Days 2-3 of the 7th Rizal Library International Conference: Connecting Libraries, Information & Community Knowledge

Congratulations to the Rizal Library, to Dr. Vernon R. Totanes and his competent and dependable staff for a successful celebration of its 50th year! The celebration was indeed, golden!

They launched a time train exhibit highlighting innovations and innovators that set the Rizal Library as a modern academic portal with an efficient and professional staff that continuously relate to its learning community with a love and loyalty akin to Rizal's relationship with the Philippines. I thought I have seen a good looking library mascot in its arch rival school, but Rizal Library's "Pepe" has to be the better looking one. Sorry, Jolibee, I know you have cool dance moves, but a young Jose Rizal mascot is my choice at the end of the day.

They conducted the 7th Rizal Library International Conference with paper presenters from the US, Singapore, Indonesia, Barbados, Australia and of course, the Philippines. The cadre of keynote speakers, the majority of them are non-librarians, are true lovers of books, libraries and the written word.

Dr. Reina Reyes, Ph.D. dazzled! She glowed as she spoke about the stories that lie beneath big data and how librarians can mine them to its potential. She bubbled with joy and I wondered about the books she read as a child. Dr. Nikki Carsi Cruz, Ph.D. is a historian and she knew the power of stories and when to appropriately use them. A friend from the book industry, Christine Bellen, took participants, visitors and guests to Calamba and back to Manila in her musical, Batang Rizal. Respect to Jerry Respeto for the accessible music that delighted everyone in the room. My favorite, so far, is the Kuwento Rap with Monkey and Tortoise dancing about, enacting the famous Tagalog folktale that launched a thousand Filipino tales and storybooks for children.

Paper presenters were a mix of young and seasoned researchers, academicians, dreamers and visionaries. Where else can you find an interdisciplinary conference with an international appeal, but in the Rizal Library International Conference. Pioneered by Hon. Lourdes T. David, her former team of librarians stayed true to her mission and legacy of fostering academic research in Library and Information Science by staging a gathering of curious, critical and creative thinkers in one big hall. Only this time, the younger set of librarians in the Rizal Library showed more - magis, by crossing content and accepting research subjects that will enrich the practice of LIS and the production of research in the discipline.

In the process, the Rizal Library library and staff succeeded in creating a research community beyond Katipunan and Loyola Heights.

I came. I saw. I CLICKED. See you in the next Rizal Library International Conference!

Full Paper: Project LEARN Revisiting History and Creating New Narratives for Young Filipino Readers

Revisiting History and Creating Narratives for Young Filipino Readers from Zarah Gagatiga

Day 1 of the 7th Rizal Library International Conference

As I write this post, participants of the 7th Rizal Library International Conference (RLIC) are out in the garden at the back of the Social Science complex having their morning break. I am in Leong Hall blogging away.

Reina Reyes' presentation on Big Data X Information Science has just ended. More on her talk next blog post.

Now, for Day 1 of the RLIC, here are some reflections I wish to share.

- Big data is the name of the game and librarians are in a good position to mine, curate, analyze and develop a body of knowledge that impacts communities.

- There has been an expressed need for training and continuous professional development on data mining and analysis. Me thinks: begin with information literacy.

- Librarians conserve and preserve information, knowledge and media. They create them too.

- Media and technology are thinking tools which librarians can use in creating, communicating and conserving information. There are limitations in technology and media access and availability, but through partnerships and collaboration objectives can be met. An example is the Community Archiving Workshop and Valerie Clarke's oral history, preservation project in Barbados

- Opportunities to imagine and create abound in our libraries and the communities where we belong and serve patrons. You only need to look closely to make things happen and to solve problems.

Next post is Day 2 of the RLIC!

Call for Papers: The Rizal Library International Conference 2017

Fifty years ago, when the Rizal Library first opened, students were required to remain completely silent inside the premises, research was done by searching typewritten 3x5 cards and print indexes, and there were no computers on campus.

Fifty years later, the Rizal Library allows students to hold group discussions in designated areas, research can be done using print and electronic resources, and assignments can be written and printed on PCs and Macs.

The Rizal Library—along with other libraries in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the rest of the world—has changed with the times during the past five decades but its mission remains the same: to
facilitate learning.

This year, the Rizal Library International Conference, with “Click!” as its theme, aims to cultivate discourses on librarians' roles in expanding their network within the larger community, through culture and society, and in the field of communication and technology.

