Singapore Sunshine Day 2: IBAP Librarians Workshop 1

The first day of the International Baccalaureate Asia Pacific (IBAP) Librarians Workshop kicked off yesterday. This workshop is one of the many IB workshops happening simultaneously at the Canadian International School in Jurong, Singapore. There are 800 delegates from IB schools all over the world. In the librarians workshop, we are only 16 people and our workshop leader.

Day 1 was spent with knowing the fundamental IB terms, concepts and approaches to teaching and learning. The highlight of the day was a trip to the Jurong Regional Public Library. One of my takeaways in the workshop is this sentence I read in one of the IB documents, Knowledge will lead to caring and caring will lead to action (Davy, 2005). It sums up the holistic philosophy in teaching and the experiential benefits of constructive learning.

Another important concept that struck me is "international mindedness". I have heard this before from our academic coordinators, but it was only in the workshop where in I had a clear view of it. It helped that I had group mates to discuss this concept. At the end of the activity, we were asked to define it as we understood it. We said that, International mindedness involves multicultural thinking patterns where in a person perceives himself/herself as a global citizen.

The field trip in Jurong Regional Library was an enjoyable one for me because, I saw many literacy programs for kids and teens being implemented by the library staff. Clearly, the library is a community center because the programs involve parents in the reading development of their kids as well as people from different demographics in Jurong. Outside the book depository, a mother and her child were returning books while a younger child looks on. In the Young Adult section, there is a CHILLAX Zone, a stage for performances, an exhibit area and bulletin boards and display areas for teens to post their book reviews. In the magazine section, the elderly read quietly while few listen to audio books. While the availability of non-fiction books is not very visible, the library has a strong belief in community involvement and literacy development.

How I wish all our public libraries in the Philippines are like this. But, we have to deal with what life has to offer. And it's like dancing the cha-cha.

There are many challenges for Filipino Librarians to make the library system a sturdy one. With the rise of many non-government organizations and local government units with successful barangay and city libraries, perhaps the leaders in the public library system in the country can share these stories especially to schools and learning communities. This month is Public Library Awareness Month. How apt is this visit to Jurong and these ideas, thoughts coming into mind. On a positive note, I will do what I can and live life, one day at a time.