Who is Ruby

About

Ruby Grace C. Galvez, RL, LPT

Who am I? I wear many hats.

Ruby Galvez in the philippine international literary festival

Professional Librarian
Information Service Provider
Copywriter
Copyeditor
Technical Writer
Licensed Educator
Caterer / Restaurant Owner
Book Author

My Experience

I have worked in the science publishing industry for most of my career thus far, except for the time when I joined the online blogging boom (in the late 2000s).

I have been involved in various aspects of the following:

content creation and processing
publishing systems
database content editing and production
webmaster operations
virtual assistance
search engine optimization
fiction and non-fiction writing
thesis grammar check
journal article copyediting (pre-publication peer review papers)

I am among the topnotchers in the Professional Regulation Commission’s Librarian Licensure Examination in 2017.

Examinations I Have Taken and Passed

Licensure Examination for Teachers
Librarian Licensure Examination (3rd nationwide rank)
Civil Service Examination
Foreign Service Officer Examination (3/5 stages passed: 1st stage, qualifying examination; 2nd stage, panel interview; and 3rd stage, written examination)

Your City Needs Its Writers: 3 Steps to Improve the Writing Culture in Your City

There is a La Union Books and Arts Exhibit right now at the SM City La Union, and this got me thinking. Every city has its share of storytellers. Some write novels. Some write long social media captions that probably should have been novels. I personally think a city with no active writers feels a bit empty, like a place that only knows traffic and billboards but has no imagination. A writing culture is not optional. It is the difference between a town that thinks and a town that merely exists. If you want to encourage a writing culture where you live, start by following these 3 steps: Step 1: Make writers visible. Invite local authors to your library, schools, community centers, and yes even your neighborhood book clubs. In fact, book clubs are one of the easiest groups to involve, because they already read, already discuss stories, and usually already have snacks. A sponsored book club event featuring a hometown author can do more for visibility than a month of posters. And honestly,...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

10 Benefits of Becoming a Board Topnotcher in the Philippines

Becoming a board topnotcher in the Philippines is a highly esteemed achievement that can have significant benefits for an individual's professional and personal life. These benefits span across various aspects, including career opportunities, personal growth, and societal impact. 10 Reasons Board Topnotchers are a Big Deal in the Philippines 1. Enhanced Career Opportunities : Achieving topnotcher status in board exams in the Philippines often opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. Many employers, particularly in competitive fields such as engineering, accountancy, and law, view topnotchers as individuals with exceptional capabilities and a strong work ethic. As a result, topnotchers often receive job offers from prestigious firms, government agencies, and private corporations. Additionally, they are frequently offered higher starting salaries, leadership roles, and opportunities for advanced training and education. 2. Professional Recognition and Credibility : Topnotche...

Being a Document Control Officer to Manage Archives: Are You the Office Librarian?

In many workplaces, there's someone who seems to know where everything is. They can pull up the latest policy revision, retrieve an outdated client file, or point you to that mysterious "blue folder" from three years ago that somehow still matters. This person may not wear glasses or whisper "shhh"—but in essence, they are the office librarian . In most cases, this role falls to the Document Control Officer . But what does being a Document Control Officer really mean? And how close is it to being the keeper of a corporate library? Let’s unpack it. What Is a Document Control Officer? A Document Control Officer (DCO) is responsible for managing how documents are created, reviewed, stored, accessed, and archived within an organization. In many cases, the DCO is the quiet force behind regulatory compliance, internal consistency, and institutional memory. In short, if your company ever says, “We have a paper trail,” the DCO is why. Their duties typically incl...

Content Creators Need to Try Creative Fabrica

Hey there, fellow creators! Whether you're a seasoned artist, a passionate designer, or a content creator just starting your journey, you know that the right tools and resources can make a world of difference. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Creative Fabrica , a fantastic platform that's like a treasure trove for all your creative needs. Why Creative Fabrica? You might be wondering, "What makes Creative Fabrica so special?" Well, let me tell you: 1. Endless Resource s: Creative Fabrica offers an extensive library of fonts, graphics, templates, and even digital crafts. It's like having a bottomless toolbox, ready to help you bring your wildest ideas to life. 2. Affordable Pricing : Quality resources can be expensive, but Creative Fabrica provides budget-friendly options, including subscription plans that give you unlimited access to their vast collection. It's a small investment for a huge creative payoff. 3. ...

