Love a Librarian: This is NOT Acrostic (aka Hindi Ako Beauty Queen)

It's Valentines Day. To celebrate this day of love, the blog will feature five librarians who answered my call to share their feelings and passion towards the LIS (Library and Information Science) profession. In an email I sent two weeks ago to more than fourteen LIS professionals, only five found the courage to write and express their inner most feelings and openly share it to the public. 


It's an interesting revelation how strong and ardent their feelings are towards the practice of LIS; how one librarian could make a great influence to another person; how, in practicing LIS, one has found meaning in life. Beginning today and the next four more, readers of the blog will be treated to essays, reflections and yes, poetry by librarians on one of their many loves -- being a librarian and loving it.


Dean Igor Cabbab of the University of the Philippines School of Library and Information Studies has cut first blood. Here he shares a poem written in Filipino on staying on in the LIS profession, and how, for many years, he has wandered away only to find himself drawn back again. Love is lovelier the second time around, indeed!

10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Igor Cabbab is (or once was) a guitarist, a drummer, a singer, a rapper, a martial artist, a skill toy and yoyo professional, a fire-breather, an ethnic woven-cloth painter (weird, I know, I painted paisley patterns on cloth for export), a poet, a writer, an editor, a comic book professional, an events photographer, a theater tech director, a graphic artist, a website designer, and many more. For some unknown reason he's also a college professor and the Dean of the UP School of Library and Information Science (UP SLIS, celebrating its 50th year, *uber-shameless plug*)


This is NOT Acrostic
(aka Hindi Ako Beauty Queen)
by Igor Cabbab

Kumakahol ang tuta
Ng kapit-bahay ngayong gabi
Nakakainis na nakaka-awa
Baka naje-jebs o nawi-wiwi
Ilang pagkakataon, Ilang ulit
Ilang beses inisip
Kung bakit umalis
At kung bakit bumalik
Ewan ko ba
Kung ano ang dahilan
Ilang beses ko na nga ba
Ito pinag-isipan
Institusyon ba
O mga tao?
Mga Istudyante?
Mga katrabaho?
Klase, computer
Istudyanteng umiiyak
Thesis, test paper
Pedicab na di-padyak
Lecture dito, seminar doon
Hands-on na madugo
Workshop sa kung saan
"...and Beyond..." patungo
Sandamukal na libro
Alikabok ang nasisinghot
Pasaway na istudyante
Rason ba kung ba't ako'y nakasimangot?

Ewan... (Dunno...)

Basta... (Just Because...)

Nandito lang ako... (I'm here... To stay...)

^_^

-30-

Memories of People Power I

I was only twelve when People Power I broke out. I prayed it would soon be over so I could finish sixth grade and move on to high school. Two decades after, I keep the memory of People Power alive to see patterns of repetitive mistakes, failures and sins committed in the hope that I can, in my own little way, change for the better.

The PCIJ provides a historical glimpse of those three monumental days in February of 1986 and what has happened to twenty key people of that peaceful revolution.  Where were you those three days and where are you know two decades after?

Picture! Picture!

World Read Aloud Day: March 9

LITERACY is not a LUXURY.

LitWorld has proclaimed that March 9 is World Read Aloud Day. The websites says -- Celebrate the Power of Words and Stories and Take Action for Global Literacy. 


Start cooking up activities to drum the event! I'll be posting videos of my storytelling read aloud sessions and tips to doing great read aloud and book talk sessions that whole week of March 9 to 15. What's your contribution?

Reading the World Challenge 2011

I'm not removing the Reading the World Challenge logo in this blog because I've joined in the challenge.

Again.

Yes.

After last year's miserable reading list, I will be reading and writing reviews of books I've read (three already!!!); the book I'm currently reading; and the books I will read till the end of the year.

Hmm... and there's the Book Drum Tournament on top of all this!

For the mechanics, head on to PaperTigers' blog by following this link.

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Mona Dy, a bosom buddy, coffee companion and my walking book catalog gave me a book for Christmas that became my first read for 2011. The book, The Guernsey and Potato Peel Pie Society, afforded me a delightful reading experience that eclipsed the repercussions of some bad news at the start of the New Year.

