Showing posts with label librarianship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label librarianship. Show all posts

#MILClicks and why I love media and info lit! (Part 1)

Posted by dmarco , Index: , , , , 7.14.2017 9:53 PM

Media nd Information Literacy for millennials

I have been a staunch supporter of media and information literacy (MIL) since my stint as a school librarian. What used to be library instruction programs in schools evolved to a more responsive program, which tackles even the realms of social media and the Internet. So, when I came across a post about Media and Information Literacy as one of the main programs of UNESCO: my reaction was WOW! Finally, it is now getting the spotlight.

"MIL CLICKS is a social media innovation led by UNESCO. The objectives of this social media strategy are to use social media to: 1) Expose people to become more media and information literate and 2) Raise awareness about the importance of media and information literacy (MIL)." MIL CLICKS stands for Media and Information Literacy: Critical-thinking, Creativity, Literacy, Intercultural, Citizenship, Knowledge and Sustainability.
UNESCO milclicks poster.
Source: en.unesco.org

What I love about this program is the fact that it does not simply focus on media and information literacy as a form of literacy i.e. the skills and abilities to read and write and discern information, but it also takes into account other factors especially of millennials namely Digital Citizenship, cultural diversity, critical and creative thinking, to name a few.

With the proliferation of fake news nowadays, I believe it is a vital program that should be incorporated in the PH school system's curriculum and be taught to students. Being critical with the deluge of information we get everyday from different sources such as social media, networking and news is not an overnight process. It is also something that should be practiced constantly. Alongside the development of this skill is creative thinking, which is the innovative process of coming up with a solution in problem-solving. We have been used to idea of questioning the WHAT, the challenge for us now is not to simply stop there and to eventually answer the questions HOW and WHY.



This is Part 1 of a series of my MIL-related posts. If you wish to learn more about MIL Clicks, you can click (hihi) on the following:
UNESCO Mil Clicks: http://en.unesco.org/MILCLICKS
Mil Clicks Twitter : https://twitter.com/milclicks?lang=en
Mil Clicks FB: https://www.facebook.com/MILCLICKS/

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The Challenge

Posted by dmarco , Index: , , , 7.06.2011 2:11 PM

It is quite appalling that sometimes, even librarians do not know how to pick up and read a book just for leisure and pleasure. Yes, it is quite understandable that everyone is busy with his/her own work, which his/her job description requires. But isn't it also challenging that despite those loads of work, one could still find the time to read and really see its importance ESPECIALLY in our profession?

We are so much overwhelmed with the advances and new trends in technology e.g. Library 2.0, automations, and the likes, that sometimes we forget that we, as information professionals, should also take part in the advocacy for the love of literacy -- learning and reading. I have nothing against these new ideas for a more efficient delivery of services, I just want to stress out that -- Isn't it because of these technologies that sometimes we find our work routinary or mechanical? Isn't it because machines nowadays could almost do everything and what-have-yous that sometimes one feels insignificant?

I guess this is a challenge for us librarians, that in this era, we cannot just live with what is just being offered to us. We should find different avenues where we could show our clients that we have much to contribute. 

That we are not just "robots" who check library materials in-and-out. 
 That we don't just stamp books the whole day. 
 That WE. ARE. SIGNIFICANT. AND. VALUABLE. MEMBERS. OF. THE. COMMUNITY. 

Hence, my advocacy and challenge for all librarians --especially school librarians -- to go back to basics.


START READING A BOOK TODAY.



/dmarco


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A Quick Note

Posted by dmarco , Index: , 6.27.2011 3:41 PM

Just recently, I received an e-mail from Ms. Z, inviting me to answer a letter from a school librarian of Marist School Marikina. The letter was an inquiry about continuing education e.g. trainings, workshops, specifically for school librarians. I'll try to answer the letter as short and simple and as best as I can. :)

Dear Ms. Angelic Baustista,

Good day!

As a colleague in the field of school librarianship, honestly, I believe that we are short of trainings and workshops geared towards the development of our field. On a lighter note, the range of our field is broad, it is not limited to school librarianship per se.

As a practice, we in De La Salle Zobel, try to attend different fora, workshops and trainings geared not only in the development of school librarianship but of the field of library and information science, at large.

