Circulation Statistics

I am not fasting from blogging. The Filipino Librarian is. The promised post on related library issue is finally here. My apologies for the delay. I have been sick and work is a monster I can not tame.

For the meantime, allow me to share with you this information regarding borowing of faculty and staff. Our statistics are low this year and it prompted us to look closely at factors affecting the trend. Below are the recommendations.

Factors attributing to low circulation by Faculty & Staff

1. Time – structures and schedules do not allow them to read and borrow print resources;

2. Technology – the utility of electronic sources (websites, etc) has more appeal to them than printed formats.

• However, teachers and staff must understand that different information technology (books and periodicals included) address different information needs and learning styles.

3. Library Promotion Strategies – some techniques to make them aware of existing and new resources may not be effective any longer.

• A more aggressive and creative way to inform them of the resources available for circulation is a challenge.

4. Purpose for using print materials – books and periodicals are primarily used as materials that provide information.

• In the context of instruction, such resources can be used as actual learning tools.


Recommendations from the GS LRC

1. Schedule a monthly library period for each department. This can run for 30 to 45 minutes where in librarians can also present new ways to use instructional materials to teachers.

2. Librarians are expected to do book talks and reviews of current instructional materials every month for each department or cluster (Science – Math; Filipino-Social Studies; Music-Arts; CMSO-Guidance).

3. Use the GS LRC’s blog to promote the library’s resources. This way, technology is used to reach out to tech savvy teachers.

4. Reward teachers and staff who frequently use/borrow at the end of every quarter with a certificate or affirmation.

5. Indicate in CS (Clinical Supervision) the importance of reading professional books, journals and the utility of print materials in instruction.

CCP's Line Up of Summer Activities for Kids

I am breaking the long silence with these Summer Activities for kids in the CCP. Keep them kids busy this summer! Don't let them be idle!

Will have a (more) library related post tomorrow. Promise!

Music

SAMU’TSARING TINIG 9: A Concert of Children’s Choirs
Tanghalang N. Abelardo, 23 February 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Now on its 9th year, the 2007 Samu’tsaring Tinig Concert will focus on outstanding children’s choirs who have made a name in the local choral music scene, and have won national and international competitions. These include the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir, Kilyawan Boys Choir, Philippine Chlidren’s Choir of Mandaluyong, the Chiang Kai Shek Youth Choir, St. Scholastica’s College Children’s Choir and others.

CONCERT FOR NURSING MOTHERS, BABIES AND TODDLERS
Tanghalang N. Abelardo Lobby, 1 July 2007, 3:00 p.m.
An orchestral concert for pregnant and nursing mothers, babies, toddlers and families.

PPO CONCERT FOR HEALING IN MINDANAO
Mindanao, September 2007
A special outreach concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for the communities in Mindanao.


Theater

3rd VIRGIN LABEST
CCP Venues, 22 June-8 July 2007
Playfest of untested, unpublished and unstaged works. The 3rd Virgin Labrfest is envisioned to be of larger scope introducing other related activities and events. The main event shall be the production of ten-minute to one-act plays to be categorized according to theme, style and genre. New categories are regional and international works, devised and/or collaborative pieces, short musicales and children’s short plays.


Other Performances

LAUNCHING OF THE CHILDREN’S EMPOWERMENT AWARDS PROJECT OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN SOUTH EAST ASIA (ARCSEA), 3 March 2007 – Kite Flying Event, Liwasang Ipil Ipil, 3:30 p.m.
ARCSEA is a pioneering non-governmental organization promoting the rights of Filipino children specifically to survival and development. This year, they will launch the Children’s Empowerment Awards project, a search for the best ideas and projects that children’s groups or children’s clubs in communities plan to undertake as their contribution to community development. The project will culminate in an awarding ceremony slated in the end of this year.

SUPLING
Tanghalang N. Abelardo, 25 April 2007
Philippine Pediatric Society’s Diamond Jubilee Gala Night. A cultural show featuring various artists and performing groups.
Radio Production

WAN DEY ISANG ARAW
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., DZAS
A weekly radio program for chidren based on classic and contemporary Pinoy literature. Going on its third year, this is one of the few radio programs for the Pinoy child. Aside from the stories’ inherent social and cultural values, each episode features works by some of the finest writers of Filipino children’s literature. This CCP production is in cooperation with DZAS, Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and Alitaptap Storytellers.


