Books donation: give us what we want, not what you dont like

“Books died. Books died in the United States, and unfortunately, the Philippine serves as the largest cemetery for these books” averred Manolo Silayan. 

Attending the conference of public librarians is an opportunity to meet fellow librarians in the public sector.of all the talks, i am more interested in the way it is presented by Mr Silayan.

How do we increase the books in the library? one is by accepting donations and we have to provide a policy in the selection of books - wether it is donated or purchase. the library should also be conscious with donated books where stamps of names of donors are conspicuously written in the title page or in the spine. be carefull in choosing with these type of materials.

i would say that it is not easy to increase the collection of the library and formed a reading center in the community. with a clear policy and directions... we will not be able to missed our task and let the impression of our library as dumping ground of books. ...

Computerization craze!

HOW CAN YOU PROMOTE THE BOOK OR BOOKS TO YOUR CLIENTS.. OR HOW CAN YOU INFORM YOUR CLIENTS KNEW THAT THE BOOKS THEY ARE LOOKING IS IN THE SHELVES OF OUR LIBRARY,?

IN NAGA, making library resources accessible to its clients is one of the primary goals.

The ease of keeping the books information effective to the clients is the reason why we adopted the computerization of our collection.

Before I entered in the naga library, an Internet service has been one of the projects of the city government since 1996. It was offered free to library clients on its first year and late in the following year we have charges a reasonable amount to keep the project sustainable. 

Incidentally, in 2000, the National Library has introduced the public library information network or the publin project. there were many programs introduced to public libraries affiliated as an incentive for its active participation. the GLAS program, TINLIB, and  the library. Solution programs. all these projects helps the library technical works..

HOWEVER, for clients in the public library who are not exposed to the technical works of library system, we have offer a local program that will make the computerization simple. thanks to my ataff allan de veterbo for creating the program.

Today, and hopefully in the future, we will be able to sustain the program.... and possibly responds to the needs of time. here is the entry point of the program for your to check if that can be adopted to your library   -    at www.naga.gov.ph/library

The third sector @ the library

MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT WORKING IN PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EASY. IMAGINE A SMALL ROOM OF OLD BOOKS AND TWO TABLES WITH OUTDATED PERIODICALS AND A STERN STAFF,

BUT FOR NAGA, it is different. 

in Naga we treat our clients as our partners, we are consulting the community 

Last 2004, I met Nick Hake, an American Peace Corps volunteer assigned in jp2 reading center. Nick finds the Naga Library a good place to stay for him when he wants to read. as a frequent reader, he was able to get the nod of the library staff. later he became one of us.

Having a peace corps working in the library is an education itself. it is culture and language that became lessons on his stint. we also met fellow PCVs Will Stone and Dan Nover who were all lovers of books.

We also have local volunteers to compliment with the increasing clerical tasks in the Naga Library. they are the on-the-job trainees from local TESDA schools...

Volunteers  or the third sector of the society is as old as the time of Lapu-lapo.......  we all have this, from our friend who gave us spare time helping us in our household chores.... for libraries,, as volunteers,,, we need this... instead of hiring.. hiring. 

naga library hub

Three years ago, then Superintendent Dr. Nitz Ramos visited the (Roco) Library and introduce me  to the library hub project. 

The project received a positive remark from my boss, mayor Robredo.

Met Usec Luz, Ms Marge Barro and Ms. Bev Gonda  and the people in Davao and Bacolod (as  co-pilot projects). 

For naga, it was timely because we have a new building which can house thousands of book, Though there is a need to fill-up books in the Roco Library, i am not in hurry for books selection must be within the currency of needs..

with the HUB, we will be able to help more readers with reading materials carefully selected for classroom used.

MY THINKING, PUBLIC LIBRARIANS can engage in this program with the Department of Education as neighboor and stakeholders...... they are not strange people and a just a few steps from us....

Until then...

november works

november is a month to celebrate the National Book and the library.. a couple of activities i will be working at.

1. I will be attending the National Library sponsored public librarians conference on November 28-29 and leaving a program for the promotion of the library.

2. On November 22, 2007, is the formal launching of the 2nd Raul S. Roco Youth Achievement Awards for 2007 at the R. Fernando Hall of Ateneo De Naga University with Pathways to Higher Education and Ateneo Eagles for Environment as partnering group. Likewise, we will be launching in Daet, Iriga City, Bicol University for Albay, Sorsogon State College for Sorsogon and Catanduanes State College for Catanduanes.

3. On November 25, a simple program for Naga readers will be conducted as part of the library rewards program and afterwards,

4. and a round-table discussion/ meeting with public librarians in Camarines Sur. Naga DepEd English Supervisor Ms. Salve Selga and I will be partnering for the Elementary Division-wide National Book Celebration. The culminating program will be held at LCC Activity Center.

5. As a follow-up to the reading sessions last year, the Brigada Basa, a reading tutorial sessions will be held at Tinago, Con. Pequena and Mac Mariano Elementary Schools. The sessions will be held at the Roco Library with Grade II pupils as recipients of the tutorial sessions to be conducted by selected library volunteers.

.. all these activities aimed at making Naga Library promoted to all sectors.. for the youth thru the RSRYAA  and the children, the readers who will be future leaders.