CALL FOR PAPERS

On its 50th anniversary, the Rizal Library invites librarians, professors, and enthusiasts to submit papers that explore the enrichment of library management and experience in Southeast Asia and
the rest of the world.

Suggested topics include:

Community: institutional collaborations, library partnerships,
librarian empowerment and capacity building, knowledge development

Culture and History: Southeast Asian studies and libraries, evolution
of cultures in literary texts, reading customs and practices

Communication and Technology: social media, source preservation,
accessibility, big data, data mining

Proposals should include the following:

Author/s
Title
Topic (choose from those enumerated above)
Paper abstract (maximum of 250 words)
Curriculum vitae with photo (indicate achievements and/or publications
within the last 5 years)

Please email proposals to rl.internationalconference@gmail.com  by 15 May 2017.

Please see the call for papers below and/or the website: http://rizal.library.ateneo.edu/7rlic/public/.

Important dates

15 May 2017 - Submission of paper proposals
15 June 2017 - Notification of accepted proposals
1 September 2017 - Submission of full paper
30 September 2017 - Deadline for early bird registration
16-18 November 2017 - Conference proper

For more information you may contact the following

Engracia S. Santos
Conference Chair
Ateneo de Manila University
 +[632] 4266001 ext. 5559/5564
 esantos@ateneo.edu

Rosalyn Santos
Conference Co-Chair
Ateneo de Manila University
 +[632] 4266001 ext. 5559/5564
 rsantos1@ateneo.edu

Kareen Banal
Head, Promotions Committee
Ateneo de Manila University
 +[632] 4266001 ext. 5554
 kbanal@ateneo.edu

Author of the Month: Christine Bellen

Si Bb. Christine Bellen, guro at manunulat, ay naglunsad ng isang koleskyon ng mga dula na may pamagat na Batang Rizal at Iba Pang mga Dula (Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2016). Ito ay inilunsad sa publiko noong Hunyo 20, 2016 sa Aklatang Rizal, Ateneo De Manila University. Pinaulankan niya ang aking imbitasyon na ma-feature sa aking blog. Sa panayam na ito, sinagot ni Bb. Bellen ang mga tanong tungkol sa pagsusulat ng mga dula para sa kabataan at sa mga mambabasa na may hilig sa dula at dulaan.

Narito ang panayam ko kay Bb. Bellen.

1. Mukhang nag branch out ka ng genre. Bakit dula at Bakit si Rizal?

Hindi ako nagbranch out ng genre. May ganun ba sa Pilipinas? Palagay ko, maraming mga manunulat sa atin ang may mga major na trabaho sa isa o dalawang genre pero may kakayanan at interes din sa iba pang genre. Halimbawa si Egay. Nagsimula siya bilang isang makata. Wala namang nagtanong sa kanya kung bakit siya nagmaikling kuwentong pambata at YA. Sa kaso ko, isang dekada ang antolohiya ng mga trabaho ko para sa dulaang pambata kaya ibig sabihin ay kasabay ito ng mga trabaho ko rin sa pagsusulat ng mga kuwentong pambata, at kasabay rin ng pag-aaral ng Ph D para sa panitikang pambata. Nakikita ko ito bilang mga trabahong may organikong pagkakaugnay dahil sa ito naman talaga ang interes ng manunulat. Magkakaiba lamang tayo ng kombinasyon ng mga isinusulat.

2. Ano ang kaibahan Sa pagsusulat ng dula kumpara sa nobela o maikling kuwento?

Para sa akin, nakikita ko ring hindi hiwalay ang pagsusulat para sa mga bata at ang pagsusulat ng dula kung genre ang pag-uusapan dahil kapwa visual ang style ng pagsusulat at imahinasyon sa kanila.

Ang kaibahan sa dula, ay dayalogo ang isinusulat mo. Hindi tulad sa nobela at maikling kuwento. Pinakamatingkad na elemento sa dula ay ang characterization dahil ito rin ang magiging motibasyon at dahilan ng pag-usad ng naratibo.

3. Iilan lang ang mga manunulat ng Panitikang Pambata or YA lit ang sumasabak Sa pagsusulat ng dula. Ano kaya ang dahilan? Kailangan ba na may magsasadula nito kaya dapat affiliated ang manunulat Sa isang theatre group?

