PPT: Philippine School Libraries Today Bridging Gaps! Crossing the Divide!

My PPT for the workshop today. Thank you to the DepEd Library Hub people; To Myra Ortega and Elinor Hemedes; Troy Lacsamana of the Quezon City Public Library; The Quezon Province Library Hub; Neni Sta. Romana Cruz of the NBDB; and to friends in the profession who provided inspiration and information!

Back in Bangkok for the Pre-CONSAL Workshop on School Library Development in the ASEAN

Faculty of Humanities, Srinakharinwirot University

Being in Bangkok once more fills me with nostalgia. The experience is like going full circle one more time. I was here back in 2003 for a three day workshop on School Library Services in the ASEAN. This workshop was an IFLA and UNESCO sponsored event. At the time, I was with Susan Torres, Hermie Salazar, Ma'am Lou David and Madame Elizabeth Peralejo. We were the small contingent representing the Philippines.

I have fond memories of that workshop. During fellowship night, we danced the tinikling and tried to sing together a folk song. It took us a while to decide what song to sing, not for the lack of songs but for the reason of song choice. Bahay Kubo? Leron Leron Sinta? Dahil Sa Iyo? Yes, we were that bad. Hahaha!

Our group also had the opportunity to watch a puppet show by a Thai puppetry group. The name of the group escapes me now as well as the place. The show, I remember it vividly. It was Rama and Sita! What made it memorable was the puppeteers performance. Puppeteers were on stage holding the puppets, like marionettes but with sticks. The puppeteers animate the puppets and they dance with the puppets. Three to four puppeteers held one big puppet and as a group, they move together as one. It was amazing!

My second time in Bangkok was as speaker in the TK Reading Conference. This was in 2012. For stories of my adventures in the TK Conference, click these links: visiting TK Park, my plenary presentation on the Role of School Libraries and School Librarians in the Digital Age, where the Five Principles of the ASEAN was discussed. On the last day of the conference, we had dinner in Cabbages and Condoms.

Dinner with Dr. Diljit Singh, IASL President and our very good fried. Beside me is Waldet Cueto, librarian of Rizal Library

And now, third time is the charm.

I will be presenting a status report on Philippine School Libraries. I have focused on highlights and sustainability measures that groups in the government and NGO people are tirelessly working on. I look forward to today's workshop. Yes, I promise to blog, to share and post photos. Like I usually do.

The Launching of Janopol Elementary School Library

Last June 26, 2014 was the launching of the school library at Janopol Elementary School, Brgy. Janopol Occidental, Tanauan, Batangas. It is the 11th school library that Sambat Trust UK has set up in Tanauan. The launching was a star-studded affair because officials from the local government unit, the DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay were there. Annie Pacana-Lumbao, guest author, gave a talk and a read aloud to students and a round table discussion with Janopol Elementary school teachers.

The principal of Janopol Elementary School, Madame Emma Punzalan, was thankful for the donations and support given by the local DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay. There were no students present during the launch because they had classes. But, when the boxes of books were turned over to Principal Punzalan, Dr. Cecil Carandang Assistant Superintendent of Tanauan, DepEd, Brgy. Captain Albert Dalisay and Atty. Ferdinand Perez of the Mayor's Office were like little children who received gifts on Christmas day. It took the host of the program a few minutes to go back to the launching ceremony to continue. Each of the adults who opened the boxes of books took one book to browse and read.

When they had their chance to deliver a message, they all made mention of the beautiful books they laid their hands on. Atty Perez was impressed with the story of Ang Munting Patak Ulan. He said that such books are truly educational and entertaining. "Not only does it tell the story about a little raindrop's adventure, it also teaches young readers the subject of the water cycle." Brgy. Capt. Dalisay wanted to bring home a chapter book. How he wished that everyone in the barangay can visit the new school library in Janopol Elementary School! Now that is something to think about.