Written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, the novel speaks of the complex nature of human beings, but at the same time, celebrates the enduring goodness and tenacity of the human spirit. Wrapped in humor and twined with tenderness the novel reminded me of the good things in life -- good books to read, great friends to trust, and keep, and a family to love and to come home to at the end of a harrowing day.

The story begins with Juliet Ashton, a writer, who attempted to survive the chaos and loss brought by World War II. She did manage to rise from the ashes, both internal and external, by establishing friendships and building relationships with members of a book club, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Its origin is explained in the book quite intriguingly and a recipe for the pie is included as well. From where I come from, we do eat potatoes, peeled and unpeeled. But a pie made of potato peelings could either be the product of the writer's imagination or consequences brought by the call of survival in a time of war. Either way, this information on the book club's beginnings piqued my interest to know more about Guernsey and its community. Apart from this, it is Shaffer’s epistolary approach to writing the novel that made a greater impact

What worked

The exchanges of letters between Juliet and her friends lent great description on the level of friendship and the degree of intimacy she has with them. The letters were used as instruments to gauge the mindset and emotional depth of every character. It is amazing how Shaffer successfully breathed life to each character through the letters. There were no narratives, no long exposition to introduce and explore the characters' conflicts and problems but the letters were enough. Each has a distinct and unique voice. 

It helped a lot that the characters talked about their favorite book. This added depth and texture to each character. They're all so interesting, I hoped they were real characters. My favorites, apart from Juliet are Sydney, Isola, Elizabeth and yes, Dawsy Adams -- Juliet's object of affection. Yes, Virginia, it is a romance novel too. It follows the tradition of Austen, tempered and restrained. At the background is the remnants of World War II where Juliet and Dawsy must pick up the pieces of their lives to build a new one.

Shaffer was a librarian, editor and had experience working in bookshops. She translated all these into the novel and the overall effect is fantastic. I felt her passion for the printed word and her strong belief in the role of the book as emissary of  culture and the arts.


What did not work


Sadly, Shaffer did not live to see the success of the novel. She died in February 2008. Annie Borrows, her niece, was instrumental in helping her finish the novel (which is actually a good thing). 

For the Love of Books & Reading: Books for Tots = Buklat Aklat Iriga

This week's Love a Library post is not about library development in its fullest sense of the phrase but a literacy project that focus on book donation and literacy instruction training in Iriga City.

National Bookstore Foundation, Inc. (NBFI) and the United Iriguenos, Inc. (UII) began book donation projects in 40 schools in Iriga City in 2009. UII considers the literacy project as a way of giving back to their fellow kababayans, epsecially children, who experience a dearth of school supplies and books in their schools. The organization is made up of Iriguenos who've been successful at craving a niche for a better life in the USA. Fortunately, they found a partner through the philanthropic arm of National Bookstore, the leading school supplies and book store in the country.

I have been involved as teacher trainor along with my friend, Cynthia Villafranca, in a reading and literacy training for teachers whose schools are recipients of the UII and NBSFI book donations.

Teachers in the training workshop had an opportunity to revisit their reading strategies alongside pedagogical theories. The training was an avenue to learn new paradigms of learning as well. They evaluated and selected books for children according to their time tested practice and criteria given to them during the input session.

Through group presentations, teachers were able to share insights and reflections they had during  group discussion.

At the end of the day, teachers set up reading corners. These reading corners were used the following day for the Reading into Writing and Content Area Reading workshop of Ms. Villafranca. They wrote stories and used local story books as integrated resources for the teaching of different content area subjects.

The schools who were recipients of the training workshop and book donations will be asked to submit accomplishment reports on how the books were used in classroom instruction. As one literacy project closes for UII and NBSFI, they are now in the process of evaluating the three phases of the project. From there on, they shall draw up recommendations that will form as plans for the next literacy initiative. 

Quick Fix Classroom Library

During the National Bookstore Foundation - United Iriguenos, Inc sponsored workshop, I asked the teacher participants to create a reading corner that they can set up in twenty minutes given limited resources. With only thirty books, old magazines and newspapers, they were able to come up with mini-libraries that can be set-up in the classroom. Here are photos of the reading/library corners of each group.

