Book Review: What’s New on Our Library’s Bookshelves?

New Titles: Stories Across Worlds

From Syria to Japan to imagined empires, these new arrivals open windows into cultures, histories, and epic journeys.

The Essential Akutagawa by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

This collection gathers twenty-two masterful short stories by one of Japan’s most influential literary voices. Known for psychological depth and moral ambiguity, Akutagawa’s stories probe truth, illusion, and the human condition. A compelling introduction to modern Japanese literature.

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

In a storm-torn empire ruled by magic and ambition, a fierce rebel and a powerful prince are bound together in a dangerous alliance. This epic fantasy blends political intrigue, elemental magic, and slow-burn romance. Perfect for readers who love high-stakes fantasy with emotional depth.

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

A sweeping and intimate novel set during the Syrian uprising, this story follows a young pharmacist torn between survival, love, and resistance. Lyrical and heartbreaking, it explores what hope means when a country is at war—and what it takes to stay. A powerful read about courage, memory, and choosing to live.

The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu

Often called the world’s first novel, this timeless classic follows the life and loves of Prince Genji in Japan’s Heian court. Rich in emotion, aesthetics, and courtly intrigue, it offers a window into a refined and complex world. A foundational work of world literature.

Full list of new titles, click here: 2026 February New Acquisitions

https://library.beaconacademy.ph/.../koha/opac-shelves.pl...

The Lighthouse Diary #61: Gratitude Week at the Academy: Grateful for the support of leadership and external partners

UPDATE On our BA Library management System (LMS aka KOHA) 

In our meeting with our LMS partner, Mr. Tamayo, this morning we were able to add new features in the BA Library LMS such as: 

1. the extension and renewal of borrowed books; 

2. identifying the reference of books to weed out and to whom these old books will be donated; 

3. and polishing a reporting system for auditing of existing book collections versus the ones deselected from the recent inventory. 

All library admin stuff. 

We continue tomorrow to discuss HTML Coding for our BA Library Web Page updates and use of Google Drive into the database for access of ebooks and digital resources. 

It can be overwhelming, but we're still smiling!

The Lighthouse Diary Entries of 2023

I only managed to write five entries this year. Nonetheless, the posts are substantial to the blog and in my journey as school librarian in The Beacon Academy.

The Lighthouse Diary #45: Teaching and Learning Academic Writing -Classes were delivered online last week due to the mass transport strike. We reverted to synchronous and asynchronous sessions almost as quickly and with better ease. The pandemic has taught us agility and flexibility too.

The Lighthouse Diary #46: Mind Maps as Thinking Tools - Today, I had seven research consultations with students. Grade 11s all. It is research season and we are in the initiation and inquiry phase. 

The Lighthouse Diary #47: The Harkness Table - We have adopted and adapted the "Harkness Table" in the Academy. I remember how we struggled and grappled with the idea, concept and methodology of it all since it was introduced in 2010. A decade and a few years after, I can say we are sitting around the table more comfortably. 

The Lighthouse Diary #48: The Pioneer Updates - The Pioneer, our library's online research program is a child of the lockdown years. It turns four years old this school year. While working on updates for TRAILS: Tools for Research And Information Literacy Skills - Assessment, the assessment portal of the program, the idea of redesigning the site comes to mind. It looks like, ah, a Gen Xer. Hahaha (aka it looks like the one who made it).

 The Lighthouse Diary #49: TRAILS 2023 - At the beginning of the academic year, when we meet students for Foundation Days, they undergo an assessment of research and information literacy skills. The BA Library formally started this practice in the academic year 2018-2019. Six years on and we continue to ask questions. 

The Lighthouse Diary #50: Library Matters - For the first time in ages, we have students in the library at study hall, free period and dismissal who are reading, studying and just hanging around with friends. Everyone is respectful of the shared space. 

Library Display and Activity Corner: Decompression and Destressing Table

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Aklatan Ko'y Kanlungan Resource Page

The Beacon Academy is an ALA Big Sister Library Partner School

Mr. John Hickok of the American Library Association (ALA) and the California State University, Fullerton paid the Beacon Academy a visit last Tuesday, October 18, 2022. He presented and discussed with Mrs. Zarah Gagatiga, BA’s Teacher Librarian the ALA Big Sister Library Project among school libraries in the ASEAN. The Beacon Academy is an identified partner school. The project kicks off in January 2023 via online platforms.