Workshops

• Music

THE PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORHCESTRA (PPO) MUSIC SCHOOL
- Begiinner, intermediate and advance lessons in the individual instruments of the orchestra (woodwind, brass, strings, harp, piano and percussion instruments)
For children from ages 7 years old and above; teens and adults.
- Beginner, intermediate and advanced Lessons in Voice.
For children and teens (boys from 12 years old and above; girls from 8 years old and above), and adults.

• Dance

PANGKAT PAMBATA WORKSHOP
10 April-4 May 2007
Basic folk dance workshop for children from 7 to 12 years old conducted by the Philippine Folk Dance Society.
Workshop Fee: P1,000

• Theater

CHILDREN’S THEATER I: Creative Dramatics for Children
10 April-2 May 2007 (Tuesday-Saturday), 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
For children ages 5-8 years old.
Number of sessions: 16
Workshop Fee: P5,000

CHILDREN’S THEATER II: Creative Dramatics for Children
10 April-2 May 2007, (Tuesday-Saturday), 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
For children ages 9-11 years old.
Number of sessions: 16
Workshop Fee: P5,000

• Visual Arts

CHILDREN’S ART WORKSHOP
18 April-18 May 2007, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Workshop Fee: P3,000

• Media Arts

ART AND ANIMATION WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
24 April-5 May 2007
For children and teens from 11-16 years old. The workshop will cover plastic illustration and animation techniques, introduction to frame-by-frame, storyboard and flipbook.
Workshop Fee: P3,000

• Literary Arts

BATANG-SINING
A five-day creative expression workshop for children (ages 6-13) that involves poetry-writing, storytelling, theatrical presentation, puppetry, art and book-making. It is aimed at developing skills in creative expression to enable children to communicate artistically and discover their creativity, and keep them from vices. Artists who are experts in children’s education will serve as resource persons.

Occidental Mindoro, 10-13 April 2007
Sigma, Capiz, 24-27 April 2007
CCP Tanghalang N. Abelardo Lobby, 2-5 May 2007
Mauban, Quezon, 15-18 May 2007


Other Events

PHILIPPINE BOARD ON BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’s (PBBY) NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY CELEBRATION
Program - Tanghalang N. Abelardo Lobby, 17 July 2007; Exhibit - Second Floor Hallway, 17-30 July 2007
The annual program and awarding ceremonies of the PBBY hosted by the CCP in celebration of the National Children’s Book Day. Works by the finalists and winning entries of the 2007 Alcala Prize (Illustrator’s Prize) will be featured in an exhibit.


Outreach Programs

KALINGA NG SINING
January to December 2007
Art for healing/arts education and cultural appreciation aimed at rebuilding capacity and confidence of children, youth and parents in poor communities.

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

Sol by Agay Llanera

On March 20, 2007 at the Ayala Museum, Agay Llanera, KUTING Secretary, will launch her second book, Sol via CANVAS. Illustrations by Farley del Rosario.

Agay Llanera is a fellow KUTING and sits in the executive board as secretary. This is her second published book. Read the story and the details of the launch here.

With one book launch after the other, Philippine Children's Literature is indeed alive and well.

Tahanan Books Launch Greek Myths

Crash Course Program for Librarians

I got this announcement from my inbox today.

1. The duration of the Crash Program: 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, or a total of 48 contact hours for one core subject equivalent to 3 units.
2. Methods of conducting the course: Lectures, review and practice
3. To be conducted by: UP ILS
4. Date of implementation to be announced later.

Ref .BFL Resolution No. 12, Series 2006

Here is the description of the Crash Course Program:

The Institute of Library and Information Science (ILIS) will hold a Crashed Program for non-passers of the Board Exam for Librarians and non-librarians working in the library with 18 units of Library Science taken before 1990 on the first week of February 2007 at 3rd Floor Gonzales Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon.

