Grants! Contests! Scholarships!

Klasrum adarna book creators.pptx_rev from Zarah Gagatiga

Book Signing & Talks at the MIBF 2014

Last year, around the same month, I posted a photo of Liza Flores' study of our book, Dear Nanay ,

In January 2014, our book was published by Lampara Books. This coming MIBF 2014, I'll be at the Lampara booth to sign copies of Dear Nanay on September 20 and 21. 

I hope to see you there!

I will also conduct a writing workshop for grade school students on September 21, 2014. I will post details before this week ends. Hang on!

Another event that I'm excited to participate in during the MIBF is the Klasrum Adarna Workshop for Book Creators. I will be presenting grants, scholarships and funds that support book projects to Filipino book creators. 

So, see you at the fair!

Klasrum Adarna Workshop: All for the Love of Reading Baguio Edition

Last March, I was at the ISO in Ateneo De Manila Univeristy for the Klasrum Adarna Workshop  Developing A Genuine Love for Books and Reading. The Adarna Dream Team brought this workshop to Baguio City last Saturday, May 10 2014. There were only forty two teachers, compared to the eighty five participants in the Manila workshop, but all forty two of them went out of their way to give their one hundred and one percent in all the activities.

At the start of the workshop, I asked them to introduce to me a side of Baguio City I have not known or discovered yet. They were game! The Adarna Dream Team and I were treated to a mini-cultural show of Cordillera culture. Teachers sang songs, chanted and danced in traditional folk songs and music. This energy fueled us to finish the workshop with a bang.

Following the original design of the workshop, the Baguio teachers put forth well written book reviews; artful drawings of the folk tale of The Legend of the Cashew Nut; an artistic story theatre presentation of Father Rat Finds a Midwife; and insightful reflections from Lit Circle activities and worksheets. As my "pabaon" I shared with them activities and reading promos on digital reading. On both workshops, I observed that very few teachers engage themselves in this medium. Kids and teens are so immersed in the digital environment. I wonder what teachers are doing to reach out to them through technology.

At the end of the workshop, the Baguio teachers gave me a standing ovation.

I ate a lot of humble pie that day.

One teacher took my hand in a firm handshake and said, "You are very inspiring. Thank you for the wonderful ideas you shared and the positive attitude you displayed".

I thanked her back and replied, "It is in teaching others where in I learn so much, about one's self and about others too. Thank you for allowing me to facilitate this workshop here in your school."

This experience of teaching and learning never ends. It grows!

Web 2.0 and Cataloging Basics for Lib Hub Teacher Librarians

Last July 2, I gave a training for teachers and librarians assigned in the Library Hubs of the national capitol region. The training consisted of Web 2.0 technology for school libraries and Cataloging Basics for non-librarians. As expected, the morning began with the usual politics, songs and dances. The pride of Commonwealth Elementary School, grade school children who are members of the dance troupe, were fantastic in their rendition of traditional folk dances. The principal of the school, Dr. Modelo, welcomed the participants of the training session.

Despite the technological problems -- WIFI and Internet connection -- I survived the morning session, giving a lecture the traditional way. We resorted to moving to another venue for better WIFI and Internet connection. Thanks to the school principal for extending himself and making sure that the staff helped in making us all comfortable.

The afternoon session assaulted us with humidity and a down pour. But we were all smiles as we went through the process of basic cataloging. Classification and Cataloging is a two course offering in library school. I had to compress basic theories and procedures for a training session of three hours with workshop. I focused on principles and process of cataloging using the Dewey Decimal System as classification scheme.

The workshop that followed was a no-sweat, no-brainer classification and cataloging session. The participants worked on basic bibliographic entries with subject assignments for each book. Thanks to Adarna House for making this workshop possible! Ms. Genia Santos, Regional Director of Library Hub - NCR, has been very cooperative showing commitment to the goals of the library hub project. Here's hoping that, in the future, more functional library hubs will be set up.

Live Blogging: Wanted 105 Librarians

The day has come to an end. We're saying our goodbyes but participants will go back to the training hall next Saturday, 11 September for another workshop by Klasrum Adarna. Troy Lacsamana ended the day with activities and library initiatives they do in the Public Library System.



What made the afternoon interesting was the presence of Madame Beverly Gonda, Project Manager of DepEd Library Hub. She answered most of the questions that cloud the participants' mind. The presence of licensed librarians is a demand. The news is, since 2007, 105 job openings for librarians to man the hubs was made. The problem is, there are no applicants. Starting salary is salary grade twelve. The question now is this -- who is willing and committed to work in the public school system particularly in the DepEd?

Live Blogging: Madame Digna Aquino, Library Hub Coordinator

Retirement for Madame Digna Aquino was the next step after years of teaching in basic education. Destiny has other plans though. She was assigned as coordinator of the Pasig Library Hub just when she was about to throw in the towel. She was hesitant, of course. She's a teacher, not a librarian. What does she know of library management, cataloging and the technical job of a librarian? A true public servant, she accepted the job despite her fears. With enough courage, a set of leadership skills and "abilidad", she was able to seek support from the local government unit and make the Pasig Library Hub the exemplar for DepEd's project on literacy development.



