Author Meet and Greet at Robinson's Place Las Pinas

@djahjumma I am at Robinson’s Place Las Piñas this afternoon for a Meet and Greet thw Author event. Organized by the National Library of the Philippines in partnership with @robinsonsmalls, familes and their children are in for a treat - a joyful afternoon of listening to stories, art and reading! #storytelling #booksandreading ♬ original sound - TitaZee

So I made it to the National Library of the Philippines' List of Filipino Women Storytellers for Women's Month

Pandemic Libraries: Children's Section, Reference Services Division, National Library of the Philippines

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. Here is the interview of Melanie Abad Ramirez of the Children's Library Section, Reference Services Division, National Library of the Philippines.

How did the Children's Services of the NLP pivot and shifted their services and programs online at the start of the lockdown/quarantine?

NLP had to close its services due to the pandemic, it gave us an opportunity for our children's services to transition to online services. We promoted our e-resources portal and used online platforms like Facebook and Zoom becomes as an avenue for storytelling, puppet shows, and arts and crafts sessions.

What were the challenges that your division encountered in light of this shift and transition? How were these challenges met and overcome?

Some of the challenges that we encountered are copyright concerns about the materials to be used for the storytelling sessions and how effective the postings will be. To answer the issues for copyright, we are able to create a partnership with The Asia Foundation to provide us with stories from their Let's Read Asia digital library and other publishers by sending them an email requesting their publication. To ensure that the postings will reach our clients, we share it to our personal accounts and to other Facebook groups. We also encourage our viewers to share them in their own accounts and groups as well. 

Visit the NLP's Book Cart Project for videos of Melai "Kuwentistang Librarian" Abad Ramirez telling stories and her colleagues conducting arts and crafts activities online.

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.

 Visit the Facebook Page of the National Library of the Philippines - National Library of the Philippines | Facebook

Book Launched!

It has been three weeks since our book, When A Book Talks, was launched in the National Library of the Philippines but my heart will be forever grateful for all the support given by friends in the profession and by my publisher, Lampara Books. The event would not have been a successful one if not supported by the NLP, CLAPI and the presence of my college professor and mentor, Mr. Miguel Cobaria.

Prof. Cobaria has indeed grown in wisdom over the years. But, his zest for learning has never waned. He was the most engaged participant of them all. I was not surprised at all that he was awarded the Most Outstanding Librarian by PLAI during the National Congress in Tagaytay last November 30, 2019.

With Ghie Cabalar, illustrator of When A Book Talks

After my talk on the status of Philippine Children’s Literature, CLAPI and Lampara Books facilitated the launching. Ghie Cabalar, illustrator of When A Book Talks, gave a short talk on her approach to illustrating the book. Then we had book signing and first in line was our dear Prof. Cobaria.

This book launching was the simplest I had but the most special so far because it happened during the celebration of Book Week and National Library and Information Science Month. Librarian friends from CLAPI were present, and Ghie Cabalar who is a licensed librarian made sure to be there as well.

With CLAPI Officers and Prof. Miguel Cobaria

Our book is for all librarians who serve children and young people. I wrote the poem, When A Book Talks, at a time when librarians are challenged to provide engaging library and literacy services to young people. The challenge and the demand are still the same. We are needed all the more in bridging readers to books that they can read with confidence.

2018 In Review: The DepEd Story Writing Project 2 of 2

With NLP People and Participants from CDO DepEd and Libraries

In June, at that month's last week, I found myself in the company of librarian friends from the National Library of the Philippines (NLP). Fresh from the controversy of the #NationalNonLibrarian, Ed Quiros, Dolly Carungui, Melai Ramirez and their band of silent workers from the NLP were in full force in Cagayan De Oro to conduct another Story Book Writing and Storytelling Workshop.

And yes, I was the facilitator for the writing workshop.

What made this experience interesting are two things: 1) I met the #NationalNonLibrarian up close and personal, and 2) I did a writing in the mother tongue workshop when in fact, I neither speak Bisaya nor Cebuano.

