All About the National Archives of the Philippines

 QUESTION: What is your impression on the purpose and mission of NAP?

ANSWER

 I really appreciate the purpose and mission of the National Archives of the Philippines. This institution is really a big help to our country because it aims to augment transparency, public responsibility and genuine governance. Furthermore, what I like about this establishment is that it upholds freedom of information (FOI), provide access to official records, and preserve and popularize Filipino cultural heritage so that we can make these relevant records available for future purposes and endeavors.

 QUESTION: Who do you think is the primary clientele of NAP?

ANSWER:

Since this archival institution is a national establishment, I think the primary clientele of NAP are the Filipino people. As what its mission says that it aims to promote freedom of information, it should be open to the public. Those Filipinos who want to conduct research studies or other educational related activities, the NAP is the perfect place to visit and explore.

QUESTION: What useful information did you find at the website?

ANSWER:

While navigating the pages of the website, I was surprised because there is a lot of useful information you can access like archival records of the Government and other primary sources pertaining to the history and development of the Country.  You can also find there the list of records that can be traced back to at least the 19th Century when the Spanish colonial government and the American colonial government in the Philippines. It also embeds the General Records Schedule of the Government. Aside from its Records Management and Reference Services, it provides Technical Assistance and Continuing Education services to the general public.

QUESTION: What did you expect to find that was not there?

ANSWER: 

I don’t know if the documents or articles authored or recorded by Dr. Jose Rizal and other records of the prominent writers can be accessed through the website. I really want to read some of those but I can’t locate them through the website. Maybe I just have to explore more.

QUESTION: How would you evaluate the website in terms of content, services offered, ease of use, and navigation?

ANSWER: 

When it comes to content, I commend the website because it embeds relevant and historical documents that are useful especially when you want to conduct research or just do some educational related activities. It’s really an excellent site because it promotes information literacy and upholds freedom of information.

When it comes to the services offered, what I really love is that it offers various services like Archives Preservation, Archives Collection and Access, Records Management Services, Reference Services, and Technical Assistance and Continuing Education services to the general public. The site is easy to navigate or browse. I find it easy to locate every feature it provides. Though there’s a little bit difficulty at first, I still love the site because it’s easy to navigate. Overall, the site is very useful and relevant especially in today’s generation.

Evidence Based Librarianship: A Scenario

Note: It's one of our requirements in our MLIS subject, Seminar on Philippine Librarianship

SCENARIO: The proposal of Dr. Jolo Van Clyde S. Abatayo, the Director of Libraries of Saint Michael College of Caraga, to establish an Archives that will focus on the institutional as well as the religious records and documents of the Saint Michael Church was approved by the administration and the Diocese of Butuan. There is already a vacant area in the library where he can transform it into an archive.

RESEARCH EVIDENCE

Dr. Abatayo conducted a survey regarding the existing documents and records of the institution and the Church. He also determined and analyzed through a research the historical, fiscal, enduring, administrative, and cultural values of the records and documents. Furthermore, he conducted an appraisal or an assessment if the records and documents are worthy to be archived and preserved.

Fortunately, based on his research and assessment, he found out the there is a lot of relevant records of SMCC and the Church that needs to be preserved and archived. He also found out that 40 percent of the resources are partially damaged and need restoration, while the others are still in good condition and need maintenance.

LOCAL EVIDENCE

Dr. Abatayo scanned and evaluate the available records and documents. SMCC alone has documents and records like the memorandum of agreements, permits, accrediting agencies certifications, written historical reports, development plans, important institutional manuals, relevant documents of the former administrators, and many more.

Moreover, the Saint Michael Church has massive records and documents like files on congregations and conferences, Church historical resources, church publications, memoirs, records on evangelical proceedings, bibles, and other important religious documents and records

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE

According to Monsignor Bienvenido Betaizar, the President of SMCC, it is really necessary to put up archives because the institution itself has significant records and documents that must be protected and preserved. He even emphasized the relevance of the Church’s documents/records as the eye-openers and instruments for enlightenment for the next generations. He heartily gave Dr. Abatayo his full approval and support about this endeavor because he strongly believes that when we preserve what we have today, we can help shape the future.

