Author of the Month: Penny Blubaugh

Yesterday, I posted my review of Serendipity Market. The book's author, Ms. Penny Blubaugh is this blog's Author of the Month. She lends answers to questions I sent her through her website. It was so nice of Ms. Blubaugh to answer back. Visit her site and learn of the new book she wrote, Blood and Flowers. Here's hoping it's going to be available in Manila.


Where do you get the idea of merging old tales with new?

I've always loved fairy tales, especially the dark and scary ones. And I've always loved fairy tale retellings because the tales themselves, coming out of the oral tradition, are usually pretty bare bones. They leave a lot of room for interpretation, which makes them fun to play with. I think the Lizard's Tale was the first story that I did in this vein. I enjoyed looking at something as well-known as Cinderella from a new perspective -- and that poor Lizard! He never wanted to be a footman. Talk about being forced into a new persona!

How has writing Serendipity Market changed you as a person, librarian, writer?

It was a seminal book for me because it was *my first book*! The first time my name was on a cover. It was huge. It changed me from a writer who hoped to get published to a writer who was published. But when this happens it gives you a whole new set of things to worry about! At first you just want to get a book done. Then you want to get it published. Then you worry -- will it ever happen again? And then reviews start to come in. There's joy at the good ones, despair at the bad. It's a huge tangle of emotions. This all taught me that rejection cupcakes are always a valid option!

As a librarian the book opened doors for library programs with teens outside of my own space, and I love that.


Who has made the greatest impact on your writing life?

I think my whole MFA at Vermont College was life-altering. Several of my advisors, especially Chris Lynch, Chris Raschka and Ron Koertge were particularly amazing. Ron Koertge and I still chat on a regular basis and whenever I'm writing I hear him saying, "Take it out. You don't need it." Great for cutting out the unnecessary in any piece of writing.

Top 5 recommendations for teens.

I'm going to cheat. Here are 5 for girls, 5 for guys and 5 graphic novels. It's a fluid list -- it changes all the time because there are a whole lot of great books out there. So these are just some I've read or re-read and enjoyed.

Girls: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins; This Thing Called the Future by J. L. Powers; the Maggie Quinn From Hell series by Rosemary Clement-Moore; Star Crossed by Elizabeth Bunce; The Boneshaker by Kate Milford.

Guys: Inexcusable by Chris Lynch; The Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge; Archer's Goon by Diana Wynne Jones; On the Devil's Court by Carl Deuker; Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford.

Graphic Novels: Smile by Raina Telgemeier: The Amazing Screw-On Head by Mike Mignola; Little Lit: Folklore and Fairy Tale Funnies by Art Spiegelman; The War at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks; Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale. (Plus 1 more -- City of Spies by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan.)

Not necessarily the best of the best, not necessarily from the canon of YA lit, just some things I've enjoyed recently.

Thank you Ms. Blubaugh! Looking forward to reading Blood and Flowers.

Book Review: Serendipity Market

Once in a while I stumble upon a book that turns out to be a good read. Penny Blubaugh's Serendipity Market, her first novel for young adult readers, is one of those reads that gave me a warm, feel good feeling in the end. Its cover does not promise much- a row of tassels in varying colors. What is exciting about that? But instincts told me it's going to be a quiet and powerful book.

It begins with Mama Inez who woke up one morning feeling the earth in a state of imbalance. Something was wrong in the world and she needed to set things right. She prepared ten invitations and sent these out using her magic. Thanks to Tobie's breath, all invites, paper birds that flew great distances irregardless of time and space, reached its intended recipient.

"You're invited to the Serendipity Market at the end of the world. Saturday next. Bring your story, bring a talisman. Help us balance the world's spin." So it is said in the letter. Oh, what would I give to get such an invitation! All but one agreed to go to the end of the world where the Serendipity Market stands and under Mama Inez's tent, a storytelling feast!

What worked

The very idea that stories need to be told to put the world back in order glued me to the book instantly. As a storyteller, I have seen and experienced the magic of storytelling to heal and to bring communities together. I know what you're talking about, Ms. Penny Blubaugh! Stories are essential for living. Storytelling affirms this relevance of stories. The stories told at the end of the world, in the Serendipity Market, under Mama Inez's tent were devoid of any form of media or technology. At center stage, there stood the storyteller with his or her story. The crowd listened. There's response. There's connection. Storyteller and listeners were given the opportunity to celebrate milestones, to revel in the nobility of sacrifices great or small, to ruminate on the complexities of being human, and to savor the little triumphs of everyday.

Storytelling in Serendipity Market was not a contest or a competition. It should never be in the first place.

The stories of the eleven storytellers were taken from the old folk literature, retold in new perspectives; its motifs and themes were seen from fresh eyes; and the voices from which the telling came from were firm and strong. Blubaugh knows her folk literature alright, but it is her craft and characterization that worked wonders. She has a sensitive ear for language and she puts this to good use. All eleven storytellers had a voice uniquely their own. My personal favorites are Lizard Man from a retelling of Cinderella; Prince Zola (who would have thought?) from the newer version of The Princess and the Pea; and Vachel, the merman.

In the end, Mama Inez puts together the talismans from each teller in a jar forming the image of a person. Nothing fancy, these talismans, just bits and pieces of objects that represented each story, each teller. Each of them brought home a ring as token of the time spent under the tent telling stories.

What did not work

Nine stories make for a good number but I wish the tenth teller made it to the market as well.

Hubert Fucio's 2nd Alcala Prize

Congratulations to Hubert Fucio for winning the 2012 Alcala Prize!

Below is a sample of his art work for Russell Molina's Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon (2012 Salanga Prize). This is Fucio's and Molina's second win who both won the Alcala and the Salanga prizes respectively in 2003 for Sandosenang Kuya (A Dozen Brothers).

Developing an Ebook Collection via 3rd Party Solution

Don Rokusek of Follet DESTINY discuss the management of digital content for school libraries. I find the podcast a helpful content for school librarians who are considering and studying possibilities of putting ebooks in the library collection.

Listen to internet radio with EduTalk on Blog Talk Radio

Infographic: Youth and Digital Media

TeenLife: Community Service for Teens

Here is a recent online discover: TeenLife

TeenLife is a website for teens, parents, educators and allied professionals working with/for teens. The website is pretty impressive. It has contents on Summer Programs, College Life, Gap Year, Volunteer Activities and Career/Vocational Guidance. You may wish to sign in as member and get freebies, like newsletters.

