Newsletter 2017 PLAI The Official Newsletter of Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) Inside the Newsletter The President’s Message, page 3 PRBFL convenes librarians on first-ever Librarian’s Leadership Convergence, page 3 PLAI-NBOT holds IFLA Global Vision Discussion, page 4 PLA stages 2017 National Book Week, page 5 Fili pino delegates This year’s PLAI Congress is held in Bacolod City, the City of Smiles and the Sugar participate in IFLA WLIC Capital of the Philippines. 2017 in Poland, page 6 545 pass 2017 Librarians Licensure Examination, page 8 Mila Ramos is PRC’s Outstanding Professional Librarian 2017, page 9 Regional Updates, page 10 Summary of PLAI Activities (2017), page 23 This year’s National Book Week celebrations revolve around the theme “Libraries take action: providing access and opportunity for all. PLAI Newsletter 2017 1 The President’s Message Year in and out, PLAI is mandated to conduct a National Congress which aims at providing avenues for all members to be aware of the trends and developments in the field of librarianship. The Congress is a meeting place for librarian-scholars where new discoveries in the theory and practice of librarianship are shared and talked about. The Congress is a setting for creating acquaintances and deepening friendships, for rekindling relationships and strengthening our bond as colleagues in the profession as many, if not most of us, only meet once a year and that meeting happens only at the PLAI Congress. Personally, the Congress has facilitated the building of many of my relationships: friendship, Michael Pinto, President, Philippine boss-subordinate relationship, even a more intimate relationship which Librarians Association, Inc. ended up in marriage just like what happened between me and my wife who is also a librarian. But what really makes this year’s PLAI Congress any different? As all past congresses were historic, this year’s Congress is also one for the books because our partnership with one of our neighboring countries in the ASEAN region – the Thai Library Association, is inked in this event. Though this action surely leads to many challenges, the prospect of a stronger partnership between PLAI and TLA outweighs the looming hurdles. This year’s theme “Libraries Take Action: Providing Access and Opportunity for All” is a reminder to all of us to take action. Rooted in the UN2030 Agenda, the theme wants us to understand the role of libraries in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and as agents of knowledge development through the implementation of various information literacy programs and provision of access to information and communication technology (ICT). Further, the theme wants us to identify strategies on how libraries can be venues for community development through partnership and collaboration with different stakeholders in the society. Further, the theme wants libraries to engage in safeguarding our cultural heritage in all its diverse form and finally, to champion our roles as librarians and the library associations like PLAI and others to serve as key player for social change through capacity building and professional agenda. So many things are yet to be done. So many goals are yet to achieve. So many dreams are yet to aspire for and PLAI commits to achieving all these with you and for you. Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Michael Pinto President PLAI Newsletter 2017 2 PRBFL convenes The Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians in cooperation librarians on first- with the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc., and in partnership with the Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University, ever Librarians conducted the first-ever Librarians’ Leadership Convergence last Leadership June 8-9,2017 at the Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University, Manila. Convergence This consultative meeting was conducted as an opportunity for library leaders to discuss and share their insights regarding continuing professional development, career progression, and research agenda for Filipino Librarians towards the mutual recognition of the professional qualifications of librarians in the ASEAN region. Day 1 discussions began with Hon. Lourdes T. David, Member of the Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians and Chairperson of the CPD Council, providing a refresher to the participants of what the CPD Act of 2016 is all about. She also gave them insights on its implementing rules and regulations and operational guidelines. A workshop was followed on the need for a continuing professional development agenda. Ms. Rhea Rowena Apolinario, PLAI Executive Vice President, tackled the importance of conducting research towards professional growth and enrichment. A workshop on developing a research agenda was then conducted. On Day 2, Hon. David discussed the Career Progression Framework with the workshop emphasizing on the need to set a direction of the profession through the said career framework. Ms. Elvira Lapuz and Ms. Eimee Lagrama facilitated this two-day activity. – By Christian George F. Acevedo PLAI Newsletter 2017 3 PLAI-NBOT holds Earlier this year, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) launched a series of IFLA Global Vision Global Vision discussions to bring together thousands of Discussion librarians around the world, through face-to-face and online interactive participation, to explore how a connected library field can meet the challenges of the future. Last September 16 the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.