While I may not be able to suggest and recommend to you particular and specific upcoming trainings and workshops, may I suggest that you join the mailing lists or Yahoo groups of the following:

-- Children's Literature Association of the Philippines

The good thing about these mailing lists and websites is that these professional groups try to update their members and other colleagues in the profession of the latest and upcoming events, e.g. trainings, workshops, etc., which most of the time are open for all to attend (charges and fees apply, of course).

Another venue where you could find upcoming events is through Alumni Associations of different LIS Schools like UP-LSAA, PNU-LISAA, etc. And even student-hosted activities of different LIS schools like UP FLIPP.

And lastly, you may also want to join different mailing groups of International LIS Organizations like International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) and Your School Library (YSL).

I hope that somehow, at the least, I was able to help you with your query. As I've said, we may not limit our vision to school librarianship per se because our field continues to grow and develop.

Best,
dmarco

/dmarco


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UP FLIPP's LibSpeak 2011: Evolve. Engage. Energize.

Posted by dmarco , Index: , 2.24.2011 4:12 PM

Click here for more details :)

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Why I choose to stay (...)

Posted by dmarco , Index: , 2.11.2011 9:37 AM

**My entry for Ms. Z's Valentine's month bonanza

Although THE Valentine's Day is just around the corner, this post is not really meant for the God of Romantic [or Erotic] Love, Eros, but for the Goddess [or Spirit] of Friendship, Philetos.
Philetos, the winged spirit of friendship
As I have mentioned in some of my posts, I never really dreamed of becoming a librarian and honestly, I was never really a fan of books. They were just a waste of time for me. I'd rather be watching a movie or sleeping than straining my eyes with those lines which I did not appreciate. BUT. That was way before. I've changed [I think!]. And this pivotal event in my life took place when I was still in college, trying to enjoy the best of both worlds: studying and partying [in the sense of having fun, enjoying extra-curricular activities, non-acad stuff and the likes].
(Photo credit: awonderfulblog)
[Don't worry, I would not elaborate much on the "studying" part because I know, I know, it seems a boring topic]. Studying means complying with all the academic requirements, the tedious jobs of researching [when in reality I was just surfing the Net for Mangas] and then submitting a one-page paper [well, that was what I remember as far as abstracting is concerned. Accuracy. Brevity. Clarity. Peace. Serenity (and I sounded like Fergie)]. I could still remember the nights of cramming. Attending classes in just cargo shorts and flops. Treading the campus from end to end just to realize that you didn't have a class. Well, that was how my life as a plain college student went. But I was never a just-a-plain college student.

What made my life in college worthwhile and what made me stay in LIS and eventually pursue a career as a librarian, as far as I could say and as honestly as I could explain, is being part of an organization: UP FLIPP, or the University of the Philippines Future Library and Information Professional of the Philippines.
http://upflipp.org
I could still remember when ate LC Fernandez [in her jumper and thick glasses] and Veronica Silagpo [the girl with a boyish attitude, which scared me] approached me along the then UP ILIS corridors asking me if I have some time for an orientation. I declined the invitation because I said [as an excuse] that I still have a next class. Those were the days that I was still totally doubtful of my course. The usual scenario in a General Education [GE] class went like:
Classmate: What's your course?
Me: (with hesitations) LIS
Classmate: What's that?
Me: Library and Information Science
Classmates: Ooooh. So you love reading?
Me: (...)
I thought to myself that it would have been a hell lot easier if I told them that my course is BA or Eng'g or ComSci!!! That was why I conditioned myself that I would soon get out of that college [ILIS] and shift to a better-sounding course [BA or something engineering]. But since ate LC and Veron were too eager, they tried to invite me once again for an orientation of what their organization is all about. And this time, I gave in.