For March/April 2012 issue, TeenLife has a neat write up on community services teens could do. This article is connected to "Senioritis", an affliction common among high school students. They slack and turn truants by the last term. The article suggests strategies to hold students up and finish the school year with good, if not decent, marks. Field trips and changes in seating arrangement are included in the tips, but there are more creative ways a teacher can do.

If you are parent of a teen, visit TeenLife's website. Happy reading!

The Hunger Games Univeristy Tour: Real or Not Real

Library Bulletin Board Display

PASLI Forum: The K-12 Curriculum and the School Library

This is the kind of initiative that elicits results, if not, discussion points that would stir Philippine school librarians into proactive thought and action. Hopefully.

Good job, Jude Gorospe and PASLI for carving a time and venue to talk about school libraries and K-12 Curriculum.

The Philippine Association of School Librarians, Inc. (PASLI) wishes
to invite school administrators, school librarians and teachers in
charge of school libraries to the half-day forum on the theme: "The
Kto12 Curriculum and the School Library" on May 18, 2012 from 7:00am
to 12:00pm at Miriam College High School in Katipunan Road, Loyola
Heights, Quezon City.

Registration fee of Php500.00 covers forum kit, handouts, am snack,
lunch and access to the 2 sessions. Reservation is required to join
the forum. Only the first 100 reservations will be accommodated.

Topics:

Session 1: The Kto12 Curriculum Framework
by: Dr. Paraluman Giron, DepEd consultant for Kto12 Curriculum and
former director of DepEd Region 4A.

Session 2: The Role of the Information Specialist in the Kto12
Curriculum
by: Dr. Edizon A. Fermin, Miriam College High School Principal. He
has worked with national committees in preparation for Kto12
Curriculum.

World Read Aloud Day: March 7, 2012

I read aloud to my kids when they were younger. Though both have interests other than reading, they still read books and with continuous reading guidance, the appetite for the printed format won't wane.

On March 7, 2012, being World Read Aloud Day, read aloud to a child or to groups of children including your own!

When Librarians Love (2 of 2)

I have said before in many workshops and seminars how my mother, herself a librarian, instilled in me a love for books and reading. She modeled the reading habit and built an environment that was print rich. I am doing the same for my two kids aged 14 and 11 years old.

Nico, the eldest, moved towards music but has nonetheless maintained a reading culture about him. Laid back and creative, he has shown strategies in understanding the world around him and efforts at comprehending difficult tasks in school. I still bring home books I think would interest him. It has been a hit and miss situation. His favorites are graphic novels - Budjette Tan's Trese, Arnold Arre's Mythology Class, The Amulet Series and The Best of Chico and Delamar's The Morning Rush: Top Ten.

One time when in the bookstore, he wandered to the graphic novels section. Turned off by the price, he went to the music section and picked song books of his choice. I let him be. Then again, I worry (the typical mom) when he needs to do tedious and longer reading tasks for academic work, he might not have the stamina to stay on track and follow through when necessary.

Zoe, on the other hand, has started reading chapter books by Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl. She attempted to read Gaiman and, viola! She finished Coraline in three weeks time. She's the one who writes a lot too. And draws pictures if words are hard to come by. Above is her floor plan for a school library.

Below is the annex of the school library she designed. There was this one time when she told me she wants to be a librarian when she grows up. I would like to think that I am too strong an influence on her choice. I want her to grow up as her own person.

For the meantime, I will continue to bridge them to books that they think and feel confident in reading. Like the typical school librarian, I will guide them in their reading choices and habits.

When Librarians Love (1 of 2)

February is winding down so, here's a last hurrah for the love month: some "love notes" from colleagues and friends in the profession.

Hi! Ms. Zarah! I'm Ms. Gay Reyes of PAREF Woodrose.

I just join your blog site hoping that I catch-up with the latest news, going-ons and ins in our world as librarian. I remembered the event sponsored by Scholastic & you were the speaker then. I learned so much from your topic & gained enthusiasm as well. I hope we can be friends because I believe you can help me sustain my passion to be of service, and gain so much ideas from you. I'll be so grateful to attend more of your conferences in the future.

See you!

From Mennie Ruth Viray of Collegio San Agustin, Makati

Hi Ms. Zarah!!:) Good Day!:)

It was nice to see you last Friday, it sure was a powerhouse especially with you and Ms. Candy as speakers. Darrel, Grace and I were wondering, what if Prof Portia was also there? nako...:) Just want to thank you for posting the Power Point presentation on your blog!:)

Thanks Gay Reyes and Mennie Ruth Viray! Your emails give me encouragement!

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Ah. The healing power of books and reading!



Best Animated Short Film of the 84th Academy Awards!

Book Reviews of 2011

Here's a recall of the book reviews I posted in SLIA. Not bad. I should do more reviews in 2012.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

KISS Book Reviews: an assortment of book reviews from The Icemark Chronicles, The Cellist of Sarajevo, Odd and the Frost Giants, and The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy

Numbers

And a slew of graphic novels review --

Beast

Brain Camp and Smile

Ghostopolis

Zeus: King of the Gods

My take on non-fiction quick reviews --

Study Skills for Teens

21st Century School Library Collection Development

For a better view of the PowerPoint presentation, click Full View.

IASL Regional Conference 2012: Directions for the Future of Libraries

IASL Regional Conference Program




IASL Regional Conference Invitation




IASL Regional Conference Registration Form

Picture! Picture!

My reading list for the next six months --

When an author visits

Candy Gourlay did an amazing session with students at Pantay Bata Elementary School in Tanauan, Batangas! Her sense of wonder was awe inspiring. She opened doors of possibilities to students through a talk about her inspirations in writing Tall Story. Teachers were touched and moved when she told them her stories and experiences as journalist, writer, mom, woman and migrant Filipino. I was a witness to storytelling magic!

Thank you Candy! Continue sharing your gifts to Filipino children!

Collection Development for School Libraries in the 21st Century

Call for Nominations for PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year

Every year, the Professional Regulation Commission has a week-long celebration
in June, and one of the highlights of the celebration is giving recognition to
outstanding professionals in all fields. PLAI, as the accredited professional
organization (APO) is tasked to nominate the outstanding professional in the
field of Library Science. PLAI constituted the PLAI Committee on Awards and
Recognition composed of previous PRC awardees namely: Fe Abelardo, Candida
Agcoili, Lourdes David, Fe Angela Verzosa, and Milagros Santos-Ong. It is in
this regard that we would like to request for your nomination to this
prestigious award.