UP FLIPP's LibSpeak 2011: Evolve. Engage. Energize

The Johanna Tacus Interview

Johanna Tacus, PNU alumna and top 7 in the recent board exam for librarians, opens up her heart and mind through this interview. She was PNU LISSAA's first scholar. 

a. What made you decide to take BS LIS in college?

My aunt is the chief librarian in our high school, and when she saw that I was an active member of the Book Lovers’ Club, she suggested that I take LIS, since I love books, and she also explained the many opportunities I can have after graduation. I also felt that this was the path that God wanted me to take, after prayerful consideration of all the courses that I was interested in.

b. Please provide me with a background of your current work.

I am currently unemployed, haha! I have applied at some libraries, and while waiting for their calls, I am volunteering to help put up the library in our church (St. Stephen’s Parish), which is easy to say but hard to do! There are so many books, and the theology ones are hard to catalog. By God’s strength, I hope to finish this soon and open the library to the members.

c. What is the most memorable experience you had in PNU taking up BS LIS?

I’d say it was our classes in cataloging, when we were tasked to make a scrapbook of catalog cards of different kinds of books. My classmates and I were comparing each other’s cards and laughing at how much red ballpen marks we got! Our professor (Prof. Marasigan) was laughing along with us too, but he encouraged us that we would get it after more practice. I remember the time he was teasing my classmate about her margins – sobrang laki ng spacing, puwedeng dumaan ang airplane dito oh!. The class was also sharing (really corny) jokes with him, but times like that are the moments that I enjoyed with my classmates.

d. Who are your librarian heroes? Or for this matter, any professional you idolize and hold with deep respect.

I would say that it’s Andrew Carnegie. I admire him because he became great even though he did not have proper schooling, he just learned by himself through reading books. (That is the kind of results that I want to achieve in our libraries: people becoming knowledgeable through the library collection.) Later on in life, he built up several public libraries and idealized that free libraries should be open to the public.

e. What does it mean for you to pass the licensure exams for LIS professionals and making it to the Top 10?

For me, this is another evidence of the grace of God, because I could not have done it without Him, and also, everyone close to me prayed about it (which I am very thankful for!) The very number which I placed in, 7, is a significant number in the Bible because it indicates wholeness. I am made whole because of God. That is enough for me to believe that this was His doing, and not my efforts. It also reassures me that I am capable, as the verse goes, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

f. Where do you see yourself specializing in - school, public, academic or corporate, law or medical, research or international librarianship?

I would love to stay in a school library, teaching reading and literacy to the kids. I would like to encourage them to have a habit of reading, show them that it’s fun to read and how important it is to be able to learn a lot through the library. But if not in the school, I would also be interested in medical or research, as it can contribute to all of our well-being if we are more informed and updated.

 g. What book have you read that has made a big mark in your life? A book that challenged your world view or changed your paradigm in life.

One Night with the King by Tommy Tenney. It’s a historical novel of Queen Esther from the Bible, and her life story is about how God has a plan for each of our lives, that He can turn what we call a tragedy into something great.

It is an honor to be included in your blog, thank you so much for this opportunity.

Live Blogging: Books for Tots Program

National Bookstore Foundation Inc. partnered with the United Iriguenos for the Book for Tots program to distribute books to 40 public schools in Iriga, Camarines Sur. The program is in its third phase of implementation and training of teachers is the thrust for this year. With the influx of donated books for the past two years, teachers need more support in effectively using the books in the classroom.

When the organizers contacted me for a two-day workshop, I recommended my friend, Cynthia Villafranca to work with me in developing modules for the two day training.

I gave a session on Reading theories and cognition this morning. But, before my input on the topic, there were words and messages of inspiration that went around.

Mr. Larry Lee, president of United Ireguenos, delivered a welcome message in the mother tongue. I was like listening to my paternal grandfather. It made me teary eyed as he spoke of the importance of books and reading and that these two remain basic tools for empowerment. He mentioned about the association's goal of giving back to their kababayans at home. Mr. Lee is based in Washington DC but visits the Philippines periodically for the book donation project with National Bookstore Foundation.