Partner school libraries in the ALA Big Sister Library Project will be involved in the following activities:

·     *   receive descriptions of their sister libraries' best practices

·      * receive photo profiles of each other’s' libraries

·     *  enjoy librarian-to-librarian communication for idea-sharing 

·       * be introduced to the ALA Sister Library program for later (possible) partnering with US libraries

This project supports friendship, idea sharing, and communication only.

For more information on the project, visit the website: https://libraryguides.fullerton.edu/aseansisterlibraries

Using Google Site To Make A Library Website (1 of 2)

On Sunday night, I posted on Facebook photos of the library website I made using Google Site. The Pioneer is one of two library websites I made during quarantine spilling over the summer while preparing for the opening of online distance learning. 

Along with the photos are my reflections that came about after working on the site.

I made my first library website using HTML, Windows Notepad and Internet Explorer. That library website was one of the requirements submitted to Ma’am Lourdes T. David, my grad school prof for LIS 100 - Information Science (if my memory serves me right). I had a lot of fun in her class but that deserves another post in another time. Suffice it to say that in Ma’am Lou’s class, there was diversity, inclusion and care. So my insecure heart gained confidence and the courage to try new things. 

I still feel insecure on most days. Doubting myself, thinking through processes for long periods of time and tempering my moods.  

 Oo. Procrastinator ako. 

But I always go back to those memories with Audrey in Ma’am Lou’s class. Learning logic from her and listening to computer language spoken in lectures delivered by Ma’am Lou herself. There were also resource speakers from the IT and EdTech disciplines whom she invited to speak in class. From her, I learned collaboration too!  

I often tell myself, that if I was able to do it back then, I can do it again and again and again. 

And here is my handy work! A new library website for our students who will begin school tomorrow. My library orientation with them will start on Tuesday. I am excited and nervous. And stressed. Thanks to Google Suite for these cool tech! And so much love to Ma’am Lou for teaching me the basics of programming. It sure comes in useful especially in this day of intuitive technology. 

Have a look at the screenshots of the library website I made. This one is an online module for learning research and information literacy skills. Send feedback. Ask questions. We can always learn from each other!

How I made the website, I will write about it the next post.

Pathfinder: COVID-19 Updated 6.1.2020

Here is the link to the Pathfinder COVID-19 in Google Doc. The document can also be viewed below:

Pathfinder: Blended Learning

Pathfinder: EdTech, Instructional Design and Blended Learning

The BA Library received a request from the MYP Coordinator  on Blended Learning. We came up with a Pathfinder focusing on the topic and related subjects and disciplines.

The provision of curated content and the selection of sources for your class, learning resource packs, professional readings, personal growth and development are services that the BA Library facilitates. You can send your request for assistance via email (teacherlibrarian@beaconacademy.ph) or Workchat. I can also facilitate a one-on-one session for you or for your class if needed. Content curation involves skills in locating, accessing, organizing and documenting sources. It may come in handy when working on long essays and research projects.

BONUS information: EBSCOHost and World Book Online both have curation apps embedded in their portals and e-learning platforms.

Key words: blended learning, online learning, instructional design, educational technology, internet teaching

BA Library Resources

It is recommended that you begin your search using the BA Library’s databases and online subscriptions.

World Book Online (WBO) - www.worldbookonline.com

Username: *****

Password: *****

Articles in WBO are lexiled

Explora in EBSCO - http://search.ebscohost.com

Username: *****

Password: *****

Selected articles in Explora are lexiled

BA  Library Online Public Access Catalog - http://beaconacademylib.com/webopac/webopac.asp

Recommended Open Educational Resource: http://www.merlot.org

MERLOT (Multmedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching) – register an account and download articles on edTech, tech integration, create folders of resources for your own collection, link with other professionals and share resources. This is a good source and web channel to introduce the idea of a digital commons.

