Five Star Bus Company Lakbay Aklatan

Kudos to Five Star Bus Company for this timely CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) to increase reading opportunities to our children. Maybe they could convert all their old bus unit into mobile library and donate them to far flung barangay or elementary school in the country to serve as Barangay/School Reading Center.

From the Five Star Bus Company fb page:

LAKBAY AKLATAN LAUNCHES AT LAOANG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

Yesterday, September 9, 2019, we launched our mobile library called Lakbay Aklatan in Laoang, Tarlac. After a quick discussion with representatives from Lakbay Aklatan’s beneficiary schools for the next few months, our mobile library opened its doors to students - with a reading aloud and open reading session.

Lakbay Aklatan aims to improve reading proficiency among kids because we believe that it serves as the foundation to better and quicker learning once the child moves to upper grade levels.

PDI Editorial : Wanted More Public Libraries

EDITORIAL

Wanted: More public libraries

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:16 AM October 07, 2018

Excerpts:

A 2017 Readership Survey by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, an overwhelming majority of Filipinos — 80 percent of adults, 93 percent of children — continue to read nonschool books.

These findings are a resounding validation of the need for more state-subsidized libraries across the country, where ordinary citizens, especially young people, can access books and publications at no cost to them.

Building such centers of learning — and sustaining them as adequately supported, well-furnished and easily accessible community hubs — seems the obvious way to make books more easily and widely available. Reading, after all, is fundamental to functioning well in society. Filipinos are hungry for books, and the more they are able to read (beyond social media), the better for the country.

Click HERE to read the complete PDI editorial. Thanks PDI.

PDI Article: What Attracts Filipinos to Read?

Ms Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, as NBDB chair shares some info regarding the conduct of the 2017 Readership Survey by the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute as against the previous readership survey conducted in 2013, 2017 and 2012 by SWS which were merely a rider suveys conducted "on the kindness of the benefactors and principal originators of the endeavor".

The fulltext of the article is reposted below to aid readers/researchers/librarians in the background information of the latest readership survey. Readers of this site are strongly advised to refer to original article at the PDI website for citation purposes, for new updates and for the comments of the readers (if any) as a result of the publication of this article. Thank you PDI.

THE LEARNING CURVE

What attracts Filipinos to read?

By: Neni Sta. Romana Cruz - @inquirerdotnet 

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:10 AM October 06, 2018

It is always a matter of curiosity to know how much our country reads, if at all. That it continues to crave books and reading materials despite the general problems of accessibility and affordability is amazing in itself. But we all know that, for any manner of meaningful long-term planning for both the government and the private sector, such information is absolutely necessary.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB), as the government agency mandated to conduct research on the book publishing industry to determine the reading habits and attitudes of Filipinos, commissioned an independent readership survey in 2017.

There have been previous readership surveys in 2003, 2007 and 2012, but these were rider surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations. For the first time, the agency had an approved budget item that allowed it to run an independent survey, one no longer dependent on the kindness of benefactors and principal originators of the endeavor.

Leonor G. Reyes, the NBDB operations services director who oversaw the survey, highlighted the firsts in this survey, five years hence. This is the very first time the youth population was included as respondents; the survey had 112 questions compared to 70 in the past, and now included in its coverage digital, audio and e-books. There were dedicated questions on the types of  books acquired—second-hand books, brand-new books, e-books—as well as on other subjects, such as reading from different types of gadgets, e-book apps, fanfiction websites.

The NBDB was privileged to work with the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute, which had 2,400 survey respondents: 1,200 were 6 to 17 years old (youth); and 1,200 were 18 years old and above (adults). Textbooks were not included, as leisure reading was the focus. Respondents were asked about their reading habits for the period May 2017 to April 2018.  They were from rural and urban areas all over the country, except the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao because of prevailing security conditions then.

In selecting a national representative sample, the Philippines was divided into four geographic divisions—Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and National Capital Region. A sample of 300 households was selected from each of the groups for a total of 1,200, with each household having two respondents, an adult and a child. Six households from each selected barangay were chosen based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing.

Dr. Dennis S. Mapa, project consultant  and dean and professor of the UP School of Statistics, presented the main highlights of the survey. What attracts Filipinos to read? In the order of ranking, both the adults (63.14 percent) and the youth (43.29 percent) chose “interesting topics.” For the youth, illustrations or pictures and “words used [that] are familiar or easy to understand” came next.  Television and Facebook are the youth’s main reading sources these days, with word of mouth as a third source. Newspapers and magazines made up a poor fourth source.

Seventy-five percent of the youth and 73 percent of adults are willing to spend only up to P199 for a foreign book, with a comparative number opting for only up to P99. These findings should have a bearing on the current deliberations in the Senate on the removal of the current tax incentives for industries, including the book publishing industry. It is some comfort that, at the first public hearing, Senators Miguel Zubiri and Juan Edgardo Angara categorically said they were not supportive of any taxes on books.

