Renewing My Professional License (1 of 3)

My experience renewing my librarian's license had been very smooth and easy. Thank you to the assistance given to me by officers of the Philippine Librarians Association Inc., Southern Tagalog Regional Council (PLAI-STRC), particularly Dr. Lindie Masalinto and Mr. Rene Manlangit. Now, I can proudly attach the initials RL (Registered Librarian) after my name as mandated by law.

I am Zarah C. Gagatiga, Registered Librarian. There, I just made myself a noun. A proper noun.

I met very young and helpful staff at the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) branch that I went to. They looked like my students in senior high school. The guy in Window 6 reminded me of my son. The girl at Window 4 kept calling me Madame. I lingered for a few more minutes to find out if she would address other ladies the same salutations. She did not. Just saying. 

When the staff at Window 3 asked me for my requirements and proof of units earned in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), his face broke into a wide smile when I handed him a thick clear book and the plaque of recognition which the Philippine Association of School Libraries, Inc. (PASLI) conferred to me in 2017. 

He told me, "Ma'am, over and above the expected and required CPD units na po kayo!"

I replied, "I document all my CPD activities. Kaya makapal ang clear book."

He smiled and said, "Sa plaque po ako natuwa sa inyo, Ma'am. May print out po ba kayo ng citation niyan?" He pointed to the plaque.

"Wala, e. Sorry ha..." I said to him.

He nodded. "Check ko na lang po yung certificates ng accredited PRC CPD provider sa file ninyo."

They were all courteous and eager to help despite the lateness in the day. I actually forgot my password to my account by the staff knew what to do ease my worry. In less than an hour, I received my new ID. Proof that I am a law abiding citizen. Evidence that I commit to my moral obligations. Testament to my allegiance to Philippine Librarianship. I stay true to my oath. 

Well, I do the best that I can.

A PRC license does not completely make one a professional. But adhering to the law and to ethics make us so. I think this is the relevance of this exercise and earning CPD units, no matter how small, is another indicator that we hold our integrity to the highest of standards.

A Day With Librarians of Laguna Province

My seminar-workshop on teacher-librarian collaboration in designing and implementing a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Program with the Association of Librarians of Laguna Province Inc (ALLPI) was a success! There were 25 participants excluding the officers of ALLPI who came from private schools, public schools and colleges in the cities and towns of Laguna. Majority of the participants are first timers in a seminar-workshop on media and information literacy. This gave them reason to listen very well to my lecture and to follow the activities of the workshop. I felt their eagerness and enthusiasm in understanding the supportive roles they play to teachers and school leaders in the learning community. I think I gave a good introduction on this topic as well as presenting to them the basic concepts of MIL.

A few hours after my workshop, my Facebook feed received notifications of posts and tags on photos of the workshop. I did my own posting and I was happy to get a message from one participant saying that, "she always learn something new every time she attends my workshop." That is actually one of my goals in every workshop I do. One participant sent me messages over at Messenger today asking questions to clarify some points and concepts on MIL. Another' asked for my slide presentation and list of sources. Of course, ALLPI did an evaluation of the entire workshop but it is the direct feedback from participants that interests me more.

I do hope this is not the last MIL workshop I would do for ALLPI. In fact, I hinted on doing a part two. Let's see how things go because these things take time to grow and develop. Since MIL is a process oriented activity, something that can't be learned over night, I sure hope that there will be a follow up activity to the training.

The seminar-workshop was held at the Toyota Motor School of Technology in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. 

From CPE to CPD for Filipino Librarians 2017

Before I write about the updates regarding the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Filipino Librarians, here are blog articles and some content on the topic which I posted in the blog dating as far back as 2007.

Dr. Corazon Nera, who was the chair of the Board for Librarians in 2007 presented updates on the resurgence of the CPE and the Professional Standards for Librarians during the PLAI Southern Tagalog Region Librarians' Council. If my memory serves me right, this was the time when the BFL finished working on a set of guidelines for the practice of librarianship and revisiting the CPE of several years back. Apparently, with the organization of regional councils of librarians, standards and CPE programs for Filipino librarians would have a platform of implementation. Two years after, the CPE Program for Librarians Articles 1-3 date of posting April 26, 2009  was presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Peralejo who was then a member of the Board for Librarians, during the PATLS seminar.

