As we bid goodbye to September, the blog features Ms. Veronica Silagpo, a BLIS graduate of the School of Library and Information Science, UP Diliman as the Filipino Librarian of the month. She is pursuing MLIS in the same university. Right now, she enjoys providing reader's services to middle school students of the International School Manila.
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. You can cite challenging stories and success stories while
studying the course.
LIS was my first choice when I took the UPCAT. It was my aunt (who had a
Librarian friend) who told me that the course offers some good
opportunities. During my freshman year though, it was a struggle for me
to actually love the course I have chosen. People were like “anung
pinag-aaralan nyo dun?” or “ano yun?” when I describe to them my course.
I felt like my course was treated as inferior. I actually thought of
shifting.
Luckily, I met some members of UP Future Library and Information
Professionals of the Philippines. They were people who understood my
dilemma and I found the organization’s cause – to promote and develop
the LIS profession– very noble, so I joined them. Joining UP FLIPP
played a very pivotal role in my life as a student of LIS.
I became an officer and was tasked to recruit more members. It was more
than a responsibility for me, though. Helping out students who felt the
same way that I did when I was a freshman became a passion.
I consider seeing the people whom I’ve talked into staying and
finishing the course then as happy LIS professionals now as one of my
successes.
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?
I was 19 years old when I started working and like many fresh graduates,
I too, started as a wide-eyed idealist. I was very keen on being the
best librarian that I could be. Sadly, I met so many who exemplified the
stereotype of librarians early on I really thought that they are like
dinosaurs, things of the past but to my chagrin, they aren’t.
Add those who were really unhappy with their jobs and those who attended
seminars only to catch up (or gossip) on their former colleague’s life
or for the free travel opportunities. They were so disappointing and
disheartening.
I found myself angry at these people who were the reasons why people
look down on my beloved profession. It actually affected me so much at
that time. It was kind of a struggle for me to reconcile what I have
been telling others when I was still in the University and the reality
that was the LIS profession. I remember telling people that libraries
and librarians have evolved. That the stereotypes no longer existed,
that LIS professionals are now hip and cool.
Now, years later, the realization sank in - that those people existed
and would probably still exist in the future to remind us of what we
shouldn’t be. And for that to happen, we need to keep ourselves in
check, to always be the best in what we do.
c. What is your area of expertise in LIS?
Reference and Readers’ Advisory Services. I take pleasure in those
little chitchats with library patrons.
I enjoy those “aha!” moments whenever I help people find what they’re
looking for and I love giving book recommendations. I believe that we
are all readers. If someone says that they hate reading, then they
haven’t found their book match yet. Spreading the love, love, love for
reading is one of my advocacies in life.
d. What do you think are the requirements and preparations necessary for
becoming a LIS professional?
Pleasing personality? Hahaha. Kidding aside, excluding degree and
license, I really think that a heart for service should be the primary
requirement for LIS professionals. An open mind and being adaptable to
change would really help, too
e. What rewards have you reaped from being a LIS professional?
The endless THANK YOUs, smiles and little notes of gratitude are
somewhat the most fulfilling rewards I have received from this
profession. I usually get little knick knacks and gifts, too. Also, I
get kids professing their love for me almost every week, so it kind of
keeps my love tank full.
1 comment:
You have a nice profession. And I believe you are already enjoying the wide horizon you were once dreaming of. I admire how you really proved everyone who doubted your profession that there is something bigger waiting to those who's eager to make a difference.
And while you are on the peak of your career now, I am also in great hope that you will always remember those who are main anchors of your success-your parents.
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