Transcript of Records (TOR), Certificate of Employment and Service Record and contact details should be submitted to the ILIS for evaluation as soon as possible to be included in the final list of participants. The participant may not have to attend all 6 sessions, as the ILIS will recommend the subject/s each participant will take so as to concentrate on the subject he/she is weak. Course fee is P1500 per week, wherein one subject will be covered each week. In addition, all requirements to be submitted to apply for the Board Exam for Librarians at the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) should be ready before the end of the course. ILIS will certify their attendance and completion of the Crash Program and endorse their application.

For more details, please contact Mrs. Josefina Cervas at (02) 921-8500 loc 2869/2870/2871 or email her at josefina.cervas@up.edu.ph or zorina.franco@up.edu.ph

PLAI Matters

The Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. has a new set of Board of Trustess. If you are a Filipino Librarian who is an active member of the profession, you'd read familiar and respected names from the profession. Below is the PLAI NCR Council members.

Congratulations to the Board and to the Council!

PLAI NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 2007-2008
EXECUTIVE BOARD

President -------------------- Susima Gonzales, NCR

Vice Pres. ------------------- Thelma Kim, CAR

Secretary -------------------- Shirley Nava, NCR

Treasurer--------------------- Zoraida Bartolome, Region 3

Asst. Treasurer------------- Fe Abelardo, NCR

Auditor ----------------------- Belen M. Vibar, NCR

PRO --------------------------- Marilou Tadlip, Region 7

TRUSTEES:
Myrna Acedera, Region 10
Rosemarie Ante, Region 5
Salvacion Arlante, NCR
Jane Bebeng, Region 4
Marianita Dablio, ARMM
Hinnie Gonzales, Region 6
Rebecca Napiere, Region 8
Rosario Ruiz, Region 12
Illuminada Yap. Region 11

PLAI-NCR COUNCIL, 2007

Chairman ------------- Lilia F. Echiverri
Vice Chairman ------ Belen M. Vibar
Secretary -------------- Jocelyn Ladlad
Treasurer -------------- Fe Abelardo
PRO --------------------- Nora Claravall
Directors: -------------- Salvacion Arlante
Rodolfo Tarlit

New Year! New Books!

New books always get kids excited. By keeping library shelves stocked with new acquisitions and book display carts brimming with new titles, the bars in library circulation statistics will always look like the Makati skyline. School librarians are thrilled to see kids reading. To know that they frequently borrow and read from the library is an assurance that the school library budget is put to good use.

The GS LRC, in its continued effort to promote a genuine love for books and reading, provides the community with brief reviews of good reads to take home and enjoy. Note that the books included in this review can also be relished by an adult reader. And if the grown up takes great pleasure at reading the children’s book, then it has met the bar of a well written literature for children. Children’s literature after all, mirrors the stories of our childhood.

Funke-y Reads!

When J.K. Rowling allowed Harry Potter to step out of her imagination and into the pages of a book, one by one, fantasy writers followed her wake. Classics of this genre like The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Narnia Chronicles, to name a few, have gained popularity too. Suddenly, fantasy is in and it has slowly and solidly built a great following among young readers age 8 to 18.

Two writers have emerged from the world of fey to regale readers, young and old, with stories of the fantastic. Cornelia Funke, a German and Jonathan Stroud, a British, have both published novels for kids and young adults that merged fantasy and reality into one stream lined story frame. Their approach is reminiscent of Roald Dahl, however, their styles at crafting fantasy stories differ very much from each other and to Dahl’s magic realism.

Funke made a splash in the children’s literature circle upon publication and translation to the English of The Thief Lord. A band of orphaned street children prowling the streets and water ways of Venice is led by a young thief named Scipio. The young rascal hides behind a mask to conceal his face as well as his true identity. The vagabonds escape the police and the hoodlums of the streets but not the diligence of a private investigator and the compassion of a benefactor. In the end, every one turns out happy, even the mean Barbarossa who was magically reduced and restored back to youth.

The book’s message that all children, no matter what they are or who they are must be accepted and looked after does not quite agree with older readers. Critics of the book complain about the saccharine turn of events. But, parents, teachers and professionals working with and for children can identify with this conviction. There are splendid treasures of this world and one of the greatest is childhood. Funke made sure that child readers seize the opportunity to cherish it and for adult readers, she gave the responsibility to nurture and nourish it.

After The Thief Lord, she came back with Ink Heart, Dragon Rider and Ink Spell, the sequel to Ink Heart. All novels bespeak of the child hero and the heroic image that comes with it.