The BFL was indeed hard at work, and still is, to fully interpret and implement Republic Act 9264. However, there is much talk about challenges in fulfilling and meeting CPE requirements. In 2010, I wrote about complains and worries of librarians on the "earning" of CPE units. I gave my two cents as an ending to the post.

The concerns on meeting units and points, asking for permission and seeking for supervisors, looking for funds to finance one's CPD activities are all real!

Ms. Angelic Bautista, who was a school librarian back in 2011 asked me about professional activities for school librarians. I asked a friend, Darrel Marco, who was a school librarian in De La Salle Zobel gave his response. He enumerated different ways in which school librarians can update their knowledge and upgrade their skills. I gave additional tips and lent insights too. 

Three years ago, the BFL conducted consultation meetings with leaders and practitioners in the profession. Here is a document on the consultation on new guidelines on the CPD for librarians. 

If I started blogging about the CPE of Filipino Librarians, (which is now called CPD see how it changed from education to development), back in 2007 that would be ten years to its evolution into a law,

More of that on my next post.  

Workshop: Crafting A Good Information Literacy Manual

Fruits of IAFOR ACAH & LibrAsia 2015

IAFOR Results: A book I am a part of

Two weeks ago, I received news on the acceptance of a paper I am writing with Darrel Marco and MJ Tumamac. This good news came from the organizers of the International Academic Forum (IAFOR) in Kobe, Japan. We are thrilled, of course, but presenting in person in Kobe is giving us a lot of challenge to face. As of writing, we are still trying to figure out ways and means to participate in the IAFOR 2017.

Being in the middle of this challenge made me weigh in the advantages and disadvantages of presenting in the IAFOR ACAH this year. I am pretty much an optimist so I tend to look at the advantages weighing heavily more than the disadvantages. If there is one thing that prevents us from going, it is the cost of airfare and registration to the conference.

For now, I can only look at the happy memories I had in Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto.

It is in the IAFOR in 2015 where I met wonderful people in the company of amazing friends in the LIS profession. Colleagues in the field of international librarianship were all praises on the paper presentations of Team Filipino Librarians. We participated in a Haiku workshop by a Haiku Master. We saw the sights, not as tourist but as travelers, and met old friends and made new ones too. It was my first foray into comparative librarianship thus, meeting and establishing linkages with Dr. Patrick Lo of Tsukuba University and his colleagues.

From the IAFOR ACAH and LibrAsia 2015 forum, we've kept in touch for a research project on different school library practices in the Asia-Pacific region. The product of the research is a book that Dr. Lo hopes to see published this quarter of 2017. If all goes to plan, he will be presenting this research and book in the International Association of School Libraries Annual Conference in Longbeach, California in August 2017.

Sometimes, we look at the money we give out for professional development activities and look for the exact or equal pay back. Food. Conference kits. Number of participants in attendance. All elements that quantify and measure success or learning give us a sense of security or stability. But learning is lifelong and the rewards often take a long time to be felt and to be seen.

My 2016 In Retrospect: Engagements as Resource Speaker and Workshop Facilitator

My first appearance as workshop facilitator will be at the National Training - Workshop on Storytelling, Arts & Crafts and New Library Services on February 1-3, 2017 at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel, Sta. Cruz, Manila. I will be running a whole day workshop on Design Thinking for Librarians. More on this in future posts, so, do watch out for it. If you wish to know what it is all about, do attend the training workshop. See you there!

Getting the invitation last month made me look at the talks and workshops I did in 2016. Sharing this list with you, my dear readers! Do click the links for my PPT and some reflections on the sessions I ran with colleagues, friends and peers.

January

Let's Talk About Books! And Reading
UP FLIPP: New Professionals Series
Insights gained from the 2016 UP FLIPP New Professionals Series

February
 
Organizing LIbrary Resources for the Makati DepEd Library Hub
PPT, side stories and reflections from the Makati Library Hub Workshop
Bakit May Children's Books sa Isang High School Library
What I Forgot to Say in the PH Children's Lit Forum: Developing the Library Collection, Library Consortium in the Age of K-12 and Children's Literature

April

PPT on GLOCAL Trends and Challenges in Library Services
The Library Customer Journey Map
PASLI Conference: Work Life Balance PPT
PASLI Conference: Creating Professional Learning Network

 May

PPT for PNULISSA Annual Confernece: Stiking the Balance The Changing Landscape of Collection Development
Video of PPT for Striking the Balance Talk

