PLAI National Congress 2015 @ Davao City

Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) National Congress 2016

22-25 November 2016

Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City

THEME: “Library as a Place: Continual Learning in the New Information Landscape”

RATIONALE:

According to the IFLA, “The Library is the only place in many communities where people can access information that will help improve their education, develop new skills, find jobs, build businesses, make informed agricultural and health decisions, or gain insights into environmental issues. These unique roles make libraries important development partners, both by providing access to information in all formats and by delivering services and programs that meet the needs for information in a changing and increasing complex society.” (IFLA Statement on Libraries and Development, 2015).

While the concept of “Libraries as a third place” is not new, the local landscape of Philippine libraries, both as a public and a democratic institution, reflects a different scenario in the general population’s mindset. Libraries can be and are as welcoming as coffee shops, malls and bookstores, without the patron having to spend and pay money to enjoy and take advantage of the resources; an idea that is still alien to many Filipinos. Lawsen (2004) stated that libraries can and does provide a venue where users, regardless of age, background and status, feel welcome, safe, and have access to information.

Turning this concept into reality is a goal that PLAI envisions for Philippine libraries. The changing information landscape and needs of the users should be the driving force of libraries to re-think and re-design its roles, functions and services beyond the traditional means. A library should no longer be defined as a place purely for academic/scholarly learning. It should be an open and dynamic institution that offers an opportunity for all to learn, create, innovate, and participate as advocates of change and development. 

OBJECTIVES

1. To explore the concept of “Library as a Place” and the different strategies needed to transform libraries as a “Third Place”;

2. To recognize the role of libraries as agents of development by implementing formal, informal and lifelong learning programs in libraries;

3. To examine how libraries can improve their facilities, create new programs, develop collections and upgrade their services to meet the changing information needs of a multi-sectoral society;

4. To identify strategies on how libraries can work effectively with different stakeholders of society to develop, deliver, and sustain programs, services, and access to information;

5. To identify functions and areas of collaboration for libraries, archives and museums (LAMs) as venues which promote personal, intellectual, cultural and social development.