Veron, Me, Ate LC (Photo credit: Veron Silagpo)
Of course, I underwent the usual application process before one is admitted to the organization: number of tambay hours, sigsheets, activities, etc. But I guess what made UPFLIPP different was the fact that one would not feel alone in the course of application. More so, one is not left alone in the crusade of uplifting the field of Library and Information Science and upholding our rights to be called as professionals. I suddenly realized that we all come from a common ground and are directed to a common goal: the fact that we want to change the view of people towards librarianship and to break the bad stereotypes that have been associated with librarians.
The Angry Librarian (Photo credit:kdkbooklove)
The contemporary librarian (Photo credit: http://www.easygirlgames.com)
I think that is why up until now I choose to stay in the LIS profession. Aside from the fact that being a library and information professional is not a dead-end job, and the law of supply and demand dictates that if there is a high demand [for librarians] and low supply [of licensed librarians], unemployment would not be a problem, the field of library and information science continues to pose challenges. As information continues to evolve and develop, the role of librarians continues to adapt to changes as well. [Wait, why am I being so serious? Ha Ha] Likewise, aside from the fact that I am enjoying my work with my "kids" around is the reality that my friends and orgmates are and will always be there, upholding the same principles we share and continue uplifting our course and our profession.
(Photo credit: eliterate librarian)
Nowadays, if people ask me what I do for a living, I proudly and humbly say that:
I am a [Demigod] Librarian *wink*

/dmarco

PS: Ate LC wears contacts now and dropped her jumpers for a skirt and stilettos, while Veron has turned kikay and girly (a little) :P


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The Reading Habit ♥

Posted by dmarco , Index: , , , 12.09.2010 10:41 AM

Last night, while watching TV [again], I was glad to find a commercial by one of the biggest bookstores here in the Philippines. [Although unfortunately I could not find the commercial on the Net yet, so I could post it here, I used their banner instead].


Ciara, a 4-year old girl was reading with her mom at the start of the commercial. After a while, Ciara was already reading to and lulling her mom to sleep.

Such a short yet sweet commercial, which conveys that the love for reading should start young. Though sadly, the keyword here, in my opinion, is not really simply reading but commercial. It would be a better campaign, I guess, if an organization of librarians, reading advocates and even the Department of Education would also develop TV ads to advocate life-long reading and learning. It is true that we should start them young, and it is also true that reading needs to be sustained. Therefore, a need for more developed libraries and library collections is required. So that aspiring readers would not just remain reading in bookstores, they would also appreciate the existence of libraries, which do not only support their reading interests but also serve as places for comfort and relaxation.

I know it really is a big challenge, but I believe that there are many of us who are willing to face that challenge.

**DISCLAIMER: Picture taken from NBS' Homepage

/dmarco


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because book addiction is never a problem!

Posted by dmarco , Index: 12.06.2010 9:42 AM

While doing my homeworks [yes, that's with an S] last night and watching The West Side Story, and surfing the Net [multi-tasking much!], I came across one of my friends' wall photo in Facebook, which I found not-so-funny at all. You'll know what I mean by looking at the picture below:
Book Fiend
I'd say that the introduction was fine, so-so as Koreans would say it. But come to think of it, book addiction is never really a problem. In fact, I would be so glad seeing that people are getting hooked to reading up to the point of addiction, there really is nothing wrong about that. As long as readers are not inflicting any harm to other people [and that's a universal rule!] and they continue to learn and share what they, ugh, learned.

As a reading advocate, I guess it would have been better if the ending [or the plot!] was more of encouraging people to read rather than showing them the "negative" effects of reading. Well, after all, it's entitled as "Book Fiend" but still, it really would, could have been better.

I may not be a bored heiress or a child genius, but I still love reading. My heart for spreading the love for reading would not falter [despite the existence of Book Fiends] up until the last page of the last book that would ever be published!

/dmarco


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what my Inbox contains ...

Posted by dmarco , Index: , 12.02.2010 4:13 PM

Even before graduating as an undergrad student, I decided to join a professional group of librarians. And that time, the easiest way [I guess] to gain access was to join its mailing group. So, without hesitation and second thought, I sent a request to the then moderator and gave him my profile [which was needed to confirm one's eligibility to be part of the group].


As the young student I was, who was excited to get out of school and be exposed to the "real" world, my view of a "professional" mailing group was nearly ideal: every correspondence is formally-written, queries and questions are of significance and essential to one's professional growth, no text colors that are eye-damaging and even text size and font that are comical, etc. But then, I was proved wrong. My idea of a professional group was devastated, I was proved otherwise: spam mails everywhere, NOT error-free sentences, some are even asking questions which I think, we, as Information Professionals can answer on our own thru proper research.  I can also recall during the advent of those Jejemons, some would even cross-post messages that are of no relevance to the profession. Worse, some even wrote their sentences using Jejemon language.