The nominee must be a registered librarian who has
• "demonstrated exceptional professional competence and integrity in the
practice of one's profession
• Contributed significantly to the advancement of the profession and
• Has effectively discharged the profession's social responsibility through
meaningful participation in socio-civic related activities."

Nominations must include the following attachments in the Nomination form:
• Passport size ID picture, preferably colored with white background
• Xerox copy of unexpired PRC licence/Identification card
• Biodata/profile
• NBI Clearance
• Ombudsman clearance for those in government

The PLAI Committee on Awards and Recognition is now accepting nominations from
any individual (licensed librarian) or recognized professional group
(association). Deadline for nomination is on or before February 22. Due to time
constraints, the Committee will accept nominations even without the NBI and
Ombudsman clearances. However, these two requirements must be present before
February 28,2012, the deadline set by PRC.

The Nomination should be accompanied by nominee's profile (resume) indicating
the following 4 areas as criteria for justification:
1. Professional Competence - includes Academic background, Work experience,
Trainings/CPE, and Technical skills
2. Active participation in professional activities - includes leadership
activities, projects and accomplishments undertaken, conferences/seminars
attended (local and international)
3. Significant contribution to the advancement of the profession - includes
publications/papers presented, researches/studies made, and awards/recognition
received
4. Significant contribution to the effective discharge of the profession's
social responsibility through meaningful contribution/participation in
socio-related activities - includes involvement in civic organizations,
community and public citations

Please send your nomination to any member of the Committee:
Milagros Santos-Ong, Chair, mso1951@yahoo.com
Fe Angela Verzosa, famverzosa@yahoo.com, famverzosa@gmail.com
Lourdes T. David, lourdesdav@gmail.com, lourdestenmatay@yahoo.com.ph
Fe Abelardo, feabelardo@yahoo.com, feabelardo81@gmail.com
Candida Agcaoili, candidaagcaoili@yahoo.com, candida_agcaoili@yahoo.com

Librarians Are Ready! Are You?

Worksheets on Bibliotherapy

Worksheets I used during the Bibliotherapy workshop at the 47th ACELT.

Pied Beauty by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Translation by Fr. Bert Alejo SJ (Batik-batik na Kariktan)


Reader response worksheet on Pied Beauty


Reader response worksheet on The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)


For full views of the documents --

The Giving Tree

Pied Beauty

Pied Beauty / Batik-batik na Kariktan

Bibliotherapy PowerPoint Slides

Challenge of the Year: Break the Stereotype (2 of 2)

Two posts from librarian friends made it to the blog last month in response to the Challenge of the Year: Break the Stereotype. Peachy Limpin and Ann Rosette Crelencia shared a piece of their mind on the topic. After two weeks of blogging hiatus, I resume by answering the questions I myself designed.


a. How do I feel about librarian stereotyping?
I feel challenged. This motivates me to continue giving my best as a school librarian.

b. Does this exist in my work place? If yes, in what forms? If no, why?
No. Lucky me, right? But I am saddened to hear and learn of its existence in many schools.

c. Why do librarian stereotypes exist?
My theory is, the advocacy on the relevance and importance of profession is pretty low.

d. How can librarians break stereotypes?
Librarians can break stereotypes by continuously learning and growing professionally. And this does not simply mean attending seminars and workshops.

47th ACELT Conference: Reading Ourselves, Reading the World

I will be conducting another workshop on Bibliotherapy at the Ateneo Center for English Language Teaching (ACELT) during the 47th ACELT Conference on 11 February 2012. It's going to be a whole day event. Carla Pacis will deliver the keynote in the conference.

I am inviting all school and public librarians to attend since the conference will discuss literature for children and teens and how it can be used in the classroom. Librarians may not be teaching in the classroom directly, but a knowledge of how library resources, books for kids and teens for this matter, are used by library clients, teachers in particular, is a requirement in establishing working relationships with teachers. Knowing how teachers make use of learning resources can help librarians develop a more relevant collection of print, online and multimedia resources.

Here is the ACELT Conference link. Hope to see some librarians there!

Goodbye Textbooks!

Courtesy of: Schools.com

The 2012 ALA Award Winners and Honors

Thanks to Jennifer Nelson Saracevic for the list of winners and honors of the 2012 American Library Association Award.

John Newbery Medal
“Dead End in Norvelt,” written by Jack Gantos
Two Newbery Honor Books also were named:
"Inside Out & Back Again," written by Thanhha Lai
"Breaking Stalin’s Nose,” written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Randolph Caldecott Medal
“A Ball for Daisy," illustrated and written by Chris Raschka
Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named:
“Blackout,” illustrated and written by John Rocco
"Grandpa Green" illustrated and written by Lane Smith
“Me … Jane,” illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
“Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley
Four Printz Honor Books also were named:
“Why We Broke Up,” written by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman
“The Returning,” written by Christine Hinwood
“Jasper Jones,” written by Craig
“The Scorpio Races,” written by Maggie Stiefvater

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award
Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans”
Two King Author Honor Book recipients were selected:
Eloise Greenfield, author of “The Great Migration: Journey to the North,” illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Patricia C. McKissack, author of “Never Forgotten,” illustrated by Leo and Diane

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
Shane W. Evans, illustrator and author of “Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom
One King Illustrator Honor Book recipient was selected:
Kadir Nelson, illustrator and author of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans”
Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement:
Ashley Bryan is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime achievement

Schneider Family Book Award
The Jury chose not to award a book in the category for children ages 0 – 8 because no submissions were deemed worthy of the award.
Two books were selected for the middle school award (ages 9 – 13):
“Close to famous,” written by Joan Bauer
“Wonderstruck: A Novel in Words and Pictures,” written by Brian Selznick
The teen (ages 14-18) award winner is “The Running Dream,” written by Wendelin Van Draanen

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
• “Big Girl Small,” by Rachel DeWoskin
• “In Zanesville,” by Jo Ann Beard
• “The Lover’s Dictionary,” by David Levithan
• “The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens,” by Brooke Hauser
• “The Night Circus,” by Erin Morgenstern
• “Ready Player One,” by Ernest Cline
• “Robopocalypse: A Novel,” by Daniel H. Wilson
• “Salvage the Bones,” by Jesmyn Ward
• “The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures,” by Caroline Preston
• “The Talk-Funny Girl,” by Roland Merullo

Margaret A. Edwards Award
Susan Cooper is the 2012 Edwards Award winner
“Over Sea, Under Stone”
“The Dark Is Rising”
“Greenwitch”
“The Grey King”
“Silver on the Tree”

Dear Librarian: Reply on School Library Instruction Program

This is my initial reply to Angelic and I wish I could say more.

