of The Morning Rush, Chico, Delle and Gino's Top Ten Book 2 to my co-teacher, Ms. Riza Estefani.

Today is International Book Giving Day!

Who will get these books?

Lost and Found by Rica Bolipata-Santos, Layb Life by Michael Pinto and Looking Back 6 by Ambeth Ocampo

Assorted picture books! YAY!

Reading Table: Books to Read & Love

Books pulled out from Teacher's Resource Collection

Books from the Fiction Collection

Dear Librarian: On Books & Reading Activities

Lou Rodriguez Miranda, school librarian of Collegio San Agustin, Binan Laguna sent me a query on book and reading activities. Here are some activities I thought of.

a. Have students create their own illustrated story books and include these in the collection.

b. Have a reading idol every month - feature a teacher or school admin and his or her favorite book.

c. Stage your own book award for best story of 2013 and best illustrated story book of 2013.

d. Integrate with a subject area an activity that will inspire literacy development, for example grade 2 Science class will read one non-fiction book a week or a month depending on lesson for the unit or the month.

e. Provide grade levels with recommended reading list from your collection.

Lou is assigned in the preschool library. So here's a new set for other school librarians out there who are working with children in the grade school and older kids in the high school level.

1. Reader's Choice - Read five books from the library’s storybook collection. Pick the top three from the five you selected. In your group, collate all your top three choices in one list. Include annotations for your book choices. Your annotations should not be longer than three sentences. Publish your list, Readers Choice, in the library’s bulletin board, in a blog, in a newsletter or send it via email to faculty, student and parent communities of your school.

2. Reading Passports - Read one story book. Log in your reading passport the title, author and publisher of the book. Do the assigned activity in your passport after reading the book. Share your output to others during book discussion time.

3. Story Theater / Puppet Show  / Storytelling / Kamishibai - Older kids can make their own story telling props and materials, puppets and flash cards. Have them perform for the younger set.

Involve the community in reading campaigns and activities as well. As I said before, a reading community is a learning community.
 

4. Family Read-in @ the Library - Parents and their kids come to the library for an evening of reading activities.

5. Book Trailer Making - Upper grade students create book trailers, videos, of their favorite books.

6. Read-in & Read-Out - Provision of reading materials for school helpers, yayas, drivers and caretakers / Mobile Library.

7. Book - Movie Tie Ups - Donate a book get a movie pass on library film viewing day. Donate two books, get a movie pass + popcorn.

8. Social Media for Books and Reading Campaigns - Create an account in FB or Twitter, Pinterest or any social networking site where books and reading are campaigned and advocated.

How do you celebrate books and reading in your school? How does the library contribute and participate in the celebration? Send over your ideas, activities and pictures for a feature on this blog!


 

 
 

Librarians & Libraries for the Love of Reading

Mel Alipo-on, Me, Ma'am Zeny and Ma'am Mavic of MUNPARLAS

Many thanks to Mel Alipo-on of MUNPARLAS Library Association for inviting me to speak about things I love: books, reading and libraries! I met old friends and made new ones. It was a timely topic as February 14 is just around the corner.

During group sharing, I was surprised to find out that San Beda College has a bibliotherapy program for grade school and high school students. Now that is something I have to see. It's worth blogging about!

Passing on the Love of Reading

Here's a borrowed post from Ime Morales, writer and super mom to Bowi, who wrote about the trip she had with her son to the Quezon City Public Library.

A Visit to the Good Ol' Library

One day he asked me this unexpected question: Mama, what's a library? (As a Waldorf student, Bowi hasn't been exposed to big libraries yet.)

When I was younger, during the pre-Internet era, libraries were a part of my life in a maaaaajor way. I used to go to the British Council, the National Library, Thomas Jefferson on Buendia, and Goethe Institut. These kids are missing a lot, I think. The romance of it all: going through the card catalog, holding the book in your hand, borrowing it from the librarian, returning it late, paying the fee, writing down your notes. It's all part of how I came to love books.

You don't get that by paying Google a visit.

And so I resolved to bring him to a real library. The closest one is the Quezon City Public Library. And guess what? He loved it! He was the only little person there. One of the librarians came up to us to ask what we're looking for.

Oh we're just looking around, I tell him. For his assignment? he asked. No, I said, he just wants to read.

The little guy was literally running around flitting from shelf to shelf like a butterfly darting from one flower to the next.

It was interesting, the crowd that afternoon. There were students, of course, but mostly the library users that day were senior citizens, mostly male. Reading newspapers, listening to audio books (I suppose they're audio books), writing down notes, reading through thick volumes, talking, using their phones. I suppose they were some of those who haven't really transitioned to doing research online.

