Alvin Toffler, Thomas Friedman and Filipino Librarians

On July 7, 2016, I gave a lecture on Reading as Essential Survival Skill to a group of librarians. This was during the Academic Book Sellers Association of the Philippines Book Fair at SM Megamall. The lecture-forum was sponsored by the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. My lecture was all about reading, of course, learning how to read and reading to learn.

At the start of my lecture, I gave a book talk on two books that influences my paradigm in the practice of the profession. These two books are, Power Shift by Alvin Toffler (Bantam Books, 1990) and The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman.

In a nutshell, Toffler points out that people who have the knowledge and know how to use, manage and create technology have the power to influence and qualitatively make a change. This change in the use of power through knowledge and technology leads to a shift in the way we think, the way we work and the way we learn. The extent of the changes is massive and drastic. One of the changes that Toffler identified in the book is when the mind replaces the muscles. The proletariat is minimized and the cognitariat ascends. Thus, the rise of the knowledge economy.

In this context, technology is not only a tool, but also, an environment that can be designed and created, as well as a process of thinking. Those who possess the knowledge to understand, create and communicate this process of thinking are, the more powerful peoples of the 21st century. Thomas Friedman seemed to have recognized this technological power shift, although there is no mention of it in his book, The World is Flat (Picador, 2005). He identified ten "flatteners" that, thanks to technology, shifted the power from muscle to mind. These are:

1. The Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989
2. The Rise of the Internet
3. Work Flow Structures
4. Open Sourcing
5. Outsourcing
6. Off Shoring
7. Supply Chaining
8. In-sourcing
9. In-forming
10. Information steroids: the availability of information and its access at our fingertips

In this landscape, where do Filipino librarians find themselves in? If Toffler and Friedman thought about these concepts of globalization and discussed the changes that affect the micro level what happened then to Philippine Librarianship from 1990 to 2015? That is a lot of years to cover. Two decades and more.

So I left a blank slide with only the title heading. I asked my audience what they think. They came up with three highlights, namely: the professionalization of the LIS profession in the Philippines; the adaptation of computers and ICT in our library services and operations; and the shift to a user-friendly paradigm.

These are all rhetorical, of course. A product of minds thinking together. Perhaps this discussion can lead to possible research that will contribute to the growth of Philippine Librarianship. If not a research paper, maybe a book. A Modern History of Philippine Librarianship, 1990 to 2015. 

Who knows? Who dares use knowledge and technology responsibly and well has the power!

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.

Filipino Librarian: Joseph Marmol Yap

The blog's Filipino Librarian for February is none other than, Mr. Joseph Marmol Yap. He graduated with a BLIS (Bachelor of Library and Information Science) in UP Diliman in 2006 and completed his MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) in 2010.

In this interview, Joseph shares that LIS was a second choice. He has no regrets since the profession has given him so many learning opportunities. He has received study and travel grants for conferences and educational scholarships abroad. His recent assignment offers new challenges as he mans the Makati Extension Campus Library (MBA/JD program). His designation is MEC Librarian. Read more of Joseph's technicolor career highlights and the kind of librarian he dreams to be in the future.

a. What's your lib story? Describe how you made the choice of majoring in LIS and what was college life like for you as a LIS major.

BLIS was not my first course! Yes, I was taking-up BS Business Administration at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and was really eager to transfer to UP Diliman. After a year of earning high grades at PLM, I tried my luck to enter UP Diliman as a transferee student. Not knowing which course to take since Business Administration is a very competitive program in UPD, I ended up choosing LIS. I was interviewed by Prof. Quiros and Prof. Gonzales asking me why I have chosen LIS as my future career and I said that LIS is managing libraries in a general sense. I’m not sure if that answer qualified me to enter UPD.

As a student, I became a councilor of a college-based student council of the School of Library and Information Studies (formerly Institute of Library and Information Science). We were active in providing activities for our co-students. We published our own yearbook, conducted a concert, initiated a rummage sale, supported LIS wizards, did our amazing race challenge called “pabILISan” as part of our year-long activities.

I was given an opportunity by a former professor, Dr. Ricardo Punzalan, to experience an on-the-job training at the Culion Sanitarium Archives in Culion, Palawan together with a fellow student Melvin Chua as we were inclined with the Archives track when we were undergraduate students.
These are my challenging and success stories way back in college.

b. 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?

The greatest challenge is becoming an officer of a professional library association at an early career. I served MAHLAP for three years as PRO (2008/09) and Secretary (2010). After which I became ASLP’s PRO (2011), Vice President (2012) and President (2013).