IN BROAD STROKES: theories, studies, research, approaches and strategies

What is Distance Education?

Defining distance education and the different forms of delivery (PDF)

by Maria Christina D. Padolina, UP Open University (UPOU)

https://beaconacademyph.workplace.com/groups/558005737988068/permalink/924099291378709/

Free Ebook on ELearning – with a chapter on Blended Learning

https://www.talentlms.com/ebook/elearning/introduction

Key Issues in Instruction, Teacher Professional Development, and ICT in Basic Education edited by Dina Ocampo (Convenor) and Kathrina Lorraine Lucasan of the UP CIDS Education Research Program (ERP)

https://beaconacademyph.workplace.com/groups/558005737988068/permalink/753799078408732/

Helping Schools Transition Post-COVID19 Times by Ani Rosa Almario PhD and Reagan Austria https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uB47AOX-GV34o2eg7WM0Z_RSuXrE-n4E/view?usp=sharing

Teaching New Literacies – with discussions on the dual theory of the internet for teaching and learning, emerging roles of teachers, research based practice on Online Reciprocal Teaching and a recommended framework and rubric on TPACK, a teaching strategy for Online/Internet Reciprocal Teaching (this may prove helpful for Vic, Motie and Francia) https://teachnewliteracies.wordpress.com/what-are-new-literacies/

On Blended Learning

Fundamentals of Blended Learning by Education Elements (video) – defines what Blended Learning is, includes instructional models and the changing roles of teachers in a blended learning classroom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xMqJmMcME0&feature=youtu.be

TEDX: Monique Markoff presents different models of Blended Learning as gleaned from professional practice and provides emphasis on teaching and learning using technology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xMqJmMcME0&feature=youtu.be

Scholastic: Blended Learning 101 – Models and framework https://edublog.scholastic.com/post/blended-learning-101#

LEARNING FROM COLLEAGUES: Pinoy Teacher Techies and Instructional Tech Learning Communities

Teacher Winnie Dyola - https://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2017/10/teacher-techie-of-month-winona-yapit.html

Francis Jim Tuscano’s empowerED- https://francisjimtuscano.com/

Galvin Radley Ngo (ADMU SALT) - https://twitter.com/galvinradleyngo

The Lighthouse Diary #20: A Vital Support System

Sharing with you, my dear blog readers, my message of love to my learning community in the Beacon Academy.

As we are all easing our way into online learning, leadership providing the framework and protocols for a smooth, if not easy transition and colleagues helping each other out, the BA Library will continue to provide access to online resources and support for teachers. Information in the form of curated content (Pathfinders, online directories, etc.) will be shared in Workplace.

By Monday, March 16, 2020, updates in Resource Center for Students in Managebac will be reactivated. I am requesting your help to refer students to this group. It has the basic guide in accessing our online subscriptions.The Resource Center was set up last August 2019. It was presented to students during the orientation. Updates were made every library session I had with MYP students and scheduled consultations with DP students during the 1st term.

The experiences shared by colleagues during the Google Classroom walk-through was both a challenging and inspiring experience. To reference John Dewey, it is in doing that we learn.

To carry on learning Google Classroom and other learning management systems, here are links to MOOCS and webinars, some materials for further reading and tech tips for teachers and students. Send over your feedback and comments. It will develop and enrich what we are co-creating now. Experienced practitioners in edtech and instructional tech have witnessed, timely, meaningful and appropriate feedback makes a big difference in learning online.

So, here we go!

UP Open University Webinar on Google Classroom - you will need to register and make sure your laptop or PC has good speakers for listening to audio-video recordings.

Ateneo Salt Institute 3 Step Guide for Setting Up a Virtual Classroom - the recommended LMS or platforms are Facebook and Schoology. I have tried both and the later is more appropriate for academics. It is more teacher friendly too. Well, the former is more popular and easier to access but, why not try something new once in a while.

Ateneo Salt Institute Guide for Online Learners - if there is a guide for teachers, a student guide is not far behind. This is for reference and a model to look at for building students' confidence, accountability and integrity while learning in a virtual environment.