It was refreshing to see them here. Bowi and all these lolos. Inside this old, not-so-quiet library.

He kept on looking for books on recycling.

I found a book to read, too! :)

Source: http://www.prinsesaimelda.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-visit-to-good-ol-library.html

Filipino Librarian: Joseph Marmol Yap

The blog's Filipino Librarian for February is none other than, Mr. Joseph Marmol Yap. He graduated with a BLIS (Bachelor of Library and Information Science) in UP Diliman in 2006 and completed his MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) in 2010.

In this interview, Joseph shares that LIS was a second choice. He has no regrets since the profession has given him so many learning opportunities. He has received study and travel grants for conferences and educational scholarships abroad. His recent assignment offers new challenges as he mans the Makati Extension Campus Library (MBA/JD program). His designation is MEC Librarian. Read more of Joseph's technicolor career highlights and the kind of librarian he dreams to be in the future.

a. What's your lib story? Describe how you made the choice of majoring in LIS and what was college life like for you as a LIS major.

BLIS was not my first course! Yes, I was taking-up BS Business Administration at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and was really eager to transfer to UP Diliman. After a year of earning high grades at PLM, I tried my luck to enter UP Diliman as a transferee student. Not knowing which course to take since Business Administration is a very competitive program in UPD, I ended up choosing LIS. I was interviewed by Prof. Quiros and Prof. Gonzales asking me why I have chosen LIS as my future career and I said that LIS is managing libraries in a general sense. I’m not sure if that answer qualified me to enter UPD.

As a student, I became a councilor of a college-based student council of the School of Library and Information Studies (formerly Institute of Library and Information Science). We were active in providing activities for our co-students. We published our own yearbook, conducted a concert, initiated a rummage sale, supported LIS wizards, did our amazing race challenge called “pabILISan” as part of our year-long activities.

I was given an opportunity by a former professor, Dr. Ricardo Punzalan, to experience an on-the-job training at the Culion Sanitarium Archives in Culion, Palawan together with a fellow student Melvin Chua as we were inclined with the Archives track when we were undergraduate students.
These are my challenging and success stories way back in college.

b. What has been the greatest challenge you've faced so far as a licensed and working librarian? Why do you say it's a challenge?

The greatest challenge is becoming an officer of a professional library association at an early career. I served MAHLAP for three years as PRO (2008/09) and Secretary (2010). After which I became ASLP’s PRO (2011), Vice President (2012) and President (2013).

As challenging as it can be, we are serving the librarians, providing them opportunities to learn, interact and network with other librarians as well.

c. What is your area of expertise in LIS?

I could say I am best at promoting and marketing libraries. Library promotion requires the following: knowing your target group (who and what to promote) and knowing where and when to seek for help.

I am a novice reference librarian. I want to see myself an expert in this field – business information reference specialist.

d. What do you think are the requirements and preparations necessary for becoming a LIS professional?

Proper education, training and experience. You should be able to learn how to answer your patron with a smile. In case where your patron is an avatar, say a digital library where smile
is not seen physically but only a smiley icon, you should learn how to answer electronic communications in a style which is considered friendly and accommodating.

e. What rewards have you reaped from being a LIS professional?

I was given different kinds of grants by different LIS organizations. I was given a conference grant, travel grant, study grant, scholarship grant and many others kinds of grants. I was able to travel and experience the culture of Europe, USA and parts of Asia.

More information about Joseph: http://aslpwiki.wikispaces.com/Joseph+M.+Yap

Studies of New Book Projects

Totet  de Jesus' studies for Big Sister

Liza Flores' studies on Dear Nanay

Sweets for Our Sweet Borrowers @ the Librray

Author of the Month: Becky Santos-Gerodias

I am starting February with a featured author, Ms. Becky-Santos Gerodias. She happens to be my son's godmother. We met and worked in Xavier School. In the late 90s, Becky left so we lost contact in the years that followed. In 2011, we met at the 28th National Children's Book Day where her books were launched. Small world, it is! In this blog post, she talks about her new book, Ang Arroz Caldo ni Lolo Wlado, which was published and promoted last September at the Manila International Bookfair. Ang Arroz Caldo ni Lolo Waldo is published by LG & M Publishing House.

Book signing at the Vibal - LG & M Publishing House's booth

Kailan ka nagsimulang magsulat ng panitikang pambata? / When did you start writing for children?