Kaunti ang sumasabak sa pagsusulat ng dula dahil ibang passion rin ang teatro. Hindi ka lang nagsusulat kundi bahagi ka ng isang malaking produksyon. Kung sa picture book, katrabaho mo lang ang illustrator at editor, sa dula, produksyon talaga. May teknikal na aspekto rin itong kasama. Ikaw bilang mandudula, sa katunayan ang unang "nakaka-envision" nito sa mga dula mo. Ikaw ang unang direktor, aktor, set designer, props, ilaw, at maging musika.

Hindi naman kailangang affiliated ka sa isang theater group.

Sa kaso ko, naimbitahan akong magsalin una ng isang dula ni John Cocteau sa UP Dulaang Lab. Tinanggap ko kasi gusto ko talaga ang teatro. Mahilig akong manuod at kapag nanunuod ako, may kakayanan akong umawain ang skeleton ng dula kahit hindi ko pa sila mapangalanan dati. Siguro, dahil passion ko ito kaya't may ganung ekstensyon ang pag-unawa ko sa dula. Hindi pa natatapos ang dula ko kay cocteau ay tinawagan na ako ng PETA. Dun na nagsimula ang lahat. Sunod sunod na ang proyekto ko sa kanila at sa iba pang tanghalan.

Para sa akin, isa uri rin ng mahusay na kuwento ay kung nakikita mo ito sa iba pang medium. Hindi ko sinasabing hindi maganda ang mga nananatiling kuwento. May elemento siguro sa mga kuwentong naisasadula o naisasa-pelikula na alam mong hindi lang ito mananatili bilang kuwento. Sa isang banda, may mga kuwentong, magandang basahin at namnamin sa anyo niya bilang kuwento.

4. Ano ang pinaka paborito mong dula sa koleksyon?

Pinaka-paborito ko ang Batang Rizal saka Hagibis.

NCBD 2015: The Philippine Children's Book Summit & The NCBD Book Fair

Umuulan ng Libro: PBBY Celebrates the 32nd National Children’s Book Day

The month of July is dedicated to the promotion and development of children's books. Every year on the third week of this month, National Children's Book Day is celebrated. It is also a day in which we commemorate the anniversary of the publication of Dr. Jose Rizal's "The Monkey and the Turtle" in Trubner's Oriental Record in London.
This year, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is having two events to celebrate the 32nd National Children's Book Day. On July 21, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with PBBY is holding a literary summit called "Umuulan ng Libro: Philippine Children's Book Summit." On July 25, PBBY is holding a librarians' workshop called "Creative Reading Programs for School Libraries Servicing K-12 Learners" and a Children's Book Fair at the Rizal Library.


Philippine Children's Book Summit (July 21)

This whole-day summit will feature discussions on diverse topics such as Asian children's books, children's book illustration, best practices in copyright, children's librarianship, and Filipino comics. It will feature both local and international speakers.

Local authors and publishers who will be sharing their knowledge on children's content include M.J. Cagumbay Tumamac, author of Ngumiti si Andoy; poet and fictionist Kristian Cordero; Edgar Samar, author of the Janus Silang series; Blooey Singson, owner and writer of the blog Bookmarked!; Carljoe Javier, managing editor of Anino comics; and 2015 PBBY-Salanga Prize honorable mention winner, Cheeno Sayuno.

International speakers include the winner of the Illustrator's Award at the 2015 Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, Wen Dee Tan. Lili, one of Tan's picture books, won third place in the Macmillan Prize 2013, an annual picture book competition by Macmillan Children's Books UK. Joining Wen Dee Tan in the roster of international speakers is Mariko Nagai. Mariko is an Associate Professor of creative writing and Japanese literature at Temple University, Japan Campus in Tokyo, where she is also the Director of Research and Study Abroad Academic Coordinator. She has received the Pushcart Prizes both in poetry and fiction. Nagai's collection of poems, Histories of Bodies, won the Benjamin Saltman Prize from Red Hen Press, and her first collection of stories, Georgic: Stories won the 2009 G.S. Sharat Chandra Fiction Prize from BkMk Press.

The festival will be concluded by the awarding of the 2015 PBBY-Salanga Prize and 2015 PBBY-Alcala Prize.

The summit is open to authors, illustrators, publishers, educators, and librarians who are devoted in ensuring quality books for children. For inquiries about the summit, you may contact 352-6765 loc 204.

