NCBD 2007: 'Basa tayo 'Tay!

PBBY Secretariat, Ani Almario, sent the invites for the 24th National Children's Book Day celebration. This year's theme, 'Basa tayo 'Tay!, focus on the role of fathers in developing the reading habit. Celebrity fathers like Paolo Abrera and Nolo Silayan will tell stories for the kids and the kids at heart on NCBD. Multi-awarded writer Jose "Butch" Dalisay will be the guest speaker.

The NCBD event will start at 10.00 am on July 17, 2007 at the Main Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Spoiler on Harry Potter 7

What has become of Harry? This is a possible spoiler, so don't say I didn't warn you!

Click here.

First Encounters @ the Library

Library Orientation classes for primary grades won't happen until the last week of June. Librarians are all busy team planning with Reading teachers in their assigned grade levels and there is one more Mediashoppe cum LRC Orientation for new teachers at the Early Education Library on Friday, June 22, 2007. The grade one students, however, had their first encounter with the library during the first week of school. Their class advisers brought them up to the "big" library as part of their school wide orientation program.

Since it was their first days in a big school environment, some of them could not help but get lost.

One grade one boy was looking for the bookstore to buy a school textbook. He went up the library instead. He did this several times even though he was told and guided to where the bookstore was. One teacher who has a son in grade one was frantic last Thursday since she could not find her son during dismissal. It turned out that her son was at the library reading with much bigger boys in the primary section. The school's Assistant Principal had to guide one first grader to where the books are so that he can read and enjoy a cooler place at lunch break.

In our supervision time at lunch break, the first graders are the noisiest and rowdiest. There are fighting, games of hiding and seek, running about, jumping and rolling down the mini-amphitheater we all call the Storytelling Area. Boys would report stealing and grabbing of books. They also ask the most questions.

For these boys, the library is but another area for play and recreation. Rules and regulations do apply, but the implementation of such requires patience, compassion and a firm but caring voice when communicating with them.

I remember in first grade, I had Ms. Oliva, my first school librarian in my old parochial school in Pateros. She was plump, cheerful and always smiling. I would go to the library at recess to read. When I had my first borrower's card, I brought home a Dick and Jane book which I finished reading in no time. It stayed in my cabinet for days and weeks until my mother discovered it sleeping among my old toys. She had to pay the library a good amount of overdue fees. That's when she started borrowing books from IS Manila. Soon, I was reading Maurice Sendak, Dr. Seuss, Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey, Ezra Jack Keats and Eve Bunting. I never borrowed again from my school library until sixth grade when being small and dusky excluded me from my more prettier classmates. It was the peak of my awakening from books, reading and literature.

When my mother brought me to see the Children's Media Center of IS Manila, I met my first library fairy in the person of Neni Sta. Romana Cruz. She does not know this yet, but I adored her the first time I saw her emerging out from a room. She had sad raccoon eyes but her smile was gentle and welcoming. There was an aura about her that drew me in. That's when I acknowledged how I wanted to be like her - to be surrounded with books in a room so free and beautiful; to be reading and writing for life; to be with children; to be forever young.

By second grade, I was already reading chapter books. Frog and Toad are Friends by Anita and Arnold Lobel; Greek Myths and Norse Legends; Scary stories and comic books. I had my first dinosaur book and at eight years old (I started school early) I considered myself a dinosaur expert. I wanted to be an archaeologist to find out dinosaur fossils in the Philippines. By third grade, I knew how to use a dictionary and an encyclopedia. Nancy Drew and the Bobsey Twins became my heroes at fourth grade. I laughed with Ramona and Beezus and solved mysteries with Encyclopedia Brown in fifth grade. Between the two Hardy boys, I had my heart set on Frank Hardy. I was a reading geek at 11 years old that when I discovered a few good classmates who were also readers, I didn't see myself as too strange at all. Only a little. And then, I stopped reading. I didn't know why, I guess I just wanted to rest for a while.

My mother intervened again. She brought me to work every summer. At that time, she was assigned at the Middle School Library of IS Manila. There began my new reading adventure as a teenager. That of course is anotehr story.

I do not know how far the reach of our influence can impact the lives of our grade one students. Most of them may only remember their library as a cool place, where the aircon is always on; a hangout venue with friends; a waiting area till the fetcher arrives; a place to sleep; an area for play and games. I do know that we're doing our best. We're doing our share to raise boys who are fully alive, endowed with the passion for justice and the skills for development.