Right now, the teachers are working on setting up their classroom library. We will soon close the session and have the wrap up. Tomorrow, they will have more activities on Reading techniques and strategies to be used in the classroom. 

Gcina Mhlope Becker is Back!

Love a Library: A Public Library Grows in Oriental Mindoro

To start this week's Love a Library blog feature, Bernadette Wolf shares the story of the public library in Mindoro that she set up with the big help of Michael Wolf, her husband.Michael is a telecom engineer and Bernadette is an artists and illustrator for children's books.

a. What inspired you to set up a library in Mindoro? .

Mahabang kuwento iyan, Zarah, with us. In a way, we got involved first with the illegal logging issues here and then for so many months and years, my husband and I were discussing why the folks here are just plain ignorant about the consequences of their actions. We found out by observation and talking with the locals that ignorance, poverty and corruption (in all aspect of the word..not just political) were the main factors. And so, we went for the schools and education facilities here and thus we found out that there was just no library (for adults) to speak of in Puerto Galera.


When I was single, whenever i would go to the different provinces, there would be two things i would check out: the public market and the public library...or even the local komiks stand! Call it an idiosyncracy but that's how I learn about the place and that's also how I know that public libraries in the Philippines are usually considered at the bottom priority of the LGUs.



Going back to Puerto Galera, on my first year of living together with my husband, I just had finished an environmental children's book for Palawan and I wanted to present it to the mayor as my token of environmental awareness to the community. We had made a call of course and then I could see that the mayor did not know what to do with it. You see, illegal logging was rampant in our area since we live near the rainforest. And that was our (my husband and mine) way of saying we're environmentalists too. But the mayor then was not biting and had other "priorities." Only when there was a change of administration (last 2006) did we try to check out the aura of the next mayor. And since he was "new' to the position, we found him more open to the idea of setting up a public library. To make it more cohesive and cost-efficient with his government platform, he also established the TESDA here and so with this, the public library can be its educational arm.

b. How did you go about setting this up? Who helped you make it a reality?

Another long story but an interesting one. I was then very active with a blog named "Wish You were here" by a guy who called himself Senor Enrique (Eric Isaac) and he would post about his researches about Manila (of which he is active in its preservation) and one such post was about a library near the UST (of which I forgot the name). Eric was actually getting his "loyal" commenters to donate books for it. I really do not recall how I got into the picture myself also but then I got some pledges from other commenters that they would send books to Puerto Galera too! Hahaha! I told myself, "Hey! this is the Internet so I'll see how serious or real they are!"


And the first HEAVY balikbayan box did come---from a Pinoy in Australia ( Mario Baylon)! He gave two sets of encyclopedia (Britannica!), medical books, childrens' craft books etc. It weighed a TON! But, that pushed us to say "naku, this is for real!" But, we still had to wait for the room for another year so the books had to be stored in the municipal office first. Ironically, the people who really initially helped set up the library were friends (both personally mine from Manila and cyber-ly known.) Other worthwhile people to mention was Ms. Minotte Cuenca of California (also via cyberspace---Candlelight Books) and Robert Alejandro of Manila who just posted via facebook!

But without the present mayor Hubert Dolor's support, it wouldn't also have had become a reality, of course. Other book and knowledge-loving people here eventually threw in their support---a Danish Foundation hereabouts gave support with the computers and Internet to go hand in hand with the book inventory. But the legwork was done by my husband, Michael actually. Without him managing the details like solicitations, library set-up (electrical, painting, structural, etc.) I really do not know how it could have been managed since everyone did not really want to "dirty" their fingers so to speak. Yet, you can see that it really is an effort of many people together.

c. How is it being maintained? Is sustainability part of your project? Or does it end with provision of library materials and turn-over?

It was when we finished with the setting up of the place (computers, books, cabinets, a door :-D as well as others) then we informally gave the keys to the mayor. And that was that. Good-bye. Hope they value it. We (my husband and I) just wanted to get the ball rolling.