When Dr. Carandang delivered her message to teachers, PTA Officers and LGU Officials present that day, she was very proud to share the news that Tanauan schools topped the NAT in the district. She credits the school libraries set up by Sambat Trust as contributing factors to this achievement. "A library in the school provides information, additional knowledge and increased self confidence to students. The presence of books and libraries mean that we support student learning." She encouraged the teachers of Janopol Elementary School to use the library and make it a functional learning center.

After the ribbon cutting and morning snacks, Annie Pacana-Lumbao gave a read aloud of her first published book, And That Won't Wake Me Up! which her daughter, Anelka, co-wrote. The students were engaged and delighted at the interactive techniques of Ms. Pacana-Lumbao. Indeed, everyone can relate to the difficulty of waking up in the morning to go to school.

When Ms. Pacana-Lumbao finished her read aloud, she shared her experience of writing the book with her daughter and getting it published by Adarna House. The students would have wanted to stay on, but their teachers were waiting for their turn. During Ms. Pacana-Lumbao's round table discussion with them on reading, books and literacy development, the creation of student made books and teacher made resources came up. In light of the K-12 Curriculum, teachers are encouraged to be content creators too. The Tanaun DepEd leaders were quick to reply on the initiatives they have had in place for the development of reading materials especially those that prmote mother tongue base instruction. The teachers expressed that they are looking forward for more training sessions on teaching literacy.

Well, the work is cut out for Sambat Trust UK!

NBDB Booklatan in Malabon and Then Some

A week long Booklatan was held in the last week of March by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in Malabon National High School. I was there last weekend as an invited speaker on library marketing. The event had several surprises for me.

Surprise number 1: Ken Spillman

Who would have thought Ken Spillman, author and literacy advocate, would be there? He flew to Manila to award a grant of PHP 10,000.00 to a Filipino author as additional funds for him/her to attend the Asian Festival of Chidlren's Content in Singapore this May 2014. That lucky author happened to be Genaro Gojo Cruz. When he learned that NBDB set up a Booklatan, he volunteered to tell stories to the kids there.

When we met, we had a book swap. I gave him copies of my book since the last time we saw each other, he gave me copies of his books. And yes, Ken, I still owe you a neat write up and a book review. Before he left Malabon, he handed to me his book donations to Sambat Trust UK's next school library project. I hope the next time we meet, I'll be able to take Ken to the schools that Sambat Trust UK has adopted.

Surprise number 2: Mayor Lenlen Oreta, the storytelling mayor of Malabon

I saw how Mayor Lenlen Oreta read aloud an Adarna Big Book for kids aged 4-7. Seated on straw mats, they eagerly listened to the mayor read aloud the story of two puppies, siblings who have opposite personalities. Mayor Oreta is a pro. He has questions prepared for pre, during and post reading. I learned later on that he visits schools once a week to do storytelling sessions. Now that's a literacy initiative worth emulating.

Surprise number 3: Malabon Teachers don't know who Augie Rivera and Christine Bellen are.

Two authors born in Malabon and Malabon teachers must know who they are and the contributions these two talented authors have given to Philippine Children's Literature.

Surprise number 4: Audience were all teachers

I expected to speak to Malabon librarians, but I was the only librarian in the room. So I had to adjust my stance to cater teachers' needs and interests. It's a good thing that reading and literacy are two concepts that teachers share with librarians. It was not at all difficult for me to make adjustments. However, the absence of librarians in a workshop meant for them is a cause of alarm. While the local LGU and the DepEd division they're sent out memos, librarians were excluded from attending. I learned about this from one of the participants.

Thinking about this, I feel that advocacy initiatives of librarianship in the political, educational and cultural aspects of Philippine society must be in place. What do I mean by this? I'll reserve a separate post on library advocacy. For now, it is good to talk about the relevance of libraries and the important roles librarians do. Those who are given this opportunity should do more than talk about topics, trends and issues that concern librarians  and the profession. It is essential to emphasize integration and collaboration with allied professionals. Teachers can set up reading and literacy centers. True. Librarians are there to sustain these reading centers and transform them into learning hubs where readers can critically think on their own, make well informed decisions and be useful citizens who can contribute to the growth of the community.