DoF sent good materials (an article and a checklist) to condition and start us off in online learning over at Academic Team. Here now is a practical guide and tips for instructors transitioning to teaching online. Intended for higher education, the content is applicable for teachers in basic education.

This is all for now. Have a restful weekend. Stay protected. See you online!

Book Review: Switch How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

I have a friend at work who is one of the most engaging conversationalists around. Our recent topic at morning coffee is change and how it could affect the young people we mentor and teach in the Academy. Because I am a fan of Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget, I sent her a web article on the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) in the hope  that we can look at change and learning how to change from theories tried and tested.

Piaget  theorized that children learn at their leisure and in autonomy. But Vygotsky added the  environment as a factor in learning. By guiding, mentoring and scaffolding learning experiences at a child’s ZPD, he/she will be able to build self confidence and continuously construct knowledge by intearcting socially with parents, teachers and peers. I haven’t heard from her since the email.

I persisted by sending her a short book review of Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard (Heath and Heath, Crown Business 2010)

On change and what research in the human and social sciences say about it; what makes it complicated; why people find it such a challenge. But, early on in the book Chip Heath and Dan Heath, the authors of the book, gave a very simple and real reason. They said, “Often, the heart and mind disagree. Fervently.” 

Peppered with stories on change and managing change in big and small ways, research on human interactions and behavior towards it are overlaid. Studies are presented and built around these human interest stories. For example, to introduce the idea that perception plays a role in the will to change, a study on popcorn consumption is used to great effect. There are chapters that include specific strategies in making the change and responding to it in personal ways, as well as its implications to the community. My personal favorite is the chapter on sustainability because it is for me, the more challenging task in creating and making a chane.

Available at the BA Library for your reading pleasure!

Teacher - Librarian Collaboration: Discipline and Skills Building

I had a productive meeting with our Dean of Faculty last week. 

What started out as a consultation on the updating of library guidelines on student discipline inside the library branched out into concrete plans for skills building. We were able to agree on putting in the Student Handbook the library's essential agreements and the belief that a library is a shared space. My takeaways from our meeting is that skills building requires discipline and that the library is part and parcel of this process. 

Specifically, I spread out and proposed a structure for skills building through the library.

1. Teacher Librarian welcomes ASquads who will schedule sessions with her on research and use of library resources. ASquads can advise students to plot Librarian Assisted Study Time during their free time in consultation with the Teacher Librarian.

What skills can the Teacher Librarian assist in or help students learn: development of topics for research, identifying potential sources in line with the statement of inquiry, how to develop, use and revise search strategies from a variety of media and tech sources, evaluate sources and information, advising or consultations on referencing, citations, knowledge of Creative Commons and copyright and documentation of sources.

2. Bibliography of Journal and Periodical articles, arranged or categorised by reading levels - low, average, high. 

Instruct and mentor BA Lib Assistant in the creation of book lists and academic articles following a standard citation or bibliographic format. This will be communicated to faculty and students on a regular basis. Teacher Librarian will catalog and curate the lists into directories following the MYP and DP subject groups. 

Teacher Librarian will seek interns, college students, BA students who can participate in this project as CAS activity hours.

This is how we are in the Beacon Academy. We strive to make connections in learning.

Dear School Librarian In Action: Working with Teachers

Here is part 2 of my conversations with school librarians of Raya School where we talked about working with teachers and sealing collaborative projects.

3. My priority in buying books for the library are the titles that teachers need for their lessons. However, it is not often that teachers suggest titles due to their busy schedule. Is there any possible guide that I could follow in acquisition of books?

This has been partly answered in number 2. Teachers will always put their teaching hat first. Some teachers may not recognize or admit that they need support, yet, they do. Librarians can lend that support.

In lesson planning, teachers identify learning materials, references and instructional aids. What are listed in that part of their lesson plan? Knowing what’s there can be a starting point to creating a Possible Purchase File. This is your record of resources to acquire sooner or later. Also, find a way to engage teachers in conversations about their learners and teaching practices that work. This will inform you of media and technology to set up, maintain and organize in the library for teacher's use. Have a Kapihan sa Aklatan, open a social media account for the library if your school allows this to promote library learning resources from print, online to maps, infographics and other visuals.

