Book Review: Issued to the Bride : One Marine (ARC)

Issued to the Bride One Marine by Cora Seton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Back at Chance Creek. Back to familiar grounds.

Seton is consistently good at keeping the romantic tropes in line with the theme of the series. It has become a predictable read. Nothing else surprised me but for the General’s imminent return to Two Willows.

Logan is the funniest of the four men, so far. That he built a reading room up in the attic for Lena earned him points in my book. As for Lena, she is the most interesting of the sisters, so far. So let’s see what Alice ad Jack has to offer!

View all my reviews

Days 2-3 of the 7th Rizal Library International Conference: Connecting Libraries, Information & Community Knowledge

Congratulations to the Rizal Library, to Dr. Vernon R. Totanes and his competent and dependable staff for a successful celebration of its 50th year! The celebration was indeed, golden!

They launched a time train exhibit highlighting innovations and innovators that set the Rizal Library as a modern academic portal with an efficient and professional staff that continuously relate to its learning community with a love and loyalty akin to Rizal's relationship with the Philippines. I thought I have seen a good looking library mascot in its arch rival school, but Rizal Library's "Pepe" has to be the better looking one. Sorry, Jolibee, I know you have cool dance moves, but a young Jose Rizal mascot is my choice at the end of the day.

They conducted the 7th Rizal Library International Conference with paper presenters from the US, Singapore, Indonesia, Barbados, Australia and of course, the Philippines. The cadre of keynote speakers, the majority of them are non-librarians, are true lovers of books, libraries and the written word.

Dr. Reina Reyes, Ph.D. dazzled! She glowed as she spoke about the stories that lie beneath big data and how librarians can mine them to its potential. She bubbled with joy and I wondered about the books she read as a child. Dr. Nikki Carsi Cruz, Ph.D. is a historian and she knew the power of stories and when to appropriately use them. A friend from the book industry, Christine Bellen, took participants, visitors and guests to Calamba and back to Manila in her musical, Batang Rizal. Respect to Jerry Respeto for the accessible music that delighted everyone in the room. My favorite, so far, is the Kuwento Rap with Monkey and Tortoise dancing about, enacting the famous Tagalog folktale that launched a thousand Filipino tales and storybooks for children.

Paper presenters were a mix of young and seasoned researchers, academicians, dreamers and visionaries. Where else can you find an interdisciplinary conference with an international appeal, but in the Rizal Library International Conference. Pioneered by Hon. Lourdes T. David, her former team of librarians stayed true to her mission and legacy of fostering academic research in Library and Information Science by staging a gathering of curious, critical and creative thinkers in one big hall. Only this time, the younger set of librarians in the Rizal Library showed more - magis, by crossing content and accepting research subjects that will enrich the practice of LIS and the production of research in the discipline.

In the process, the Rizal Library library and staff succeeded in creating a research community beyond Katipunan and Loyola Heights.

I came. I saw. I CLICKED. See you in the next Rizal Library International Conference!

Full Paper: Project LEARN Revisiting History and Creating New Narratives for Young Filipino Readers

Revisiting History and Creating Narratives for Young Filipino Readers from Zarah Gagatiga

PPT: Project LEARN @ the 7th Rizal Library International Conference

Project LEARN @ the 7thRILC from Zarah Gagatiga

Day 1 of the 7th Rizal Library International Conference

As I write this post, participants of the 7th Rizal Library International Conference (RLIC) are out in the garden at the back of the Social Science complex having their morning break. I am in Leong Hall blogging away.

Reina Reyes' presentation on Big Data X Information Science has just ended. More on her talk next blog post.

Now, for Day 1 of the RLIC, here are some reflections I wish to share.

- Big data is the name of the game and librarians are in a good position to mine, curate, analyze and develop a body of knowledge that impacts communities.

- There has been an expressed need for training and continuous professional development on data mining and analysis. Me thinks: begin with information literacy.

- Librarians conserve and preserve information, knowledge and media. They create them too.

- Media and technology are thinking tools which librarians can use in creating, communicating and conserving information. There are limitations in technology and media access and availability, but through partnerships and collaboration objectives can be met. An example is the Community Archiving Workshop and Valerie Clarke's oral history, preservation project in Barbados

- Opportunities to imagine and create abound in our libraries and the communities where we belong and serve patrons. You only need to look closely to make things happen and to solve problems.

Next post is Day 2 of the RLIC!

