Bangtan Hermana Notes: When RM of BTS speaks about books, reading and libraries

 

Library Book Displays: On Leadership

Our Student Council reserved the use of the library reading area last weekend. They had a leadership training seminar and training session. Composed of officers in the council and in the various clubs, they spent time in the library for quiet reflection and writing time. 

I thought of setting up a display of books on leadership. When we did, the teacher facilitators were appreciative of the gesture. 

On Monday, we received good words from the Dean of Student Life. She said —

Zarah and Flynn, what an inspiration to walk into the library to begin our leadership training to find your display of books on leadership and leaders.   We, the facilitators, kept sneaking peaks at the books during the workshop.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness and warm welcome.  We had a very productive workshop and you helped set the ambience that got us off on the right foot.

We will have a follow through of this information and readers service. So, visit the blog again or watch out for postings I do in all my social media sites. I don’t mind sharing and I would appreciate your feedback or comments. 

Library Serye: Ang Umiibig ng Tunay ay Kayang Maghintay Ep 1 Part 3

"Let's call it a day." Sabi ni Miguel as sarili.

Inikot ni Miguel ang reading area para kolektahin ang mga aklat na hindi naibalik sa tamang kinalalagyan. Pinatay niya ang pihitan ng mga air conditioning system pati na ang mga ilaw. Maliban sa opisina ni Ms. G na nagtatrabaho pa, iniwan nyang bukas ang ilaw at ang pinaka malapit na aircon. Sumilip sya sa glass window ng opisina ng kanyang boss. Kumatok sa pinto at nagpaalam.

"Uuwi na po ako, Ms. Guzman. Naiayos ko na po ang mga book reservations para bukas." Bilin niya sa librarian.

"May parokyano ka pa sa counter. Yung suki natin." Sagot nito sa kanya.

Si Kate.

Dalidaling bumalik si Miguel sa circulation counter. Ayaw niyang itong paghintayin. Hindi pa man sya nakakapwesto sa counter ay nagsalita na si Kate.

"Hihiramin ko ang mga na ito." Sabi nito sa kanya na nakangiti.

Inisa-isa ni Miguel ang mga aklat na ipasok sa database. Kabisado na niya ang buong pangalan ni Kate, ang kurso nito at student ID. Hindi na sya nagtaka pa sa mga aklat na hinihiram nito. Psychology ni Carandang, Economics ni Sicat at Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog ni Egay Samar. Yung huli ay sigurado sya na para sa leisurely reading. Pinagpatongpatong niya ang mga aklat sa harap ni Kate.

"Lahat ba ng nagtatrabaho sa library tahimik?" Tanong ni Kate.

Napatingin lamang si Miguel kay Kate. Naghahanap siya ng tamang salita na isasagot sa kanyang tanong.

Confirmed. Sabi ni Kate sa sarili. Suplado nga. O baka naman bakla? Hindi e.

Pansin ni Miguel ang biglang pagiwas ni Kate. Lumayo siya ng ilang hakbang sa counter at nawala ang ngiti nito sa mga labi.

"Carla!" Sigaw ni Miguel.

"My name is Kate." Sambit nito.

"I know. I know you." Bawi ni Miguel. "Sophomore, BS Pol Sci. ID No 2014-3560."

Napatawa Si Kate ng malakas. Hindi nya alam kung bakit, pero ang cute at ang funny ng sitwaysson.

"Si Carla yung student assistant sa umaga. Maingay yun. Ako, tahimik lang talaga, ako." Habol pa ni Miguel.

"OK lang ang tahimik. Thank you." Sagot niya habang kinukuha ang mga aklat sa counter at isa-isang nilalagay sa book bag.

"Available na ang mga books na pina-reserve mo. Eto na."

"Wow! Salamat!"

"Paborito mo si Beverly Wico Siy."

Tumango siya habang nakatitig kay Miguel. Ngayon lang niya napansin ang mga mata ni Miguel ay kulay tsokolate. Makapal ang kilay at pilik at may katangusan ang ilong.

"Isang aklat pa lang niya ang nababasa ko. Ikaw, naka tatlo na."

