Lampara's Author of the Week 2019

IL Lesson for Grade 10: Identifying Sources In Line With the Statement of Inquiry

One of the many Information Literacy Skills lessons I enjoy planning and teaching is the identification of sources in line with the research question. In this lesson, my objective is to facilitate the search strategy of extracting important keywords from a research question or a statement of inquiry. These keywords will then be used for searching of sources online or in the library's OPAC.

Sharing with you the PowerPoint presentation I made. Notice that questions are asked and posted at each step of the identification process. Part 2 of the lesson is an exercise in knowing the content of primary and secondary sources.



This IL lesson was made possible in collaboration with the research coordinator and the Middle Years Program Coordinator's recognition of the teacher librarian role as literacy skills facilitator.

Illustrator of the Month: Ghie Cabalar (2 of 2)

Here is part 2 of the interview with Ghie Cabalar, librarian and illustrator of When A Book Talks (Lampara House, 2019).

4. What was your approach in illustrating When A Book Talks?

Upon receiving the manuscript of When A book talks, I felt the overwhelming happiness. I'm a fan of Ms. Gagatiga's works, so it was a dream come true to collaborate with her.  I read and reread the story. I analyzed the characters involved. It was fun exploring the book because the topic is very close to my heart. I conceptualized for the character design. It's a poem, so I have to interpret the lines. I underlined words that will highlight the things or emotions that the character wants to convey. As an avid reader, I assessed my process of reading and recalled my favorite books. This approach helped me reflect my memories as a reader and include them to create the perspective of the book, which is the main character.  I drew and colored them traditionally. I experienced having self-doubts because it was my first book. However, I challenged myself to conquer them. I experimented on using different art mediums and approach them in various art styles. I do these until I came up with something that I am happy and proud of.

5. Your 5 Favorite Books for Kids
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Geronimo Stilton series by Elisabetta Dami
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
A Series of unfortunate events by Lemony Snicket
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

6. Your Advice for Young Artists

Art is self-discovery. It is a journey and a reflection of one's soul.  So, I want to encourage young artists to start exploring. Let go of your inhibitions and start creating. Enjoy your art process. Create happy little accidents according to Bob Ross. 

Continue to strive hard and practice a lot. Be a lifelong learner. Collaborate with different people. Expand your inspirations and influence. Ask questions. Read quality books. Avoid plagiarism. Give proper credits. It's good to take inspiration from other people's work but improve your work by injecting your creativity and identity. Someday you'll find your artistic voice, the things that make 
your artwork unique and personal.

Illustrator of the Month: Ghie Cabalar (1 of 2)

When A Book Talks, my seventh children's book with Lampara Books was launched last Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the National Library of the Philippines. The illustrations were rendered by Ghie Cabalar. Read up on her interview below. 

1. Who is Ghie Cabalar?

My name is Ghie. I am a licensed librarian and a graduate of Bachelor in Library and Information Science at Polytechnic University of the Philippines. I had units for my Master's degree in UP.  Two years after, I decided to go back to my passion since I was a kid. From then on, I took my second degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at the University of the Philippines, which I haven't finished yet. For my hobbies other than drawing and painting, I read a lot of books, articles, and epubs. I often listen to podcasts and audiobooks especially while traveling.  Human behavior, psychoanalysis, metaphysics, arts, cats, fiction books, constellations are the things that fascinate me. I'm currently a freelance artist so I work from home and sometimes work on field painting mural works on walls.

2. Which came first, librarianship or art and illustrating?

Art came first.  I started enjoying doodling on papers even before I start learning how to write. My interest and skills in art flourished during elementary and High school since I became our school representative for editorial cartooning and on-the-spot poster making competitions. These opportunities eventually led me to become our batch's Artist of the Year and PGMA awardee for Culture and Arts during our HS graduation. Librarianship came in college. But my love for literature and libraries were already established since I first learn how to read. Books captivate my interest since I received my first fiction book. I fell in love with books because of the texture of the paper, the alluring smell of the book: old and new and especially, the different kinds of emotions and incredible experience it brings.