Angelic,

Consult your Reading or Language Arts coordinator on skills that need strengthening or focus. It will also help you if you ask for the subject matter guide or the curriculum, if the coordinator is open enough. From there, you can identify topics for your lib instruction program. It should be clear to you, at this point, the role the library plays in students' learning of skills and your part as librarian in the teaching of it. If not, sort this out first.

Here is an example, if the Reading/Lang Arts subject in Prep puts importance in language learning and acquisition, then, come up with literacy activities that will foster speaking and listening skills as foundation, and reading and writing skills as application. It can also be viewed the other way around. The approach is to take these four skills as integral to each and essential to the young learner as language and thought develop. This would mean more storytelling sessions, film viewings, talks by authors, illustrators, activities where Prep boys can listen and interact with others. The boys' output may be stories they wrote themselves, or art projects where they can write and speak of the process they went through. Or books they made themselves about everyday experiences. As the learner move from one grade level to the next, coverage in the curriculum changes as well. By grade 1 or 2, they begin reading - decoding and comprehending. So, topics that introduce the book culture may be included in the library instruction program. This is where parts of the book, using the table of contents and the like come into play [:-)]

Remember that balance is an important aspect of the lib instruction program. While you teach skills, you need to fill the need to READ for fun. Check your collection for recommended read applicable for K-2 grades. To do this, you need to know the reading levels and interests of your boys vis-a-vis, your collection. And in this day and age, collection pertains to print, digital and other multimedia formats.

Good luck and do tell me what happens. Thank you for always seeking my advice on school library matters.

Dear Librarian: School Library Instruction Program

Here's another email seeking for ideas on setting up a library instruction program -

Dear Ms. Zarah,

Good day! I am currently updating our Library Instruction Program. I would like to ask you of some recommendations. What topics should we include for Prep, Grade 1 and grade 2? We are exclusive for boys and I know you have great experience in teaching.

The email came from Ms. Angelic Abayan Bautista, school librarian of Marist School, Marikina.

Book Review: The Best of Chico and Delamar's The Morning Rush Top Ten

Yes, I admit. I am a Rusher.

I started listening to The Morning Rush with Chico and Delle in 1997 and stopped tuning in the show in 2004 because of, work. At that time, live streaming was unheard of and listening to FM radio via mobile was but a dream. Podcasts were still an idea being fermented by the techies and I have not discovered the Steve Job's wonder gadget yet.

Fast forward to 2010. Technology is making things possible. Like a long lost lover, I found my way back to RX 93.1 every Monday to Friday from 6AM to 10AM. And though I only get to listen to the show's first two hours, there's the podcasts of the show that can be downloaded. Thank you, Blue Ritz!

Some things have changed in the show, of course. For one, Chico and Delle have grown as radio hosts and as persons all their own. And it's not a bad thing because their conversations on air are more substantial now. In their early years together, they fight on air all the time and listeners loved it. I love it! For some strange reason, the differences in their opinions and personalities make for good chemistry. They have deepened in friendship as well. I gave up a long time ago on the idea that Chico and Delle would end up as lovers. No. They are better off as friends and this comforts me. It is one of the many signs that tells me that harmony can exist in this chaotic world.

I'm glad that the duo has kept their advice column in Manila Bulletin after all these years. And I am super glad that on their fifteen years together, they came out with a book, The Best of Chico and Delamar's The Morning Rush Top Ten.

What worked

The book carries their name. They didn't end up as a couple, but they are proud parents of a book which is all about the fans - the Rushers. So, in part, the Rushers are the co-authors of this masterpiece that took fifteen years to actualize and realize. The Top Ten is the The Morning Rush's strength and Chico and Delle knew how to maintain and sustain it - by focusing on their listeners and not themselves. Both share slivers of their personal lives as a response to the listeners' entries, (though sharp listeners would be able to uncover the many interesting layers that both, Chico and Delle try to keep with in the boundaries), and the effect is a communal discourse on the mundane and the profound.

Non-rushers can enjoy the book as well because it's downright funny, touching, scary, current and relevant. There are plenty of green jokes and anecdotes likewise, the truths and realities on relationships, on life and love.

What did not work

There are typos. Here's hoping that Summit Media made corrections as another ten thousand more copies will soon be out in bookstores.

Congratulations to Chico and Delle, to the Rushers and RX 93.1. I am waiting for the next installment. Book 2 in the making?

Plagiarism in the Digital Age

Courtesy of: Schools.com

Social Media and College Applications

Courtesy of: Schools.com

Ang INK Forum: The Best and the Worst in the Pinoy Kids Lit Industry

True Blue Book Lover

Challenge of the Year: Break the Stereotype Response #2

From Anne Rosette Crelencia, Section Head of the Filipiniana Section, the National Library of the Philippines, lends her ideas on librarian stereotyping.

a. How do I feel about librarian stereotyping?

Not so bad because the idea offers a challenge to every librarian to prove
what librarianship really is.

b. Does this exist in my work place? If yes, in what forms? If no, why?

Yes. Several researchers were vocal in saying they met a "masungit na
librarian" during their visits to the library, but maybe it's better to
ask the researchers themselves.

c. Why do librarian stereotype exist?

It exist because *they* exist.

d. How can librarians break stereotypes?

Young and modern librarians should surfaced and lead the profession. Media should help promote the positive image and role of librarians in the community by featuring librarians in films, print ads, tv shows and commercials in a different and modern perspective.

Challenge of the Year: Break the Stereotype Response #1

Peachy Limpin, Pinoy licensed librarian working in Melbourne, Australia shares her thoughts on librarian stereotyping. She recommends a link to her blog on an encounter she had with an Aussie youngster asking about her work. What a funny little anecdote!

a. How do I feel about librarian stereotyping?

Frustrated


b. Does this exist in my work place? If yes, in what forms? If no, why?

Not in my workplace, but in the larger community and among friends and acquaintances. The usual questions, what I do besides stand behind the counter and lend /discharge books, madali lang ang trabaho, etc.


c. Why do librarian stereotype exist?

Probably from the depictions of librarians in movies and media


d. How can librarians break stereotypes?

Advocacy and being seen and heard.