For an introduction of NLP's project, read the blog post, NLP is on the move. I realized this is an unfinished post, so I will catch up on this before the year ends. Long story short, the NLP is doing its job to connect with the LGUs and the DepEd in the regions, donating books and shedding light to what seemed a hopeless case of public library development in the country. The current library director is a Human Resource Manager and his appointment caused a great divide in Philippine Librarianship. But, given the status of  the profession and some technicalities to the nature of the NLP as a government office, Dir. Gilbert Adriano will have to perform his duties and the Filipino Librarians who are adverse to his assignment must simply accept things as they are. For now.

Good news from the NLP recently: LGUs are taking a more active role in public library development. We will explre and find out more of this next year! So rejoice in this good news.

Now, how did my workshop in creating books in the mother tongue go?

Kamusta Ka in Cebuano

I started with a Filipino song and have the participants translate it in Cebuano. This was a planned activity of course, but, the response of the public school teachers present in the workshop were automatic. They jumped into the exercise. Proud to speak their mother tongue and to sing it out loud as a community made the session more meaningful. The rest of the day was spent on writing their own stories, reading them aloud and giving feedback.

This prepared them for Day 2 of the workshop which is the use of an app for creating story books. The books they made are accessible through the NLP and in cooperation with the DepEd and the Cagayan De Oro public library. My takeaway from this experience is this: we need each other to work collaboratively to ensure that our children would have the materials needed to teach them how to read, create their own stories and eventually, grow a genuine love for books (of all types).

For my work on mother tongue based instruction, both as librarian, teacher and writer, go to this blog post on My Musings on Mother Tongue Based Education.

Library and Information Services Month 2018: Ang Kulturang May Malasakit, Sa Silid-Aklatan Makakamit

The Book Doctors of the National Library of the Philippines

Mrs. Anne Rosette Crelencia is the division head of the Filipiniana Division of the National Library of the Philippines (NLP). During the 2nd Philippine Children's Book Summit, she and her team of Book Doctors conducted a mini-workshop on book binding and book mending. In this interview, my dear friend Rosette enlightens us on the role of librarians as conservationists of one of humanity's greatest inventions, the printed book.

Librarians of the Filipiniana Division, NLP

Tells us more about the Filipiniana Division of the NLP, the services and programs it offers to the reading public.

The Filipiniana Division supports the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) in achieving significant developments in the country. It performs two main functions, first,  as an active research centre and public library to answer the information and education needs of the public; and second, as a national cultural center as it leads the collection and preservation of the written and printed cultural heritage of the country. 

The Filipiniana Division offers extensive sources of information about the Philippines, its people, culture, history, arts, literature and government. It is comprised of six sections which hold  collections for all types of researchers and research needs in Philippine perspectives. The six sections are the Conservation Section, General Books, Theses and Dissertations Section, Government Publications, Multimedia Resources Sections, Rare Books and Special Collections Section,  and Serials section  

What are your top 5 prized possessions in the Filipiniana Department? What makes each one "precious"? 

The Filipiniana Division is a home for valuable, historical and original printed collections that are significant in the study of Philippine history. It recognizes its collections as important sources of knowledge and pride for every Filipino. Among the most valued collections in NLP are the original manuscripts of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novels, “Noli Me Tangere”, “El Filibusterismo” and “Ultimo Adios” which became inspirations for strengthened Filipino national identity and nationalism. 

The Filipiniana Division is also a proud repository of primary sources such as the collection of Philippine Revolutionary Papers and the Manuel L. Quezon Papers which are both useful for researches about Philippine history during the American Period. 

NLP represent during the PCBS 2017.

 How is book binding, conservation and preservation relevant in this day and age of digital technology? 

The preservation and conservation of library collections is one of the most interesting and in demand areas of librarianship in the Philippines today. It is a response to the massive programs of the government to preserve the cultural heritage of the country jointly undertaken under the leadership of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Nowadays, libraries are not just research centers but also social and cultural centers where people meet and where local history collections abound. And because each library community has its own stories and histories to keep, it is imperative that all local history collections be preserved. 

Preservation includes many activities that extends the usefulness of library collections and one of the most practical and interesting is bookbinding. Knowledge and application of bookbinding increases the shelf life of books and elevates the number of researchers a particular book can reach and serve. Bookbinding also promotes creativity and offers inspiration for new generation of writers and researchers to create their own book. Moreover, it providesopportunity to keep one's memorable and important literary works accessible, tangible and well-preserved.