Over the years, I have documented and blogged about activities and projects that school librarians and teachers can do. Go to Teacher and Librarian Collaboration.

4. I give simple prizes such as stickers and bookmarks to those who frequently borrow books in the library. This works for those who are already frequent users in the library but how could I reach those seldom visit the library?

Hmm… what grades do you handle? You can approach reading promotion by grade levels, for example, K-3, middle grades, junior high and senior high. Consider their reading developmental levels in promoting books and the use of the library. Also think of what the library can offer them aside from books. Are the senior high students stressed from academics? Set up a stress buster or Makerspace that has art and crafts activities. Display books and resources about arts and crafts to go along with it. Storytelling is a MUST, especially in K-3 and changes focus somehow in the middle grades.

Reading promotions can be a program you can create but it is anchored on your collection development program and your three year library development plan.

For a bigger picture of the many hats that school librarians can wear, read this post on Reading Advocacy . This doesn't mean a librarian must play all the roles at one time, or that he/she is all that. Librarians are people in the school community and those they work with need to know and recognize that. That is part of our work also - help them see what we can do to support them.

Makerspace and The DLSU-STC School Library

One of the features that the DLSU-STC School Library have that struck me when I visited last December 2017 was their Makerspace. Have a look at these photos and the physical set up that the librarians prepared for their young readers and makers.

A Makerspace is a collaborative learning space where creative thinking and a maker attitude are the emphasis and not the tools. Though, tools and technology are needed to keep the creative juices flowing and the maker attitude up and going. Planning and setting up a Makerspace in your school library would attract more learners who may not always find joy in reading books. Makerspaces promote other forms of thinking and learning. This project may be a door way to opportunities that will help learners grow and the library's resources are used by them.

 Here is a link on Makerspace: Basic 101. I have set up a Makerspace in our library. I blogged about it, Makerspace in the School Library. 

A few months after, a reader of my blog picked it up! We had a chat over at Messenger and I documented that as well. Here are the links: Makerspace Convo 1   Makerspace Convo 2  Makerspace Convo 3.

November In Review: Art, Books and Music (3 of 3)

At the tail end of National Book Week, I visited the De La Salle Science and Technology Center (DLS - STC) Grade School Library for a Zine Making activity with a group of middle grades and junior high school students. This literacy and literary engagement was made possible through the effort of Ms. Candy May Schijf, library coordinator.

It was their first time to hear about Zines, let alone make one. That is why, I took simple steps and basic concepts in introducing this literary genre and format to them. Making the Zines along side these young readers and writers was a learning experience for me too. At the end of the session, there were two students who finished making a zine.

A high school student made this zine!

It was my hope that they continue making their own Zines. If not, creating their stories and producing their own works of art in whatever medium is the long term goal. Inspiring kids to read and write is the beginning of language and literary development. Engaging them to write and create their own stories in a medium of their choice is empowering. Apart from the classroom, it is the library where literacy development and empowerment through language use happen. Teachers teach these skills, yes, and students get assessed and evaluated on learning gained.

But, when librarians involve themselves in the process of creation, where individual differences are respected as well as varying learning modalities, then the librarian facilitates learning! Kudos to Ms. Schijf for making the classroom-library connection happen.

Helpful links: On Zines and Zines Making Workshop @ the School Library

SLIA Posts on Zines: Zines and Self Publishing
SLIA Posts on Zines: Zine Collection in the School Library

DIY: Zine Making for Kids
Zines: A Beginners Guide
Zines as Teaching Tools

Hosting an Author Visit and Storytelling Session

I am happy reading aloud my published picture books to kids at Perps.

As a published and an international award winning author, I have my share of wonderful experiences visiting schools for the conduct of talks and workshops about reading, writing and book making. Part of my program is a read aloud and storytelling session of one or two of my published picture books.

It is always a joy to see the faces of young children light up with wonder. They giggle, gasp and grasp a classmates hand during events in the story that are funny, exciting and surprising. Connection between storyteller and listener happens. It is magical!