CANVAS Book Launch : Ang Batang Maraming Bawal

CANVAS will be launching Don Gonzalez's first book, Ang Batang Maraming Bawal at the Ayala Museum on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 6.30 p.m. Don won the 3rd Romeo Forbes Writing for Children contest in 2005. He is a probee member of KUTING.

In Tune to Web 2.0

Xavier School has a spankingly new website. The GS LRC is mentioned in an article on one outreach activity with the St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Click here.

Library Video Clips

The times, they are changing.

Instead of looking over for videos in the AV section for my grade two class this afternoon, I went to YOU Tube for video clips about the school library. These are some of my finds.

GS LRC Mediashoppe 2007

Can you guess how many books the GS LRC have in its collection? This was the question that greeted GS teachers last June 1, 2007, Friday for their annual Mediashoppe at the Storytelling Area of the GS LRC. Given by the GS LRC to collaborate with teachers in the development of learning resources, this year's Mediashoppe was the most, if not successful, organized Mediashoppe yet.

The program began with an orientation of basic library services and programs for the sake of the new hires. Junior and senior teachers are already familiar with the GS LRC's features, but a quick walk through on the LRC's services was a big help to remind them that a department that supports their instructional needs exist in the community. What was new for everyone, newbie and seasoned teachers alike, was the DOORS Project of Mrs. Chit Olivares, Reference Librarian.


The Directory of Online Resources (DOORS) is a project initiated by Mrs. Olivares to enrich the print and non-print collection of the library with online resources. Using FURL, she was able to build a list of useful sites for teachers who can use them in the different content areas. Another relevant information provided by the Mediashoppe was the presentation of the ITS-AV Integrated Office by Ms. Garce Aromin, ITS Coordinator. Beginning this school year, reservations of equipment, facilities and tech support will be provided by the ITS. The GS LRC will concentrate on content and knowledge management of the AV collection. In this structure, it is foreseen that more resources will be utilized by the community.

Teachers were able to select and review learning resources possible for acquisition this school year. With their MLAs present, it can be truly said that the administrators are involved in this process of building the library's collection. They also got to view new titles of materials, journals and books available for their perusal.

It was Mr. Ronald Briones of the GS Science department who got the correct estimate on the volume of the LRC's collection. Without the hard work of Mrs. Jane Diaz, Readers Servcies Librarian, who put the Mediashoppe together, and the support of Mrs. Jane Natividad, GS Principal, it would not have been possible for the GS LRC and the GS teachers from the different departments to have a fun and fruitful morning of collaborative work.

Love Your Books

June is National Book Development Month. Filipinas Heritage Library and the National Book Development Board has prepared a slew of activities for the reading Pinoy.

From June 27 to July 1, a literary exhibit at the Glorietta Park that features places in the metro that have inspired our writers to create their literary master pieces is up for display. Tickets cost Php 500.00.

Aside from this, poetry readings, storytelling sessions, book illustration contests and theatrical presentations make it to the week long calendar of the National Book Development Month. Call 8921801 for details.

Misplaced Librarian

There were many insights and issues that surfaced from my seminar-workshop with public and barangay librarians yesterday at the Filipinas Heritage Library. Public librarians, kin to school librarians, have their share of problems, concerns and what-nots. For many, funding and budget is not the number one challenge in meeting the objectives of library services, but, staff training and the availability of enough manpower to sustain the energy of the library. This was articulated by almost three fourth of the participants.

Although it was never identified what kind of training they needed the most, I have an inkling that the skills and competencies they must learn are those on library management, communication skills and the ability to integrate a variety of disciplines that will eventually lead to succesfull plans and programs for the public library. In this case, librarians must be given enough exposure to travel and bench mark with other librarians in the provincial and international settings. Those who are still in the academe earning the degree necesitate an interdisciplinary learning experience in their study of Library and Information Science.

Last I heard, teachers of LIS are revising and improving curriculum to give focus and direction to students. There may be students who would like to focus on IT development; public service; media and communications; education and training; etc. but with a foundation on LIS.

When job related issues began sprouting during the discussion, I was earnest to hear them out. I was interested to find out the paradigms and schools of thought these librarians subscribe to. Often, their comments and questions reflect their personal and professional philosophy.

One librarian was given the task as tour guide. And yes, it was a very uncomfortable task. Not the librarian's fault since she was trained to procure, organize, manage and circulate the library's collection. Then again, the role of a librarian has changed radicaly over the years that to maintain that set of tasks limits the moral, cultural and intellectual growth of the community. Public librarains have a special role in elevating literacy. And there are many kinds of literacy. Is the public librarian trained and prepared for this change. Is the public librarian equiped to handle emerging kinds of literacy for people of different age groups and demographics?

