Ripple Effect: Follow Up Action from the Pre CONSAL ASEAN School Library Workshop

Two weeks ago, I was in Bangkok for the pre CONSAL Workshop on ASEAN School Library Development. It was a brief stay but a meaningful one. I have blogged about it and you can read the posts here: Back in Bangkok;  Action Plans and Afterthoughts on the Pre CONSAL ASEAN School Library Workshop

Inspired to continue the work that started out in Bangkok, an ASEAN School Library group in Facebook has been set up. I am one of the administrators and we hope to get participants and group members from the ASEAN countries. Members are school librarians of course, but Library and Information Professionals interested and involved in school library development are also welcome to join. If you fall under this membership category, visit the FB group here.

And here's an email from Carol Sheppard, delegate from Laos that put a smile on my face.

Dear Zarah,

I attended the Pre -CONSAL School Libraries workshop in Bangkok two weeks ago as part of the Lao delegation and was very impressed with your presentation about School Libraries in the Philippines.

There was one particular area that I was interested in that I was hoping you could help me with.  I think you mentioned during the presentation that there was a published "Standard" for the recommended growth of school library collections and even that it was detailed according to the Dewey system.

I may be completely mistaken (quite possible!) but I would really appreciate it if you could provide any further information on this as it would be of great assistance when advocating for more resources.

Thank you so much for your assistance and please don't hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.

Kind Regards

Carol

Since the School Library Standard is available online, I sent Carol the link. Knowledge shared is knowledge gained, so they say. Here's to more linkages and future collaborative endeavors among librarians in the ASEAN!

Pre-CONSAL ASEAN School Library Workshop: Proposed Action Plan from the Philippines

This is going to be quick, just so the ideas on our Plan of Action are documented. This is not set in stone and the tentative plans are up for discussion.

Focus of Development: Human Resource Development
Identified Task: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of School Librarians

Concrete Plans of Action:

1. Echo this workshop to PASLI and conduct continuing discussion on school library development;
2. Plan a regional workshop for school librarians; seek a grant to make this possible;
3. Propose a regular CPD for school librarians to regional library associations;
4. Assist the Library Hub in book procurement.

Time Frame: 2015 - 2017

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.

School Library Brochure

Whipped up this brochure in a rush. This is for the workshop I am attending on School Library Development in the ASEAN on Wednesday, June 9, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand.

I realized three things: 1) I need to upgrade my desktop publishing skills (Gosh! Even my term is dated!); 2) I must really  pursue further studies that has something to do with the development and advocacy of school libraries; and 3) I should do better next time. This translates to spending more time to imagine and developing the idea before plunging into design.