July

Read and Take Flight Talk at the ABAP Book Fair
PPT Read and Take Flight: Reading as Survival Skill
Awaken the Force: Digital Library Services for Kids and Teens

September

Aklatan 2016: Reading as Tool for Lifelong Learning
Likha Pambata Workshop 2016

October

PPT: Be Heard! Be a Blogger!
Bibliotherapy 101 at the Quezon City Public Library
ASEAN School Library Workshop in Indonesia: PPT on PH Kids Lit (remote presentation)
Effective Librarianship @ Work: Reference Services
Online PPT: UtellStory My Author Talk in Brent International School Manila

November

Author Visit at Brent International School Manila
Insights and Tips for Librarians in Hosting Author Visits

So there! What a productive year it was! Looking forward to 2017!

The Challenges High School Librarians Face in Light of the Senior High School Program

Last April 25, 2016, on a Monday, three high school librarians from Don Bosco Makati came to see us at the Academy. They were Anna, Zita and Theo. They spent half a day with us in conversation on library services for high school students, the changes that librarians need to manage in light of the Senior High School curriculum and PAASCU accreditation.

With Zita, Theo and Anna of Don Bosco Makati High School

Needless to say, it was an interesting visit since they had a glimpse of the programs and services we do at the Academy and I, once more, heard a first hand account of the challenges that high school librarians face. It is plenty, the challenges, and it is common to all. Perhaps in context, there are differences, but it is all strung on one thread. 

Here are the challenges that stood out from our conversation. All of it are my observations and has no bearing yet on actual research or school library literature. Maybe, someone reading my blog can pick this up for further study or research.

Challenge #1 - The school library is a warehouse.

For many teachers and students, they perceive the school library as a warehouse, a bookstore type of department in the school and not as a structure to support learning. Nor is it seen as a learning laboratory filled with resources of varying formats selected using standards and criteria that are well thought out. Furthermore, the services and programs that the school library provides or implement do not speak of instructional, cultural and community based objectives. This challenge is two-way. It is one thing that librarians know the school library's role and another if members of the community do not.

Something to think and do: How can the librarian transition from technical and clerical roles and move into instructional and educating roles? 

Challenge #2 - The school librarian is a custodial clerk.

Where is the library found in the organizational chart of the school? If it is still in the ancillary services it follows that the school librarian is not an academic staff. School librarians fulfill a teaching role. Deny this, then get another job. If school leaders do not know this, it is the school librarian's professional and moral duty to inform them. This is one of the many reasons why we have a professional license. We must use it well!

Something to think and do: How can librarians communicate their professional worth and relevance to their school leaders?

Challenge #3 - The school librarian works in isolation.

Can we look at the professional development activities we attend? How many library organizations offer mentoring and coaching programs for continuing professional education of school librarians? What agencies and networks can school librarians tap to grow steadily in the profession?

Something to think and do: How can we strike the balance between growing personally and advancing professionally?

Challenge #4 - SHS  resources are scarce.

I am not talking about textbooks, but resources that will supplement and enrich the SHS curriculum. 

Something to think and do: How do we plan our collection development program that mirrors the SHS curriculum? 

Challenge #5 - Who is the young adult reader?

If you don't know them, where do you get the context for your library services and programs?

Something to think and do: It's about time we talk about YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES in the country. I will start this through my blog.

See what a library visit can do? Amazing, isn't it?!

UP FLIPP: New Professionals Series

Because I was invited as one of the reactors to the seminar and conference.

Also, I support future LIS professionals whatever college, university or school they hail from. I have always asked myself when will I ever teach LIS in the college level. It looks like it is going to be a long time coming. It won't happen in the near future though, I feel it in my bones that teaching in the university is a path I can take. A possibility, if things go my way as planned.

What excites me about this seminar and conference is the discourse that will follow after the resource speakers' input. I am eager to hear new voices in the profession. I know I can learn from the younger set of LIS professionals as well as from students studying LIS. Since I blog, do expect a live blog entry. And yes, I will be using social media too.

Such conversations need to cut across groups and communities using media and technology. Who knows what conversations will transpire online line even after the seminar and conference folded up?

Workshops with Teachers and Librarians: Philippine Lit Fest, TeacherTraining Institute & AKLATAN 2015

Trash or Treasure: Turn these trash into teaching treasures!