Participants were engaged in the book binding workshop

Kindly give valuable tips for librarians, teachers and book lovers who are keen on keeping their book collections in good condition. 

For everyone who loves to read, to collect books or who works with books, remember that storage and handling are two of the most important factors in ensuring that your books remain in good condition . A good storage must be well ventilated, dry and free from direct sunlight, dim when not in use, bright when in use and must be clean—dust free and insect free. Likewise, proper handling must be observed— books should be pulled out from the shelves by grasping the book block rather than pulling the topmost part of the binding, it should be free from folds, tears and stains and must be regularly dry cleaned.

NLP offers trainings on preserving and managing paper-based collections including workshops on book binding. 

Visit the NLP or check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Library-of-the-Philippines

NLP's 3rd International Children's and Young Adult Services in Libraries

Filipino Librarian of the Month: Dolly Dolado-Carungui

Filipino Librarian Dolly Dolado Carungui shares her library story and the path she has taken towards becoming a librarian at the National Library of the Philippines.

What's your lib story? 

I am actually a graduate of a 2-year course, Computer Technology under the College of Engineering at University of the East, Manila way back April 1994. Since our building was also a library building, my classmates and I usually find time to visit the library during free time. This constant practice of making “tambay” in the library opened my interest to work in the library. Thus, after my graduation in my 2-year course I immediately enrolled for the program Bachelor of Science in Library Science (BSLS) in June 1994. While studying I was given the opportunity to be a Working Scholar (working student) in the Library. As a Working Scholar my tuition fee was free plus I got a monthly allowance of PhP400.00/month in exchange of 4 hours duty in the library in a day. I graduated in October 1997, got my license in December 1997 and landed my first job as librarian at the National Library of the Philippines on January 13, 1998.

What has been the greatest challenge you've faced so far as a licensed and working librarian? Why do you say it's a challenge?

I can't recall having any challenge/s being a licensed/working librarian. Probably because I love my profession, I love my work, and I love what I am doing in my Institution. For 16 years being a public librarian, I still find happiness and contentment servicing the public in the best that I can.

What is your area of expertise in LIS?

It's a tough question for me because I really don't know what particular library work I am an expert on. Let's just say that my experience include: being a reference librarian, multimedia librarian, children's librarian and recently since NLP is embarking into projects servicing PWDs I can probably say also as a “special librarian”.

What do you think are the requirements and preparations necessary for becoming a LIS professional?

First, you just have to develop that appreciation for libraries – its role in fostering education. Second, you should set your principles in delivering your services based on the Code of Ethics and while setting your principles be flexible. Librarians cater to different individuals and sometimes various environment.

What rewards have you reaped from being a LIS professional? 

I consider as a reward the opportunities to travel and meeting people which gives me the chance to collaborate with them and even learn from them. Also, simple compliments from my clients, colleagues and bosses is already a reward for me.

The 80th National Book Week at the National Library of the Philippines

 Last Monday, November 24, 2014, was the awarding and opening ceremonies of the 80th National Book Week at the National Library of the Philippines. Tradition dictates that winners of varied contests leading to the National Book Week be present for this purpose. I saw students from public and private schools when I came in that morning. Sadly, I missed the keynote speech of Ms. Ani Almario, RAP President and PBBY Gen. Sec.

On the one hand, I finally met Heneral Basa!

He read aloud stories from books he brought with him and encouraged kids to keep on reading books in their school and public libraries. Heneral Basa visits barangay reading centers in Quezon City and reads aloud to kids.

After the awarding ceremony, I had my talk about the books I have written and how the back stories of each book shaped my writing process. I did a five minute writing/storytelling activity where in two students and one teacher from Paco Catholic School volunteered to share their stories from the writing prompt I showed them.

Steph Bravo, Budjette Tan and Jonathan Ranola were speakers as well. Congratulations to the PLAI headed by Beth Peralejo, and to Jude Gorospe, Chair of this year's National Book Week festivities.