Stroud also has a strong belief in the child hero. In his The Bartimaeus Trilogy, he successfully conjured Harry Potter’s antithesis. Rowling’s
Potter has Dumbledore and friends. Stroud’s Nathaniel has Bartimaeus, a thousand year old djinn whose endearing qualities are his sense of humor and knowledge of history. Take him away and Nathaniel is but a snotty, conceited, arrogant brat. He is selfish and apathetic. He is ambitious and would do anything to reach his goals. It is not until the last book that Nathaniel was able to redeem himself. In the process, he saved his friends, London and the world.

Reading all three books is like a roller coaster ride to ancient history and to an altered London with a parliament littered with magicians, good and bad. This is Nathaniel’s world, one where he is often challenged to make the decision on how to use his talents of magic. Children, particularly young adults contend with the same dilemma. While adults guide and protect them as much, like Nathaniel, they will find ways to save themselves and learn what life is really all about.

After The Thief Lord, she came back with Ink Heart, Dragon Rider and Ink Spell, the sequel to Ink Heart. All novels bespeak of the child hero and the heroic image that comes with it.

It’s Raining Series!

Primary readers find enjoyment with books that come in series. The Hardy Boys has established quite a reputation though new stories in series form are being published every year. These are The Magic Tree House, Spiderwick Chronicles, Geronimo Stilton, Captain Underpants and Series of Unfortunate Events to name a few. Such titles appeal more to the child reader of this day and age. Stories in the series are fast paced, adventure packed, amusing, fun and empowering.

The Deltora Quest Series tells of a kingdom invaded by a malevolent Dark Lord. Redemption is seven to ten years in the making. It rests on the hands of two teenagers, Leif and Jasmine, to face adversaries of the Lord’s making and theirs too. Accompanied by Barda, warrior disguised as the village idiot, they scour the Land of Deltora for the seven missing gems of a magical belt. Once restored, peace will rule the land.

The series comes in eight books. Readers who are familiar with the movie version of the The Lord of the Rings can easily make connections that will lead to a better appreciation of the books.

Aside from the fantasy genre, concept books have taken the route to series land. The Cat in the Hat Library is an example. The GS LRC currently has four titles; Oh say, can you say Di-no-saur?, Fine Feathered Friends, Oh say can you seed?, On beyond Bugs.

Inspired by the Dr. Seuss Classic, The Cat in the Hat Library carries the same narrative style and playful illustrations. This time around, writers of the series present facts and information of interest to readers age 5-8. The characters are resurrected back to life with the intrepid Cat playing the role of teacher to the siblings. What a complete turn around from Dr. Seuss’s version! It could be that the Cat has stashed away his penchant for mischief even for a while.

The market is full of books for kids and young adults to taste and devour. Some are candy; many are filling and a few can be chewed on like gum. To offer a guided reading of the good ones that are digestible satiates the reading appetite. With these recommended reads, the GS LRC hopes to see more kids reading and more adults reading for them and with them too.

Fun Librarian

Taken last Christmas by a colleague, I posed for the camera Dream Girls style. The wig was my best accessory last Christmas Party in school.


Everyone thought I was up for a performance. They were disappointed. I just wanted to be fun, and to have fun at my own expense that day. It's been a while sine I let my guard down. Administrative work can be very stressful. My 2006 was tough and tremulous besides. For all the blunders and bloopers committed last year, I needed to humor myself. A lot of people got the joke. Good for them.

As for the school administrators, they were lenient enough to allow me this display of humor. Though I know for a fact that my school director found the "act" so circus-like, he did give me credit for my ability to laugh at myself. That's one of the many reasons why I admire and respect the Jesuits so much.

Thanks to Baby Alfonso for lending me the afro wig. To Ria Marifosque too, for the fab photo.