I was amazed at her sprite and spunk. She has indeed made the library hub in Pasig City a living library. By developing linkages and networking, she was able to make things happen -- storytelling sessions and contests abound, donations for library furniture and library manpower came her way, political and administrative support were never wanting. The result was the participation of library clients, students, teachers and parents in making the library hub a busy center of reading and literacy activities.

Now, as participants break for lunch, I turn to the processing of Madame Digna Aquino's input. Later, they will share and articulate answers to questions I wanted them to reflect on. Speaking for myself, I could only wish for the ideal. How great it would be if all librarians innately posses the leadership skills or are trained to become leaders in their field! Impossible I know. But thanks to all the Digna Aquinos out there for showing us that dreams can be actualized. Librarian or not, we all can learn from her experience and example.

Live Blogging: Klasrum Adarna - Library Hub Improvement

Adarna House celebrates its thirtieth year of being the Filipino's child's provider of his/her first books. In line with this, they have planned more projects to help the public educational system of the country. It's extending its reach and digging deep into its resources to give back and continuously make a difference.

One of these projects is the Klasrum Adarna Library Improvement Training Workshop. The DepEd Officers of the Library Hub in the National Capitol Region has graciously and willingly agreed to the partnership. From this workshop, teachers, librarians and library hub coordinators are expected to come up with exciting and enticing activities to make the lib hub in their school alive and kicking.

A few weeks back, I set up a working outline for today's workshop. On the last minute, I changed it entirely because I realized that I need to meet the lib hub personnel of each school where they are currently at. Back to the basics. The previous outline is something I can articulate with the lib hub administrators. For today's participants, I'm giving then a KISS - Keep It Sweet and Simple.

Topics for discussion this morning will include the following: Reading and the Library, Roles of Libraries and Librarians, Models of Library Operations, Activities to Promote Books, Reading and the Library. In the afternoon, we will have a workshop on concerete activities that can be done.

Ms. Digna Aquino of the Pasig Library Hub and Mr. Troy Lacsamana of the Quezon City Public Library will be providing real life success stories of library activities they've done for their library clients.

Working Outline for Lib Hub Workshop

In between writing and consultancy work, I'm squeezing the workshop module for the Lib Hub workshop in my schedule. The Lib Hub is one project of the DepEd where I have always wished to be a part of. At least, in my own little way. Thanks to Adarna House for giving me the opportunity.

Klasrum Adarna
Library Hub Seminar-Workshop
Working Outline

9:00 – 9:15 – Introduction/Perking Up
9:15 – 10:00 - What is a library?
- literal and dictionary definition
- a. A library is a culture
- b. A library is a community
- c. A library is a learning and information center
- d. A library is composed of systems and processes
- e. A library is a discipline
The Role of the School Library
☺ DepEd School Library Guidelines Or. No. 6
☺ Board for Librarians School Library Standards
☺ IFLA-UNESCO School Library Guidelines

10:00-10:15 – BREAK

10:15 – 12:00 – Models of School Library Development (Singh, 2003)
The School Librarian as Library Hub Coordinator
School Library Management 101
SWOT Analysis

12:00 – 1:00 - LUNCH

1:00 – 3:30 Presentation of SWOT Analysis
SWOT Action Plan

Prevailing Challenges:
☺ Leadership (Totanes, 2005)
☺ Budgeting and Financial Support
☺ Library User Education

3:30 – 4:00 Open Forum

Lib Hub Workshop by Klasrum Adarna

I have prayed for this. God indeed answers prayers.

Title: Klasrum Adarna: Library Improvement Workshop for Library Hubs in NCR
Date and Time: September 4, 2010 - Saturday - 9am-4pm
Venue: DepEd Main Office in QC
Maximum no. of participants: 60 pax
Target profile: 16 Lib Hub Coordinators and the rest will be teacher librarians from public schools who borrow from these hubs

Objectives:

1. To prepare Lib Hub Coordinators for the 3-month long Most Improved Library Hub Campaign which will run from September to November of this year. The competition will be funded by Adarna House and the top three library hubs with the most number of borrowers during the competition period will be awarded on Dec 6, 2010. The prizes are a computer package, an audio visual system, and a document projector.

2. To be one of 2 workshops that will give lib hub coordinators and teacher librarians of public schools tips on how they can improve their hubs. There will be a storytelling workshop by Jay Menes for the same group on Sept 11.

3. To help address Library Hub issues through the help of Pasig's Lib Hub Coordinator, Ms. Digna Aquino. She will be allowed to give a 1 hour talk during the workshop.

The major issues that discourage teachers from borrowing books from the Library Hub are:

1. Difficulty in transporting books from the Hub to the schools. Each title comes in a crate. They will have to own or rent a big vehicle to be able to borrow more titles.

2. Lack financial support for transporting books and creating library activities to encourage kids to read.

3. Penalties for lost and damaged books.