Librarians Workshop and Children's Book Fair (July 25)

This workshop to be run by PBBY member and librarian par excellance, Zarah Gagatiga, shall provide activities that will help librarians design and develop reading programs for students in the K-3; middle grades (4-8); junior high school (9-10); and senior high school (11-12) levels. Participants are encouraged to bring existing reading programs they implement in their school libraries. This will be followed by a presentation of recommended reads for kids and teens and a book discussion of favorite children's books.

A book fair, in cooperation with the Rizal Library of the Ateneo de Manila University, will feature local children's book publishers. Aside from launching their new titles, publishers will also hold exciting games and activities for everyone.

For inquiries about the workshop and book fair, you may contact 0939 934 6521.

The NCBD Book Fair Program

Come to the NCBD Book Fair dressed in your favorite Filipino book character and get a special treat! Play the NCBD Book Fair Game and win in the raffle! Meet and author and illustrator! View exhibits! There are lots to do and we hope to see you at the Rizal Library on Saturday, July 25, 2015!

The 6th Rizal Library International Conference: Leadership and Change

Who are the conference speakers?

The 3rd Filipino ReaderCon 2013

When Libraries Rock and Rule!

This summer, I helped organize a library-museum-bookstore trip for the faculty of our high school. It was a lot of leg work but it was worth the time and effort. Our first trip was to the Ateneo University Press and the Rizal Library.

Librarian Angie showing us how it's done.

The press is on sale till June 29 so do come and buy books! Needless to say, we had good buys and got big discounts. I bought for my own consumption this book by Dr. Michael Asis, I am Because We Are. This is a book I can share with my family as well as couple friends in the Magis Deo community.

In the afternoon, we headed to the Rizal Library. We were welcomed by Tommy dela Cruz, our librarian tour guide. He did the usual rounds of the library tour but it was the Microfilm collection that took our breath away. The ALIW office was just as impressive as they hold original documents of manuscripts, passports, diplomas, etc. of women writers who've inspired and influenced many young women, particularly, to pursue their own dreams. To me, it was the Jose Garcia Villa exhibit that made me giddy. Villa was a big part of my college years studying literature and English at PNU. It gave me goosebumps reading his comma poems in his own handwriting.

Doveglion

 Majority of the teachers in the group were first timers in Rizal Library. Now they have an idea where to go should our small collection in the school library could not meet their specific information needs. Thank you Rizal Library for coming up with user friendly visitor guidelines. We hope to come back despite the distance from where we live (we're southerners) because there's so much more to see and discover in "your" library!

Next week, we are off to the Asian Development Bank library and the Lopez Museum and Library in Ortigas. We've schedule another book trip to Fullybooked, the UP Press and the Filipinas Heritage Library. Vacations and summers are usually spent in beaches and far off island retreats. Museums and libraries are tour destinations too. Here's hoping that more libraries and museums grow and develop for cultural tourism!

Here we are at the pictorial site.

Filipino Librarian: Karryl Kim Sagun

For this month of June, Karryl Kim Sagun shares with us her LIS journey. She is a librarian at the Rizal Library and has been practicing the profession for nearly three years now. In that short span of time, Ms. Sagun has been invited to speak at national and international LIS conferences. She graduated BLIS from UP Diliman and holds a Master in Technology Management.

 

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. You can cite challenging stories and success stories while studying the course.

People often mistook me as a shiftee when I was a college freshman (how dare they, I was only fifteen then!), but LIS was my first choice when I took the UPCAT. I am one of those pure-bred LIS majors in our community.

It was my Dad who convinced me to take the course, perhaps he thought that I am fit to be a librarian as he observed me, as early as sixth grade, put my own version of accession numbers on my Archie comics before I “loan them out” to my friends (and yes, I also gave them library cards and issued due dates). My high school friends thought otherwise, though. They said I’ll be one heck of a crazy librarian, should I really end up being one. But hey, look at me! As prim and proper as a librarian should be! HAHAHA!

Success stories? I guess finding a mentor in the School of Library and Information Studies helped me a lot. I love my profs, but it was Atty. Vyva Aguirre (who was Dean at that time) who I consider as my mentor in SLIS. She gave me really good advice (especially during thesis writing).

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of being an LIS major is explaining to people what LIS is. Back then, it wasn’t as popular, and the course is also enjoying a better reputation today than it did when I was a student. It didn’t help that my lola (grandmotehr) thought I would die a spinster because of pursuing LIS! Nanghinayang siguro siya sa genes namin! Hahaha!