I had the wonderful opportunity of working with teachers and librarians over the past months and recent weeks. My workshops with them were all about storytelling, books and reading, creative thinking and the use of technology for teaching and learning. Why I am still doing this after a decade or so affirms how important literacy development is in this day and age. I learn a lot from these workshops. I do design the modules I conduct and deliver, but the interaction I get from participants fuels me to further create.

Knowledge shared is knowledge gained.

In the Philippine Literary Festival, I was amazed at how thirsty we all are for authentic and genuine human connections. Stories and storytelling can quench that thirst. Weaving tales and stories is magical. In the Weavers of Magic workshop, we reaffirmed our commitment to pursue the magical path through the process of creating children's literature for young readers today. In the training I had with public school teachers of Estancia and Carles, Iloilo, we discovered how materials in our immediate environment can be used as instructional materials. What we deem as trash can actually be a treasure trove of instructional materials. All we really need is to look at our deepest needs and desires to surface the imaginative power that has been hidden with in ourselves for so long. After all, creativity is a natural talent. How it is nurtured is another story though.

Teachers read children's books. My favorite part of the workshop.

In the AKLATAN 2015 Conference of the PLAI - CLRLC, I realized that we all need to go back to books. Back to Books. Back to Basics. To fully understand why we are librarians, we need to take a closer look at why books, as a technology, is still around in this age of the digital divide. How does a technology, like the book, can magically bridge gaps, make connections and celebrate the human spirit in the age of smartphones and social media? Why do we need to talk about reading in the era of ASEAN Integration and how do books play a part in learning how to read? These thoughts came to mind as I conduct my workshop with the librarians of Central Luzon. While they make their own books, I reflect on the work that Filipino Librarians are challenged to do.

The work is plentiful but the workers are too few. I only know of one thing -- we shouldn't stop learning. And as we learn, we need to reflect on our actions; on our insights; on the next step of the journey.

A Promising Future for the Philippine LIS Professionals

With Library and Information Science students of PUP and UE

Early in August, the Araneta Boulevard Consortium of Libraries organized a forum on Information Literacy and the K-12 Curriculum. I was their resource speaker for half the day. It was held at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Araneta, Cubao Campus. There I met new friends from the LIS profession, old ones and students of LIS from PUP and UE.

What struck me, once again, was the consortium's dedication to provide continuing professional growth activities for its members and the students that study LIS in their schools. How apt that, just recently, I have had the pleasure of being with LAQUEP and CLASS. These two LIS organizations in the Southern Tagalaog Region are making their own contribution in their respective provinces. Then came the good news of the approval of the continuing education program by the BFL with a passing of a law in the senate to boot! Are these signs that Philippine LIS is gearing up for ASEAN Integration? I look forward to attending the PLAI Congress this coming November 2015 because theme this year is that - ASEAN Integration.

Well, it's trending. Actually.

Another thing that I took notice during my presentation was the answer given to me by two different participants. I was at the point when I presented a blank schematic web of a library with the leading question: WHAT IS YOUR LIBRARY CONCEPT?

A librarian who has seen the seasons replied that the library is a storehouse of knowledge. A LIS student replied that the library is a place for innovation, inspiration and influence. Both answers are correct, to my opinion. Libraries remain places where knowledge is created and communicated. Containing this knowledge with in the community is not the be all and end all of libraries. This is something the young LIS student knows. Libraries offer spaces for innovation. Libraries run programs that inspire. Libraries, when built well in its physical, intellectual and virtual structures, can influence a society to think, act and make informed decisions. Such lofty ideals and rhetoric.

It is time to look for best practices.

Back at the Academy: Setting the Pace and Taking Perspective

Day 2 of In-Service: Learner Profile and ATL allignment

I was not excited to go back to work last week. In previous years, I used to feel giddy and optimistic at the beginning of in-service week. Gone are the blooming flowers and rays of sunshine that nestled in my heart at the start of work coming from a long vacation. I found this odd and discomforting. In order for me to sync back, I must "feel" it. I didn't feel anything. In fact, I started Monday with a very practical and pragmatic outlook on the work that is ahead. This bothered me.

It was good to see my colleagues again but the game we played reminded me of past experiences and present needs. There is so much to think about that I could not channel into my emotions to help myself ease in and do the work that awaits me. First day back at work and I was already stressed.