3. How does being a librarian inform your art and vice versa?
Librarianship taught me the skills in finding the right and credible resources. My skills in knowledge acquisition helped me during my transition from being a professional librarian to becoming a fulltime artist. I considered myself a lifelong learner. Thus, I read and browsed a lot of art-related materials. I also do some research on art inspiration,  tutorials, principles, and theories. My purpose is to grow and expand my artistic vocabulary and knowledge. Knowing how copyright works and being aware of issues on plagiarism are essential parts of being a librarian and artist too. Hence, it is my practice to always see to it to give proper credit to the right people. I also help my fellow artists and art enthusiasts by providing reference sources that are available on the web. I even encourage them to visit their local libraries if they want to further study their materials. Librarianship also molds me into becoming a responsible art producer.

Part 2 of her interview will be posted within the week. 

Leader School Librarian: Hanna Chaterina George

I first met Hanna Chaterina George in 2013, during the annual conference of the International Association of School Librarians (IASL) in Bali, Indonesia. Already, she has shown remarkable organizational skills and charm. These, I believe, are essential qualities of a leader. Last April, we met in the annual conference of the Philippine Association of School Librarians (PASLI) and the regional school librarians workshop by the IASL in Manila.

Hanna, as I call her, strikes me as someone who continues to learn. Another trait that makes a leader, a leader. When I flew in to Jakarta for the seminar that she helped organize with a cadre of young Indonesian school librarians as volunteers, I was further more impressed at her unending energy and zeal. She is indeed, one of the many leaders in school librarianship in the Southeast Asian region.

The blog is featuring her as the Leader School Librarian of the month. I hope that this write up inspires school librarians to grow and develop in their chosen field. 

1. Who is Hanna Chaterina George? 

I am a professional school librarian with both undergraduate and master degrees in Library and Information Science. I have been working as a school librarian for 20 years before I became a full time library consultant, especially school library trainer.

Hanna Chaterina George (red dress) is one of the prime mover of APISI, the school librarians organization in Indonesia

2. As a librarian leader in Indonesia, what potentials are present that contribute to school library development?

One potential is how the school's stakeholders, especially the school principal's paradigm on role of the school librarian has gradually changed. It gives lot of opportunities for school libraries to grow and be in line in the schools' learning and teaching process. 

Secondly,  government regulation for school librarian position has materialized and this sharpens our profession as it has been recently issued. It is called, the Cultural and Education Ministerial  Regulation No 6 Year 2019 about School Organisation Guide and Unit Work Procedures that put school librarian in the same group with teacher in  Functional Position Group. Hopefully  this become a positive trigger to support the profession better in the future.

3. What advise can you give a young school librarian starting out in the profession?

School librarianship is a dynamic and growing profession that give you lots of opportunities to work creatively to play its roles in education. You will find that become one, whether you realize it or not, your life become fulfill both in professional and personal, as what you are :"a whole package of a lifelong learner person". 

So, know exactly who you are, what you do and what you want to do as a lifelong learner in education. Expand your network, never stop to inquire anything that interest you, always find something new from your learn experience. You will find that learning can be joyful and enrich your soul and life at the same time.

Thank you very much, Hanna! Wishing you all the best in your chosen mission!

Philippine Children's Literature: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow!

A School Library Organization Grows in Indonesia (2 of 2)

Here is part 2 of the interview of Hanna Chaterina George, founder of APISI.

4. What are APISI’s success stories? Name 3 successful activities or programs

APISI's successful stories are firstly, when our Short Courses students become the trainers of the program. Their school became the winner at school library competitions and they admitted that the achievements were as when they learn from APISI.

Secondly, APISI also participate in international events such as IASL Conferences, Regional Workshops and also trainer at Kazakshtan' school librarians workshop. 

Thirdly, APISI managed its first  big events called Scholar Life that stands for School Library ans Literacy Festival by involving members to be part of the committee. It was decided that we will have it as our regular event.

5. Where is APISI headed to now?

Currently APISI heads to be a stronger association recognised in national, regional and international level in spreading its spirit and to make impact in making school librarianship grows.