Filipino librarians, our work is cut out for us.

Help Us Build Libraries in Batangas

Help get books to children in the Philippines by voting for Sambat Trust in The Big Break 2014.

The good cause with the most votes receives £2,000; enough for Sambat Trust to build a new school library in the Philippines!

- Anyone,from anywhere in the world can vote

- All you need is a Facebook, Twitter or Google account

- Free to vote-just 5 secs of your time and a couple of clicks

Please make a difference. Click on the link. Vote Now.

Direct Debit Promotions

Thanks!

Raya students interview Zarah Gagatiga about Sambat Trust UK

Here is the translation of my interview with two students from Raya School. Thanks to MJ Tumamac for translating the Filipino transcript to English.

Note: When this interview was conducted, only Trapiche Elementary School has submitted an annual report. As of March 18, 2014, the rest of the schools with Sambat Trust libraries have turned in their reports. 

Diego Montenejo and Pepe Domingo, who are students from the Raya School, sent me questions about the advocacy of Sambat Trust UK. They wanted to know what the charity does in Tanauan City, Batangas. Here is the transcript of the interview.

1. Who started Sambat Trust and why did he create it?

Mr. Anthony Mariano started Sambat Trust. He wanted to help Tanauan City, where his family is from, through providing scholarship programs and building libraries in public elementary schools. Mr. Mariano is Filipino-British and he grew up in London.

2. How big is Sambat Trust’s impact on the children’s lives?

Sambat Trust’s library projects are a source of inspiration for the children. If there is a library in their school, it motivates them to study hard.

3. What are your future plans for the children of Tanauan?

I want to have more libraries in Tanauan City and, hopefully, kids will read more often.

4. How many children visit your libraries?

According to the report from Trapiche Elementary School, all of their students go to the library for they have a schedule to visit the library. We don’t have reports, however, from the other four school libraries.

5. What kinds of books do you encourage the children to read?

Most of the books in Sambat Trust’s libraries are produced by local publishers. We also put foreign books but there are only a few. We usually purchase the books from Adarna House.

6. What books do the children usually read? Or what are their favorite books?

They love picture books and illustrated picture books. With no title in particular, but the children really like books with drawings.

7. Why do you do this advocacy?

Because I love to read and I have the ability to help in building libraries. As a Filipino, this is what I can do for our country. I also believe that education will liberate my fellow Filipinos from poverty. They should be taught how to read and think. And we do this through Sambat Trust’s scholarship program and school library projects.

8. What is your favorite part or aspect in your work?

I am happy every time we build libraries and when I know that there are kids who learn to read because they have access to our libraries. Besides the classroom, the library is also a place where children can think freely as they learn to read.

Think of a Philippines in which children love to read ...

Library Hub News From the Field

In my visit to three public schools in Batangas last weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting two teachers who are in charge of the distribution of Library Hub books. I did not know that the stacks of books placed on a shelf were Library Hub books until I asked the teachers what these were for.

Only two copies of these books for a population of 300 students.

In one school, there were only two titles of books but in multiple copies. These books were read by grade two students. The next grade level who will read the books are grade three students. When they're done, books move up to grades four, five and six. Students from grades two to six will have read two illustrated story books in a span of three months. Students will get a chance to read other titles when the Library Hub coordinator pulls out the bin and replaces it with a new set. The book bins are routed to different schools. This rotation and exchange happens twice or thrice a year. This is the same system followed by another school in the district. Personnel assigned in the routing of book bins are English Coordinators or District Supervisors who, like the full time teachers in charge of the Library Hub books, are full time administrators and supervisors.

