(CEBU CITY) MA. LORNA A. EGUIA of AMERICAN CORNER – UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS has been named among the “2015 Movers and Shakers” in the library industry by the international publication, Library Journal. In its March 15, 2015 issue, Library Journal named 50 outstanding individuals--and for the first time, one organization--whose efforts have not only expanded the services libraries provide but who are transforming libraries themselves in the 21st century. Eguia was selected because of her commitment to the profession and her passion and dedication in reaching her local community through reading, storytelling and libraries.
Eguia currently serves UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS Library System as American Corner Librarian.
Library Journal honored EGUIA because of her COMMUNITY BUILDING initiatives.
“LJ’s newest class of Movers & Shakers proves once again that the library arena is rich with innovation driven by mission-focus,” said Rebecca T. Miller, Group Editor, Library Journal and School Library Journal. “Those identified come from across the library universe and beyond, and they are each transforming how libraries connect with and enrich their communities. We congratulate them, and look forward to seeing their ongoing contributions multiply.”
Eguia graduated in 1993 with the degree BSED major in Library Science, earned her Master of Science in Library Science in 2010 and now a part-time professor in the Department of Library and Information Science. Her master’s thesis entitled, “STORYTELLING TECHNIQUES IN SELECTED GRADE SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN CEBU CITY: A STORYTELLING SAMPLER” opened doors of opportunities in reaching out various people groups such as the public school pupils and “underserved” children with less or no access to libraries. She has been in the Library System for 21 years and her assignment as the American Corner Librarian in 2009 allowed her to reach out beyond the USC community through the Cebu City Public Library, the Barangay Reading and Information Centers in Cebu City, advocacy groups such as the Basadours and other private and public institutions.
Her initiatives in spreading the message of the storybook Akong Bugsay by Amaya C. Aboitiz, paved the way towards her contribution of the Akong Bugsay Storytellelling Techniques in the Akong Bugsay Workbook Teacher’s Guide, which is now being piloted in 20 selected public elementary schools in the 10 divisions of Cebu for the School Year 2014-2015. In an agreement signed by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and the Department of Education (DepEd)-7 on May 28, 2014, the Bugsay philosophy of Roberto E. Aboitiz will be integrated in the primary education’s curriculum through the workbook and learning materials.
Together with her husband Joey, they launched Books in Bags (BiB) a mobile library and family literacy advocacy during the International Literacy Day in September 8, 2013. Both of them have earned MSLS degrees and are PRC-licensed librarians. Their initiative in debriefing the victims of the super typhoon Yolanda in the various evacuation sites in Cebu City through a bibliotherapy dubbed as Story and Play, were featured in newspapers such as Cebu Daily News, “Kids read, play to heal” and Philippine Daily Inquirer, websites such as: RAFI’s, “Akong Bugsay book helps heal Yolanda survivors”, Rappler’s “How schools can help kids heal from disaster trauma”, DSWD’s, “Couple conducts storytelling to kids in evacuation centers”, the same article was reposted at CNN Report and other social media. Interviews from the ABS-CBN’s Mga Kwento ng Pagbangon and from a health and wellness magazine, Healthy Skin on bibliography, proved the public’s interest and curiosity on the advocacy.
To continue the spread of this advocacy, a monthly Story and Play activities are done to cater to the growing needs and response from the different sectors of the society, storytelling seminar-workshops for teachers, librarians, advocacy groups and volunteers.
The 2015 Movers & Shakers were selected by the editors of Library Journal, the profession’s leading trade magazine. Each of the Movers & Shakers will be prominently featured in the March 15th issue of Library Journal and celebrated at a special luncheon in June during the American Library Association’s annual conference in San Francisco, CA. The print feature’s companion website is sponsored by OCLC and Boopsie, and it is available at
www.libraryjournal.com/movers2015. The luncheon and awards ceremony is made possible by the support of sponsors, including Baker and Taylor, Demco, Mission Bell Media, OCLC, Plata Publishing, Rosen Publishing and Sage.
The American Corner (AC) in USC is the first of its kind in Cebu and the fourteenth in the entire Philippines. The American Corner is a joint partnership project of the USC and the US Embassy –Public Affairs Section.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Ms. Martha Buckley, the Cultural Affairs Officer of the US Embassy and Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD the USC President on October 28, 2009. Launching of the American Corner was on December 14, 2009 with the US ambassador Kristie A. Kenney.
American Corner aims to promote cooperation and understanding between U.S. and the Philippines by providing free access to the local community of its current and factual information about the United States, its peoples and its policies.
Integrating her volunteerism and AC’s activities, Eguia presented a paper entitled “AC Cebu’s innovation during a Typhoon” during the AC annual conference with the theme “21st Century American Spaces: Innovation, Learning and Entrepreneurship” in Manila on May 22, 2014. In attendance were the AC librarians and US Embassy staff from Mongolia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.
ABOUT LIBRARY JOURNAL Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field. Over 75,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. Library Journalreviews over 8000 books, audiobooks, videos, databases, and web sites annually, and provides coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. For more information, visit
www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, The Horn Book publications, and Junior Library Guild.
Reposted with prior permission.
