Clippings: Books, Curiosity and Catalogs

In today issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Click HERE to read the full article.

Books, curiosity and catalogs

By: Ambeth R. Ocampo

My delight in library catalogs, and the hours and hours of fun I spend poring over bibliographies, is seen to be weird, a perversion formed growing up in the age without the internet or the online public access catalog or OPAC. Once upon a time, we had the card catalog, which trained the mind to find books by author, title or subject.

The state of libraries and archives in my youth formed my research instincts and taught me that patience is indeed bitter, but its fruit is sweet. In every new library, my method was the same: Pull out the card catalog drawer that contained cards on the Philippines, put them on a table and go through every card, stopping only to note items I would return to later.

When I search Google today, I’m not content with the result at the top of the list; that could have been sponsored, so I scroll through all results to the end before I decide, based on my instinct and previous knowledge, what is the best source.

The tools of research have changed, but the critical faculty remains: One must continually ask, doubt and weigh evidence before assuming you are right. The UST catalogs will provide sleepless nights, but the outcome will be knowledge of a new terrain for research.

Rappler article: 2017 Readership Survey

Posted below is the fulltext of the article appearing at the Rappler website about the result of the 2017 Readership survey of the NBDB done with the UP School of Statistics. Reposted here in the tradition of library "news clipping" of important news about a certain topic to aid researchers/readers/librarians on the hot topic of the day. Readers are advised to refer to the original article for any updates or any reader comments posted to this article. Thank you Rappler.

Filipinos barely know if there are libraries near their homes

Sofia Tomacruz

Published 8:55 PM, October 01, 2018

Updated 3:30 PM, October 02, 2018

Only 1 of 10 Filipinos aged 18 years and above borrows books from libraries, according to the 2017 National Book Development Board readership survey

MANILA, Philippines – The 2017 National Book Development Board (NBDB) readership survey showed that majority of Filipinos are not aware if there is a library near their residence – only 1 out of 10 does.

The sad truth is you hardly see a library in your barangay (village).

Dr Dennis Mapa, dean of the School of Statistics of University of the Philippines, said only 11% of Filipinos aged 18 years and above borrowed books from libraries. Mapa and his team conducted the readership survey on behalf of the NBDB.

“You have a low level of awareness in particular, so if you borrow a book, for example, where do you borrow it? Baka walang barangay library (maybe there’s no barangay library),” Mapa told Rappler on the sidelines of a forum on the survey’s results Friday, September 28.

Mapa said awareness of libraries was particularly low in the barangay level, with only 12% of respondents answering they knew of the presence of a library in their area.

Meanwhile, less than half of Filipinos in cities and municipalities had no clue. Results showed about 41%, or 2 of 5, were aware if any sort of library was present nearby where they lived.

As a result, majority of Filipinos were more likely to purchase or acquire books by borrowing from families, relatives, or friends. Such was the case for 37.74% of respondents 18 years old and above.

Following this option, Filipinos were more likely to have received books as gifts or by buying it themselves from bookstores.

Why this matters: NBDB Chairperson Flor Sta Romana Cruz said libraries are important in ensuring all Filipinos have access to books. (READ: How community libraries can change lives)

NBDB Chairperson Flor Sta Romana Cruz said libraries are important in ensuring all Filipinos have access to books.

“That (libraries) would answer the question of acessiblity, availability, affordability. If they cannot afford, at least they can go to their barangay-level library,” Cruz told Rappler.

But whether or not access was linked to individual’s awareness or the actual presence of a library would need further research, Cruz and Mapa said.

Data from the National Library of the Philippines showed there were about 1,416 libraries affiliated with the government agency as of 2016.

Meanwhile, Cruz suggested local government units should also consider funding the construction of libraries as social spaces and venues of learning for its residents. 