As of now, I know that there is an educational officer (also in charage of the TESDA) manning the library. He had made it his office as well since there is no budget for a full-time librarian. And because of the (5) computers with Internet/Wi-Fi capabilities, it has become a hub for also the municipal departments' information. I also found out late last year, that the library will be given a bigger room this year...and with this more bookshelves and computers yata.

d. What are your future plans for the library and the community it serves?

As I have earlier answered, our setting up the public library was culled out of a personal intiative. Maybe we were to "pushy" and too "professional" being "outsiders" and not of the laid-back and come-what-may attitude of the people here, so we had our share of negative comments and innuendos of hidden agendas. We have been cajoled into forming an NGO but that is not our "cup of tea" so to speak even as we (especially my husband) still stay "unofficial" guardian of the nearby rainforest. So, we could only wish that the Purto Galera Public Library florish and that a continual flow of support and usage go with it!


As of present too, I was told that the teachers taking their masterals are borrowing the books that we had placed there---and boy! I would sure want them for my own collection! But that the teachers and some students are starting to pay a yearly fee of P20 (includes a library ID card) is a very encouraging sign!


e. Any partners and donors you would like to thank?



Our partner in the public library initiative is a Danish Foundation named DanPhil School Aid with Mr. Willy Stellander as representative in Puerto Galera and perhaps the whole of Oriental Mindoro.  they had provided the 5 computers as well as sponsored a year-long Internet service for the room.  That is as far as I know.  Their website is : http://danphil-schoolaid.org/DPSA-EN/DPSA-EN/Welcome.html


I have really to thank the generosity and kind hearts of the people (who i had mentioned earlier). Their selflessness is my personal validation of what purity of intent is! I know that all they ask is that the books be used and spread around. No credits nor plaques were asked at all..and that made me think, why should I grumble when instead of a grand parade of appreciation, all my husband and I could count on was treat ourselves to pizza and the left-over sandwiches we gave out when we gave the keys to the mayor and his staff. I am not just thankful but also in awe at what had happened in setting up this library, and that means God wanted it to happen actually.


Thanks, Zarah! More power to librarians and book-lovers wherever you all are!!!

Loving Books and Libraries in the Time of ICT

January is done.

Hello February! It's the love month and this blog will be featuring that one word - love. And books and libraries.

And the people who love both.

So let me start with Book Drum. There's a book tournament going on there and the people behind it pay some good cash. But really, blogging and creating a profile of your favorite book and sharing it with others is the cake. The reward is the icing.

I've joined already and my book of choice is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Borrows.

PAARL Awards and Awardees 2010

The Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) has announced the library and librarian awardees for 2010.

The link can be viewed here.

Storytelling Without the Book

This conversation happened a few minutes before a storytelling performance.

Teacher: Hi! Ms. Zarah, thank you for saying yes to our invitation.

Me: My pleasure!

Teacher: May I know what book you'll be using for storytelling this morning?

Me: I won't use a book (smiles).

Teacher looked shocked. Disbelief etched all over her face. After a few seconds her surprise died  and she nervously smiled.

Teacher: May I know what story you'll tell then.

Me: Hmmm... I have not decided yet.

Teacher was horrified!

Me: I'll tell from the oral tradition. I'll use paper, chalk, my Sagada walking stick and my malong. Participation stories... (smiles some more)

Teacher: Can you at least give me the title of your story?

Me: I'll start with the story of this dog named Bingo. Then move on to some more animal stories. A bird, yes. And a spider.

Teacher sighed and went to the podium to start the morning program.

Librarian Makeover

Director Lou David of the Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila did something we didn't at all expect she would do. Get a makeover. Cool!

Boycotting Tanya Markova's Linda Blair

There's this interesting discussion in one of my egroups - Pinoy Teacher's Network, on the song Linda Blair by Tanya Markova. The song has some lyrics that are offensive and a story line that puts teachers in a very bad light. A suggestion to boycott the song is in discussion. I gave my two cents worth on the matter and I'm posting it here --

I do not like the song at all but my 13 year old son listens to both versions - the edited one and the original one. I have no issues on this. As a parent, I have discussed and processed the context of the song. My husband is a musician and majored in Psychology in college so I have an ally.