This is the situation I encountered in my trip to Tanauan, Batangas last weekend as far as the DepEd's Library Hub is concerned.

Related Library Hub posts done in the past:

Librarians Missing Ingredient in Library Hub

Naga City Library Hub

Librarian from Koronadal City Library Hub

Hub a Library

Dear Librarian Reply: Appraisal and Evaluation Tool for School Librarians

Here now is my reply to Ms. Quilantang's query on appraisal and evaluation tool for librarians and library personnel.

* Define the purpose and the objectives of the evaluation tool, as well as the procedure for the evaluation process. You may need to consult the HR Officer and speak with the Principal, or who ever your immediate supervisor is, on this matter. Performance evaluation is very much related to supervision by your Principal. The HR officer sees to it that supervision and performance evaluation procedures are implemented fairly. Meet with them first and articulate the impetus for designing an appraisal system and evaluation tool for library personnel.

* When you're given the green light by your administration, work with your co-librarians and library staff on this evaluation tool. Make it a team project. Set a strategy to finish this project that agrees to your team's context and your learning community's work culture and character.

* Always be guided by the school's VMG, in a macro level, and the library's VMG, on a micro level.

* Research, benchmark, set articulation meetings with other school librarians and/or professional librarian's group in your area. You may set standards that your region or district follow on performance appraisal and evaluation.

* Draft an evaluation tool base on your job description. You can get the rating scale used for teachers or office personnel. Check on rubric making and study how rating is done. For example, one job description is: Catalog print, AV and media resources. A rating of 5 as the highest and 1 as the lowest may be assigned to gauge the level of expertise and coverage of the task achieved in a given school year. Each rating has a qualitative description. Once the draft is done, make a proposal to your principal. A cover letter is necessary.

* Be ready for feedback. Keep an open mind.

Below is an introduction for designing a performance appraisal and evaluation tool.

Lib media specialist from Zarah Gagatiga

This page is taken from the book, Enhancing Professional Practice by Charlotte Danielson, published by ASCD, 2007. I encourage you to get this book for the library's collection. Apart from librarian appraisals, the book fleshes out standards and evaluation measures for teachers, school nurses, IT personnel and staff support.

If you have further questions, feel free to comment.

Library Link Lesson: Primary & Secondary Sources

 

Primary secondarysources from Zarah Gagatiga

Library Link Lesson: Citing of Sources (MLA Style)

A simple library activity I whipped up for the Technology class of grade 10 to drum up the importance of citing sources in all research work and school related projects. This was done in coordination with the Tech teacher.

a. Send two articles on plagiarism cases for students to read over the weekend: one on Krip Yuson and the other on Sen. Tito Sotto.

The class will be divided in 2 groups. Group 1 will read the article on Krip Yuson while group 2 will read the recent article about Sen. Sotto.

b. Round table discussion in class the following meeting.

Prompt questions: What moves some people to plagiarize? How can plagiarism be avoided?

d. Online drill on citations using EasyBib, World Book Online Citation Maker and Word Document.

e. Manual citation practice using books, print magazines and journals.

f. Homework: Cite Right! - students will work on citation activities on varied formats of references.

For submission, and in the long run, shall become their Citation Brochure

Another School Library Grows in Tanauan, Batangas

Sambat Trust and Trapiche Elementary School will open the newly built library in the school located at Brgy. Trapiche, Tanauan Batangas on Saturday, August 11, 2012.

It is the seventh school library in Tanauan that  Sambat Trust helped establish.

Guest for the opening is multiawarded author, Mr. Russell Molina. He will be joined by Mr. Gerard Hidalgo and Mr. Ark Buenaobra, true blue Tanauenos, in the ribbon cutting that will follow after Mr. Molina's inspirational message to children, parents and teachers of Trapiche Elementary School.

Thank you to all donors, sponsors and supporters of Sambat Trust's school library project!