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?

Well, being a licensed and working librarian years after graduation! When I started working for Ateneo in 2010, it was my first time to really practice the profession. I finished BLIS in 2007, and I used to work as a copyright associate in a fashion publishing company, and then a sales coordinator for medical books. In Ateneo, I had to conduct marketing activities to promote the different sections of the library. Mrs. Lourdes David, who was Director of the Rizal Library then, had to have me rotated in all the sections of the Rizal Library in the course of two months, including technical services—and my, my, to say that my cataloguing skills have gotten really rusty would be an understatement. 

c. What is your area of expertise in LIS?

Marketing. I don’t think I’m as good in any other aspect of LIS, really. Although I’m really enjoying reference work, as I have recently been tasked to be part of the reference team in Rizal Lib. 

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

Service orientation, attention to detail, and a little bit of crazy. Having a mentor wouldn’t hurt, either. 

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

Erm, doughnuts, cupcakes, and cups of coffee from happy customers! Haha! Hmm, on a more serious note, I have experienced things I don’t think I would have experienced should I have chosen a different field. The best ones would be being presented with opportunities for travel and research, and gaining a lot of awesome friends along the way. 

Field Trip to Rizal Library

Two weeks back, I accompanied a small group of teenagers, our students in grade 11, to the Rizal Library. Together with the DP Coordinator, we chaperoned the group to Ateneo de Manila University's esteemed library where they had a tour of the new and the old libraries. The group was able to do initial research on their Extended Essay as well. They were impressed to see the microfilm collection and the art gallery.

Our thanks go out to Ms. Karryl Sagun for facilitating the tour and to Dr. Von Totanes for keeping the doors of Rizal Library open to young scholars and budding academics.

Since our visit, I have received requests for letters of recommendation. This is a good sign.

Libraries are for all!

Live Blogging: Day 2 of the IASL Regional Conference

Day 2 of the IASL Regional Conference started early.

First up was Karryl Sagun of the Rizal Library. She presented a case study on the jargon and terms librarians use in the work place which she called LIBRARIANISH. The words librarians use to communicate with clients may hamper understanding and appreciation on the benefits of library services. What I found interesting in her study was the use of social media to get feedback and information on how library users at the Ateneo de Manila University respond to the library in general.

Darrel Marco of De La Salle Zobel gave an entertaining and insightful presentation on their school library's book mobile project. Many public school children enjoyed the books and the activities they provide. That's information and access for all in action!

Right now, Joseph Marmol-Yap of De La Salle Taft, discuss ways and means to creatively stretch the library budget. He provides creative ways to recycle and reuse collection, both print and online resources.

Regional Conference on School Librarianship, Bacolod City

The Regional Conference on School Librarianship by the IASL, Rizal Library, PASLI and PRISAAP will commence tomorrow, 26 April 2012 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. As I have posted in the blog, I am part of the roster of resource speakers who will present and do a workshop. I will be presenting a web 2.0 technology application in library services and will do a storytelling workshop in the afternoon.

Looking at the program, the conference promises to be an interesting avenue for professional networking and improvement of competencies in librarianship. Below is a copy of the full program.



Thank you to Ms. Karryl Sagun for sharing this document. I will be blogging the conference on site as I have done in previous conferences before.

Libraries and Librarians Making an Impact

This is a carry over from my interview in the Mania Bulletin last 24 March 2012. The last question, how libraries are making an impact, culturally and professionally, in the community it serve has kept me thinking to this day. I felt my answer was "bitin".

Good thing I have this blog to, at least, catch up on some ideas. I mentioned three libraries in the article that people should see to understand the dynamic role libraries and librarians play in cultural and professional growth of the learning community. These three libraries are the Rizal Library of Ateneo de Manila, UP Diliman Main Library and the De La Salle System libraries.

I should have mentioned that the Rizal Library of Ateneo de Manila University accommodates fourth year high school students to do research using the library's vast collection, and that, since 2004 (I hope my memory serves me right), Rizal Library has been staging international conferences for librarians.

The UP Diliman librarians, on the other hand, are on-air every Wednesday to talk about books, reading and issues on librarianship and information services via LibRadio, UP Diliman's campus broadcasting network. This can be heard over local AM station. Gosh. I just could not recall the frequency. But I have links highlighted! So, click away!