The NBDB readership survey was conducted from May to June 2018 and covered a total of 2,400 respondents nationwide, except for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. – Rappler.com

Libraries, Development and the UN2030 Agenda

Info source: IFLA website

IFLA’s consistent position is that access to information is essential in achieving the SDGs, and that libraries are not only key partners for governments but are already contributing to progress towards the achievement of the 17 Goals.

For this reason, IFLA launched the International Advocacy Programme (IAP) in 2016, a new capacity-building programme designed to promote and support the role libraries can play in the planning and implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The objectives of the IAP are to:

Raise the level of awareness on the SDGs of library workers at community, national and regional levels, and to promote the important role libraries can play in development by contributing to the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs;

Increase the participation of library associations and public library representatives in advocacy work at national and regional levels to secure sustainable public access to information through library services and programmes.

Going Green : Sustainable Practices and Solutions for Your Libraries

ALAM 2017 @ General Santos City

 

ALAM 2017 aims to focus on empowering libraries, archives and museums (LAMs) through advocacies, promotions and partnerships that intend to result in societal impacts.

Seminar fee:
Live-in: P6,500.00
Live-out: P6,000.00

Early Bird Rate (until 24 February 2017):
Live-in: P6,000.00
Live-out: P5,500.00

ALAM 2017 INVITATION:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PWcGDelUvoNzVoY3RmTTd4Z0U/view

ALAM 2017 PROGRAM:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2pHgWb2c9hOVlNb3NvOVo1Rm8/view

ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM:
http://uplsaa.org.ph/alam/register/public/

Access and Opportunity for All

Click HERE to read / download the IFLA booklet.

Do We Still Need Librarians?

“Librarians should recognize their important role not just in supplying and recommending texts, but also in their understanding and use, and in thinking across the many curricular areas.”

Click HERE to read more. 

Libraries Transform

A similar campaign/advocacy should be initiated in our country to increase public awareness (read: policy makers, politicians, government officials, etc.) about the value, impact and services provided by libraries and librarians!

Click HERE to read more.

What Will Libraries Be Like in 2100?

"Libraries are the ideal “third place” for a free society and will never lose that powerful attraction".

Click HERE to read more.

25th Library and Information Services Month

November is Library and Information Services month in line with Presidential Proclamation no. 837 s. 1991. The celebration aims to focus public awareness to the invaluable service that Libraries and Information Centers render, i.e. providing data and materials for lifelong knowledge and learning, for research and for leisure.

PLAI-CeLRLC Seminar on Establishing Libraries, Archives and Museums

The Philippine Librarians Association, Inc-Central Luzon Region Librarians Council (PLAI- CeLRLC) in partnership with Baliuag University Library is set to conduct a Seminar on Establishing Libraries, Archives and Museums (LAM) in the Creation and Maintenance of Knowledge Communities on 29 May, 2015, Friday at the Bahay na Bato, Baliuag University, Baliuag, Bulacan.

(Please click the image to enlarge/read.)

36th Gabriel A. Bernardo Memorial Lecture Series

The UP School of Library and Information Studies will hold the 36th Gabriel A. Bernardo Memorial Lecture Series entitled,Libraries as Space by Chancellor Michael L. Tan, DVM, PhD on March 13, 2015, 9:00 a.m. at the Main Lobby of the University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Managing Total Quality Library Customer Service

Benchmarking for Libraries

Advancing Libraries, Archives and Museums (ALAM 2015) Seminar-Workshop

The University of the Philippines Library Science Alumni Association (UPLSAA, Inc.), in cooperation with the UP School of Library and Information Studies (UP SLIS), will hold the 4th Advancing Libraries, Archives and Museums (ALAM) Seminar-workshop entitled “Making LAMs as the Third Place: Rethinking Perspectives, Reinventing Spaces” on 4-6 March 2015 at Hotel Essencia, Real St., Dumaguete City.