Updates on Philippine Children's Literature

Every year, new books for children are being published. Most are launched during the National Children's Book Day in July. This early, I got several news on a book launch, a new Young Adult book, a Filipino Artist winning the Noma Concours and a Children's Literature workshop. Details are as follows -

Book Launch

TAHANAN LAUNCHES 3 GREEK MYTHS AS BILINGUAL FLIPBOOKS

The Trojan Horse. Odysseus and the Cyclops. Melampus and the Snakes.
These three well-loved classics mined from the ancient treasure trove
of Greek mythology come alive as splendid bilingual flipbooks just out
from Tahanan Books for Young Readers. The three books—retold by Peggy
Manuel, vibrantly illustrated by Rita Badilla-Gudiño, and translated
into Filipino by Rene O. Villanueva—will be launched on Monday,
February 5th at Powerbooks (Greenbelt 4) from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.

With this series Tahanan introduces an innovative flipbook
format designed to showcase a story in two languages. The first half
of each 32-page picture book is a dedicated English edition, the last
half is flipped upside-down and bears the Filipino edition. Each
center spread features trivia gleaned from Greek mythology.

Tahanan's full-color flipbooks are available singly (P225) and
as a set (P675) in all major bookstores. For more information, please
contact Frances Ong at 818-2482 or send an email to
marketing@tahananbooks.com.

New Young Adult Book

KUTING's first anthology of short fiction for Young Adults (age 13 - 19). Available at the UP Press Bookstore in Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman. Edited by Carla Pacis(English) & Eugene Evasco (Filipino). Cover design by May Tobias-Papa.

Noma Concours
Artist and Children's Book Writer, Jomike Tejido, is runner up winner in the Noma Concours

Children's Literature Workshop

The Tamaraw Writeshop for Children's Literature calls for applications to a 12-day writing fellowship to its second national writeshop to be held in Iloilo City.
As its target tradition, the writeshop tours around the country as part of its objective of enrichment of regional cultures and literatures. Thus, this year, the writeshop goes to Iloilo with three fellowships open for Hiligaynon or Kiniray-a languages.

Fifteen fellowships are open nationwide. Applicants may send entries in English, Filipino, or Hiligaynon. Entries written in Hiligaynon/Kiniray- a must bear Filipino or English translation.

Applicants must submit the following:
(1) two unpublished short stories for children;
(2) one copy of each story plus digital file (12-point, Times-New-Roman font, double spaced in 8.5x11 bond paper with one inch margin all sides); (
3) cover letter address to the writeshop director;
(4) two 2x2 recent colored photo; and
(5) applicant's bionote with complete contact information.

The fellows will undergo series of lectures and writing sessions based on the syllabus designed by their respective mentors. The two-week activity will primarily work on the objective of finishing a writing project which is the main target output. A first national conference on Philippine children’s literature will also be held side by side the writeshop. Deadline for submission is February 15, 2007. The same is the postmark date for entries that will be sent through mail. Email submissions are accepted with the entry and necessary documents as attached files wynion@gmail. com; tamaraw-writeshop@ yahoo.com

Migrating

I am not leaving the country for greener pastures. Not now. Not yet. I have, however, migrated from the Old Blogger to the New Blogger. What is so special about it? Let's just say that technology, like everything else in life, changes. My response to change, as far as my blogs are concerned, is to go with the flow and see how things will pick up from there.

I am enjoying the New Blogger, mind you.

For one, I found the new Blogger easier to navigate. The interface is smoother and it allows a blogger to label each posts. While most blogger I know have switched or upgraded, I found some interesting blogs by Filipino Librarians around blogosphere.

I have mentioned about PLAI STRLC's blog sometime last year and it gave me a sense of good things to come in terms of blogging and Philippine Librarianship. Today, I visited the blog of PLAI Cagayan Valley Region . I am particularly pleased because, I trace my roots in Catagaman, Tuguegarao. It would be interesting to visit and touch base with librarians there.

It gives me more reason to plan a trip back home.

Big 6 Lesson for Grade 4

This week has been a flurry of library instruction lesson observations, staff reporting and initial evaluation, brainstorming for Big 6 lessons, justification for books that the library will acquire and submission of statistical reports. Each is as interesting as an episode in a Filipino or Korean telenovela. I do intend to blog about it since few is written or talked about regarding (Philippine)school library management in the Internet. Only I'll do it one at a time because work never cease to subside at this time of the year.

For starters, allow me to share with you a PowerPoint on the Big 6 lesson made by Mrs. Jane Diaz, GS Librarian for grade 3 and 4.