Let's Talk About Children's Books

The Power of the Printed Word

This is my pledge.

I have nothing against e-books and digital formats of information. I love them as much.

But the printed word is a culture that must be preserved. Printed matter, especially books, are products of human ingenuity and has great contributions to humanity's intellectual evolution. It is through books that man affirms himself as a social being, one whose personal experience touches others, thus elevating singularity to the common and on to the universal level. Books are an art form in itself. I respect this tradition. I respect this art.

I pledge to read the printed word.

As a librarian, reading printed materials, keeping a collection of such in the library, managing and sustaining them, providing accessibility for its use, educating and training kids and teens in reading the printed format is one of my many roles.

What about you? In this age of digital conflagration, what do you pledge to do?

A Closure on the Great Book Blockade of 2009

Thanks to Rayvi Sunico for leading me to this link on DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 57-2011
09 December 2011 at the Department of Finance website. It will greatly be of help to me as a school librarian ordering and acquiring imported books off shore. There's a downloadable PDF on the Florence Agreement which mentions that books bought by libraries are exempt from tax duties. But, of course.

As a government protocol, registration is the next step for libraries who wish to be exempt from tax duties.

My question is: Is it worth going through all the trouble of registration so that libraries can save from book purchases abroad?

Challenge of the Year: Break the Stereotype (1 of 2)

I discovered this cute figurine of a nut personifying a librarian. Inscribed below are qualities describing a librarian: Proud to be a public serving, friendly, book stamping, well read, softly spoken LIBRARIAN.

If I had it my way, I would change book stamping to book loving.

Nothing wrong with stamping books, and I would do circulation work when the staff is out or on leave. But it's a stereotype that persists. The danger is that, stereotyping results to the delimitation of one's potentials.

It is the start of another year. While we're at it, it is but timely to reflect on the work we do in the library and the community we serve. Instead of resolutions, I'm posting, and posing, a challenge to break stereotypes. Some questions to consider:

a. How do I feel about librarian stereotyping?
b. Does this exist in my work place? If yes, in what forms? If no, why?
c. Why do librarian stereotypes exist?
d. How can librarians break stereotypes?

Answers to this questions next week!

Pinoy Children's Books I Won't Miss Reading to a Filipino Child

Carla Pacis, writer friend from the industry, sent an email requesting for my top five Pinoy children's books. Here's my list --

1. Ang Alamat ng Ampalaya by Augie Rivera - My all time favorite. This is the book I wish I had written. It is solid in plot and characterization. It speaks of justice and fairness. It does not moralize on the lesson of consequence. Kora Dandan Albano illustrated the book and her playful addition of the little red chili in every page adds "flavor" to the story. It becomes a character too, who, along with teh reader witnesses the unraveling of Ampalaya. Fantastic!

2. 'Sandosenang Sapatos by Dr. Luis Gatmaitan - Gatmaitan's best work, I believe. I like Gatmaitan's use of dreams (dream, rather) in the story. Unlike many a Pinoy children's story, the dream sequence in Sandosenang Sapatos amplified the mystery of love connecting the lead character, a handicapped girl, to her deceased father. Instead of using dreams as an instant solution to problems or an immediate response to change of bad attitude to good, Gatmaitan played on the magical element found in dreams as a way of channeling the metaphysical to the real and the palpable. Now that's putting back a sense of wonder in Pinoy Children's Literature! Beth Parocha-Doctolero illustrated the story.

3. Chenelyn! Chenelyn! by Rhandee Garlitos - Garlitos wrote this story the night before the Salanga deadline. Culling out his mother's experiences as a laundry woman and domestic helper, Garlitos crafted a poignant story that reflects the way we treat and relate to our humble house helpers.

4. Bruhaha! Bruhihi! by Ompong Remigio - Remigio's technique on onomatopeia and play of words is amazing! The story is short and easy to read; directly focusing on the relationship of the young girl and the old lady, one would understand the stereotypes and belief system that robs us of compassion for others.

5. Pop Up Dinosaur by Jomike Tejido - Tejido merged paper art and creative non-fiction. The result is brilliant! This book probably led to his development of Foldabots. The child needs to play and Tejido brought that to book making art.

Looking at my short list, I could not help but marvel at the genius of our Pinoy writers and illustrators. Mabuhay ang Filipinong manunulat at illustrador pambata!

Libraries and Transliteracy

SLIA: First Monthly Posts

In keeping with a blogging tradition, here are monthly first posts from December 2011 to January 2011, along with first lines from each post.

December 2011 - Reading List for Teens: Just today I finished putting together a list of recommended reads for teens.

November 2011 - Picture Book Month: Picture books are for all ages!

October 2011 - 19th Children's Month @ the NLP - Photos from the Opening Ceremonies of the 19th Children's Month at the National Library of the Philippines.

September 2011 KISS Bookreview - I have been reading.

August 2011 Books for My Birtrhday - August is my birthday month.

July 2011 Lolo Jose: Nagbabasa, Binabasa - It is July and the PBBY will spearhead the celebration of National Children's Book Day on 19 July 2011.

June 2011 Filipino Librarian: Jocelyn Ladlad - While in Baguio for a conference last month, I was billeted in a cottage located at Teachers Camp.

May 2011 Repairing and Restoring the Noli and the El Fili - The Germans! They are here!

April 2011 Tales From the 7,000 Isles Book Cover

March 2011 On the Wings of Literacy - Been riding on the wings of literacy the past few weeks and here are some pics to share with you!

February 2011 Loving Books and Libraries in the Time of ICT - January is done.

January 2011 The Games We Play: RPG Metanoia Movie Review - You know you've seen a good movie when you talk about it with great interest hours after having watched it.

On Libraries Going Digital

I am re-posting an opinionated comment by Rey Llenor on a post I did last 1 December 2010 on Reading as a RIGHT. I chose to respond but will wait for next year to post it up in the blog. For the meantime, read on and do comment if the spirit prompts you to!

Rey Llonor
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 12:43:00 AM

I love libraries as much as I love reading. But, library for me is not just an enclave of reading materials. More so, reading is no longer a monopoly of print materials. You can do the same reading sense with the use of modern gadgets.

For me, the primary function of a library is an information center. What if, you could get the information you need at the comfort of your home? Years ago, it's possible if you can afford to buy an Encyclopaedia Britannica worth thousands of pesos. I myself dreamed of having a set in our home. Unfortunately, we couldn't afford to have even the cheapest one (a segunda-mano). I believed I'm not the only one who grew up without an encyclopedia at home.