There are many librarians I know who did not take LIS courses but were lucky enough to learn and get units of LIS. Most pursue a graduate degree even. Some are quite succesful though their bachelor's degree is non-LIS. But what happens if the table is turned? What can the librarain do if he or she is expected to be teacher, curator, manager, events planner, PR officer, editor, web developer, even computer technician? Will he/she rely on God given wit and talent or learn new things to integrate with the old knowledge?

Librarian Mothers

I grew up with a librarian mother. Bosom friends know too well how my mother influenced me to become like her, a librarian. Though she steered me to the path of corporate librarianship, I found my bearing on school and children's library service. As to that, I credit my other mother in the profession for showing me the possibility of growing in this track of librarianship. Dr. Mary Orendain of the PNU University Library is my role model. You might wonder who then is my inspiration to pursue ICT in application to school library services. She is none other than Dir. Lou David of the Rizal Library of the Atene De Manila.

I have written a post about my mothers in life and in librarianship a few years back when my blog was barely a year old. Check it here if you wish.

I remember them again with fondness and honor because they have made their presence felt this month of mothers and flowers in my very busy and complicated lifestyle. I take it as a reminder to go slow; to pause; and to examine my priorities.

Dr. Orendain visited me yesterday to personally deliver a token. I was touched by the gesture. So, I returned the respect she deserve by giving her a tour of our library and buying her something in return. Not too much of an amount but enough to let her know that I appreciated her going out of the way to see me. Talk of the present and future status of school librarianship in the country was inevitable. She encouraged me to finish my graduate degree in time for an opening to teach at PNU. Before she left, she reminded me that we must work on a book project together.

Move two weeks earlier and you would have found me at the Rizal Library paying a courtesy call to Dir. David. She was her usual unselfish self. The IL Module for the 11 Public Schools in Quezon City is nearly done. All that's left is its implementation. It was a project she began two years ago and I wa sone of the witnesses to its conception. She lent me some materials that she knew would be very helpful to my advocacy.

In the middle of May, I received text messages from my mother raving about the talk that she attended. She just had an insightful morning with our school director as part of an in-service training session provided for new administrators in her new job. In our exchange of SMS, I was affirmed how lucky I am to be in Xavier School. I am now beginning to see a different perspective to my job as middle level manager. Her advice gave me sanity. We may have our own differences in life and in librarianship, but she will always be my mother.

In time, I will assume a colleague level with Dr. Orendain and Dir. David. But, just like my own mother, they will remain my teachers forever.

IASL Matters

With my membership renewed in IASL, I'm now eligible to vote for the new set of officers. Dr. Diljit Singh and James Henri are both in the running for IASL President. Both have been to Manila to help with projects on IL and school library development. I'm positive that whoever gets elected will continue on with the progressive means by which IASL delivers support for school librarians all over the world.

The newsletter that IASL sent provides information on all candidates. Gerry Brown's article on his visit here in Manila was also included as well as pictures of wonderful Filipino Librarians he interacted with. For this year's annual IASL conference in Taipe, IT and School Libraries take the limelight with the theme, Cyberspace, D-World, E-Learning : Giving Libraries and Schools the Cutting Edge.

For more infromation on the conference visit the IASL website.

CPE & Professional Standards for Librarians

Last April 18, in a seminar sponsored by the
PLAI STRLC, Prof. Cora Nera discussed the history, context and issues surrounding the Continuing Professional Education for Librarians. It was to me a very interesting point of discussion because, the CPE would ensure a high level of professionalism among librarians. It would inspire and motivate librarians to become learners for life. This would implicate that librarians are a valuable professional in the community and to the society at large.

There was, however, a silent disquiet among the participants when the list of requirements was presented. It seemed impossible to attain only if a librarian considered herself a technician, a clerk or a paraprofessional. The work and expectations in the list are being done by professional librarians already. It is only a matter of time for one to organize and define the required task to meet the standard.

Speaking of standards, it was good to know that library groups were able to identify and articulate professional standards. The school library standards, however, is in a state of dissonance. Public school librarians and private school librarians differ in their perception of roles and responsibilities. How then can the divide be narrowed?