Developing a Children's Library

Here is the slide presentation of my seminar-workshop for PBBY Workshop series. Held last November 25, 2006 at Powerbooks Greenbelt, I was fortunate to have 25 participants from private and public school libaries.



This morning, Ani Almario, PBBY Secretariat, sent me the evaluation of the workshop. It helped me determine what to improve and remove next time I do a similar seminar-workshop. What struck me was the suggestion that I write a book on school library management.

2006 In Retrospect

Happy New Year to you all! My apologies for not informing you of my where abouts last holiday season. Blogger is going bonkers for reasons I can't tell. I am a mere mortal blogger and I have not reached super blogger status. Anyways, I'm back blogging! This is my first post for 2007 and like Filipino Librarian, I'm posting in retrospect the "first posts" this blog had in 2006 with the first sentence and/or paragraph for each. Note that I'm starting with the most recent and that, I'm doing this on the 2nd of January and not the 1st. But the slight changes (in the meme) can be forgiven, I'm sure.

Looking back, it provides me with a good view of my blogging life last year. In general, it is giving me a a bigger perspective of how I have been as a librarian in 2006.

December: Turtle's Tale by Gerald Brown
I was with Gerald Brown, Honorary Ambassador of IASL, in the National Book Week Fellowship Night. The following day, we met again to discuss his next trip to Manila sometime next year. Apparently, Gerald, has touched base with PATLS for a conference addressing library education in the Philippines. Plans are still tentative and everything else is still floating on air but, given the time and the resources, it may just be possible.

November: Creating Classroom Libraries
Below is the PowerPoint presentation of my workshop session for the Petron Programang Kaakbay Conference. Delivered on October 28, 2006, I shared with public school teachers the importance and rationale of setting classroom libraries.

October: Children's Art Exhibit of Hope
From Ms. Nina Lim-Yuson of the Museo Pambata

*All Together in Dignity (ATD) Fourth World Philippines*, an international non-government organization, invites you to view an Art Exhibit of Hope to commemorate October 17, the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty.

September:NCBD, Book Awards Season & The Manila Intl. Book Fair 2006
I would like to think that the campaign-for-a-reading-culture season begins in July. With the advent of National Children's Book Day, moving on to Buwan ng Wika and ending with the Manila International Book Fair. Busy months for all concerned with books, reading, publishing, writing, teaching and learning.

August: Librarians Can Challenge the Administration
I owe it to my readers (though few and selected) to tell them more about last July's NCBD, however, management and administrative matters drive me away from polishing the article. So, before you start thinking where I've been the past few days, I asure you that I'm still blogging and I'm still sane. Allow me to veer a little far away from NCBD to share with you a white paper, also known as a position paper I wrote on the issue of centralizing the library's AV services (and programs) with the Information Technology Services.

July:Salaysayan 2006 Eliminations
This picture was taken right after the Filipino Division of the Salaysayan Contest at the National Library last July 1, 2006. There were 31 contestants! A marathon! Ms. Dolly Soriano and I were judges and though it was a big contingent, the experience of seeing, hearing and engaging with 31 storytellers, all hoping to be in the Top 8 final list was spectacular.

June:Helping Libraries
I have been interviewed recently by AHON, a foundation that will help libraries in support of literacy development. Headed in collaboration by Filway Marketing and Harvey Keh, the brainchild behind Pathways to Education, it shall be holding training sessions for library personnel in the public school library system. Last I heard about AHON, it is pooling its resources to donate boook sto spublic school libraries

May:Blogs As Teaching Tools
This paper will discuss the characteristics of blogs that make it possible for teachers to use it in teaching and instruction. Techniques and strategies on how blogs can enhance the teaching and learning experience will also be identified, as well as, issues and limitations of its utility in the classroom setting. Examples of blogs used for educational and instructional purposes will be presented to give participants an idea on how it can be done.

April:2nd iBlog Philippine Blogging Summit
Go to iBlog 2 , the Philippines’ 2nd Blogging Summit. Attendance is FREE. Register now to save your seat!

March:Perceptions, Philosophy & Paradigms
As a take off from my post last February 27, 2006, I wrote about school libraries falling under Student Services or the Academic Program. I find it odd when school libraries affirm their role as the hub of the school and to articulate their goals, objectives and functions as supporting and supplementing the curriculum when all the while falling under Student Services. It does not sound as auxiliary nor ancillary services to me. This gives me the impression that the school administration perceives the school library quite differently the way the school librarian does.