Short Story: Backward Day

ASIAN AMERICAN HOLIDAY PEOPLE OF COLOR A young twenty-something man was waving at people gawking at him in the parking lot while loading several pounds of burgers, loaves of bread, and cartons of beer into the trunk of our car. My boyfriend Tony was a sight to behold in any crowd, with his blonde hair and muscular build. But today, what was catching the crowd’s attention was his inside-out shirt, pants, and canvas hat. I’m not too worried about people reporting my eccentrically clad hunny-bunny to the police. Rambling, crazy locals were normal for the day before the Superbowl when every adult in our town was on shopping duty. The crazier you looked, the less likely anyone would disturb you while you were taking all the beer. Only, today wasn’t a normal one for my crazy family, who we’re visiting for the Superbowl weekend. It’s Backward Day, a tradition that our family kept going for as long as I could remember. Despite its name, it was not just one ...

Influencer Strategies for Thriving in the Attention Economy

We live in a time where there's so much information available, thanks to the internet. But here's the catch: our brains can only handle so much at once. This is where the idea of "attention" comes in. Imagine attention as a kind of valuable coin that everyone wants. Influencers are people who are really good at getting attention. They share things online, and if they get lots of likes and comments, they become more influential. But it's not always easy to get attention while staying true to yourself. Parents also play a big role in attention. They help their kids decide what's worth paying attention to. Social media is like a non-stop attention machine, with likes and shares making people feel important. But there's a problem: too many choices. With so much stuff to pay attention to, it can be overwhelming. Here are some simple tips for doing well in this attention economy: 1. Be yourself : Influencers should be genuine, not fake. People like realness. ...

Short Story: The Vampire Next Door

Categories: FRIENDSHIP, TEENS & YOUNG ADULT, ROMANCE Nineteen-year-old vampire billionaire Welton Perry III stepped inside his new townhouse in suburban Maine already bored with the droning voice of the realtor. He held up one hand to stop the lady’s overeffusive description of the basement kitchen with the cold storage facility for his special dietary needs. He didn’t really need a fancy house, but his parents insisted. They wanted him to get as much rest as he needed after the ruckus he went through when his girlfriend and childhood friend sued him for assault, which was ludicrous.

Questions About the Library Service: Proactive Library, Censorship, Contribution to the Social Capital

I was interviewed recently by someone doing a thesis on library services. Here are some of the questions and my answers. How are services delivered? Information and referral: Linking the correct service with the correct user Direct service: face-to-face contact between the librarian and user to solve the user’s problem. It is a full service library. Are the services of the library designed to be proactive? How? Yes. Based on the borrowing patterns and the interests of our users, as well as their demographics, the librarian sends recommendations on the books or the types of books that the library council can purchase. For example, I noticed that we did not have a copy of the Biag ni Lam-ang, although no one has borrowed it yet or inquired, I asked the library council to provide one so we have it in case someone does. Are the services of the library designed to be responsive to the changing needs of the community? How? Same as in the previous question, depending on the books that us...

Side Hustles for People Who Rarely Go Online

If you barely have enough time to go online, you'll want a side hustle that's low-maintenance, flexible, and doesn't require constant attention. Here are a few options: Print-on-Demand Store : Create simple designs for t-shirts, mugs, or notebooks. You can use platforms like Redbubble or Teespring, where they handle printing, shipping, and customer service. Your main task is to create and upload designs, which can be done in short bursts of time. Selling Digital Products : If you have expertise in a particular area, you can create digital products like eBooks, templates, or printables. These can be sold on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or my favorite platform, Creative Fabrica. After the initial creation, the products can generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort. Here's my online store on Creative Fabrica if you need an example (this is also an affiliate link): https://www.creativefabrica.com/designer/ruby-cari...

Ruby Galvez, RL

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