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