I am a Human Book!

When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground. ~ African Proverb

I made another visit to our neighbour, the De La Salle University Science and Technology Centre (DLSU STC) Canlubang. I was there as an invited guest in the Human Library project. I was one of their Human Books.

The DLSU STC community conducts the Human Library every year with the objective of opening avenues to understand people who come from different backgrounds, experiences, social status and circumstances in life. It prompts participants to listen to Human Books and create opportunities to dialogue with them. This way, stereotypes and prejudices are challenged. In previous years, invited Human Books included a politician, a peace advocate, a Chinese immigrant to the Philippines, a naturalised Indian Filipino, the university's security guard, a sar-sari store vendor, a single parent, a cop with a disability.

With Candy May Schif and Willian San Andres Frias

I was there to tell stories about being a librarian, a blogger and author as well. I had two sessions each with high school students (grade 7-9) and senior high school students (grade 10-12). The younger group was eager to ask questions about books and reading, that my work as librarian is perceived as boring by others, what career opportunities await a library and information science graduate and if I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I don't know where that question came from, but it was probably the design and layout of my presentation slide. I was also very conscious of the time allotment. The older group was more interested in knowing my life as an author and the back stories of each of my published books. Both group of students were interested at knowing life outside the classroom and the grown ups who populate the community they belong to. I honestly answered all their questions with all honesty especially the one with the OCD issue.

I had fun interacting with students. In a way, I also learned from them. Young people are curious. Young people have a lot to say. I think we need to listen to them too.

During the lunch at the common room, I had a good time chatting and knowing the Human Books who were guests like me. I met Susan Quimpo, who was my art therapist two summers ago. I met friends from the DLSU Library System. It was like attending a reunion!

The librarians of the DLSU STC really did a good job putting this together. And, I have to say this, the teaching and non-academic staff gave their all out support. The Human Library is one program that helps develop empathy among people, young and old alike.

Makerspace and The DLSU-STC School Library

One of the features that the DLSU-STC School Library have that struck me when I visited last December 2017 was their Makerspace. Have a look at these photos and the physical set up that the librarians prepared for their young readers and makers.

A Makerspace is a collaborative learning space where creative thinking and a maker attitude are the emphasis and not the tools. Though, tools and technology are needed to keep the creative juices flowing and the maker attitude up and going. Planning and setting up a Makerspace in your school library would attract more learners who may not always find joy in reading books. Makerspaces promote other forms of thinking and learning. This project may be a door way to opportunities that will help learners grow and the library's resources are used by them.

 Here is a link on Makerspace: Basic 101. I have set up a Makerspace in our library. I blogged about it, Makerspace in the School Library. 

A few months after, a reader of my blog picked it up! We had a chat over at Messenger and I documented that as well. Here are the links: Makerspace Convo 1   Makerspace Convo 2  Makerspace Convo 3.

November In Review: Art, Books and Music (3 of 3)

At the tail end of National Book Week, I visited the De La Salle Science and Technology Center (DLS - STC) Grade School Library for a Zine Making activity with a group of middle grades and junior high school students. This literacy and literary engagement was made possible through the effort of Ms. Candy May Schijf, library coordinator.

It was their first time to hear about Zines, let alone make one. That is why, I took simple steps and basic concepts in introducing this literary genre and format to them. Making the Zines along side these young readers and writers was a learning experience for me too. At the end of the session, there were two students who finished making a zine.

A high school student made this zine!

It was my hope that they continue making their own Zines. If not, creating their stories and producing their own works of art in whatever medium is the long term goal. Inspiring kids to read and write is the beginning of language and literary development. Engaging them to write and create their own stories in a medium of their choice is empowering. Apart from the classroom, it is the library where literacy development and empowerment through language use happen. Teachers teach these skills, yes, and students get assessed and evaluated on learning gained.

But, when librarians involve themselves in the process of creation, where individual differences are respected as well as varying learning modalities, then the librarian facilitates learning! Kudos to Ms. Schijf for making the classroom-library connection happen.

Helpful links: On Zines and Zines Making Workshop @ the School Library

SLIA Posts on Zines: Zines and Self Publishing
SLIA Posts on Zines: Zine Collection in the School Library

DIY: Zine Making for Kids
Zines: A Beginners Guide
Zines as Teaching Tools