Live Blogging: Day 3 1st International Conference on Children's Librarianship

Today is Day 3 of the 1st International Conference on Children's Librarianship. I walked in Ms. Regina Davamoni's plenary this morning. She is a literary coach from Singapore. She spoke about change driven by the digital environment. Children's librarians are at the forefront of shaping this change for young learners so that, they can derive a meaningful experience when engaging in digital resources.

Right now, presenters of Key Links are up on stage for product demonstration. Key Links is a provider of interactive content for children.

Yesterday, I delivered my presentation, met new friends and connected with new ones.

I'll be tweeting the presentations of speakers the whole morning via #21stkidlib. Three Filipino Librarians will be sharing their experiences and best practice after the morning break.

Bridging Books and Children Into the World of Digitization 1 of 4

I will be posting my plenary lecture on transformed children's library services in four parts. The plenary lecture is for the 1st International Conference on Children's Librarianship. It is a three day conference in Tagaytay City.

Here is the first part.

Introduction

Today I am going to speak about three areas of children's library services that are very close to my heart: children's literature, particularly the ones created by Filipino writers, illustrators and publishers; the Filipino child; and technology in general. I have included examples and models of digitized stories for children created by our local writers, artists and content providers which I will share with you in the later part of my presentation.

Before I give my input on the topics at hand, allow me to digress since I am struck by the theme of the conference, especially with the word transformed. In this age of rapid changes, there is a demand for librarians to be transformed and to transform others. The fact that you are here, in a children's librarianship conference proves that you are open to transforming yourself so that you can be a transformer, someone who is capable of transforming others. We can establish connections and linkages when we are transformed librarians. We can provide transformed children’s library services when we have fully experienced a transformation. But what exactly does it mean to be transformed? When can we say we are transformed?

William Spady, the proponent of Outcomes Based Education, identifies the transformed learner as an empowered thinker, a visionary and focused on the future. Empowered thinking entails critical thinking. Being a visionary requires creativity and innovation. Keeping an eye towards the future would mean valuing the given time to develop resources, to plan strategies and to reflect and figure out what works and what does not in real life situations. Transformed learners understand the human potential to learn continuously. From skills and competencies, learning for life becomes a lifestyle, a culture, a philosophy.

Transformed librarians are lifelong learners capable of influencing and inspiring the community to work together in the design and delivery of library services that connects and links children to information and resources aiding them in the fulfillment of their potentials.

Let us begin to transform. Let us continue to transform. Let us transform others as we in turn are transformed by them!

Storytelling Contest at the NLP

The Philippine Librarians Association is gearing up for the celebration of National Library and Information Services Month in November. Its officers and committee members are all a-buzz, moving about and around on activities that will culminate on November 25-30, 2013. One of these activities is the annual Storytelling Contest for Kids. Marion Jude Gorospe, the librarian in charge for the storytelling activity, invited me to judge the contest.

It was a joy to watch grade school students do a book based telling of MJ Tumamac's Ngumiti si Andoy. More than winning the prize and award, it is the performance itself that counts. To stand in front of an audience and read aloud a story with emotions and movements is a brave thing to do. Despite my misgivings on judging storytelling contests, this particular contest made me eat my words. Again. But, I still believe that we should do more storytelling festivals, presentations and performances because, really, the story is the star of the session.

From L-R: Ann Dominique Noda of Hizon Elementary School; Aimeline Jean Garcia of Hulo Elementary School; Gerri Eunice Tubio of Santulan Elementary School; and Princess Kyla Balidiso of Ilugin Elementary School.

The contest was held at the Children's Library section of the National Library of the Philippines. Librarian in charge is Melai Ramirez, my co-judge along with Prof. Badong Biglaen of Miriam College. The Children's Library looked spacious, more inviting with its decorations and newly acquired books on display. It's well lighted too. What an improvement! Here's hoping that more kids would go to the NLP.

The 2nd National Conference of Children's Librarians

Today is the 30th NCBD!

We go back to the where it all began!

The folk tale “The Monkey and the Tortoise” popularized by Dr. Jose Rizal was first published in Trubner's Record July 1889 issue. It was originally drawn in the scrapbook of Paz Pardo de Tavera when Rizal stayed in Paris France in December 1885.