In a recent author visit I had at the Grade School Department of the University of Perpetual Help System (Perps), I had magical moments with the K-3 students there. Their response to stories is amazing. They warmed up to Daddy Elephant, laughed at little brother every time Big Sister annoys him, and followed on the heroic journey of Mother Cat. It is my honor to share these stories with them, the ones I created and the ones that matter to me.

With the support of my publisher, Lampara Books, I get to experience, first hand, the wonder, fun and curiosity that rest in the heart and mind of a listening child. It inspires me to keep on writing. I thank the librarians of Perps for having me last November 30 for this visit. I am grateful to my learning commnity, The Beacon Academy, for allowing me to network and touch base with our neighbors in Binan.

Here now is a set of tips for school librarians who wish to have a smashing Author Visit.

1. First of all, an Author Visit must be planned early on. It is scheduled way ahead of time for logistics and budgetary concerns. It is therefore important that the librarian knows who to invite so that, the author's professional fees, transportation, meal allowance and needed equipment and materials are all in place. The program, venue of the visit and the audience, the objectives and the purpose of the visit need to be spelled out.

2. Most school systems require a proposal for this activity. Librarian managers need to allot a budget for this event. Including this event in the regular staff meeting is essential. It gets everyone involved. The Author Visit becomes a community event. The librarian in charge of the event works works with teachers and even parents in organizing the visit. Usually, the Author Visit is part of a bigger event for example, Teen Read Week, National Book Week, Poetry Month, International Literacy Day, National Children's Book Week, etc.

3. When the plan and proposal has been approved by the school administration, the librarian can begin the logistical preparations.

4. Send the author an invitation, either through his/her contact address or through the publisher.

5. Invite the publisher to display and sell the author's books and schedule in a book signing session. Authors get a lot from engaging with their readers. Your role, as a librarian, is to bridge the reader to the book and its author.

6. Promote the visit a week or two before the actual event. Prepare flyers, announce the event at assemblies, school websites and newsletters.

7. Work with teachers for curriculum tie-ins. Even guidance counselors may find the visit beneficial in helping young people find out what their interests in life are. This can pave the way to knowing one's vocation.

8. Have a post Author Visit activity. Writing the author letters is one of the many post activities you can do. Authors often reply, thus, the connection deepens and you, librarian, you now find yourself a part of the creative process.

9. Send the author a thank you via email or the traditional snail mail. You can invite him/her again, thus, the author becomes a resource person who will help you teach, educate and guide young people in their learning.

10. Evaluate the Author Visit. Start by looking at the objectives. Were they met? How? What areas need improvement? Write this all in a report and submit it to the Librarian manager. Documentation of activities helps you chart your growth, as well as the library's.

Author Visits can be fun! Tiring, yes. But kids and young people learn a lot from the experience. And yes, even the authors whom you invite over.

Zarah Gagatiga accepts library consultancy and professional development training sessions for teachers, aspiring writers and novice school librarians. 

Her author visit programs are fun, exciting and filled with learning activities. With Zarah Gagatiga, you have a BLAST: Blogger, Librarian, Author, Storyteller and Teacher. 

Get in touch with her! Her email address is: zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com

Inclusivity and Diversity in the School Library: What is an Inclusive Library?

November 24-30, 2016 is National Book Week. This year's theme is Today's Readers: Inclusivity and Diversity. If anything, the theme prompts us to look at our library services and programs as culturally tolerant, embracing the uniqueness individuals and accepting the differences of peoples who go to the library, and making sure that the library is a "safe place" for everyone. And at the heart of it all is the librarian who is competent enough to plan, implement and deliver programs of inclusivity and diversity.

I am wrapping my head around it because, to me at least, it appears more than looking at the library's collection. Although, by building up a collection that is diverse and represents people of color, indigenous groups, the marginalized, political refugees and the LGBT community, then it is a start to begin thinking of programs and services for them.

Here are two blog posts from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) on what an Inclusive Library is, its qualities and the competencies that librarians must possess to run such programs and services.

#act4teens: The Inclusive Library: More Than A Diverse Collection Part 1

#act4teens: The Inclusive Library: More Than A Diverse Collection Part 2

You may wish to head on to the YALSA website for more resources and news. They spear head the Teen Read Week and Teen Tech Week celebrations.