Library Customer Care

From friends in the PNU LISAA. Their seminar is a few months away so there is enough preparation time. Below is the list of Board Members and Offocers

Dear Colleagues:

Greetings from the Association!

PNU-LISAA, Inc. invites you to a 2-day seminar-workshop on LIBRARY CUSTOMER CARE on August 14-15, 2007 at the Library Conference Room, Edilberto P. Dagot Hall, Philippine Normal University.

The Association aims to: introduce customer care to the library profession; encourage all to utilize accepted customer care models in the practice of the library profession; and enrich the customers’ library experience while handled by the library personnel and other information professionals. Topics will include (1) professional care across all services; (2) marketing brands and library customer care models; (3) library customer care as an institutional marketing tool; and (4) enriching the customers' library experience.

This invitation is open to all and will entail a fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Php 2,500.00) which will cover seminar kits, handouts, certificate of participation, certificate of appearance, snacks and lunches.

Reservation with partial payments of One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Php 1,500.00) on or before July 15, 2007 enjoys a ten-percent discount. For payments and other inquiries, please email any officer of the Association.

Thank you very much.

Truly yours,

RODERICK B. RAMOS (Signed)
Vice President/Conference Chair

Noted by:

ESTELA A. MONTEJO (Signed))
President

Council of Advisers: Dr. Linda M. Tayona, Prof. Miguel Cobaria, Prof. Ruben Marasigan and Dr. Mary A. Orendain

Estela A. Montejo, President, Ateneo De Manila University, Loyola Heights, QC (emontejo@ateneo. edu)
Roderick B. Ramos, Vice-President, Philippine Normal University, Manila (pnureferencelib@ yahoo.com)
Noemi Cabantog, Treasurer, St. Paul College, Pasig (noemi_cabantog@ yahoo.com)
Marifi E. Navarro, Secretary, Elizabeth Seton School, Las Pinas City (marifi77@yahoo. com)
Marites K. Chavez, PRO, Congressional National High School, Dasmarinas, Cavite (mvkc1015@yahoo. com)
Antonio Resurreccion, Auditor, Xavier School, San Juan, Metro Manila (tonyr@xs.edu. ph)

Board Members:
Jocelyn L. Ladlad, De La Salle University, Manila (ladladj@dlsu. edu.ph)
Consuelo Estigoy, Araullo University, Cabanatuan City (cjestigoy@yahoo. com)
Lorenza D. Oliveros, College of Veterinary Medicine, UP Los Baños, Laguna (lorenz_ph@yahoo. com)
Joy Perez, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Ayala Alabang Village (perezjm@zobel. dlsu.edu. ph)
Medina De Castro, Ex-officio, Sta. Isabel College, Manila (mdecastrous@ yahoo.com)

Alitaptap Poster Design Contest

Here's a little push for friends in Alitaptap.

We are once again seeking assistance from illustrators who are willing to provide us illustrations for poster designs to be used in our storytelling competitions for 2007. We are launching this search through a small poster design competition opened to all illustrators.

Here are the details of the design contest. Please email if you need more info. Thanks for your interest in joining. We are excited to see your entries.

Guidelines:
1. You may submit as many entries as you want.
2. Poster theme should be included in the design.
3. Submit artwork – layout must be digital, layered, photoshop, corel, freehand, illustrator. 300dpi resolution, size must be 18x24 inches.
4. Contents of the poster is attached. If you received this through a forwarded message, you may ask for info from alitaptap_storytellers@yahoo.com.
5. Actual poster size is 18 x 24 so the texts in the poster may be adjusted to make them proportionate to the poster size.
6. Included in the design are:

For our general poster. Theme: "Pag Binasa ni Tatay, Mga Kuwento'y Nabubuhay."

Must have a father holding a book while telling a story to his kid(s) in a place of illustrator's choice.

For our Inter-College Competition:
Must include a standing teenage guy/girl holding a book while telling a story to a group of kids.

Four our Children's Competition:
Must include a standing little boy/girl holding a book while telling a story to a group of kids with some adults.

CD copy of design must be submitted to:

Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines
c/o Melanie Abad-Ramirez
The National Library of the Philippines
TM Kalaw, Metro Manila

Deadline for submission: June 4, 2007.

From the entries, we will select one design for each competition.

The winner is expected to make all necessary changes, revisions, etc. for the production of the poster.