"Nakakatuwang basahin Si Bebang e. Ramdam ko na totoo siyang magsulat."

"Ramdam ko rin yun."

"Sa palagay ko mahalaga yun."

"Yung nakakarandam?"

Natawa na naman Si Kate. At sa kung anong dahilan, alam ni Miguel na may nagawa siyang tama.

"Mahalaga yung katotohanan."

Napabuntong hininga si Miguel. "Kung hindi mo mamasamain, ako na ang magdadala ng mga aklat na hiniram mo. Mabibigat."

"I would appreciate that."

Pinatay ni Miguel ang computer at sabay sila ni Kate na lumabas ng aklatan.

Library Serye: Ang Umiibig na Tunay ay Kayang Maghintay Ep 1 Part 2

Kinse minuto na lang, magsasara na ang aklatan. Babalik na sa dorm si Kate at muli siyang babalik sa aklatan. Bukas, kailangan mahiram na niya ang mga aklat na kailangan niyang basahin para sa Philo subject ngayong semestre. Kung bakit kase naubos ang oras niya sa paglilinis ng drawings niya sa laptop hindi naman siya enrolled sa art class. Naisip niya ang kanyang ama na umaasang magtatapos siya ng Political Science upang ituloy ito sa kursong law. Pwede ko pa naman yata makausap si Dad, isip niya habang nagliligpit ng mga gamit.

"Miguel, ang mga aklat na ito ay para kay Kate." Bigkas ni Ms. G. "May reservation siya sa OPAC at napaaga ang pagbalik ng dating nanghiram."

"Si Kate po? Kilala nyo siya?" Gulat na sabi ni Miguel.

"Miguel naman...pati ikaw kilala ko." Tumalikod si Ms. G na may ngiti sa mga labi.

Palapit na si Kate sa circulation counter at napatingin sa kanya ang student assistant. Kilala niya ito sa mukha lamang. Pero alam niyang Miguel ang kanyang pangalan. Ano pa ang silbi ng mga malalaki nilang IDs? May tuwang nararamdaman Si Kate sa tuwing magpapasalamat siya kay Miguel. Tatango lang ito sa kanya at babalik muli sa kanyang gawain. Gusto sana niyang magpakilala pero, nagaalinlangan siya. What's the point? Kung yung thank you ko nga, halos hindi niya sagutin ng welcome. Ireklamo ko kaya ito sa librarian? May pagkasuplado. Then again, what's the point? Isip niya sa sarili.

Library Serye: Ang Umiibig ng Tunay ay Kayang Maghintay Ep1 Part 1

Episode 1 Part 1: Ibinaba ni Kate ang kanyang bag sa baggage counter. Dala ang kanyang lumang laptop, notebook at ballpens, pumasok siya ng aklatan. Diretso siyang pumunta sa paborito niyang sulok ng aklatan kung saan may malambot na sofa, malamig na aircon at tanawing kaayaaya. Malapit ito sa bintana, tanaw ang mga puno at ang mini-park sa loob ng kanilang kolehiyo.
Dito sa maliit na sulok ng aklatan nakakamtan ni Kate ang katahimikan at ang oras para lumikha. Binuksan niya ang kanyang laptop at hinanap niya sa folder ang bago niyang art project. Kailangan pang pakinisin. Mayamaya, mag-aaral na siya at sa natitirang oras bago siya umuwi sa dorm, hihiramin niya ang bagong aklat ni Beverly Wico Siy.

Sampung minuto bago mag alas-kwatro ng hapon, pinalamig na ni Miguel ang reading room ng aklatan kung saan siya ang naka-assign na student assistant. Sa loob ng tatlong oras, siya ang bantay ng reading room na ito ng aklatan na may apat na palapag. Inihanda na rin niya ang mga bagong aklat nina Egay Samar, Beverly Wico Siy at Bob Ong. Bilin rin ni Ms. Guzman na ihanay sa estante ang mga gawa nina Merlinda Bobis, Nick Joaquin at iba pang mga manunulat na hindi binabasa ng mga mag-aaral nila sa kolehiyo. Ano kaya kung mag suggest ako kay Ms. G ng isang open mic at literary reading isang hapon?, tanong ni Miguel sa sarili. Isang paraan upang mahikayat ang mga mag-aaral na magbasa.