The DLSU School Library system is very much involved in outreach programs providing access to books in barangays and near by communities. To be specific, DLS Zobel has been conducting and touring the Muntinlupa area for their book mobile activity. They target public schools in the barangays. Their librarians do storytelling activities and book activities to develop book consciousness. I think DLSU Lipa is doing the same.

With these activities, libraries and librarians are making an influence, if not an impact, in the development of a reading culture and in the continuous professional growth of the learning community.

Blog Posts on Information Literacy

A recent forum in an online workshop where I'm currently enrolled prompted me to go back to this blog's archives and cull out posts I've written about Information Literacy (IL).

This four-part post on IL is a paper I presented on a local seminar on IL by the Philippine Association of Teachers of Library and Information Science (PATLS) way back in 2006.

Information Literacy at the School Level

The Impetus for Information Literacy

Research on IL

IL in Philippine School Libraries

What follows are IL posts on actual library practice I've done through the years. Wow. It's a walk down memory lane, I tell you.

IL and the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm

IL for Grade 2 Pupils

Telecollaboration

IL Lesson Plan for Grade 6

Back in 2006, The Rizal Library at the Ateneo de Manila University hosted an IL Conference. Updates are linked here

With the Regional IASL Conference scheduled in April 2012 in Bacolod, IL is once again a topic for presentation and discussion. This should be exciting!

Call for Papers: Regional Conference on School Librarianship

What a pleasant news!

The Ateneo de Manila University-Rizal Library, Ateneo High School Educational Media Center, and the Private Secondary School Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISSAAP), in collaboration with the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL), are seeking papers for the Regional Conference on School Librarianship with the theme: “Directions for the Future of School Libraries”. The conference will be held on April 26-27, 2012 at the Bacolod Pavillion Hotel, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. It aims to bring together school librarians in the region to establish and strengthen relationships and support regional cooperation of school librarians.

Papers for this conference should belong to the following subthemes:
1. Information literacy/21st century skills
2. Reading and the school library
3. School library space and place planning
4. Innovative projects and services
5. Teacher-librarian partnerships
6. School libraries/librarians of the future

Interested individuals may submit abstracts (not exceeding 300 words, in word or pdf format) to ltdavid@ateneo.edu / fdizon@ateneo.edu / ksagun@ateneo.edu. Deadline for submission is on October 31, 2011.

For more information, you may contact the following: Mrs. Lourdes T. David Director Rizal Library Ateneo de Manila University +(632) 4266001 ext. 5550 ltdavid@ateneo.edu

Mr. Fernan R. Dizon Head, Reference and Information Services Section Rizal Library Ateneo de Manila University +(632) 4266001 ext. 5559 fdizon@ateneo.edu

Ms. Karryl Kim A. Sagun Assistant to the Director for Special Programs and Events Rizal Library Ateneo de Manila University +(632) 4266001 ext. 5581 ksagun@ateneo.edu

Venue Information: Bacolod Pavillon Resort Hotel Address: Burgos Street Ext., Reclamation Area Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 Philippines URL: http://www.bacolodpavillon.com/ Phone: (63-34) 434-6391 to 93 / 433-9620 / 433-9562 Fax: (63-34) 433-9598 E-mail: info@bacolodpavillon.com About Bacolod City: For more information on Bacolod City, please visit this link: http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/bacolod_city.htm

Basic Teacher-Librarians Workshop

I was invited by the Rizal Library and Pathways To Higher Education for a talk on school library reading programs last month. The one hour lecture is part of the Basic Teacher-Librarians Workshop organized by the Rizal Library to re-orient and start off the teacher librarians who will run and manage the libraries in their schools.

For my talk, I gave the participants an overview of Reading. In planning and implementing library reading programs, the librarian (for this context it is the teacher-librarians who are concerned) needs to see the bigger picture of Reading. This would help him/her in organizing relevant and meaningful literacy activities for students in particular and the school community in general. I included an array of reading activities that teacher-librarians can do. The activities range from individual to group and community wide initiatives. Lastly, I presented a framework for them to use when planning the proposal for a library reading program.



This initiative may seem to run opposite the ideals of RA 9246. But one has to see the bigger picture. Due to the dearth of licensed librarians as well as work items for librarians in the public school system, most school administrations resort to assigning teachers to man the school library. On top of their teaching loads, teachers become officers-in-charge of the school library.

The need to apply and implement this law is great, indeed.