But, time has changed. When I was tasked to handle Britannica Online division here in the Philippines, I introduced the Britannica Online Virtual Library Card (vCard). In itself a complete library with five major Britannica references, 840 e-Journals and e-Magazines, over 6,500 eBooks and Original Source documents, over 6,800 downloadable videos and animations and more at price that even an ordinary labourer can afford to pay for his family use (actually it cost just the same a two McDonald's meals),

So who said that we need to have "functional libraries" when we can afford to have one with the vCard?

In fact, my advocacy is against print materials. Imagine if you are to give a piece of book in every Filipino student of 17 million, how many trees are you going to cut down to create papers? For every ton of paper, you need to cut down 17 trees! We're experiencing the impact of it with the flooding of our country.

I maybe wrong with this thinking for print materials. But let's face it, an iPad or Kindle could handle thousands of ebooks or digital references which could save thousands of trees against printed ones. God bless us all!

Maligayang Pasko!

Library Signages

Found some good ones via Tully News Info.

Picture! Picture!

Quickie Reviews: Study Skills for Teens

The holiday season has been wicked! The blog's been sleeping for weeks. Here's a list of book reviews in brief. I have taken this from my list of recommended reads in the library. Hoping to blog more the coming days since school's out on Christmas break.

a. Your Guide to Effective Studying by Jenny King - King shares six steps to becoming a better student. She helps readers establish a focus at the start of the academic year -- setting goals and keeping track; following through and reflecting on progress, failures included. Time management, good nutrition and a stable support system are added to the list as strategies to keep in becoming a better learner.

b. Study Skills for the the International Baccalaureate by John Tomkinson - Comprehensive in scope and coverage, the readers will find the book useful in all aspect of studies under the IB umbrella. Tomkinson orients the student to imminent success and possible failure in academics. So he warns IB students: BEWARE! Surfing the web can be addictive. You may find yourself wasting valuable time following up irrelevant leads.

c. Study Skills in English by Michael Wallace - For teachers who teach university bound students and students who are SERIOUS at attending university, the book covers topics on reading varied academic texts; taking notes (yes, even with a laptop, this is an essential skill!); using library resources; taking part in discussions and managing time. Includes task assessment worksheets for teacher and student, assisting them in charting progress and otherwise.

Some websites worthy of your time on this topic --

For teachers and parents who wish to help and support their teenagers become independent learners, Kids Health discuss positive learning.

A document to download on tips and techniques on studying better.

We can teach our teens to think. We can teach them to study too!

Children and Climate Change

The 2nd Asian Children's Museum Conference drums up the issue of climate change and its effect on children.



From the website of Museo Pambata -- Feb 2 to 4, 2012 Join our 2nd Asian Children's Museum Conference! Global warming has many causes and only one solution: YOU! Join us as we bring speakers from all around the world to discuss how we and our children can help Mother Earth in the fight against climate change. Visit www.museopambata.org/acmc for more details. Early bird rates apply until December!

A PBBY Christmas!

Last night was PBBY's Christmas Party at Nina Lim-Yuson's place. She's been hosting the parties since forever. And though I did not stay on, missing the raffle, gift exchanges, the paella, I got a lot of teasing from friends in the industry.

I think that's what made PBBY last this long. And we're counting!

The History of Social Media

How did social media Begin? Bit Rebels has an article and a graphic to illustrate its genesis.

A Reading List for Teens

Just today I finished putting together a list of recommended reads for teens. It was fun! Here's what I culled out of the fiction collection -

Grade 9

1. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by MT Anderson
2. Names Will Never Hurt Me by Jaime Adoff
3. Psyche in a Dress by Frances Lia Block
4. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
5. Once Upon a Time: Belle by Cameron Dokey
6. Rumble Fish by SE Hinton
7. Turtle’s Paradise by Jennifer Holm
8. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin*
9. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
10. Slam! by Walter Dean Myers
11. Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck*
12. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
13. Quiver by Stephanie Spinner*
14. Quicksilver by Stephanie Spinner
15. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

And some more...

16. Firebirds: An anthology of original fantasy and science fiction edited by Sharyn November
17. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald
18. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
19. Beastly by Alex Flinn
20. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Grade 10

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee*
2. The Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus
3. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Patterson*
4. A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt
5. The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
6. Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet by Kashmira Sheth
7. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
8. Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianne Wynne Jones*
9. Spacer and Rat by Margaret Bechard
10. Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
11. Crank by Ellen Hopkins
12. Speak by Laura Halse Anderson
13. Zorro by Isabel Allende*
14. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
15. Forever by Judy Blume

And some more...
16. Casa Azul by Laban Carrick Hill
17. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
18. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
19. Dr. Franklin’s Island by Ann Halam
20. Misery by Stephen KIng

Grade 11

1. Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata
2. Sula by Toni Morrison
3. Bel Canto by Ann Patchet*
4. The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
5. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
6. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel*
7. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemmingway
8. The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway*
9. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
10. Siddharta by Herman Hesse
11. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury*
12. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
13. The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
14. White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
15. 2001: A Space Oddysey by Arthur Clarke*

And some more...
16. A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar
17. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson Mc Cullers
18. Over a Thousand Hills I walk with You by Hanna Jansen
19. Atonement by Ian McEwan
20. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

* Personaly recommended by the the librarian.

The sixty titles were pulled out from the shelves and placed in a different shelf that is more visible to students, teachers and other members of the learning community. My basis for selecting the titles are curriculum, students' interests as observed from their information behaviors and a general knowledge of the teens' developmental stage. While it's been fun preparing this, what excites me more is the feedback the library will be getting from its intended reader. If it works, then it can be carried on. If not, rethink and set new strategies for teens to continuously read.

The 2nd National Children's Book Award Best Reads for 2012 Rules

The National Book Development Board and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People present the 2nd National Children's Book Award Best Reads for 2012 Rules

Children’s Book, Definition 

A printed and bound volume that explicitly states it is for children and/or young people, hereby understood to refer to those falling within the ages 0-19 years. These include works like fiction (e.g. storybooks, young adult novels, fantasy, science fiction), non-fiction (e.g. poetry, biographies/autobiographies, developmental books, reference books, board books, bath books, pop-up books, how-to books, etc.), picture books (wordless or otherwise), graphic novels or comic books expressly labeled for children. At this time, the awards do not cover electronic books or textbooks.