The 1st Wordless Picture Book Prize of the PBBY

Lifted from the PBBY website:

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People is now accepting entries for its Wordless Book Prize. 2018 will mark the first year that the PBBY will be awarding such a prize. The winner shall receive Twenty Thousand Pesos and a medal. Prizes shall be awarded at an appropriate ceremony to be held on National Children's Book Day, July 17, 2018.

DEADLINE

February 19, 2018 (5:00 PM)

CONTEST RULES

1. The contest is open to all Filipino citizens except those who are related to any PBBY member up to the third degree of consanguinity.
2. All entries must be e-mailed to pbbywordless@gmail.com. For this contest, all submissions must be in digital form, with each file clearly identifiable by a filename that is actually the pen name of the contestant.
3. Entries may be in color or in black and white. They may be digitally rendered or traditionally done artwork that may or may not have been digitally enhanced. The submission format should be pdf. Entries should use the CMYK color space and should be at actual size format with resolution at 300dpi.
4. Each entry should comprise the following:
   
   1. One clean comprehensive artwork of the cover spread design (includes both the front and back covers).
      
      Filenames for this file should include the initials CS.
      Example: PenName_CS.pdf
   2. Two clear comprehensive artworks of two spreads, rendered in the intended style and medium, and in the actual size format. The recommended spread size for a board book is 13 x 6.5 inches while the recommended size for a picture book is 14 x 9 inches.
      Filename should include SP01 for the first spread,
      and SP02 for the second spread.
      Example: PenName_SP01.pdf and PenName_SP02.pdf
   3. A detailed storyboard in line drawing (grayscale).
      Filename should include the initials SB.
      Example: PenName_SB.pdf
   The contestant also has the option to submit all files already collected in a 4-page pdf. Filename should be Penname_ALL.pdf.
   Entries should not contain any words, just the title and subtitles (if any) on the Cover spread (CS).
   Failure to observe file naming rules may affect judgment of entry.
5. A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.
6. Entries may be collaborative, meaning a visual artist may collaborate with a writer to come up with the narrative for the entry.
7. Each contestant should also email two documents:
1. The first document should indicate the contestant's full name, address, telephone/cell phone numbers and email address.
2. The second document should be a scan of a notarized certification from the author. (Download the format for the certification).
If the entry is collaborative, there should be complete information for both contestants.

8. Entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat and time-stamped no later than 5:00 p.m., February 19, 2018.
9. PBBY reserves the right of first refusal for the publication of all winning entries.

Winners will be announced no later than April 20, 2018.

For more details, interested parties may contact PBBY by calling 3526765 local 203 or emailing pbby [at] adarna.com.ph.

The Lighthouse Diary Entry 6: Works of Students As Part of the Library Collection

The International School Manila I know as a child has a Children's Media Center where I would visit during summer break. Of the many collections of books in the library, there was a special shelf for books made and written by students. Most of the books were short stories and collection of folktales, poetry and essays written in English class. The librarians and teachers in ISM value their students literacy journey that they included them in the library's collection.

As an eight year old reader, seeing books made by kids and reading them made a lasting impression. I discovered that shelf filled with books, bound by hand and some by a binding machine written by kids my age and older. There were stories similar to The Little Prince with towering trees and starry skies. There were books on folk tales jazzed up into crazy and contemporary versions from old motifs (this was in the 80s). I was in awe. I wanted to write too! So, I did by starting a journal. It was only years and years later that I gathered up the courage to write my own stories.

In Xavier School, while working as a school librarian in the Early Education unit, I teamed up with Nursery and Prep teachers for book projects. Our boys made picture books, wordless books, counting books and flash cards they can use for telling stories. I kept them in a special cabinet. Now I wonder if those books and storytelling flash cards are still in the EED Library.

Fast forward to where I am today.

Imagine my joy when I discovered a packet of zines on my table one morning!

The zines were made by our grade 10s and our English teacher donated them to the library. What precious additions to the library's collection! Apart from the Personal Projects and copies of Extended Essays, I am a proud curator and guardian of these "books" and student made projects. 

A few years ago, I was part of the team who organized the Early Readers Online Project. Our high school students made stories for readers in the early grades and these are all accessible on our school's website. The stories can be downloaded for free. Visit the Community and Service of the Beacon Academy.