School Libraries in Evolution

With all the many projects, documents, promotions and advocacy activities I enumerated, wouldn't you agree that it is an exciting time to be a school librarian these days? We have seen the personal stories of library clients and users. We have looked at the current research on school library. These are all evidences that our job is relevant. But we need not stop. We have to go on because the landscape of information and business of knowledge creation is ever changing. We cease to grow when we stop recognizing the changes happening around us and we do not act appropriately on it.

        
History has lessons to teach us on this. 

In general, libraries, are very much a part of human history along with the invention of writing and the book. The first to sprout and develop were government, public and university libraries. School libraries are a recent invention. It was not not until the turn of the 19th century that legislation on school libraries took place in the US. It was in 1915 when the American Library Association assigned a division for school libraries now known as the American Association of School Libraries (AASL). 

Thanks to Melvil Dewey for devising the  Dewey Decimal System. We have a way of finding order in chaos. Then, there was also SR Ranganathan, a mathematician by profession who became a librarian not by choice but by chance. His teachings on the 5 Laws of Library Science still speak of enduring truths and philosophy of librarianship. In fact, modern library and information science thinkers have adopted Ranganathan's 5 Laws to address current issues suitable for the practice of the profession. 

These are the 5 Laws as per SR Ranganathan:
 
1.Books are for use.  
2. Every reader his [or her] book.  
3. Every book its reader.  
4. Save the time of the reader.  
5. The library is a growing organism.     

 
Michael Gorman and Walt Crawford made their own variants:

1.  Libraries serve humanity.
2. Respect all forms by which knowledge is communicated.
3. Use technology intelligently to enhance service.
4. Protect free access to knowledge.
5.  Honor the past and create the future.

    
 Let’s play spot the difference. What changes can you see on the 5 Laws of Library Science by SR Ranganathan’s to that of Gorman’s and Crawford’s version? What similarities? Remember, these “laws” were written in different eras and generations. What factors have shaped the evolution of the laws?

While SR Ranganathan’s philosophy of a reader centered library service and a library that continuously grows in terms of collection and programs, Gorman’s and Crawford’s laws take on a perspective of library services that adhere to global citizenship, the moral implications of the profession, and the equitability of information access and creation of knowledge. This change from a stable knowledge base to a more dynamic and participatory nature can be attributed to technology, educational reforms, shifts in paradigms, philosophy and ways of knowing others and the world. 

The school library, in this event of changes and shifting paradigms, has moved emphasis from collection development to student centered services to the development of lifelong learning skills (a belief system). Three ideas are perpetuated in lifelong learning: collaboration; leadership and technology (Information Power, 1998). With these movements, the role of the school librarian takes on new forms. The school librarian is a teacher, an instructional technologist, instructional planner, and a library manager. 

It used to be that library management is the only work expected of us. Even the educational and academic preparations I received from library school taught me skills in running an effective and efficient library. But, the dynamic flow of information and the constant flux by which it is stored, created and communicated has changed all that I learned from university. It is essential that school librarians, you and I, do more than just catalog, classify, keep indexes and orient users on the library, its systems, collection and staff, and conduct inventory at the end of the year. It is imperative that when we collaborate with teachers in the delivery of the school’s instructional programs the library skills instruction that we do, whether embedded with Information Literacy skills or Media Literacy is contextualized on students’ culture and experiences. We need to know the pedagogy and develop macro thinking skills to understand the school’s curriculum. Pedagogy and curriculum are two entities that define our collection development program. When teachers plan their unit lessons, we are with them as instructional consultants, helping them source out resources, both in school and outside the community, and providing them with a wide array of learning tools and technology. Furthermore we function as dialogue partners of teachers and school leaders in discussing methods, strategies and techniques in teaching students with different learning needs and styles. As technological advancements surround and bombard us with all forms and variety of information, school librarians need to be guided by three principles: upholding intellectual freedom; adherence to legal standards; and the observance of professional ethics. 