Also, Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma told Dr. Abatayo personally that the Church especially the Diocese of Butuan needs to provide a sanctuary and haven of the important records and documents of the Church. He even sent a letter to him expressing his gratitude and excitement about this project.

These two individuals really helped Dr. Abatayo in identifying the records and documents that will be housed in the archives. They easily provided the available documents and records because they also have been keeping these resources for a very long time already and it’s about time to preserve and keep them safe in an archive.

Evidence Based Librarianship: A Reflection

Note: It's one of our requirements in our MLIS subject, Seminar on Philippine Librarianship

In the field of library and information science, evidence-based librarianship is a practice wherein a librarian aims to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the library resources and services based on the available evidence. Evaluating the efficacy or usefulness of a resource or service is really necessary in order to find out if a specific library is really giving and doing its best for the welfare and satisfaction of its clients.

There is a lot of approaches under this evidence-based librarianship. We, librarians, can conduct researches or use various tools and instruments to assess our library if it’s really performing well. This kind of librarianship definitely seeks improvement and augmentation for the library. We can’t just rely on the undocumented or unrecorded facts and details, of course, we need concrete evidence for us to identify the strengths and weakness of our libraries. It is really significant to know everything that we have and we do in the library so that we can decide what are the possible actions to commence if the library lacks something that is relevant.

Since I am a Readers' Services Librarian, I really need to monitor the circulation, periodical, and reference services of the library. In order for me to identify or assess the effectiveness and fruitfulness of our library services, I need to monitor them by providing log sheets, services forms, and other tools that can generate data so that I can analyze them when I have to formulate statistical or progress reports. I also follow what are the mandates and given standards or requirements of the accrediting agencies and important institutions like CHED, PACUCOA, and ISO.

I strongly believe that, as a librarian, you should not rely on one type of evidence only. These shreds of evidence are very relevant because if we can have multiple pieces of evidence, we can easily compare and contrast our results. Furthermore, I think that having only one evidence sometimes promotes one-sidedness. In decision-making, it is better to have different options or choices so that we can select and decide for what is right.

I would like to cite an example or scenario that we librarians deal differently. when it comes to underutilized resources, maybe, other librarians will just disregard or eliminate these resources but for me, I always make efforts so that our users can at least, know the existence of these materials. Honestly, I am a fan of Roving reference. I always assist my patrons especially if they have queries or concerns regarding the library services and resources. I tell the users to avail our services in the library. I go directly, table to table, just to ask if what they really want to accomplish in the library or what are the resources they want to access or utilize.

Furthermore, I always discuss in the library orientation each material or resource in the library and I always try my best to explain the relevance and the uses of these materials in order for them to understand why we collect such resources in the library. I never fail to enlighten them about the different services of the library because it is very important to augment their awareness on these services so that possibly, the next time, they will start availing these services. I think that we just need to educate and empower them.

I think that it is a best practice that we, librarians should really apply in our designated areas because it seeks to gather evidence. Gathering data and facts is really important especially we continuously aim for progress for our beloved libraries. We can’t achieve every goal that we have if we can’t generate progress results. We can’t understand the capacity of our libraries, particularly on the services and resources if we never document or record every relevant detail that we need to determine if our libraries are really serving excellently the information, research, and educational needs of our 21st-century library patrons.

I strongly believe that as librarians, we aim for the best and we want only the best for our treasured clients. I am so grateful because we librarians have this kind of approach to embellish and uplift our libraries and information centers. Librarians are known to be information professionals and we are expected to be disseminators of accurate, relevant, and valid information.

Pag si GMA ang LIBRARIAN...

FYI: Supposedly, ang tamang Term talaga is "Master's" hindi masteral, but since we Filipinos are so good when it comes to consoctions or inventing nonexistent English terms so yeah... 

10 Reasons Librarians Are More Important Than Ever

Also known as library media specialists, librarians play a unique role in our schools. Often asked to take on a wide range of duties, these passionate and savvy educators deserve more than only a week of praise. And in case you need a reminder of all that librarians do for our students and our schools, we've put together a list -- but it's only a start.

