Pandemic Libraries: The Public Library Division, NLP

 As I am preparing for talks and articles on libraries pivoting and shifting in the new normal, I have requested librarians to answer interview questions. I am posting some portions of the interview in the blog. First up is the group from the public library sector.

Thanks to Ms. Bless Velasco and Mr. Mike Reyno of the Public Libraries Division of the National Library of the Philippines for lending their time in this interview. 

How did public libraries pivot and shifted their services and programs online at the start of the lockdown/quarantine?

 Almost every organization was greatly affected by the imposition of quarantine measures and public libraries were not an exemption. During the start of the lockdown, public libraries were generally at a “loss” as it took us by surprise. However, we always kept in mind that public library services and programs are not hampered by the four corners of the library. More than ever, the quarantine and Covid-19 pandemic presented an opportunity for public libraries to look into making our services and programs available and more accessible in the digital platform.

The Public Libraries Division (PLD) of the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), in order to tailor-fit its activities with the current scenario, conducted series of virtual meetings, consultations, and brainstorming among its librarians and staff who are either assigned in the Training Section or the Field Libraries, Establishment and Affiliation, Monitoring and Evaluation Section. All ideas were very much welcomed and entertained. In one of our meetings, we even had Director Adriano who joined us to obtain his ideas and thoughts about our proposed activities. Towards the end, our ideas were put into writing to serve as our guide/blueprint. From there, we were able to identify which activities can be transitioned to online/digital services (eg. capacity building of public librarians through webinars and online learning, virtual monitoring, and evaluation of affiliated public libraries, regular coordination with the Locally-Funded Programs, etc.) and which activities need to be “shelved” first (face-to-face/classroom-type training, physical monitoring of public libraries, annual book allocation program, etc). Through the conduct and cascading of our identified virtual activities, we were able to provide guides and procedures our public libraries may also adapt to in this new work environment.

What were the challenges that public librarians face in light of this shift and transition?

The main challenge public libraries face in this new normal environment is having stable or reliable network connectivity within their area. We do know that as a country, not all areas in the Philippines have a strong signal for internet access - be it wired or wireless. Without a network, implementation/execution of online services remains a difficult task to do. Furthermore, if these public libraries face difficulty in this area/aspect, more so are the users as having a smartphone is often not enough if there is no internet connection at all or they rely exclusively on networks provided by telcos (Smart, Globe, etc.).

Another challenge is the budget allocated by the LGUs to their public libraries to acquire resources. Online resources for library-use tend to be expensive. If during the old normal, public libraries often experience budget cuts or cost-saving measures, more so now that we are in the pandemic where the focus of LGUs is on Covid-19 response. To augment e-resources collections of existing public libraries, NLP offers tekno@aklatan resources that can be installed in their laptops/desktops, it can be accessed also through NLP’s website. For the newly affiliated public libraries, NLP acquired e-resources and printed books as initial resource allocation to them, and this approach started in 2016. Previous years only allocate print and non-print materials such as maps, DVDs, CDs, etc.

Nonetheless, we always advise our affiliated public libraries to always make themselves present virtually, “digital presence” is very essential nowadays to become more relevant in this time of pandemic as the services we provide may not have a direct contribution to pandemic response, but the impact it creates produces a resonating effect to the community. Also, in one of our memos released last February in celebration of the 62nd Public Library Day every March 9 in the country, we also encouraged public librarians to coordinate with their LCEs for the provision of a stable network connection within their libraries.

• Internet Connection in the library, budget in purchasing online resources, and implementation/execution of online services to the community.

•   Internet access of the users. Having a smartphone is often not enough if there is no internet access at all or relies exclusively on a connection through their smartphone.

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