We are planning to create standards of competencies for school information professionals and school library standards.

A School Library Organization Grows in Indonesia! (1 of 2)

My weekend stay in Jakarta at the beginning of this month for the seminar on school library services was generously and warmly sponsored by APISI, the school librarian organization of Indonesia. Their concerns are similar to ours and the work they do for the improvement of school librarianship in Indonesia is an experience I can relate to especially now that I am an officer of the Philippine Association of School Librarians. In this blog interview, Hanna Chaterina George, founder of APISI shares with us their exciting journey towards empowerment and professional growth.

1. How old is APISI and how did it begin?

APISI is 13 years old. It begun in 2005, when some of school librarians around British School where I worked  in Tangerang came together to share knowledge and experiences. We invited some experts to deliver their materials about school librarianship with us. About 30 (or more) school librarians shared and discussed  and we decided to meet up again by deciding where we're going to meet and the time.

It was October 1, 2005 and we agreed to gather again in Feb 2006 in Raffles International School. We had the same event and again decide to meet up again in August 26, 2006 and that is when APISI founded.

2. What are the purpose and goals of APISI?

The purpose of APISI is to showcase the existence of school information professional through the process of continuous self-professional development to create  more passionate school librarianship in Indonesia. 

The goal of APISI is to support the development of school information professionals in Indonesia and to accommodate  knowledge and experiences interaction to stimulate studies in school librarian development.

3. What challenges has APISI encountered that tested its mettle? You may expound on how you overcame the challenges.

Major challenges faced by APISI are funding and human resources as we are independent and non profit organisation. There was immobility between 2009 and 2013 as we were asked by Government to help them establish their library worker association. Some of our committee members then became its runner including myself. At that time, I propose to take responsibility helping National Library and Ministry of Education in coordinating IASL Conference as Indonesia appointed to be the host in 2013. In 2014,  I was encouraged to re-start APISI to live again. Then we registered APISI to have its legal acknowledgement and we are back in business.

We used our own pocket to run APISI and supported with Boediardjo Foundation by letting us have its 'Rumah Ndekem', to be our office. Rumah Ndekem is an ethnical house with window-glassed paintings with a story with wayang characters.

In  2015 we got our proposal approved by IFLA BSLA to run a workshop to build our organisation stronger. Followed with an offer to be partner of Indonesia's central bank - Bank  Indonesia (BI) to implement their CSR programs in making a reading corners for school libraries in Jakarta and its nearby areas.

We opened for recruitment and started to hire some staff in APISI office.

Part 2 will follow within the week, so stay posted!

Library PR and Communication: Welcoming a New Teacher or Staff

How do you welcome a new teacher or staff in the library? Most often, the Human Resource Office introduces him or her to the community through a formal memo or letter. At faculty meetings and assemblies he or she is introduced as well. The school library, being a department that supports all aspect of academic and student life can initiate means to reach out and communicate to new faculty and staff.

I would do this by writing them a letter sent through email. This is good public relations and communications practice. Partly, this communication to new faculty and staff is a way to advocate the library's role in the school community. The new employees are also informed of the services and programs that they can avail of, as well as the staff and personnel they can collaborate with.

Here is a draft of the letter I often use to welcome new employees.

Dear _____, 

I hope you are doing well and have taken strides in getting to know the BA community. We, at the BA Library, formally welcome you as a valued member.  

The BA Library is one of the departments in school that supports your program and department. A budget for information and instructional resources is provided for your department under _________. This means, you can recommend and request for sources, references and other information materials that can enrich, enhance and improve your programs. We are also open to receive information materials from your department that will help our students in __________.  

Feel free to see us anytime or access the library catalog to check the titles of books and resources. 

Attached in the email is a list of online subscriptions and links to the BA Library portal and web OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) and the BA Library personnel's profile. We highly encourage you to make use of the resources of the BA Library since these went through a process of review, evaluation and selection. 

Thank you very much and we hope to see you soon in the BA Library!