Eligible Book

A book is eligible to be nominated and considered for the NCBA if it is:

a. Published in the Philippines with a corresponding International Standard Book Number (ISBN) by an NBDB-registered publisher within the two (2) years preceding the year of selection (e.g. if the year of selection is 2020, then an eligible book must have been published in 2018 or 2019). This year, books published in 2010 and 2011 will be accepted;

b. Authored by a Filipino citizen;

c. Written in Filipino, English or any other Philippine language specifically included by the PBBY and the NBDB for a specific year;

d. Released to the public in the eligible year as stated in 2 (a) hereof, proof of which shall be any of the following, proof of which shall be submitted with the nomination:

i. Delivery receipt/s to a bookstore, or a dealer/jobber, or any similar entity that has the ability to distribute books to the public;

ii. A donation to a school or library, which need not be formally accepted in an instrument by the beneficiary. It is enough that the donation is received, acknowledged and/or certified by the beneficiaries of said donation in writing;

iii. Distributed in book stores or entities that sell the book, including online distribution, proof of which should be provided;

iv. Produced/printed by a book facility/entity, as shown by a document that said book has been produced in quantities consistent with the act of publication. It is, however, understood, that the specific number of copies shall not be part of the criteria to determine the books to be selected for the Awards.

Nomination

Anybody whether publisher, author or illustrator may nominate a book for the NCBA, as long as the person or entity is registered with the NBDB as a publisher, author or illustrator. The nomination form duly accomplished and signed by the nominating party shall serve as the official letter of nomination and shall be submitted to the NBDB at the address below together with the books, at one form per nominated title. The number of copies to be submitted for consideration will be based on the number of judges plus one copy each for NBDB and PBBY. This year, there being five (5) judges, the number of books to be submitted shall be seven (7).

The Executive Director
National Book Development Board
2/F National Printing Office Building
NIA Northside Road, Bgy. Pinyahan
Quezon City

Subject: The National Children’s Book Awards

After documenting the submissions, the NBDB shall submit nominated books directly to the members of the Board of Judges.

Selection of Awardees

a. The BoJ shall select a maximum of ten (10) titles from all the nominees, without any further ranking the titles, to be proclaimed as the recommended reading titles. The BoJ, on the other hand, is not obliged to select any minimum number of recommended titles, should it not find any nominee deserving of recommendation.

b. Each selected title shall be given a trophy during the NCBA awarding ceremonies. In addition, a citation shall be written by a member of the BoJ about each selection. This citation shall be read aloud during the awarding ceremonies.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the NBDB ( HYPERLINK "http://www.nbdb.gov.ph) and PBBY (www.pbby.org.ph" www.nbdb.gov.ph) and PBBY (www.pbby.org.ph) websites. Deadline for submission of entries is on January 31, 2012.

The 2nd National Children's Book Awards

NBDB now accepts nominations to the 2nd National Children’s Book Award

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is now accepting nominations to the 2nd National Children’s Book Award.

On July 2012, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Philippine Board on Books for the Young (PBBY) will present the 2nd National Children’s Book Award, giving honor to the 10 best books for children and young adults published during the years 2010 and 2011.

All publishers, authors and illustrators are invited to submit their nominations. Deadline for submission of nominations is January 31, 2012. For the full copy of the rules and to download the nomination form, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.nbdb.gov.ph" www.nbdb.gov.ph

During the 1st National Children’s Book Awards held in 2010 six books were chosen as the Best Reads of 2010. From a total of 131 books nominated: Araw sa Palengke (Adarna House) written by May Tobias-Papa and illustrated by Isabel Roxas; Tuwing Sabado (Lampara Books) written by Russell Molina and illustrated by Sergio Bumatay III; Can We Live on Mars (Adarna House) written by Gidget Roceles-Jimenez and illustrated by Bru; Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub (Bookmark) written by Russell Molina and illustrated by Jomike Tejido; Tagu-Taguan (Tahanan Books) written and illustrated by Jomike Tejido; and Just Add Dirt (Adarna House) written by Becky Bravo and illustrated by Jason Moss.

Picture! Picture!

Librarians for Preschool & Primary Grades

I found this great link in the Scholastic website that is useful when introducing the work librarians do to younger children. It shows that librarians work with people and assists them in their use of books and the internet. Story time is given importance as well as the feedback which librarians need from readers and users of the library. It goes to show that readers services does not end at the circulation table.

Early on, children can be introduced to the roles that librarians play in the learning community. This would aid in strengthening their concept of books, reading and literacy and that, a librarian is in the middle acting as conduit, support agent and teacher. This builds up to developing a library culture in the long run.

Readers services is a marathon. Starting it young and following through the higher grades, moving up to high school and then college is a long haul. This is the essence of children's library services - to address their literacy and reading needs as early as possible.

Mga Libro Lang Yan (Those are just books)

So here's how I got my copies of Tales From the 7,000 Isles.

I presented my parcel's receipt. Followed the line to the receiving area. Paid forty pesos and waited until the clerk brought the box out. One guy examined my parcel note.

Guy 1: Naka-adress sa school (Parcel note is addressed to the school).

Guy 2 examined the box. Looked at me and took the parcel note from Guy 1.

Guy 2: Ibigay mo na. Mga libro lang yan (Release the parcel. Those are just books).

I lifted my box of books and went out the post office happy that I didn't pay a big amount of tax but a bit dismissed at the clerk's reaction.

Library Designs to Die For

Source: http://lspaces.tumblr.com/

From John Williams, Australia

From Jennifer Nannery, 189- Washington Heights NY

From John Williams, Australia

Librarians as Online Content Curators

I have heard and read about curating online content late last year via blograrians who attended the annual American Library Association Conference. Another interesting topic discussed in the conference was that of transliteracy. That would be for another post. Plus, there's 21st Century Literacy to think and ponder on (though AASL - the Association of American School Libraries, has published a set of standards. In Manila, we are still struggling with Information Literacy and its application in library services and programs).

While curating online content may sound like a new invention for the librarian, it is very much similar with organizing information, a task librarians are so adept at. It is also another way of archiving.

Over the past few weeks, I've been exploring curating online content and it is not only done by librarians. Then again, since the likes of us are in the business of information service, I find it relevant to learn more about online curating. For starters, Librarienne has written about it. Karen Bonanno a librarian from Australia curates online. I am subscribed to her School Library Advocacy. What a way to be updated! Subscribing to her curated feeds is one of the many simple ways to grow professionally.