Habang abala si Miguel sa paghahanda ng aklatan para sa kanyang shift, alam niyang dumating na si Kate. May halimuyak ng rosas ang hudyat ng kanyang presensya. Isang bagay na hindi maunawaan ni Miguel kung saan galing at kung ano ang pinagmulan. Pero sigurado siya na sa loob ng tatlong oras, babantayan niya ang aklatan at si Kate. Hihintayin niya itong manghiram ng aklat bago umalis. Matipid na ngiti lamang ang kaya niyang isukli sa pasasalamat nito sa kanya. Bakit hindi ko makuhang magsalita sa harap niya, isip ni Miguel. Isinilid niya ang namumuong inis sa sarili at bumalik sa mga bilin na trabaho ni Ms. G.

The Christmas Tree in the Library

And my dream has come true!

We have book Christmas Tree in the library!

To decorate the tree, I sent word to the school community how they can help. Here are three simple ways:

You can help decorate the tree by:

a. Writing on a cut out Christmas ball your best read for 2014 to put in the tree;

 

b. Making an origami star (I have a paper and pattern) to put in the tree;

 

c. Donating a Christmas tree decoration or trimming which you think is apt for a book Christmas Tree in the library.

 

I will be posting more photos of our book Christmas Tree.

LOVErary

Rumor is a viscous monster.

I'm getting jokes (some are meant for good, clean fun while others are plain malicious) on reasons for my going on leave for a year. Apparently, the dirty ones are rumor-spawned. The witty and well meant jests spring from very sincere and genuine people. Nasty or not, it's best to respond with a sense of humor to the sense of rumor circulating around.

Here's an example --

Colleague: So you're going on leave.

Me: Yes (smile).

Colleague: What will you do?

Me: Study. Take care of my family. Help my parents. There are lots to do!

Colleague: Bah! Marami kang pera (You have a lot of money to spare)!

Me: I will be a pauper for a year, believe me.

Colleague: I'm sure there'll be offers (winks twice).

Me: Yeah, may offer na nga for me to break into showbiz, e (I'm getting offers to break into showbiz)! Telenovela. And it has a working title already.

Colleague: Really?

Me: Yup. Lambingan sa Library (Romance In The Library)!

Those who heard our banter knew exactly what the joke was all about. Poor colleague. He was left clueless amidst the laughter.

Reading, Writing and Drawing @ The Library

The GS LRC, in coordination with the GS English Department whipped up an author-illustrator visit for the grade 7 students this morning. Fran Ong of Ilaw ng Tahanan Publishing worked it out with us to make the event possible.

Award winning author, teacher, journalist, book reviewer and reading advocate, Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz shared with the boys, her life as a writer, her books and the long and tedious road to publication. Her session was filled with rich stories of more than 40 years of her writing history and personal experiences.

At the same time, illustrator and digital artist Joel Chua, an alumnus of Xavier School (Batch 95), showed samples of his works, digital art works and published books. It was Joel's Home-School Communication Notebook (HSCN) that brought great interest to the boys since he used it as a sketch book/comic book cum school planner. Half of the pages contained school related information, schedules and list of "to do's" The other half were filled with his drawings - panels with drawings in different colors of ink.

If Neni mentioned her diary as starting point to an illustrious writing career, Joel has his HSCN as seed bed for his artistic inclinations. Every person with a dream had to start somewhere. Who knows, one of the students who listened to Neni and Joel this morning may just begin a story or a drawing that could start of something big.

Their sessions were enriched by writing and drawing activities done by the guest author and illustrator with the students.

Live Blogging: GS LRC Departmental Purposing

Work for us in Xavier School began last Monday, May 5, 2008. We're all scheduled to have departmental activities for the whole week. For us, GS Librarians, we put aside for the meantime our Inventory to revisit our reason for being.