ALAM 2015 aims to build a sense of community in LAMs and recreate these learning communities to bring together personnel working in libraries, archives and museusm and its clients in a welcoming and comfortable place outside the home or workplace. This year’s seminar-workshop presents a laddered approach to reinvent the current set up of LAMs into a third place. Third places, a concept popularized by Oldenburg (1991), are anchors of the community life and facilitate and foster broader, more creative interaction – home being the first place and workplace as the second place.

To achieve this goal, the following topics will be presented:

v  Changing Roles and Definitions of LAMs: The Concept of the Third Place

v  Towards a better design: The Art and Architecture of LAM Spaces

v Empowering Librarians and Information Professionals by engaging communities through rethinking collections, resources and services

v LAMs Redefined: Strategies in Marketing and Promotion

v Impact Evaluation Measures for LAMs: From Core to Specific

Seminar fee is P5,000.00 for live-in participants (inclusive of accommodation March 4, 2PM to March 6, 12NN; registration fee; meals – AM & PM snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner, instructional materials; kit; and other expenses). Live-out participants shall be charged P4,500.00 (inclusive of registration, meals – AM & PM snacks and lunch; & instructional materials; kit; and other expenses). For those who will register before 18 February 2014 will have an early-bird rate of P4,500.00 for live-in participants and P4,000.00 for live-out participants. Note: checking in before 2:00PM of March 4 will be charged against the personal account of the participant.

You may send your reservations on or before 03 March 2015 through:

(1) EMAIL at alam2015uplsaa@gmail.com
c/o Mr. Richard Paul C. Dimalanta, Mobile No. 0917 823 1442
(2) FAX at (02) 536 0245 c/o Mr. Rafael Joseph C. Del Mundo, Mobile No. 0947 994 7225

Payments should be deposited to PNB Account No. 393635900016 (Acct. Name: University of the Philippines Library Science Alumni Association – Branch: UP Diliman Campus). For a copy of the invitation, registration form, and program of activities, you may visit WWW.UPLSAA.NET. Should you wish to have an invitation personally addressed to you, email your request to alam2015uplsaa@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you in the City of the Gentle People, Dumaguete City!

Sincerely yours,

Rafael Joseph C. Del Mundo
Chair, ALAM 2015

Noted by:

Grace B. Tabiendo
President

Seminar-Workshop on Disaster Management in Libraries

DOLE and NCMB Book Corners in MIMAROPA

The Transparent Library

The “Transparent Library” gathers 29 columns from Michael Casey and Michael Stephens. Originally published in Library Journal from 2007 – 2009, the column explored concepts related to transparency, management, engaging communities, social media, strategic planning and constant change. The e-book includes supplemental essays and columns, and includes a new conversation “The Transparent Library Revisited.”

We’ve wanted to assemble the “Transparent Library” columns for some time. Including a few extra pieces from my “Office Hours” columns – including a piece called “The Transparent Library School”  - and Michael’s post from Tame the Web concerning participatory service, we believe this collected group of essays offers insights, conversation starters, and roadmaps for improving the openness of an information organization. Thank you for downloading. Please share far and wide.

Download the free ebook: 

http://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TheTransparentLibrary2.pdf

Competency Index for the Library Field

“WebJunction has just completed an update of the Competency Index for the Library Field. The original 2009 edition has been a valuable resource for libraries, helping staff identify and obtain the knowledge, skills and support needed to power relevant and vibrant libraries. However, it was time for an update. With ever-increasing economic, social, and educational demands, libraries have experienced dramatic changes in community needs and the tools available to serve those needs.

Three elements in particular have been emphasized throughout: 21st century skills, accountability, and community engagement.

WebJunction intends for the Index to be widely shared and adapted by a variety of libraries to meet their individual needs. Please feel free to download the PDF (3.3 MB) as a whole or the Word version  for remixing as you see fit."

Expect More : Demanding Better Libraries for Today's Complex World

The digital version of this book is free to download and distribute. Please visit http://www.DavidLankes.org for more details and to join the conversation.

Expect more by R. David Lankes, c2012.