By mid-day, all I wanted to do was go back to the library and finish the annual report. Then again, no one misses the Head of School's address on the first day of work so I stayed on with no choice at all but to listen.

That was when the complete turn around happened. You see, our Head of School has an uncanny talent of making you see things from a different perspective. He does not force or impose. He presents and shows possibilities, what ifs, where we are and where can things can go. He makes you think and wonder. This can be empowering, if you let it.

The things he shared were not promises resting on false hope. These were experiences culled out from the daily grind. It was inspiring. It was amazing how he does so with so much conviction through telling stories. So, there. The power of stories. It got me. Hook. Line. And sinker.

Day 4 of In-service: This is a course outline. Yes?!

I got my groove back but it didn't end there.

When the Dean of Faculty gave a session in the afternoon I was reminded of familiar things and memories of happier days with teachers and mentors you don't mess around with. Hermosa. Ocampo. LDR. Villanueva. Padilla.  My desire to go back to school and study once more surfaced.

What started as a lukewarm Monday ended with a hopeful perspective on the mission I am set to do and a direction to continuously grow professionally. Reflecting on the week that was, I can say that I am fortunate to belong to a community who continuously learns and mentors its faculty and staff.

Paper Accepted at the LibrAsia 2015 Conference

Consultative Meeting on New Guidelines of CPD for Librarians

This assembly of professional organizations of librarians and the different sector they represent in Philippine Librarianship will happen tomorrow. My posting is late, but this would mean that the Board for Librarians (BFL) is busy and involved. Maybe to some, this is not what they're expecting from the BFL to do. Then again, it's a realistic initiative that will push for the profession to level up. 

Republic of the Philippines

Professional Regulation Commission

Manila

10 February 2014

TO: POTENTIAL CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) PROVIDERS; THE PRESIDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINE LIBRARIANS ASSOCIATION (APO) AND OTHER LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES; DEANS AND HEADS OF LIBRARY SCHOOLS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES

FROM: THE BFL-CPD COUNCIL (HON. LOURDES T. DAVID, JOHANN FREDRICK CABBAB, AND EIMEE, RHEA LAGRAMA)

The Board for Librarians - Continuing Professional Development Council (CPDC) invites you to a Consultative Meeting on the New Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development of Librarians on 27 February 2014, 1:00pm onwards, at the 4^th Floor, UP College of Law Library, Malcolm Hall, Osmena Avenue, UP Diliman, Quezon City.  

The CPD Council will present new CPD guidelines on how potential CPD providers can accredited; how librarians can gain credit for self-directed learning and the rationale for the need for continuing professional education for librarians and other professionals. 

This meeting will enable you to understand the opportunities and challenges that our profession is currently facing. The venue is good for 50 persons only so please contact me at lourdesavelino20@gmail.com or at 09209616865 for reservation. Attendance to the consultative meeting is free of charge.

The council is looking forward to your presence. 

Thank you.

SLIA's Reply on Continuing Professional Education

Before I begin, I would like to thank Ms. Angelic Bautista for asking about activities, seminars and fora on school librarianship. Thanks to Dmarco for enumerating different ways in which school librarians can update their knowledge and upgrade their skills. Let me just add a few insights on this matter.

Dear Angelic -

While strategies towards continuing professional education are a plenty, and opportunities to grow professionally are in place, I deem it important that we practice a degree of reflection before, during and after attending professional growth activities.

We need to know skills and competencies that are strong and weak. It is necessary that we are aware of the learning and responses we have while attending and participating in a workshop, fora or seminar. Lastly, we should identify ways in which the theories learned and relearned from the professional activity could be put in practice. It does not end there. A constant assessment and evaluation of LIS skills and competencies applied to library work is essential. This would further help the librarian in developing and growing in the profession, thus, enriching the practice of LIS as well.

For example, a seminar on Information Literacy may prompt a school librarian to review and revise the existing library skills instruction program. In a given time frame, say one school year, the librarian conducts the review and revision project of the program and evaluates the process as well. Then, the librarian can move on to implementation and yes, evaluate again. The product of the evaluation should be documented and thus, the record and documents can be used for future projects and for posterity.

The long and short of it, continuing professional education is a scholarly endeavor. It is not a mere social gathering where one can meet friends and get information on the surface.

Ms. Zarah