Nagsimula akong magsulat ng mga kwentong pambata mula nang magturo ako sa preschool mid 1980’s. Ang mga ito ay maiikling kwento at ginagawa kong springboard sa aking mga leksyon. Maraming pagkakataon din ang naibigay sa akin para makapagsulat ng mga skit o play na ginanampan ng mga bata.

Masasabi ko na ang mahabang karanasan ko bilang guro at sa pagiging tutor na rin, ang nagpalakas loob sa akin na mag-submit ng mga gawang maaaring mailathala. Unang nangyari ito noong 2010.

Ano ang iyong inspirasyon sa pagsulat ng Ang Arroz Caldo ni Lolo Waldo? / What was your inspiration in writing Arroz Caldo?

Ang unang dalawang kwentong Ingles na isinulat ko at nailimbag noong 2010, ay maypagka seryoso ang tema. Naisip ko namang sumubok ng medyo mapaglaro at magaang basahing kwento. Dahil malaki ang interes ko sa mga relasyong pampamilya, nabuo ang isang kwento na di lamang may tugma kundi tungkol sa tatlong tauhang nagmula sa makakaibang henerasyon…anak, ama at lolo. Dala ito siguro sa malaking pasasalamat ko sa aking mommy, na sa kabila ng kanyang katandaan ay mapagkalinga pa rin sa amin ng aking mga anak. Maliwanag sa akin habang isunusulat ko ang “Arroz Caldo” na para sa kanya at tungkol sa kanyang magandang aral na ipinamulat sa akin ang kwentong ito… ang kagandahan ng simpleng buhay at kahalagahan ng pagsisikap.

Aling wika ang mas palagay ang iyong loob na gamitin, Ingles o Filipino? / You write both in English and Filipino. Which language are you more comfortable in using as medium to tell stories?

Depende kasi kung paano ko binubuo ang kwento sa aking isip. Sa simula pa lang ng isang ideya, alam ko na kung saan ko mas maipapahayag ang aking mensahe. Kung sa wikang Ingles ako nag-iisip, Ingles ang aking gagamitin at kung sa wikang Filipino ako nag-iisip, sa Filipino naman ako magsusulat. Ano pa man ang wikang gamitin ko, maliwanag sa akin na ang tema o mensahe ay may kinalaman sa pagiging Pilipino.

Sinisikap kong makapagsulat pa nang mas maraming kwento sa wikang Filipino dahil gusto kong panatiliing buhay ito lalung-lalo na sa kabataan. Napapansin ko kasi na karamihan sa kanila ay hirap nang nagsasalita o umintindi ng Filipino.

Ano ang malikhaing proseso mo sa pagsusulat? /  Describe the creative process you went through writing Arroz Caldo.

Sa simula, pinagsama ko ang mga elementong may kinalaman sa aking personal na karanasan, tulad ng pagkahilig ko sa pagluluto at ang nakinagisnang simpleng buhay at halimbawa ni mommy sa paghahanap-buhay. Pagkatapos, nag-isip ako ng mga bagay na pamilyar sa mga maaring magbasa ng aking kwento, tulad ng pagtitinda at ang kilalang-kilalang panawid gutom na arroz caldo! At dahil gusto kong may elementong tugma, nabuo ang pangalang Lolo Waldo!

Teacher Becky, now a published author, with Nico Gagatiga

Katulad rin ba ito ng iba mong aklat at dumaan din sa ganyang proseso? / Did you undergo the same experience writing your other books?

Sa proseso ng pag-iisip at paglalaro sa mga ideya medyo magkatulad. Pero sa unang dalawang kwento, nagsaliksik pa ako tungkol sa mga tauhang nilikha ko. Halimbawa, sa “A Dream and A Melody” inalam ko ang mga kaugalian at konting kasaysayan ng mga T’boli. Sa “Pipit and the Kamagong Tree” naman, sinaliksik ko ang mga katangian ng ibong Pipit at ang punong Kamagong. Dahil intensyon ko rito ay magbigay kaalaman bukod sa simpleng pagkukwento.

Bilang manunulat ng panitikang pambata, saan mo nakikita nag sarili mo, sampung taon mula ngayon? / As a writer for children, where do you see yourself 10 years from now against the backdrop of Philippine Children’s Literature?

Masaya na akong makatulong sa pagpapanatili at pagpapalaganap ng kaisipan at damdaming Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng aking mga kwento di lamang sa Pilipinas kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa kung saan parami na nang parami ang mga Filipino communities na nahuhubog sa ibang kultura. Sa panahong ito ng mga e-books, hindi siguro malayong mangyari ito. At sana rin, makapagsulat muli ako ng mga dulang pambata.