As a teacher, I see two perspectives on this  - one is to boycott the song and raise hell. The other is to continuously teach our students high order thinking skills -- critical thinking and analysis, creating value judgement in art and life in general, and allow them to make decisions themselves for they have a voice too. They too have rights. Every one does, actually. Even Tanya Markova has the right to express their angst towards school and teachers in particular. 

In some schools, there exist a program known as MEDIA EDUCATION where students are taught and given engagement on the different media available in the market. This would mean, teachers creating activities that lead students to think critically on the print material they read, movies they watch, TV shows they patronize, the music that they love and online resources they interface with. Such programs can be in place and implemented across curricular offerings. I have seen schools who run Media Education programs integrated in the Guidance Program. A good number of schools choose to have this under the Reading and Filipino Program or Language Arts Program. One time, in an accreditation visit, I observed a teacher who was teaching Christian Life Education on the Passion of Christ but used Michael V's song. I forgot what it was but it was very violent. One line of the song goes like -- Sinaktan mo ang puso ko! Pinukpok mo ng martilyo!

What a violent song! But the teacher successfully processed the violence that the song implies; the black humor embedded in the song; and the passion and sacrifice of the persona in the song. I was even impressed at how the teacher compared and contrasted the song's persona  to the redeeming sacrifice of Christ's love and God's message of eternal salvation.

The point is, we can boycott the song but we are not sure if our students would never be exposed to such songs -- ever. If we teach them how to critically examine the media and the different stimulus that surround them, I think we stand at a better chance in creating skilled and empowered thinkers.

Perhaps the more pro-active thing to do is to inform and educate students on songs like those of Tanya Markova. Maybe, we can learn strategies on MEDIA EDUCATION and see how we can possibly integrate this in our lesson plans. It might also help if a training session on MEDIA EDUCATION or MEDIA LITERACY be given to teachers, parents and other allied professionals.

Being a librarian as well (who owns a blog), I can post and talk about this in my blog. In my work place, I can suggest and recommend media and other learning materials that lead teachers and students to opportunities in becoming intelligent users of media and information. At the same time, have them appreciate art and culture.

Reading Inventory 2010

Here's keeping up to another blogging tradition -- a round up of books read in 2010. 

At the start of the year, I joined PaperTigers' Read Around the World challenge and failed. I only read and reviewed two books from the UK, US. Dismal. I know. 

I have to try harder this year. Sigh.

Apart from Percy Jackson and Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, here's a random list of books I've read in 2010.

a. Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

b. Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

c. Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

d. The Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

e. The Solitary Vice Against Reading by Mikita Brottman

f. Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl

g. Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud

h. The Science of Harry Potter by Rodger Highfield

i. Lost and Found by Rica Bolipata-Santos

j. Batang Bayani Series by KUTING

k. Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynn Jones

l. Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman

m. Grimm Fairy Tales by Zenescope Entertainment

A pitiful count of fifteen books. Argh. I didn't include the folk tale books I read and used in finishing the ms for Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories though. 

Let's see how I will fare this year, 2011!

Library News From Near and Far

Over the past few days, I have been inundated by bits and pieces of library news.

First is about this PM I got from a friend who is currently residing in Canada. His kids got their library cards from the local public library. What amazed him and his wife was the fact that even infants are given library cards. That only goes to show that children should not be deprived of their right to literacy and access to information. More than a love of reading, the library has a role to play in actualizing the basic human rights of people. Children included. A library is an institution that promotes the basic tenets of freedom of information for all.

Does the news make a librarian happy? Even envious, I would say for the reality of public library services in the country is dismal. Sure, there are cities with flourishing libraries in the National Capitol Region. But Manila, in spite of its rich history and commercial status is not the entire Philippines.

This being said, I was disappointed learning of the news on the plans of demolishing the library at UP Mindanao. Details are vague. I got wind of the news via Facebook. It's viral so facts are not easy to establish.

I could not help but reflect on the work that I do for the past year -- building libraries and helping teachers become advocates of reading and literacy. The task gets difficult every year with every technological upgrade.