Ah, a few of the many things I love about my job. - being a part of the creative process as well as designing structures for data and information access so knowledge can be derived from them thrills me to no end (I know I am geeking you out!) The best thing is, I get to curate, chronicle, and document these symbols and representations of thought and creativity. What a privilege!

I know so little. Yet, I am happy knowing only this much.

Imagine! Play! Wonder! With Zarah C. Gagatiga

Here is the official poster of Imagine! Play! Wonder! A Storytelling Workshop with Zarah C. Gagatiga.

Curating SLIA Blog Posts: On Library Collection Development

What I have written so far about library collection development. Because, it's National Book Week and National Reading Month. Because, I get asked and consulted by peers and LIS students. Because, this part of what I do as a librarian.

Ins and Outs of Collection Development  (2010)

Ebook Collection Development 2012

Ebook Collection Development for School Libraries 2012

PPT on School Library Development 2012 - Throwback post for 2016

Developing Digital Collections 2011 - Insights on the topic as gleaned from a seminar I attended in Adamson Univeristy in 2011

Building a Picture Book Collection in a High School Library - Because Picture Books Are For Everyone!

Building a Graphic Novel Collection in the School Library - Because Graphic Novels Is Literature.

Striking the Balance on Collection Development - An AVR I produced for the PNULISSAA Annual Conference last May 2016.

Most Mysterious Books In The World

Storytelling Workshop: Imagine! Play! Wonder!

Imagine! Play! Wonder!
Storytelling for Growth and Healing
A Workshop in Developing Literacy Skills and Life Skills

Workshop Facilitator: 
Zarah C. Gagatiga

Blogger. Librarian. Author. Storyteller. Teacher.

 Date and Time:
 December 2, 2017
Saturday, 9AM - 3PM

Venue:
Lampara House Showroom
Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
Landmarks: Sto. Domingo Church and Angelicum College

WORSHOP DESCRIPTION:

Storytelling opens up opportunities that stretch the imagination,  the provision for play, and develops in the listener, a sense of wonder! It is through imagination, play and wonder  where children, even adults, learn at their best.  Imagination, play and wonder develop creativity and compassion.

The workshop is latched on three themes namely, Imagination, Play and Wonder. Three concepts on storytelling will further be taken up in relation to the three themes. These are:

a. Storytelling idea 1: Storytelling follows a sequence of order and organization.
b. Storytelling idea 2: Storytelling fosters dramatics and the performing arts.
c. Storytelling idea 3: Storytelling is creative learning!

A workshop kit and a storytelling starter packet will be given out to the participants of the workshop.

Participants: Open to all interested; students in Senior High School and College levels; Maximum of 50 pax, minimum of 30 pax.

Fee: 600 for adults; 400 for students

Contact information: lamparapublishinghouse@gmail.com / zarahg815@gmail.com

*This workshop is partly sponsored by Lampara Books.  To book Zarah Gagatiga for workshops, talks and consultancy, get in touch with her via zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com and/ or 09209672884.

November is Literacy Month!

I have gathered events and activities that celebrate literacy this month. Here are posters and links to websites and social media pages.

 

National Reading Month 2017. From Adarna House’s FB Page: 

Maligayang Buwan ng Pagbasa! Ayon sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon o Department of Education (DepEd), ang tema ng pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Pagbasa ngayong Nobyembre 2017 ay "Nasa Pagbasa ang Pag-asa." 

Masayang nakikiisa ang Adarna House sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Pagbasa ngayong Nobyembre! Bumisita lamang sa aming website (www.adarna.com.ph) at sa aming Facebook page (www.facebook.com/adarnahouseonline) upang makibalita sa aming mga gawain ngayong buwan.

Ilustrasyon mula sa "Digong Dilaw"

Kuwento ni Virgilio S. Almario

Guhit ni Nelson Cabrega

National Book Week 2017. Here is PLAI’s press release taken from their FB Page:

83rd National Book Week 

24-30 November 2017

Theme: "Libraries Take Action: Providing Access and Opportunity for All"

The Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and Arts – National Committee on Library and Information Services (NCCA-NCLIS) and the National Library of the Philippines (NLP)

http://plai.org.ph/83rd-national-book-week/

Please Share, Repost, or Tag.

Picture Book of Month started a day early. The founders of this international literacy program and advocacy wrote loving remembrances to its founder, Dianne de Las Casas. She died in mid-August from a house fire. Read their letters to Dianne through this link : http://picturebookmonth.com/2017/10/letters-from-the-founders-of-picture-book-month/