The Jejebhet, Jejemon's Alphabet
Up until now, I remain to be a spectator, a mute witness that once channeled these concerns to the organization's incumbent president, personally. And guess what he told me? "It's just like PDI [Philippine Daily Inquirer -- the online version] where people publish their comments, we cannot control what they want to say." 

And I felt disappointed.


/dmarco


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Prue Theroux: The Cool Librarian

Posted by dmarco , Index: , , 11.30.2010 3:51 PM

...Who can jump like a kangaroo?
Who can squawk like a cockatoo?...
Who? Who? Who?
Miss Prue that's who,
Miss Prue Theroux, the school librarian.

It may all sound trivial, absurd and at the same time, mundane, but upon reading the whole book, I think I got the message that it wanted to convey: That Librarians, although they do not possess super powers, are extra cool because they tend to know almost everything [well, at least, their collection] and know the appropriate users of these knowledge. And that's Miss Prue, your cool school librarian.


The only drawback, I think, is how the book depicted Miss Prue. In spite the know-it-all attitude as evidently seen in this line:

When you don't know what to do,
When you haven't got a clue,
Go and talk to Miss Theroux.

Sadly, Miss Prue still remained as an old-fashioned librarian. She's still an old maiden [I assume] wearing glasses covered in a bunch of overcoats. I guess it would have been more cool if she was wearing a more modern attire like a corporate-looking attire or she could have been depicted as a hot chick or a hot dude [which I would have preferred more].

Barbie as a sexy librarian
I would have preferred Conan the Librarian, though
Yet all in all, I'd say that the book is a good read because it shows what we, librarians do. Although it deals mostly on the "Reference" aspect of a librarian's job, it somehow highlights our role in schools, especially as advocates for the love of reading. After all, it is what we do that defines us. Right?

**Prue Theroux: the cool librarian is written by Gillian Rubinstein and illustrated by David Mackintosh

/dmarco


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Where is GeroMINO Stilton?

Posted by dmarco , Index: , , , 11.25.2010 4:16 PM


My adorable students would approach me and most of the time, ask this question:

Where is GeroMINO Stilton?

It must be because they are too young or too tongue-tied to pronounce it properly, but all the while, it makes me giggle a little whenever I hear the way they pronounce it. So, what I would do is tell them to pronounce it properly:

GE-RO-NI-MO S-TIL-TON (Again)
GE-RO-NI-MO S-TIL-TON (Again)
GE-RO-NI-MO S-TIL-TON (Good!)

And we would all laugh heartily. Now, more than the "where" part is "who" really is Geronimo Stilton and what makes him so popular with my kids? 


So, around November last year [which has been a year already], I decided that I would try reading one of Geronimo Stilton's adventures particularly the "Cheese-colored Camper" title. I really enjoyed the story, it was very colorful and all the while hilarious. Of course, one could also NOT deny the guide in proper writing that this book is conveying. I read it in my room, in the bus, in the MRT, even in the bathroom. I just can't put it down, it's definitely a page turner, a must-read. After munching up the Cheese-colored Camper thing, I decided that I should give all the other titles [that are available in my library] a try, and admittedly, I got hooked. Nevertheless, Geronimo Stilton or Geromino Stilton or however way you want to pronounce it, has been a part of my librarianhood [if there's such a word :D].

And oh by the way, Geronimo's Sister, Thea, has also started her own adventures through her series entitled [what else, of course] Thea Stilton.

Now, where is Geronimo Stilton again? Ugh! Shelf No. 3, Left hand side, Letter S beside Goosebumps!



/dmarco


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explaining the unexplainable :)

Posted by dmarco , Index: , 11:50 AM

The Library and Information Services Month is celebrated every month of November. Libraries in the Philippines, especially school and academic ones, celebrate it through different activities geared towards the promotion of reading and literacy. So what?

