The Launching of Janopol Elementary School Library

Last June 26, 2014 was the launching of the school library at Janopol Elementary School, Brgy. Janopol Occidental, Tanauan, Batangas. It is the 11th school library that Sambat Trust UK has set up in Tanauan. The launching was a star-studded affair because officials from the local government unit, the DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay were there. Annie Pacana-Lumbao, guest author, gave a talk and a read aloud to students and a round table discussion with Janopol Elementary school teachers.

The principal of Janopol Elementary School, Madame Emma Punzalan, was thankful for the donations and support given by the local DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay. There were no students present during the launch because they had classes. But, when the boxes of books were turned over to Principal Punzalan, Dr. Cecil Carandang Assistant Superintendent of Tanauan, DepEd, Brgy. Captain Albert Dalisay and Atty. Ferdinand Perez of the Mayor's Office were like little children who received gifts on Christmas day. It took the host of the program a few minutes to go back to the launching ceremony to continue. Each of the adults who opened the boxes of books took one book to browse and read.

When they had their chance to deliver a message, they all made mention of the beautiful books they laid their hands on. Atty Perez was impressed with the story of Ang Munting Patak Ulan. He said that such books are truly educational and entertaining. "Not only does it tell the story about a little raindrop's adventure, it also teaches young readers the subject of the water cycle." Brgy. Capt. Dalisay wanted to bring home a chapter book. How he wished that everyone in the barangay can visit the new school library in Janopol Elementary School! Now that is something to think about.

When Dr. Carandang delivered her message to teachers, PTA Officers and LGU Officials present that day, she was very proud to share the news that Tanauan schools topped the NAT in the district. She credits the school libraries set up by Sambat Trust as contributing factors to this achievement. "A library in the school provides information, additional knowledge and increased self confidence to students. The presence of books and libraries mean that we support student learning." She encouraged the teachers of Janopol Elementary School to use the library and make it a functional learning center.

After the ribbon cutting and morning snacks, Annie Pacana-Lumbao gave a read aloud of her first published book, And That Won't Wake Me Up! which her daughter, Anelka, co-wrote. The students were engaged and delighted at the interactive techniques of Ms. Pacana-Lumbao. Indeed, everyone can relate to the difficulty of waking up in the morning to go to school.

When Ms. Pacana-Lumbao finished her read aloud, she shared her experience of writing the book with her daughter and getting it published by Adarna House. The students would have wanted to stay on, but their teachers were waiting for their turn. During Ms. Pacana-Lumbao's round table discussion with them on reading, books and literacy development, the creation of student made books and teacher made resources came up. In light of the K-12 Curriculum, teachers are encouraged to be content creators too. The Tanaun DepEd leaders were quick to reply on the initiatives they have had in place for the development of reading materials especially those that prmote mother tongue base instruction. The teachers expressed that they are looking forward for more training sessions on teaching literacy.

Well, the work is cut out for Sambat Trust UK!

Update on a New Book Project: Start Right Reading Series

It is a series for early readers under
Lampara Books' line Easy to Learn Books.
Illustrations are done by Bernadette Solina-Wolf.
Coming soon! We're looking at a September 2014 release.

A Design of a Mobile Library

Sometime in March, I was consulted by a grade nine student on a project in Tech. The class needed to plan and design projects that will help build and empower communities. One student dared to design a mobile library. I showed the student some existing mobile library projects by local and international libraries, foundations and individuals. After a month and a half, he came back showing me the prototype.

A container van was used to house a mini-library that has printed reading materials as well as ebooks and digital resources. Included in the design was an Internet connection.

See the photo in the right. There are chairs and tables; shelves and cabinets; and iPad and Macbook stations. The cost of the mobile library is two million pesos.

WOW.

NCBD Librarian's Workshop: Creating a Library Program Focused on Life Skills Development

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) invites librarians toThe School Library as Avenue for the Development of Life Skills, an echo and workshop session of the 42nd International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Conference in Indonesia.

Facilitated by Zarah Gagatiga, Librarian (Beacon Academy) and PBBY Board Member, this workshop session will help librarians integrate life skills and well-being indicators in library management. Ms. Gagatiga will also discuss concepts in planning, implementing and evaluating programs and services for children and teenagers. 21st century trends in school library management and administration will also be presented as well as information of professional learning networks, particularly the International Association of School Libraries.

The workshop is a part of the National Children’s Book Day celebrations, and will be held on July 15 (Tuesday), 9:00AM to 12:00 NN at Museo Pambata, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Slots are limited to fifty (50) participants, and the workshop fee is five hundred pesos (Php 500.00). For inquiries and reservations, e-mail pbby[at]adarna.com.ph. Pre-registration is required.

*Reposting with permission from the Adarna House blog.

School Librarians as Literacy Leaders: Abstract

This is the abstract of my paper that got accepted in the 6th Rizal Library International Conference.

23 Mobile Things PH SG: Things 17, 18, 19 - Research & Productivity Tools & File Sharing

I have been terribly busy the past weeks. School ended last May and I'm officially on summer vacation.

But.

So, I am catching up on 23 Mobile Things PH SG.

Things 17, 18 and 19 are all familiar tech tools. I have been using Evernote since 2011 as a way to synchronize files on the school library project I am involved in for Sambat Trust UK, a charity that set ups school libraries. Evernote keeps me on track on reports and updates, feedback and news from the charity's director and field coordinator. Since there's a mobile app, I get news from them real time. It's been pretty efficient.

I've downloaded Workflowy in my iPhone. It's very similar to the productivity tools that came with my iPhone apps when I bought it. But it's good to give it a try. Hootsuite is another productivity tool that I use to campaign for the school library projects of Sambat Trust UK. It saves me a lot of time in posting to all my social media accounts. Sadly, much as I want to try Buffer, I need an iOS7 upgrade in my iPhone. I am not yet ready to upgrade for economic reasons.

When Dianne De Las Casas and I were working on Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories (my first book published in the US), we synced work through Dropbox. It was amazing. Now, Dropbox comes with an app. I tried downloading it but, like Buffer, it needs to run in iOS7.

I'm not jumping in the bandwagon.

Here's what I'll do: this summer, I'll include a review of useful apps  that can be used by teachers and students. I'll have the list published in the school's newsletter and posted in the school library's web portal. Indeed, the role of librarians have shifted from keepers of information who provide access to users to facilitators of technology to assist users in the responsible and efficient use of tools for thinking.

Promise, I'll post projects I do and learn from 23 Mobile Things PH SG.

And yes, I am on summer vacation.

The 31st NCBD e-vite: Come one, Come all!

Paper Accepted!

The 31st NCBD Book Fair & the DepEd's Advisory

The 31st NCBD Theme: Pumitas ng Aklat. Buklatin. Basahin

The PBBY Logo: Old and New

NBDB's Kapihan with Librarians

I am looking forward to this round table discussion with stakeholders of the book industry. Meanwhile, I am sifting through my list of what to share and what not to share.