This afternoon, we're a reviewing the GS LRC's VMG (Vision Mission Goals), Roles and Functions of the GS LRC and our MAFs (Mandated Areas of Focus). The session I'm having with my staff is merely a "priming" session for tomorrow's evaluation and planning session.

The Dream of Robert Alejandro

I got this Friendster Bulletin Post from a member of KUTING about Robert Alejandro's call for book donations.

I'm helping set up a children's mini
library in Barangay Luna in Isabela.

I heard the children have NEVER seen a
children's book!
- BUT they have a healthy daily dose of
noontime shows and telenovelas :-(

From this dream of a mini library, I'd
like the children to have a love and
affinity for books which will last a
lifetime.

Please message me here / email if you
have spare children's books I can send
to Isabela.

I will post pictures of the library (and
the kids) when the library is set up.

Please feel free to pass this message along.

Thank you very much!

Cheers

Robert (Alejandro)


email: robert.a.alejandro@ gmail.com
site:
http://raadesign. com/
http://robertalejan dro.carbonmade. com/

Robert Alejandro is a graphic artist, illustrator and artist, celebrity and TV Host of Art is Cool, a show for kids on art and carfts activties. Though the show has ceased air time, Alejandro still dreams of doing something for the children in Isabela. If you're from up there, pitch in some books for the children's library. A good reading reading habit begins with access to books.

Books for Every One @ Your Library

For my grade 3 library class this quarter, I've embeded this video as Prelection to a lesson on fiction, non-fiction books and the Dewey Decimal System.

Mobile Library and Library People

Nina Lim Yuson, Director of Museo Pambata and PBBY Board Member provided the PBBY with this information on their Mobile Library via email -

Curtis Lim is our Mobile Library coordinator and has been going to Mindanao for Synergeia doing storytelling workshops for teachers. At this time he and an Alitaptap member are in Camp Abubakar, then on to Upi and another town. You should hear his stories and how the kids love the sessions. One of them was seen copying a storybook word for word! Would any of you like to go with Curt to observe these sessions and write about it? I can ask Nene Guevarra. We need to tell the public what its like there.

We are looking for storytellers/ volunteers to join the mobile library on week ends..areas are around Manila.

I am posting it here in my blog to point out that while book donations are indeed good projects, and providing access to books among children is a great initiative, people who are behind it are just as important. Imagine what the Museo Pambata Mobile LIbrary would be like without Curtis Lim, Alitatap Storytellers and voulunteers?

Take note that Mr. Lim is the library coordinator of the Mobile Library. Whether or not he has a library science degree is beside the point. It would be ideal if he has though. But what matters is the presence of a person to develop and run the programs and the services of the Mobile Library.

Galing Foundation

Now here comes another foundation in support of the promotion of literacy.

Galing Foundation, US based and run by Filipinos and Fil-Ams in Georgia, is a provider of cultural and artistic experiences that is everything Filipino. Its mission is to fight illiteracy by providing access to books in rural areas in the Philippines, thus, it has donated 51 balikbayan boxes to provinces in the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Its founder, Maritoni Daya-Luetgers, has succesfully touched based with other companies, NGOs, institutions and organizations to realize its objectives.

Like the Library Hub project of Mike Luz and the Read Or Die book donation campaign, I am for this initiative of providing books to indigent children. Reading is a right. Literacy begins with the availability of reading materials and resources besides. However, I will say this again, that book provision is only the beginning of literacy development.

Teachers are needed to facilitate reading instruction. Teachers need a variety of books to be able to develop literacy among young learners. Librarians come into the scene by making sure that donated books are well taken cared for. Books are alive and they must be protected from the heat and the cold; mended when broken; repaired for longevity; stored for posterity. Librarians can enrich the reading experience by setting an environment that is conducive for pleasurable and recreatory reading. School librraies and public libraries create programs and services that make reading a meaningful experience.

Back in 2003, Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation, collaborated with our school library to train school librarians who were in charge of the book donations made by SAS and HSBC. They had basic training and orientation on library routines and services provided for young children. SAS found out that no matter how many the donated books were or how beautiful and spacious the donated library building was, if there are no personnel in charge, efforts and resources will all go to waste. As of present, SAS continues to train public school teachers and librarians towards better literacy instruction via the annual Gurong Kaakbay conference.