Honestly, upon seeing this year's theme "Pandaigdigang Pakikipag-ugnayan sa Pamamagitan ng mga Aklat at Impormasyong Teknolohiya at Komunikasyon", which was then translated into English as "Global Linkages Through Books and Information Technology", I was kinda confused and left asking:

How am I going to explain this to my dear students?

For one, I work in a school library that caters to LOWER GRADES students, meaning Junior Prep to Grade 3. And second, my students don't understand Filipino that much [and oh yeah, you've given it the translation and still ...]. How do you think am I going to convey the message in a manner that they would easily understand [which even I don't get the total message that we really want to convey]?  I mean, when you were in Junior Prep, have you ever heard or have you ever been taught of the word LINKAGES and its meaning? I daresay NOT.

So, our planned activities commenced which included on-the-spot poster making contest, essay writing contest, and costume parade, which were dubbed iDraw, iWrite and iDress, respectively, among others. Almost all my participants chose to draw. There were about 50 of them asking me what the theme was and so I gave it to them, and their next question was "What was that? We don't really understand." So, I explained that [correct me, if I am wrong] it is all about connections across the globe through the use of books, ICTs such as computers, e-mails, blogs, cell phones, IMs, etc. and cooperation of libraries across countries. And that is how I understand it.

Given that situation, I want to pose this question directly to the Philippine Librarians' Association, Inc. (PLAI), [because I know that they are the ones who conceptualize our annual themes]:

What do you think is the main purpose of a theme?  
(a) Is it merely to tell the world that we are also celebrating?
(b) Is it to brandish or brag your lexicographer's side?
(c) Is it to make people realize our role as librarians, the importance of libraries, networks, ICTs, in the simplest way we can and the easiest way that they would understand it?
(d) AOTA
(e) None of the Above

I suddenly recalled what my thesis adviser used to tell me during my undergrad years, "Always assume that your readers know nothing, so use simple, non-complex words." I just hope that the theme next year would be more simple and easier to understand yet so hard to forget.


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What makes a librarian cool?

Posted by dmarco , Index: , , 11.21.2010 10:30 PM

"Hey Sir! Why are you so cool?" -- that's what most of my days are made up of. Students would first ask you trivial questions, then the quizzical and then this -- and I would answer with just a SMILE :)

Recently, I have been meeting friends of friends and colleagues, and everytime they ask me what I am up to, I would say that I am a LIBRARIAN and you wouldn't [even I cannot] imagine the looks of surprise in their faces. Of course I would affirm that I am one by saying that "Yes, I am a librarian." and then they would usually say, "No way! You are so cool!" Which would of course make me think and ask,

WHY are you people saying this? 

WHAT do you think of us librarians? 

Not surprisingly, they would instantly enumerate the typical characteristics of a librarian: grumpy-old-maiden-with-a-bun-for-a-hair-and-eyeglasses-as-thick-as-the-iceberg-that-made-the-Titanic-sink, et al. And then, I would imagine myself looking like one and would realize that NO WAY! [Ha Ha!]

So, last Thursday night when I was having my evening routine before bed, I noticed the label of my shampoo, which goes like "... makes your hair dandruff-free and leaves it cool". And I now realized [aside from being a demigod] what makes a librarian cool : MENTHOL

Make sure you are updated. Be it in the field of librarianship, news and current affairs, entertainment, or fashion, make sure you have something to say. We are information professionals, remember? Try reading newspapers, magazines, or journals. Just don't be stagnant and idle.

Enjoy what you are doing. You can never go wrong when you know what you are doing, especially when you are having fun.

Never ever doubt your profession. Of course, there will come a time that you will feel down and helpless because inevitably, people will look down your profession. What you should do is stand up straight and show them what a librarian can do. It is us, in the end, who will uphold our profession.

Teach people around you about the importance of your profession. Some may have a twisted view of librarians because of their past experiences, while some may have skewed perceptions of our profession because of what they see on social media. It is therefore our goal to enlighten them of our role.

Have an open mind. People would usually approach and ask you even of the most trivial, non-sense, absurd questions to even some of the profound, high-fallooting, even offensive questions, the key is to be open-minded. Be open to different ideas. Be receptive to changes. Be appreciative of different personalities. Get out of the four corners of the library.