Prizes:

1. Name of Artist as Grand Prize Winner of 2007 Alitaptap Poster Design Competition shall be included in the poster design.
2. The winner will receive P3,000 in cash. P2,000 shall be awarded upon announcement. And the balance of P1,000 shall be awarded after the completion of the printing of the poster.
3. An Alitaptap medallion shall be awarded to the winners during the Grand Finals of the Inter-College Competition.

New POWERBOOKS Branches

For all book lovers and bibliophiles, there are two new branches of Powerbooks you can visit.

Book Talk

A school library has many roles and functions. The promotion of books and reading is one of these. The librarian in this case, becomes a teacher who bridges literacy and the tools necessary for its acquisition to students. Furthermore, she assumes a collaborative role as teaching partner of the classroom teacher. In the process, support for the teaching and learning process is forged between teacher and librarian.

Since techniques and strategies abound when it comes to the promotion of books and reading, Book Talks, are by far the easiest to do. It is simple, quick and resources to implement it are very accessible in the library. Books are, after all, always available in the library.

To start a book talk session, you need to prepare yourself by reading good books suitable for your intended audience. Other library resources can be “talked” about though, so do not limit the opportunity with books alone. Denise Johnson (2003) provides these basic tips:

1. Select one or more books to share. When teachers share more than one book, the books are usually related in some way: they may be part of a text set, written by the same author, or on a related topic.

2. Plan a brief presentation for each book. During the one- to two-minute presentation, the presenter tells the title and author of the book and gives a brief summary, and then explains why they liked it and why students might be interested in it. The teacher may also read a short excerpt and show an illustration.

3. Display the books. Presenters show the book during the book talk and then display it on a chalk tray or shelf to encourage students' interest.

Take note that Book Talks are not exclusive for teachers to do. The library at lunch time or dismissal is filled with students eager to read or while away the time. Invite them for circle groups to discuss new books or old favorites. Energize your Readers' Services by conducting Book Talks.

Library Linkages

It's going to be a happy day today depsite of the stifling heat this morning.

I got an email from Prof. Melissa Alma Orencia of the PNU, RAP Secretray and literacy advocate, regarding recommned books for children. What made it so was that, she referred me to a public library in Taipe who seems earnest at building a children's library collection representative of the diverse cultures in the continent. What better way to do so but stock up with the prouce of chidlren's books from the different countries in Asia!

So I gave her links from the PBBY website since Neni SR Cruz and I wrote about our favorite books there. Likewise, I was prompted to continue writing book reviews and annotated bibliographies on the available Filipiniana for children. With the promise of organizing this blog, I told the good professor to keep visiting since it will forge linkages between libraries as well as cultures too.

Also, our school director sent AHON Foundation's letter regarding a book donation project. Dubbed as Book Drive School Competition that will run from July 2-31, 2007, private schools are enjoined to raise books donations as many as they can. Winners will be awarded trophies and Time Life Books.

Now I wonder what will happen to the books that AHON will give to public schools when most are devoid of a library personnel. Sure, teachers are there to bring kids closer to books. They can teach reading, besides. But librarians can help fortify the links between books to kids and teachers to students. I still have to see a foundation that will support the training and development of librarians and library personnel. This is, of course, only a part of the whole library and literacy development scenario. The point is, librarians are more important than the book collection of a library.

Live Blogging @ Apple Camp : Podcast Using Garage Band

I jus finished a voice recording in Garage Band. After uploading to iTunes, I went to Ning.com and have it uploaded there too. I can't get the conversion code for html tag yet so it will be in a while till my first post on a podcast that I made. I was able to take pictures of myslef though. It's so vain of me to post here, but I can't help myself!



Dreamy me. Fascinated at the sophisticated software by Apple. My mind is racing at the many ways Apple can do to help the teacher deliver his lessons. iMacs in the library? Hmm...






A little bit confused here. I'm on my way to geekdom!

For the past two days, we've been immersed in Apple-landia. As in all journeys, one closes and the next unfolds. It is what lies ahead that is a far greater challenge.

Live Blogging @ Apple Camp : Comic Life

Our project for this morning is a comic strip using Comic Life. Here are the projects made by my coteachers. Can you guess which is mine?

Live Blogging @ Apple Camp : Web 2.0

Blogs were created this morning. SLIA had a major make over. I joined a new social/learning network powered by Ning. Junior Tan is looking for teachers he can recommend to join the Apple Distinguished Educator conference in Singapore. It's been a high tech morning and right after lunch, we talked about Web 2.0.

By showing a variety of online communities, blogs and teacher-student created websites, Junior Tan explianed the evolution of the web into a more interactive and engaging learning tool.