The Lighthouse Diary #54: The Beacon Academy Library Fundamentals (1 of 2)

I had my first library session with our new teachers today. Previous to the meeting we had this morning, I sent them some materials to read and and a priming activity. This is how it looked like:

On Monday, July 15, 2024 for a one-hour session to discuss BA Library Fundamentals. There will be two batches, one at 9AM and the second at 1PM. Kindly wait for DOF to send the group assignments.

To prepare for this session, it is required that you read the following materials and answer the TRAILS: Tools for Research And Information Literacy Skills - Faculty Edition. 

This is the link to TRAILS: https://forms.gle/JgKKdbghhf1MyvgeA

Reading Materials:

1. The Beacon Academy Library OPAC - https://library.beaconacademy.ph/

Please read: About the Library; Library Collection; Library Personnel; Access to Digital Resources

2. Public List - https://library.beaconacademy.ph/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=list&category=2

Browse through the curated resources by the BA Community

3.  Collaboration between Teacher and Librarian - https://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2021/05/scholastic-webinar-collaboration-in.html

After reading the blog article, post one question and a takeaway on the JamBoard: https://jamboard.google.com/d/1qYB448pcgc4Jwaddegc9mRJZ5iXXx3c5A5dWilGGyLU/edit?usp=sharing

Numbers 1,2 are priming activities and number 3 is the Entrance Pass.

My Life as a Teacher Librarian, Post COVID Era (2 of 2)

 Here is part 2 of my reflections on the essay part of the nomination form for Binan's Outstanding Librarian Award. 

2. Work Excellence and Achievement and Awards and Recognitions Received

 For this criterion, I am presenting the awards and recognitions I received professionally. I think that my continuous pursuance of the improvement of my personal growth and competencies is a factor in receiving these professional awards and recognition.

 

* Recipient of the Fr. James Meany SJ Service Award for exemplary service to PAASCU in the field of Basic Education PAASCU 2009

● Storytelling Resource Award 2015 For Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories The Storytelling World, Tennessee, USA

● Top Ten Kids’ Choice Award 2016 for Big Sister National Book Development Board, PH

● Certificate of Recognition for Inspiring Children to Tell Stories and a Featured Storyteller in the exhibit (2016 to present) Paglaki Ko Gusto Ko Maging Kuwentista, Museo Pambata Roxas Blvd. Manila, July 2016

● Plaque of Appreciation 2017 In recognition of Exemplary Work and Service to School Library Development and the Growth of Children’s Literature, Philippine Association of School Librarians, Inc. (PASLI)

● Final List Top 5 for The Day Max Flew Away Best Children’s Story 2018 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA)

● Recipient of the Fr. James Meany SJ Service Award for exemplary service to PAASCU in the field of Basic Education, PAASCU 2022

3. General Management and Quality of Service

The Beacon Academy Library, in congruence with the school’s certification processes with the DepEd, the International Baccalaureate and the Philippine Council for NGO Certification has passed three accreditation and certification journeys. Needless to say, the management and quality of service of the library has met local, national and global standard.

 

My Life as a Teacher Librarian, Post COVID Era (1 of 3)

Peers from the Binan Library Association nominated me for the Outstanding Librarian of Binan Award. I completed the requirements last week and the part where I need to write an essay was a chance for reflection. Sharing them here in the blog.

1.       Exercise of Leadership

a.       Personal

I am committed to take good care of myself by practicing self-care and regular medical consultations, at least yearly, since I have a medical history of transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke). This medical condition motivates me to keep my routines healthy and to maintain a positive outlook in life by engaging in recreational activities that contribute to my mental and physical health. I have been immersed into clay and ceramic art; walking for fitness; art journaling and reading books read and recommended by my favorite Kpop group, BTS. Furthermore, my involvement as Youth Ministry lead in Magis Deo allows me to attend regular spiritual recollections and retreats that give me room for personal space and reflection.

 

b.       Professional

I have held leadership positions in the past in the Philippine Board on Books for Young People as its president (2006-2012). In my capacity as president, the PBBY and the National Book Development Board was able to hold and establish the first National Children’s Book Award and Kids Choice Award in 2012. In relation to my involvement in the PBBY as president, we were also able to conduct the first Storytelling Festival which was adapted and adopted by many learning communities. As librarian, I have been the head and coordinator of the Learning Resource Center of Xavier School (2006-2009). At present, I lead and manage the library operations and programming of the Beacon Academy Library. Our school has two programs namely, the DepEd Junior and Senior High School and the International Baccalaureate Programs. Following two different school library standards, one national and one international, requires leadership skills that are grounded locally but extends and expands globally. I have the opportunity to rise up to this leadership role with the support of the leadership of the Beacon Academy.

 

Lastly, I manage my professional growth as teacher librarian of the Academy and the learning community beyond Binan by writing academic papers and being published as a children’s book author yearly. My latest study is an academic paper on media and fandom culture analyzing the phenomenological processes involved in fangirling attitudes of teenagers and women in midlife, particularly Filipino ARMYs. I was fortunate to present this paper in the BTS Interdisciplinary Conference at the highly respected research university, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in August 2023. I have completed the manuscript of seven retellings of Filipino Folk Tales for Children under Tuttle Publishing, an international publishing house with a line of Asian literature at its core. With the illustrator working on the drawings, illustrations and book design this year, 2024, we are hopeful to publish the book in 2025.

BA Library Online: Welcome Griffins to AY 2021-2022

 

Teacher Librarians Help and Support Teachers

In October 2018, I sent out a Library Packet for our teachers in the Academy. It has information on library subscriptions, points of access and a profile of the library staff. Below is my one-page profile which I revised at the start of the year. It is my way of communicating to teachers the role and the tasks I do to help them and support them in learning and instruction.

It is necessary to continuously remind the community of the school librarian's role. For me, I go back to this list of tasks as an exercise of on-going professional growth and development.

The Beacon Academy Library Personnel from Zarah Gagatiga