           Ms. Zarah G

As a school librarian do you welcome and recognize the new employees in your school? What creative ways do you employ to make new employees feel they are part of the community? Feel fee to share! 

A Source Within A Source (2 of 2)

Here is my answer to my student’s query on citations and the bibliographic data of the document he downloaded from our subscription database.

See the screenshot of the 1st page of the academic article. In the magnified circle is the Publisher. In the green circle is the Name or Title of the Journal, volume, issue number and year of publication. In the purple oblong is the author. The arrow points to the title of the article. 

Basic bibliographic entry or format will look like this: author; title; journal; volume and issue number; publisher; and year of publication. That is the standard format for any bibliography or citation. If you are following a specific citation format, you abide by its rules and guidelines. Therefore, slight changes can happen. 

Remember to use a period to separate each item in the bibliographic entry.

The Ask-Your-Teacher Librarian Service is alive and well in the Beacon Academy. The student who is asking for help is preparing his paper for the Extended Essay requirement. Of late, seniors would see me for research consultations despite the scheduled consultation done and over with. In past years, when I was the Extended Essay Coordinator, I was rarely sought out for research consultations.

That is something to think about.

 

Munting Akltang Barangay: Basic Library System & Maintenance Training

A Source Within A Source (1 of 2)

I received these queries  from one of our seniors during research season.

How do I cite my research documents ? ( see the example of the document below) Do i base it off the websites I got it off? Are these documents categorized as scholarly projects in the citation machine? 

I will post my reply in a few days. 

With Readers and RAPers (1 of 2)

At the tail end of October, I found myself in Iloilo once more. The last time I was there was in August for an accreditation visit under the auspices of PAASCU (Philippine Association of Accrediting Schools Colleges and Universities). Being back in Iloilo the second time this year made me see where its charm lies: good food and a love for learning.

No wonder that the Reading Association of the Philippines once again conducted and ran the annual Demofest there. Around 200 teachers from the region and beyond registered in the Demofest. The venue was at Ateneo de Iloilo Sta.Maria Catholic School, a Chinese Jesuit school in Mandurriao Iloilo. Memories of my years in Xavier School came flooding back.

Since it was a brief stay, I only get to stroll in the surrounding areas. Just across Ateneo de Iloilo is the Atria Mall where local food and restaurants catering to the locals and visitors abound. Tatoy's, of course, and Biscocho House are within the commercial complex. Nearby is an old oven, a monument for Donato Militante Pison, Iloilo’s local hero who innovated and revolutionized the sugar industry. A few meters away is a strip of commercial establishments of hotels, insurance companies and, learning centers on math, reading and writing. 

This is only one town in Iloilo. The locals are proud of their beaches and places to eat with friends and family. Alongside this penchant for food, friendship and family bonding is the value and investment they put in education. During my plenary session, participants displayed a quiet engagement. At lunch, I had a book signing and demo lesson plan presentation. 

Iloilo, I shall return! 

Game Changers in Philippine Librarianship

It is in October when the Rizal Library conducts its international conference. I have participated in this academic and scholarly endeavor countless times and I have always felt welcomed by the library community there. Each visit, be it for work, professional or personal matter, feels like a day of hanging out with my favorite cousin. On its 8th International Conference, I was there once again as a social guest by John Hickok of the American Library Association. He attended the conference as a paper presenter.

His paper was about Filipino Librarian Game Changers and I was one of the featured personalities in his paper. I still have to read his paper but in an email, he told me that my blog and the writing I do inspires and motivates librarians. How and why, I really have no idea. Maybe this is what I need to do next. As far as my blogging is concerned, I mean. 

I have been blogging since 2005. The blog is turning 15 years old in April 2020. So, yeah. It is about time to seriously do some analytical and metrics. We will see.

Apart from myself, Mr. Hickok featured Dr. Vernon Totanes and Mr. Troy “Kapitan Basa” Lacsamana in his paper presentation. We had our picture taken at the colorful and very literary staircase of the Rizal Library.

Thank you John, and here’s hoping we will see each other again soon!