The National Library of the Philippines holds a copy of the folktale complete with English translations. The book was done by Austin Craig and was published in 1912. It has a copy of the original also published in Austin Craig's “Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal Philippine Patriot : A Study of the Growth of Free Ideas in the Trans-Pacific American Territory” published in 1913.argc

Many thanks to National Library of the Philippines (NLP) librarian, Ann Rosette Crelencia for sending this press release on Rizal's The Monkey and the Tortoise, currently on display in the Rare Book Section of the NLP.

Librarians' Role in Children's Library Services

I just came home from the National Library of the Philippines. Day 1 of the 1st National Children's Librarians Conference commenced today. I arrived at the NLP thirty minutes before my scheduled talk. It was good to see friends from the profession. There were new faces as well and I'm glad to meet a younger set of participants. I had the opportunity to book talk the six NCBA Best Reads of 2012. Thank you so much, NLP!

A few minutes before my talk, I grabbed a bite of lunch and sat with Lou Miranda of Colegio San Agustin, Binan. Feedback was that participants were eager to listen and learn more about library services and the K-12 Curriculum. I did not announce in the conference that I am schedule to do a workshop on library skills instruction in the K-12 Program on 13 November 2012. Details to be announced so visit the blog often.

Below is a PowerPoint presentation (.pdf) of my lecture.

Role lib childrenslibserv_nlp from Zarah Gagatiga

The 1st National Conference of Children's Librarians

The program of the 1st National Conference of Children's Librarians has a line up of speakers from the field of education, literature and, yes librarianship. As an invited speaker, I will be discussing a topic that's become very familiar to me. I'm not complaining, but, challenged to present the topic in a cool way. I hope.

Program(finale) from Zarah Gagatiga

The 1st National Conference of Children's Librarians

The National Library of the Philippines (NLP) stages the First National Conference on Children's Librarians on 1-2 October, 2012. Visit the NLP website for details of the conference. You can download the program and register online as well.

I am an invited speaker on the topic of the librarian's role in developing in children a love for books and reading. Apart from reading and books, the conference will also touch on the potentials that libraries have on K-12 instruction.

Notes on the 19th Children's Month Opening Ceremonies @ NLP

I have to admit that when I got the invitation from the National Library of the Philippines to do a lecture on storytelling for Children's Month, I was pleasantly surprised. I did not know that Children's Month is celebrated in the Philippines. Here is a press release sent to me by Ms. Dolores Carangui on Children's Month.

National Children’s Month has been celebrated every October since 1993, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 267 issued by then President Fidel Valdez Ramos. The Proclamation was issued in line with Article II, Section 13, of the Constitution that
emphasizes the importance of the role of the child in the Filipino family and in nation-building. The Constitution further affirms the vital role of the youth and declares that the state shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being and inculcate in them patriotism and nationalism.

The annual observance of National Children’s Month is led by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), a government agency mandated to promote the welfare and development of children in the country.

The initiatives undertaken all year which escalate during the annual celebration of National Children’s Month are meant to fulfill the CWC’s mission to ensure protection of children against all forms of abuse and exploitation, defend children’s rights, and ensure that they are given priority attention on all levels both by government and civil society.

This year’s theme is: “Local Council for the Protection of Childen para sa Bright Child : Pakilusin, Palakasin, Pagtulungan Natin!

When Dir. Antonio Santos delivered his opening remarks, he was so proud to inform everyone that the NLP is spearheading its celebration this year. He was happy to share the literacy development initiatives of the NLP and the many organizations involved in this. It would but seem fitting that such organizations collaborate to empower the child. Dir. Santos made mention of the National Children's Book Day celebration by the PBBY every July and how, the NLP extends this in the regions.

It was definitely good news to my ears when he told guests and friends present in the opening ceremonies last Monday 3 October, of NLP's trip to Davao and the public library there. They launched literacy activities there last July in conjunction with National Children's Book Day. The National Commission for Library and Information Science has launched once more the search for the best public library with a strong children's library services. Such wonderful news indeed!

I would surely keep myself posted on these literacy initiatives. Congratulations and more power to the NLP!