As challenging as it can be, we are serving the librarians, providing them opportunities to learn, interact and network with other librarians as well.

c. What is your area of expertise in LIS?

I could say I am best at promoting and marketing libraries. Library promotion requires the following: knowing your target group (who and what to promote) and knowing where and when to seek for help.

I am a novice reference librarian. I want to see myself an expert in this field – business information reference specialist.

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

Proper education, training and experience. You should be able to learn how to answer your patron with a smile. In case where your patron is an avatar, say a digital library where smile
is not seen physically but only a smiley icon, you should learn how to answer electronic communications in a style which is considered friendly and accommodating.

e. What rewards have you reaped from being a LIS professional?

I was given different kinds of grants by different LIS organizations. I was given a conference grant, travel grant, study grant, scholarship grant and many others kinds of grants. I was able to travel and experience the culture of Europe, USA and parts of Asia.

More information about Joseph: http://aslpwiki.wikispaces.com/Joseph+M.+Yap

Filipino Librarian: Roderick Ramos

And so we begin this year's Filipino Librarian series post with Mr. Roderick Ramos, as Mr. January.

Eric, as he is fondly known, received PAARL's professional service award last January 26, 2013 during its 40th year anniversay. He is no stranger to awards. In fact, as librarian of St. Louis College, Valenzuela many years ago, he was recipient of an award for service and honor performance as President of the Association of Schools of Valenzuela for Culture and the Arts. This recognition was given to Eric by the local government unit of Valenzuela for spearheading activities that develop and promote the city museum. This goes to show that Eric's leadership skills stretch out from the library to the community it serves.

 His experience working in varied libraries, from school libraries to academic libraries, fortified his people skills and professional competence for what seemed to be a thin academic preparation in library school. He started out as a teacher librarian in the Manila public school system; moved to St. Louis Valenzuela as college librarian; went farther north in Sagada and served as librarian in St. Mary School and cataloger in the William Henry Scott Library; back to the lowlands he worked in PNU, his alma mater, and then settled in DLSU, Taft for a couple of years. There he finished his graduate studies, a MA in Education. After his stint as readers services librarian in DLSU Taft, he got a job at Adamson University doing library promotions, marketing content and services. Right now, Eric's professional home is the University of Perpetual Help Library where he and his family live very near the learning community.

A rolling stone gathers no moss, so they say, but Eric believes otherwise. Subscribing to the idea that change is constant, the library hopping is a non-issue. The real adventurer, he organizes trips to Sagada, Mt. Pinatubo crater, Babuyan Island to mention a few, for a good cause. On top of this, he managed to participate in professional organizations since his return to PNU. He was elected President of PNULISSAA in 2008 and in 2010, he was voted Vice President of PAARL.

In between working, adventuring and running organizations, he writes a monograph, Produktivong Librarianship to inspire, influence, promote the profession and encourage librarians to be productive. He is one marketing marvel and this talent he uses to help up lift colleagues in the profession. 2012 was his 20th year in the profession. This new year, Eric begins another decade by keeping a dynamic and proactive outlook, taking into account prospects in the training scene and professional development of librarians and continuing to organizes trips for librarians and pilgrims. His unsolicited advice to the younger, hipper librarians: integrate and fit the library to the lifestyle of your library patrons!

There's only one Eric Ramos, Filipino Librarian!

In Memoriam: Susima Gonzales 1928-2013

Many good things and notable achievements have been said about Madam Susima Gonzales over at Facebook since news of her passing reached the closely connected circle of Filipino Librarians. Indeed, her accomplishments are countless. She had monumental contributions to Philippine librarianship. We lose one influential and revered pioneer in the discipline.

On a personal level, I thank you, Ma'am Susi, for the advice you gave me when I was a fresh graduate from PNU eager to take the license exam for librarians. Right after my oath taking, I was brave enough to ask you of the process involved in getting my ID at the PRC for I was two years shy of the legal age to have one. You told me to be patient and to wait till I'm 21 years old to file my documents. Just a couple of years ago, you helped me once more in facilitating the renewal of my license. You know how important it was. You took my plea seriously for having a license is not merely a requirement that every Filipino librarian must posses. It is a moral obligation. Salamat po.

Colleagues will include in their roaring tributes of you how you helped build Philippine librarianship over the course of four decades. I celebrate the simple and quiet deeds you have done for me and other young Filipino librarians out there.

Rest in peace, Ma'am Susi.

Photo source: http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/03/outstanding-librarian-2004susima-l.html