There is a wealth of information in the results that will guide the NBDB as it continues to strive to support book publishing and readership in the country. Its results will bear on the agency’s policies and strategies on capacity-building, content development and book promotion.

With the high interest of the 100-plus members of the audience at last week’s public presentation, I am certain that many researchers will be led to explore with greater focus other areas of literacy.

Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (nenisrcruz@ gmail.com) is chair of the National Book Development Board and a member of the Eggie Apostol Foundation.

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

2017 NBDB Readership Survey Result

 The Readership Survey is a project of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI). This is the fourth in the series; past surveys were conducted in 2003, 2007, and 2012.

Info & graphics source: NBDB fb page. Thanks.

Lib Talk Conference 2018

Time to Read [read: Establish Public School Libraries]

Bes, alam mo kaya papano sasagutin ang "concern" ni Ma'am? Di ba meron batas about establishing a barangay reading centers all over the Philippines, siguro napapanahon na din isulong pagsasabatas ng isang mandatory establishment of a public school library (or reading center/corner) para meron long-term solution sa inilatag na "concern" ni Ma'am? Ano sa tingin mo lodi?

A typical problem that had to be worked out was: Who among the faculty would assume responsibility for books handed to the school? The teachers refused to accept the additional accountability. And there was also the concern about the quality of books gathered from book drives.

Click the image file to read/redirected to the full article in PDI website.

Little Free Library Philippines

From Little Free Library Philippines fb page

Little Free Library Philippines is a volunteer organization dedicating itself to developing the culture of reading in the Philippine Context.

LFL Philippines is managed by a core of volunteers led by Miguel Z. Patolot with Jean Karl Gaverza, Zenaida Brandares, Chic Victoria, Flordeliz Patolot, Rose Nishikawa, Troy Lacsamana, Michelle Agas, Julie Aparato, and Portia Padilla, experts in the field of education and literacy.

LFL Philippines has to-date 27 stewards and 20 partners’ organization. The goal is to break the 1,000 LFLs target before the end of 2016, including pledges and commitments.

The LFL Philippines aims to be registered as an enterprise early in 2017 drawing from the experience of LFL in the last two-and-a-half years with sustainability as a goal.

LFL units are conceived to operate on their own taking into account location, resources and literacy needs.

The LFLs are mostly self-built with designs that adhere to the culture of where they are posted. An example of this trend is the LFLs built in the Philippine island of Batanes where the Ivatans, the indigenous people of Batanes, created their own LFLs based on the culture of the island.

Public and private schools likewise play a vital role in enhancing the LFL growth through the building of little libraries both in the classrooms and homes of the students.

The school serves as hubs for receiving books, grassroots publishing, storage centers, knowledge transfer, and forum among others. The school also serves as community center for adult learning.

This trend is expected to grow as schools, more than local government units, enhance their role as learning hubs for senior citizens, persons with disability and children in areas of conflict.

Contact us for details on how you can put up a Little Free Library in your community!

Children's Book Day

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer

According to the AAP, reading with children “stimulates optimal patterns of brain development and strengthens parent-child relationships at a critical time in child development, which, in turn, builds language, literacy and social-emotional skills that last a lifetime.”

A 2015 U.S. study found that books are more effective in increasing the quantity and quality of language in young children than modern electronic toys that produce lights, words, and songs.

NBS Read Loud Challenge

Do you love reading, and want to share that love with Filipino children? National Book Store invites you to take the #ReadOutLoudChallenge!

Share a video of yourself reading a line or excerpt from a book, then upload it on Facebook or Instagram with hashtag #ReadOutLoudChallenge. Tag @nbsalert and three friends or more.

For every 75 videos uploaded, the National Book Store Foundation, Inc. will setup 1 school library! See posters for full details and check the hashtag to see who has accepted it.

Visit blog.nationalbookstore.com and join the conversation on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @nbsalert.

The Importance of Reading Aloud to our Children

from Miami Herald

"While it is critical that parents talk to their children, reading aloud to them is just important. Kids hear most words when they are exposed to conversation. But in many cases, we tend to speak in verbal shorthand infused with jargon.

But books, like magazines and newspapers, contain sophisticated and complex language that use complete sentences. So it makes sense that a child who hears more sophisticated words has a giant advantage over a child who hasn’t heard those words.

In their own right, electronics have had a disturbing impact on reading. For many kids, when the choice is between a book and the Internet, the Internet wins. Screens are magical and the instant gratification they provide is addictive. The fact is, the more time spent in front of a screen, the less likely a child will be to open a book.

But when parents set limits on device time — and include themselves in that limit — there is more time for personal interaction, using board games or sharing a book together.