As a parting shot, here are tips, I wish to share with you to stay relevant.

a. Take care of yourself.

b. Know your heart's desire or your passion as a school librarian.

c. Follow that passion or that desire. Life will reward you. However, as a prerequisite, you have to know how to truly reflect on your desires. In other words, discern.

d. Heed the call of universal goodness.

e. Be a lifelong learner yourself.

Thank you for bearing with me. I hope that I was able to touch on the conference’s themes. Remember, you and I, we are school librarians. We are relevant.

Highlights from the IASL Regional Conference in Bacolod

And so, the IASL Regional Conference in Bacolod folded up. Congratulations to the Rizal Library! Kudos to its director, Dir. Lou David and her team of librarians who made the conference possible: Karryl Sagun, Shielski Montenegro, Fernan Dizon and Waldette Cueto. Three cheers for PASLI, PRISAAP-Bacolod and IASL for a successful collaboration!

I have to say, I enjoyed the conference very much. I made new friends and strengthened old ties with friends from the profession I have known since my younger years in the industry. The three day experience gave me a lot to think about on Philippine school librarianship as well.

L-R Mel Alipo-on, library director of Olivares College, Joseph Marmol-Yap of DLSU Taft, Darell Marco of DLS Zobel and the Karryl Kim Sagun of the Rizal Library present their paper at the IASL Regional Conference

1) There are many young school librarians out there who made their presence felt in the conference. Joseph Marmol-Yap, Darrel Marco, Ann Grace Bansig, Venus Ibarra, Karryl Kim Sagun and Ronald Cabunagan presented interesting papers that speak of new paradigms in school librarianship. This is a hopeful sign.

2) The voice of experience was equally heard. Joy Nera, Mel Alipo-on, Roderick Ramos, Fernan Dizon, Madame Elizabeth Peralejo and Dir. Lou David shared projects, initiatives and best practices in the school library of their affiliations. This mix of the new, the fresh and the seasoned is a promising potential on professional collaboration among school librarians in the Philippines.

3) The majority of speakers came from local schools but the variety of paper topics presented is an indicator of where Philippine school librarianship is at the moment. Indeed, school librarians from the big private schools presented studies and best practices. Representatives from the public school sector were amiss though. It is a good thing that PASLI president, Jude Gorospe, was at the conference. A big challenge is on his shoulders. But, with help from the private sector, like those who presented papers, public school libraries may be able to rise and shine from issues and problems that beset them. We need to work together to develop more libraries especially when it's been identified in research and practice that libraries contribute to student learning and achievement.

Tales From the 7,000 Isles by Dianne de Las Casas and Zarah Gagatiga  was exhibited and sold at the IASL Regional Conference. Thanks to Enoy Ferriol of Scholastic and the Rizal Library for making this possible.

4) The presence of foreign delegates, Prof. Brendan Luyt and Lucia Dhamayanti provided similarities of beliefs in making the library a cool learning space, and bigger challenges for the future. It was Prof. Luyt's presentation that affected me the most. He spoke of going beyond Information Literacy seeing that information and knowledge are dynamic entities. True. For if we look at information and knowledge as static, then we begin to deteriorate. Knowledge creation and information seeking are proactive processes that lead to lifelong learning.

IASL President, Dr. Diljit Singh asks: What is the future of school libraries?

5) Speaking of lifelong learning, Prof Diljit Singh, IASL President, asked questions on how this can be developed in the light of a future that's fast paced and ever changing. He emphasized the necessity to begin with one's self.

6) On a personal level, my attendance to the IASL Conference inspired me to continue growing in the profession. It afforded me to reflect on what I am doing right now as a school librarian, storyteller, PBBY president and literacy advocate for a number of non-government organizations which I support. My head is still brimming with so much information that I still have to process each one at a time. And, with the mission I have set out to accomplish these tasks and advocacy, the hand will do the work of thy will.

Cheers to Philippine school librarianship! Looking forward to the next IASL Conference!