February:Updates On Information Literacy in the SEA
Some news and insights on the recent Information Literacy workshop I attended last January 30-31, 2006 at the Ateneo de Manila University.

January:BEST of SLIA 2005
I've categorized the posts and entries I wrote last year in five divisions. These are Philippine Librarianship, Technology and IT Integration, Reading & Literacy Advocay, Events & Book Reviews and Information Literacy. The entries very well describe the route that this blog has taken and what will its direction be in 2006. Honestly, I have not seriously thought about it yet. Although a redesign is in the works, I still have to evaluate my content.

Gawad Kabataan Para sa Panitikan

Pinoy children will finally have their voices heard regarding the books they love to read. Read Or Die's Gawad Kabataan Para sa Panitikan website is up and running. The organizers are inviting schools, libraries, writers and publishers to join and support the initiative.

Below is a brief description of what it is all about. For more information, visit the website here.

About the Gawad Kabataan

The concept behind the awards is somewhat similar to the Red House Children's Book Awards. We will be networking with children's book groups all over the country, give them free or discounted copies of nominated books along with review sheets, and, based on reader response, come up with a list of favorite and recommended books, after which a final round of voting will determine overall winners. The readers themselves will therefore be choosing their writers and their books.

I'm really thrilled with this project and as KUTING president, I'm cooking up some strategies to have the organization involved in it. Though I can not help but think if school librarians would find this worth their time. I have emailed our English coordinator and I'm hoping it's one project where we can collaborate. Now this is petty, but take note that libraries are encouraged to get involved and not the librarians who run the programs and services for the libraries.

Pinoy Readers Choice Award

Read or Die, a book club for the Reading Pinoy is host to the first Pinoy Readers Choice Award. Organizers have short listed best books for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Komiks. So they claim that a special category for Young Adult/Children's Literature will soon be given but, when?

Read more here .

Law of the Seeds

Gerald Brown of IASL shared this moving parable via email. I feel the compulsion to pass it on to my staff and colleagues.

Isn't it that we have so many wants and needs for the improvement of our library services and programs but we can't have them all? We are shaken by changes either internal or external that challenge our views of the profession. This parable is a perfect story to strengthen our resolve to face changes and challenges in the profession and in life, in general. Happy reading!

Learning Extended

Many still perceive the library merely as a warehouse of books, equipment and resources. Such perception impedes the potential of libraries as viable venues of learning. The books, resources, equipment and facilities it holds are sources of ideas and information. It is in the hands of a dynamic library staff where the creation of new ideas and the constructs of new knowledge are made possible. Through programs and services geared towards the full utility of these resources by students and teachers, school libraries are centers that build a learning community.

Interestingly, “learning community” does not only refer to the intellect. It also pertains to the active involvement of students, teachers and members of the school population in helping the school library grow and develop. In the past quarter, the GS LRC is a living witness to this kind of support extended by people from the Xavier community.

ART SERVICE CLUB. Mr. Jonah Valenzuela of the GS MAC rounded up his boys for a collaborative project with LRC Service Club members and its moderator, Mrs. Chit Olivares. Together, they facilitated a poster-making activity that promoted books and reading; use of one’s talent and skill in drawing; and the ability to work cooperatively with another. The students’ output, colorful posters for the primary students to see, provide visual stimulus to encourage continued use of the library.

Aside from the posters, members of the Art Service Club made book covers for the ones that are worn out. Move over, Silvertongue. There are new “book doctors” in town. Through this activity, the students’ talents and skills were put into good use. Good books that needed repair and covering were salvaged from the weeding box. These were given new covers, simple drawings on oslo paper but most are neatly and colorfully done. Such an activity puts value on books as important technological tools for learning. Likewise, it fosters a sense of community and a willingness to be of service.

BOOK DONATION. Are you familiar with the saying, “Too many books, so little time (to read)?” For Scott Lee-Chua of Gr. 2 A-St. Sebastian, he has all the time to read good books. When he is done reading them or has outgrown them, he donates them to a library.