Books provide kids with literary opportunities to travel outside their small worlds to become aware of how others live. By reading books, children learn about others who don’t have the things they come to expect — people with real disadvantages. Books offer a wider worldview than most of us can ever hope to achieve in our daily lives. The more they read, the stronger the empathy concept becomes."

Read the full text of the article HERE.

World Read Aloud Day 2016

Every year World Read Aloud Day calls global attention 

to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories.

Source: http://www.litworld.org/wrad/

How Social Media Changed the Way We Read Books

Paulo Coelho observed, “My bonds with my audience have never been stronger. Now I can really interact with readers,” but added, “I believe books in the future will change totally, and I need to be ready for this.”

Click HERE to read more. 

LibTalk 2015

In line with the celebration of the National Book Week 2015 with the theme, “The Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration”, the Culture and Events Library, a project run by E4E Business Ventures, in partnership with the Institute of Computing Studies and Library and Information Science of City College of Angeles and the Angeles City Library and Information, invite you to attend the LibTalk 2015: A National Forum on Reading Research and Information Literacy on November 14, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Good Shepherd Hall, Ephatha Development Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The LibTalk 2015 aims to:
1. Develop the importance of reading among students and teachers across all disciplines;
2. Discuss the role of research in developing intelligent readers and lifelong learners; and
3. Promote information literacy as a way of life.

Our invited speakers are Ms Zarah Gagatiga (for reading), Mr Joseph Marmol Yap (for research) and Ms Donna G. Labangon (for information literacy).

Registration starts at 7:30 AM. Registration fees are as follows:
PhP 500.00 - Student participants
PhP 700.00 - Non-student participants / Professionals
PhP 1000.00 - Walk-in participants

Inclusive to the registration fee: AM snacks, certificates and handouts. You may also deposit your payment to E4E Business Ventures’s BDO account no. 006620119920 and email the deposit slip to roilingelc@yahoo.com / cultureand.eventslibrary@yahoo.com.ph

The Culture and Events Library also invites you to attend The Game of Branding: A Regional Forum on Branding and Marketing on the same date, November 14, 2015, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Good Shepherd Hall, Ephatha Development Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Registration fee is pegged at PhP 250.00 to defray the expenses for food and certificates.

Have a chance to attend the seminar on Stock Market 101 on November 14, 2015 from 1:00-3:00 PM FOR FREE if you attend either the LibTalk 2015 or the forum on The Game of Branding: A Regional Forum on Branding and Marketing.

For inquiries and reservation, text / call Roi at 09985400131 or email him at roilingelc@yahoo.com

World Book and Copyright Day 2015

From Unesco

World Book and Copyright Day 2015

World Book and Copyright Day is an opportunity to recognise the power of books to change our lives for the better and to support books and those who produce them.

As global symbols of social progress, books – learning and reading -- have become targets for those who denigrate culture and education, who reject dialogue and tolerance. In recent months, we have seen attacks on children at school and the public burning of books. In this context, our duty is clear – we must redouble efforts to promote the book, the pen, the computer, along with all forms of reading and writing, in order to fight illiteracy and poverty, to build sustainable societies, to strengthen the foundations of peace.

UNESCO is leading the fight against illiteracy, to be included as a crucial ingredient of the Sustainable Development Goals to follow 2015. Literacy is the door to knowledge, essential to individual self-esteem and empowerment. Books, in all forms, play an essential role here. With 175 million adolescents in the world -– mostly girls and young women -- unable to read a single sentence, UNESCO is committed to harnessing information and communication technologies, especially mobile technology, to support literacy and to reach the unreached with quality learning.

Books are invaluable platforms for freedom of expression and the free flow of information – these are essential for all societies today. The future of the book as a cultural object is inseparable from the role of culture in promoting more inclusive and sustainable pathways to development. Through its Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, UNESCO is seeking to promote reading among young people and marginalised groups. We are working with the International Publishers Association, the International Booksellers’ Federation and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions to support careers in publishing, bookshops, libraries and schools.

This is the spirit guiding Incheon, Republic of Korea, which has been designated World Book Capital 2015, in recognition of its programme to promote reading among people and underprivileged sections of the population. This designation takes effect on World Book and Copyright Day and will be celebrated with participants from the previous title-holder, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

With Incheon and the entire international community, let us join together to celebrate books as the embodiment of creativity, the desire to share ideas and knowledge, to inspire understanding, dialogue and tolerance. This is UNESCO’s message on World Book and Copyright Day.

Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the World Book and Copyright Day.

World Read Aloud Day

Every year on the first Wednesday of March, World Read Aloud Day calls global attention to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories. 

World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words and creates a community of readers taking action to show the world that the right to literacy belongs to all people. By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their futures: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their stories.

Source: http://www.litworld.org/wrad/

CLAPI Forum on Reading Beyond Borders

2nd Filipino Reader Conference