—National Board of Trustees (PLAI-NBOT) during its Third Quarterly Meeting for 2017 conducted its own version of IFLA Global Vision Discussion. It was facilitated by Ms. Elvira Lapuz, UP Diliman Deputy University Librarian and PLAI Ex-Officio Member and was held at The Learning Commons, Henry Sy Hall, De La Salle University, Manila. The IFLA Global Vision Discussion is a worldwide initiative by IFLA which kicked off last April 4, 2017. It aims to engage librarians in discussions to strengthen the ties within the library field and respond to the fast-pacing globalisation that is opening new opportunities and challenges. The inclusive approach to these opportunities and challenges allows for every voice to be heard giving librarians the in every country to share what they believe are the most important opportunities and challenges of the future. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), founded in 1927, is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. By Christian George Acevedo PLAI Newsletter 2017 4 PLAI stages 2017 The Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the National Book Arts-National Committee on Library and Information Services Week Celebration (NCCA-NCLIS) and the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) celebrated the 83rd National Book Week from November 24 to 30, 2017 with the theme “Libraries take action: providing access and opportunity for all.” This year’s NBW celebration was chaired by Donna Labangon of Dela Salle University. The objectives of the National Book Week are to: instill in the young Filipino learners the love for books; develop among the students essential reading and literacy skills; and promote libraries in the country. Regional eliminations were organized by respective regional librarians council from June 1 until August 31, 2017. The top 3 entries per region qualified for the national finals. Meanwhile, the NBW Story Telling Contest was held at the UP Main Library Lobby on October 6, 2017. Here are the winners of the National Book Week celebration this year: ESSAY WRITING CONTEST 1st—Cindy D. Catindoy, Alang-Alang National High School 2nd—Joanne B. Tejada, Sto. Niño National High School , Sto. Niño, Cagayan 3rd—Edgar Antonio C. Suguitan, Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union POSTER MAKING CONTEST 1st—Jamia Mei E. Tolentino, University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City 2nd—Ferry Alejandro, Philippine Nazarene College, La Trinidad, Benguet 3rd—Rosemarie Mirando, University of Antique, Sibalom, Antique STORYTELLING CONTEST 1st—Sheliest D. Garin, Nangka Elementary School 2nd—Paul Gabriel J. Manahan, General Roxas Elementary School 3rd—Lance Vincent S. Aguilar, Daanghari Elementary School PLAI Newsletter 2017 5 Filipino delegates participate in IFLA WLIC 2017 in Poland Fifteen Filipinos participated in this year’s IFLA We firmly believe that only a united and World Library and Information Congress held connected library field will be able to fulfil one of from August 19-25 in Wroclaw, Poland. The the true potentials of libraries: to build literate, 2017 theme, “Librarians. Solidarity. Society,” informed and participative societies. To reach this was, according to IFLA President Donna ambitious goal, IFLA is working on new tools to Scheeder, a perfect expression of “our hopes and support Members more effectively and strengthen dreams for the future. The solidarity of a united the position of libraries globally. We are coming library field can guarantee our continued ability to with a firework of new ideas and services for you make a difference in people’s lives and to use to this congress! knowledge to improve the conditions in society.” Iyra S. Buenrostro-Cabbab, UP SLIS professor In his speech during the Opening Program, IFLA and PhD candidate of Nanyang Technological Secretary General Gerald Leitner elaborated on University in Singapore, and Johann Frederick A. IFLA’s inclusive “global roadmap” and gave a Cabbab, UP SLIS professor and a PhD candidate tantalizing preview of what is to come: of the University of South Africa, presented their PLAI Newsletter 2017 6 paper titled “Persistent Resistance: Libraries in the Dominado of Far Eastern University was selected Philippines and their Fight for Freedom and as one of the IFLA International Volunteer for this People’s Rights”. The paper focused on the roles this year’s conference. of three institutions in collecting and preserving documentary evidences during and after the Here is a complete list of Filipino participants to Martial Law under the Marcos regime. the 2017 IFLA WLIC: Christian George Acevedo—Capiz State Also, Prof.