His mom, Queena, does the sorting of books for donations. When Scott learned that ICA and Ateneo were the regular recipients of their donations, he asked his mom, “Why not my school, Xavier School?” Out of the 416 volumes, around 300 were added to the GS LRC’s growing collection. The rest were given to the Jesuit Mission since they are supporting libraries in the provinces.

Inspired by parents who also read, Scott’s donations reflect a varied and diverse reading interest. Reading has taken Scott into many lands and places. He has been to different worlds, real and imagined. He hopes that others can derive the same delightful experience that reading has afforded him. By donating books, this young reading advocate has taken the first step towards that dream.

GUEST ALUMNUS. Last Thursday, December 7, 2006, grade school students who frequent the GS LRC at lunchtime were treated to an engaging visit from an alumnus. Mr. Joel Chua (’95), comic book creator, illustrator and graphic designer, regaled Xaverians with his artistic adventures.

He presented the process involved in book illustration; shared how computers help him design and illustrate books and graphic novels; showed his work and current portfolio; and drew on the spot caricatures. His audience was filled with wonder. But what really impressed his young and eager audience was his old grade school HSCN filled with drawings and sketches – an early attempt at honing his craft. This memento from his past was enough inspiration for those who dream of becoming an artist someday. As for the ones who were merely interested to meet an artist and illustrator that day, Mr. Chua became a role model to them. His focus, determination and knowledge of one’s self are defining qualities to be excellent and successful in a chosen craft or trade. In Xavier School lingo, it is called magis.

Mr. Chua was grateful for the opportunity to go back and give back a little something to Xavier School. If given another chance, he is open to the possibility to teach digital drawing to students. Visit his website at http://joelchua.com.

Students helping and reaching out. A young reader who shared with others his enthusiasm for books and reading. A visiting alumnus living out the spirit of magis. These are but a few of the many ways the school library can enrich and enhance the academic and formation programs of the school. No more of the warehouse and student services mentality for libraries. The GS LRC is an extension of the classroom.

Opened Doors*

In the fairy tale, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, a magical door to a cavern filled with priceless treasures could be opened using a most interesting password: Open Sesame! Thus, the one who knows the password could easily have access to the cavern’s contents. This part of the fairy tale would always leave me in awe because the school library is very much like the cavern of treasures in the story. The doors of the school library, however, are always open for its main users, students and teachers, who are equipped with the knowledge and skill in using the learning resources that are available.

Learning resources refer to the combination of print, AV and electronic formats for teaching, instruction and leisurely activities. The GS LRC gears up with initiatives that balance the utility of these learning resources.

Storytelling Workshop. Last November 8, 2006, 35 parents trooped to the EED LRC for a fun filled workshop on Storytelling. These parents were all volunteers for the National Book Week celebration in the EED. Already an annual workshop, it had new offerings and techniques for the parents who attended. With their positive evaluation of the activity, more and more parents would be confident enough to tell stories. As one parent puts it, “…[I learned how to be] engaging so that kids would enjoy and like reading books.”

Mediashoppe & Techtorial. These two programs of the GS LRC have helped teachers identify instructional materials for the classroom. One very important service that the AV section of the GS LRC has been giving to Filipino & Social Studies teachers is the recording and dubbing of commercials for their media education lesson. Integrated in the Filipino and Social Studies curriculum, the commercials are used to teach concepts, and enhance critical thinking skills. The good news is, ads and commercials can now be accessed via the Internet. It is only a matter of time until procedures for using and embedding them in PowerPoint presentations could be identified to agree with the correct use of copyright and intellectual property.

Online Directory. Reference & IT Librarian, Mrs. Chit Olivares has come up with an online directory for teachers. Using a free hosting website, FURL.com, it is now easier to track URLs of websites for teaching. It may sound like your ordinary Bookmark in a web browser but FURL lends help by referring users to other web resources available in its online database. It even has a filtering capability to prevent sites of malicious content. What’s more, building the directory of websites can be done in a communal effort. That is why the GS librarians are putting their heads together to present this directory/database to teachers in the hope that they can use it, and at the same time, contribute to its development.

These are but a few of the many treasures that the GS LRC can provide the learning community. Its doors are always open and no password is needed to access resources and information that are appropriate to students and useful to teachers.

* This article first appeared in the Xavier School Website.