I hope that the donations of Galing Foundation are in good hands. I hope that there are teachers who can use the books to teach children how to read them. I hope that recepients of these precious donations land in the hands of a librarian who has the passion for literacy and the political will to battle the odds at setting up reading and resource centers in the provinces. If my hopes fall short of hopefulness, I pray that there are people on the recieveing end who will know what to do with the books given to the children.

An Open Letter to Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

As of writing, news of Manny Pacquiao's win against Marco Antonio Barrera has crawled the Internet and the Pinoy Blogosphere. This is something I expected, so I'm not surprised. I wonder now what Pacman will do next. And I'm not pertaining to his boxing career, but to his extra-curricular activities. Aside from movies, music, a host of endorsements under his belt would he be thinking of an advocacy to pursue in the future?

The late great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde put up a training center for aspiring young boxers though news of its success or failure has not caught the attention of media. Would Pacquiao venture into something like this? Or would he seriously think of trying his luck in politics (again). Heaven forbid.

So, I'm writing the "Pambansang Kamao" an open letter. I'm not really expecting anything from this but, who knows? Hope springs eternal.

Dear Manny,

Congratulations sayo, aking kababayan!

Your win against Barrerra sealed your future as the boxing great of this generation. Your ascent to boxing supremacy is a product of hard work and perseverance from many trials. Truly, you have earned it - the belt, the rewards, the fame and the fans. At the height of your boxing career, I will not be surprised if you move up and continue sweeping crowns and coins (lots of it!). What's good about all these fortune coming your way is your desire to give back, to help others.

Your political bid as representative for the city of Genaral Santos is proof of your willingness to make a much bigger and deeper impact in the lives of your countrymen. Of course, others have thought differently, but to me, I take it as your way of making a difference. You have proven that in the boxing arena. You just can't wait to try your hands at public service.

But you see, you can help your "kababayans" as you are.

I don't really know what help you're thinking of right now so you can give back to your fellow Filipinos, but I am hoping it is something that will empower and inspire them to better their lives. Perhaps a boxing gym for boxing aspirants. Maybe a scholarship for those who want to finish their education. Or maybe put up a business for the unemployed. And because I'm a librarian, I suggest that you support a community library that will help in the literacy develoment of people in General Santos.

It is really all up to you, Manny. I only hope that whatever charity or advocacy you intend to pursue in the future, it would be for the benefit of the masses - for them to discover their own power and potentials; for them to realize their dreams no matter how simple.

All the best for you, Manny!

Yours,

Zarah C. Gagatiga
School Librarian & Literacy Advocate

Library Video Clips

The times, they are changing.

Instead of looking over for videos in the AV section for my grade two class this afternoon, I went to YOU Tube for video clips about the school library. These are some of my finds.

Yan Ang Pinay! Resurrected

It's been ages since my Yan Ang Pinay! post. Work and work on the side lines kept me from posting the Pinay image and character in Philippine Children's Literature.

The cover of the December 2006 issue of Star Teacher magazine inspired me to write again for the Yan Ang Pinay series which I started a year or two ago. This time around, I'm including successful Pinays in their field of discipline and advocacy. It has to be related to literacy and libraries though, after all, these are two of the many reasons why I keep SLIA.

For this YAP (Yan Ang Pinay) feature, I'm pleased to write about Helen Bautista. She is a retired teacher who has found a second career as Library Commissioner for the public library system of San Francisco, USA. In her visits in the different public libraries in the district, she witnessed the clamor for more books and greater development of libraries. Families are ardent readers. Parents demand that access to books and information are available from Monday to Sunday. Budget for their libraries have increased as government support is unending.

Bautista has been to Manila visiting libraries as well. She has learned of the initiatives of Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation in training teachers and developing school libraries for a reading and literate nation. She lauds the foundations effort and hopes that the work and advocacy become an inspiration to others.

Caught Reading

Boys don't read? Think again.

Photos by Oyet Concepcion, AV Librarian Xavier Grade School