The New Zealand Library System has started a web curating tool. Scoop It! crawls the web for your online curating. Robin Good emphasizes the value and authority one can derive from online content curating. The tools and the-how-to-do-it tips are available online. As for me, I'm starting and experimenting on curating, applying the technology in library work.

Let's see where it will end up!

PLAI Announcements

Thanks to David Cabanero, PLAI PRO, for sending these useful links! Now that the PLAI Congress is just around the corner, it would be great if we could all pitch in, lend a hand a do our bit to spread the news.

To download the National Book Week Poster, please open this: NBW Poster

For the PLAI Congress 2011 invitation, please download from this: PLAI Congress invite

For the PLAI Congress 2011 program, please download this: PLAI Congress Program

All interested librarians who would like to attend the "Librarians Day, please check this: Librarian's Day

To join the PLAI Facebook, this is the FB site:PLAI Facebook Site

To be updated with the PLAI activities, check this out: PLAI Blog

To know more about PLAI, please visit us at: PLAI Website

PLAI National Congress 2011: Libraries for Progress

The Under-used School Library

This is a response from Coralie Clark's article on the under-used school library in the International Baccalaureate Program. Written in 1995, it is a prophetic article that has great relevance in this day and age. Thanks to Stacey Taylor for the link!

Librarians face many challenges and concerns as technology changes and the learning landscape spurs many and varied pedagogical paradigms. Flexibility, competent communication skills and creative management strategies are required of the librarian. Thus, continuing professional growth is necessary to adapt, survive and thrive in the profession. Relevant to this is the formulation of action research or evidence based practice in the library.

Some evidences that a librarian can use are the following:

a. Circulation statistic and report. This would generate information on the profile of readers and their information behavior which could later indicate strong and weak areas in the collection.

b. Teacher and school librarian partnerships. Such collaborations must be documented, reflected upon, evaluated and become sources of theory development that will further enrich the practice of the profession. The participation of teachers in the selection and acquisition of library resources is one partnership that carry strong evidence that libraries are well utilised.

c. Identified library services that answer Independent research, reading and use of library resources. What library services, traditional or Web 2.0, answer the information needs and behavior of students, teachers and the learning community at large?

d. Community related activities. Other than internal library functions, there should also be opportunities for the librarian to join consortiums and forge interlibrary loan conditions with libraries in the community.

A saying from the olden days, no man is an island, is so befitting for this generation's librarian.

Information Literacy Workshop by PASLI

From the Philippine Association of School Librarians (PASLI) --

The Philippine Association of School Librarians, Inc.(PASLI) is
inviting you to the seminar-workshop on ‘Developing and Teaching
Information Literacy in School Library Media Centers’ on January 27,
2012 from 7:00am to 3:00pm at the Information Resource Center of C&E
Publishing, Inc. located at 839 EDSA South Triangle, Quezon City. A
benchmarking visit to a nearby Film Archives is being arranged for the
3:00pm to 5:00pm slot.

The seminar-workshop aims to help school librarians, media specialists
and personnel working in both public and private school libraries to:

1. Upgrade the information skills of school librarians and media
specialists.
2. Gain more relevant and meaningful strategies in teaching
information literacy to the school-age children of the 21st century.
3. Find and use creative ways of handling/presenting information
sources to their school LMC users.

Resource speakers in the seminar-workshop are Mr. David Birchenall,
the Director of Media Services of the International School-Manila and
Mr. Marion Jude Gorospe, the Library Media Center Supervisor of Miriam
College High School. Mr. Birchenall will give a presentation on the
theme: Developing Information Literacy Skills for School Librarians.
Mr. Gorospe will facilitate a workshop on the theme: Teaching
Information Literacy to School-Age Children.

Registration fee of Php 700.00 per participant will cover expenses for
seminar kit, certificate, 2 snacks and lunch and other administrative
expenses. Only sixty (60) participants may be accommodated in the
venue. Reservation is required to ensure a slot.

For more information and reservation, please contact Ms. Gemma Cuña of
Claret School of Quezon City [(02)921-6587 local 230/0917-5832568] or
Mr. Marion Jude Gorospe of Miriam College High School [(02)580-5401
local 3184/0918-5679308 ; Or, visit the website: http://paslinews.wordpress.com
for more information and online reservation.

Thank you. Hope to see you in the seminar-workshop.


Sincerely Yours,

(sgd.)
Ms. Marie Joie Lobo
Vice President, PASLI 2011-2013

(sgd.)
Mr. Marion Jude Gorospe
President, PASLI 2011-2013

The Great Philippine Book Cafe

Librarian On Air

I will be guesting on radio on November 9 2011 at the program LibRadio, DZUP 1602. The show starts at 12 noon and will run for about an hour. The program is in coordination with the UP School of Library and Information Science. It's on its second season now and counting.

I will be interviewed about children's library services particularly so the long weekend will allow me to prepare for this. It's also a good chance to promote Tales From the 7,000 Isles.

Thanks to Madame Elvira Lapus for sending in the invite and Ms. Yani Ramos for the guide questions.

Happy Picture Book Month!

Picture books are for all ages! Go to the website here. Read an article in School Library Journal here.

Graphic Novel Review: Beast

After reading a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast early this year, I was skeptical to pick up Marian Churchland's Beast, her first original graphic novel. Not another retelling please, so I told myself. Surprise! It was far from the classic folktale, but it was strangely familiar.


Beast by Marian Churchland

I think that did the trick - the familiar is mixed with the new and the modern.

Collette, a young sculptor was commissioned by a mysterious benefactor to carve from stone, the most precious marble, an image of the man who asked her to do the project. Collette found herself drawn to his story of love and loss that happened centuries ago.

The story is indeed shrouded in mystery. I had to suspend my disbelief and consider its genre to be truly convinced that reason is not the reading stance I need to take to appreciate the material. It is in fact, very emo, as my fourteen year old son told me. He enjoyed the graphic novel so easily relating to the lost love and unrequited affections of the Beast to his object of desire. Who needs logic when one speaks of love lost transcending time and space? Like Collette, I struggled with reality blurring with the mysterious.

Thanks to its fantastic illustrations of black and white and sepia. It is elegantly done. The gothic feel of the material is present from start to finish.

Three and half bookmarks over five.

School Library Display: Graphic Novels and Art Books Corner

One way to get teens reading -- book displays!

Having set up two shelves of graphic novels and art books increased readership and book circulation. Will make this a regular fixture in the library.