1. Librarians know tech.
In many schools, the library media specialist is the go-to expert on all things tech. Don't know how to use that Smart Board? Looking for a great app for annotating texts? Can't figure out your new phone? Ask the librarian!

2. Librarians keep us honest.
In the age of fake news and viral video remixes, the library media specialist leads the charge on citation, copyright and fair use, research, and news literacy.

3. Librarians create "maker" hubs.
If you think the library is a quiet place meant only for research and studying, you clearly haven't been in a school library with a makerspace. These high-tech learning centers give kids a place to develop critical media-literacy and media-creation skills.

4. Librarians take risks.
With more freedom for experimentation and creativity than most classroom teachers, library media specialists incubate the classrooms of the future. School districts may move at a glacial pace, but just step into a school library to see what's on the horizon.

5. Librarians keep us grounded.
In a library, kids can stay connected to the past. Whether they're exploring books in the stacks or scrolling through pages of microfiche, kids learn about themselves and their communities by exploring history.

6. Librarians make it OK to be unique.
Sure, it may be a stereotype, but c'mon -- you know it's kind of true: After the art teachers, the librarians are the ones with the most unique styles, personalities, and interests. And because of this, all kinds of kids feel comfortable with the school librarian.

7. Librarians create safe spaces.
No matter a student's skills or interests, the library welcomes everyone. It's a safe space to hang out with friends after school or a quiet place to be alone and research sensitive topics.

8. Librarians teach kids 21st-century skills.
In a standards-driven world, librarians capture all those interest-based skills that kids need to be successful today and in the future. Kids go to the library to learn to code, write blogs, edit videos, and much more.

9. Librarians build citizenship and respect for institutions.
Do you remember how it felt when you discovered you could borrow any book on any topic from the library for free? Libraries give kids tangible evidence of the benefits of living in a democracy.

10. Librarians are champions of equity.
School libraries aren't just for the students anymore. Kids and their families can go to the library for access to resources they don't have at home, like the internet or translation services.

Reference:
Oh, E. (2017). 10 Reasons Librarians Are More Important Than Ever. Retrieved in July 27, 2018 from

Impact of Federalism to the Philippine Librarianship

When I asked our MLIS instructor, Dr. Marianita Dablio on her stand about the impact of Federalism on the Philippine Librarianship, she said that it could be very advantageous like in the USA. Every region/state could have a more empowered library or information center.

I got her point because I think that as of now, the public libraries here in Ph are solely dependent to the National Library and with federalism, each library can have fair budget and power. With that, a library can stand firmly on its own. Still, the National Library will be respected or recognized as the highest form of a public library in the country. <3

When Lampoon is not Good Anymore!

https://www.facebook.com/jolovanclyde/posts/1466928470120014

After watching this vid, I was outraged because I think it is really inappropriate. Do these students understand the value of hardwork and sacrifice? I just think that some or maybe most of the students nowadays are numb and dumb because they think that it's the teachers' fault if they failed. Partly, it could be the teachers' negligence but they should also put the blame on themselves because possibly, they are not doing their part as students! They don't know that teaching isn't easy. WAIT UNTIL YOU BECOME! :(

...and to all teachers out there, this vid is actually an eye-opener. Teaching can't be perfectly done and the teachers are not absolute but at least, teach them with your heart. Let your passion be reflected so that they will feel your worth.

(I just think the vid is a form of lampoon and it clearly insults our teachers. It's not funny at all!)

My Two Ultimate Reasons Why You Should Love Your Librarian!

(1) They are better than Google. The famous author, Neil Gaiman said that Google can bring you 100,000 results and answers but a librarian can give you the right one. We are trained to effectively retrieve every resource. We know how to efficiently assess the accuracy, currency, authoritativeness, and validity of information. Now tell me... Wouldn't you love to have a lover who's better than Google?

(2) Librarians are mysterious and sexy. According to the well known journalist, press writer, and novelist, Terry Pratchett, "the librarians were mysterious. It was said they could tell what book you needed just by looking at you, and they could take your voice away with a word." We're unexpected and puzzling but titillating! You know... being mysterious is absolutely sexy!