Optimism is a key to success. Think happy thoughts. Dump nega/ bad vibes. Always see the brighter side of life. Never get down easily because of critics and negative comments. Always hold your head up high.

Love. Love. Love. Love your profession. Love reading. Love yourself. It is of course a shame if a librarian doesn't read. I also believe that there is a great difference between JUST reading and LOVINg reading. I tell you, the love for reading, it's infectious.

I just want to round it up with a last letter [I know I know! It wouldn't be MENTHOL anymore]. Just this one! :D

Smile. Don't forget that your smile can really brighten up someone else's day. It makes you look more approachable. More warm. And more COOL!

Some notable librarians: 
Shirley Jones as Marian the Librarian in The Music Man

Barbara Gordon, AKA Batgirl is a librarian in Gotham City

And the most recent:
Ben Stiller as the voice of Bernard the Librarian.
**Sadly, I googled for a single picture of Bernard but not even one appeared. Bernard played an important role in this animated film yet he was not given enough credits. *sigh*


/dmarco


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Fully Booked and why professionalism matters

Posted by dmarco , Index: , , 11.19.2010 9:10 AM

The word professionalism should not just be enclosed in the sense that you have a professional license. A professional needs to practice behaviors which are deemed professional by the society's moral standards, licensed or unlicensed. Why am I bringing this up? It's because of an untoward incident I experienced last November 16, 2010 and it is because of that rude experience, I wrote a letter directly to the management of Fully Booked.

Here's a part of my letter I sent the day after:
... I went into one of your branches yesterday, particularly the Gateway branch, to do some book evaluation. As I was in the Graphic Novels section, I found one book, Wonder Woman in title, which has its cover ripped. So, I decided that I might as well open it, since I know that it is allowed in the store. Nevertheless, one of your staff members approached me and snatched the book away from me and told me that browsing Graphic Novels is not allowed. I would have understood it easier if he has not grabbed the book away from me and just told me about your policy and that would have been so simple. So, I called the attention of the store manager, who unfortunately was not in the store that time. They decided to let me talk with their OIC instead, Ms. Alele.  I approached her courteously and told her that I am doing a book evaluation. Sadly, her tone when she answered me was insinuating. I did not even see a smile from her all the while we were conversing. There was even this instance when the staff called her and she shouted “Sandali lang!”
 And I stressed that:
I would have given them the benefit of the doubt just so to rest my case but I believe that in this type of profession, or in any other profession, one has to practice mutual respect, courteousness and politeness. I hope you could do the necessary actions, especially because you are in a service-oriented institution.
After sending the letter, my heart easily lightened up. Although I believe that I was humiliated in front of other people during that scene, I was able to muster my courage and send my concern to Fully Booked's higher-ups. So, last night, upon checking my e-mail account, I got an e-mail from Fully Booked's Social Media and Public Relations Manager, [she's also the EIC of Fully Booked Zine, by the way]. And I quote parts of her reply:
... Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. You are correct on all counts, Sir, as you are well familiar with our policies being a longtime customer of Fully Booked. The staff should always treat customers with courteousness and in this case, this policy was not followed. Rest assured that action is already being taken by upper management. The staff members in question will be sanctioned accordingly, specifically Aleli and the book specialist.
And with that, I rest my case [which reminds me that I have to still reply to this letter]. Although I don't really love to see the concerned personnel being sanctioned, I believe that we are all aware that our negative actions will have repercussions. As Newton said, "For every reaction, there is an equal but opposite reaction."

And to Ms. Aleli and Mr. Book Specialist, you may have offended me with your insinuating tones and stares, but I still feel sorry for the both of you, because you have forgotten your good morals at home. Next time, write them down on your planners or better yet, engrave them in your hearts so you will bring them all the time.

Remember what my aunt, the Goddess Athena did to Arachne. She turned Arachne into a spider because she was too insinuating and didn't know how to respect others. And as I told Mennie and Eli after that particular incident, "Don't mess with the Mega Bitch [that's capital M & B]." 

Athena transforming Arachne into a spider

** But don't you worry guys, I am already minimizing my bitchiness, it's just that I have to get this out of my chest :)

/dmarco


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/dmarco