Ruby Galvez, RL

Maybe you've dealt with all the issues I mentioned in my article on obstacles to studying effectively , namely fatigue, hastily prepared reviewers, lacking energy, or lousy revision space, but you're still struggling with remembering everything you study?   One of the worst feelings in the world is suspecting that you're wasting your time. This feeling might creep up to you one early morning study binge, and you might just thing "what am I doing?." It has happened to me, and it is scary . 

Being a special librarian is different from other types of librarians because of the nature of the library where he/she is working. Unlike a school and academic librarian, there are no curricula to base the collection development on. When I started working in a special library, the duties and responsibilities were not clear cut.  Eventually, as I started submitting my accomplishment reports, I realized what the job entails and came up with the following job description based on what I do on a daily and monthly basis. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES of a SPECIAL LIBRARIAN Collect information on user demographics (age, sex, profession, address, etc.) through a specific log-in system. Create a new library visitor log-in system, in which the new patron is asked to write down the date of his visit, his name, contact number, school and/or organization, and research interests  Compile library statistics for monthly and yearly reports. For Library Management & Marketing: Contact artists...

Categories: FRIENDSHIP, DRAMA, CRIME It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same. The boarded up windows gave the impression that the buildings lining the street were not habitable. Katie smiled and nodded at the curious eyes peeking out from the slats of wood as she passed them, knowing that her blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair complexion got the locals excited. This old motel strip in the seediest corner of Metro Manila, Philippines had been both a place to hide and recuperate, and the best venue for secrets. Why she went back was as much a mystery as it was a marvel. It was hard to imagine that after all the craziness that happened in the past, she would want to come back and look for… something. Perhaps it was closure that she was after.

A makerspace increases the value of a library as a community resource. Why? It provides a place for professionals to pursue their hobbies after their work hours and to explore their creativity in close proximity to books and other resources that inspire and provoke ideas.  Traditionally, libraries are repositories of books and quiet places of reading. Modern libraries, however, have features that allow them to serve as community resources that function as hubs where people can discuss ideas and plan projects over coffee and snacks.  Makerspace events allow users to maximize the library as a community resource, as well as promote the library collection.  HOW TO CREATE LIBRARY MAKERSPACES?  The formula we use to create a library makerspace is as follows:  Theme + Collaboration + Resource/Venue Support = Makerspace success!  Theme  The theme allows the library and its collaborators to link the activity’s theme with purpose and nature of the library....

A new trend in librarianship is the 24/7 library, but is this concept easier on paper than in actual practice?  PROs Provides a place for vagrants to safely stay and be productive. Instead of spending the night in the streets, vagrants can have a place to read, surf the internet, and revise. Helps students cope with school workload, especially working students who make time for revision in the early morning, after nightclass and before the work day. Provides a venue for creative brainstorming for teams. Increased access to reading resources Helps prevent crime by keeping the would-be victims in a safe place until the morning  CONs Requiring better security, because many miscreants may enter the library for theft and other malicious acts Increased risk of vandalism of library resources  Increased electricity bill of the library because airconditioning and lighting are on 24/7 Solutions: Better training for librarians who will take the night shift, including workshops on se...

If you're studying for a board examination, you must be eager to open your books and get right to it. But you're not in the mood all of a sudden, or your motivation is gone. Here are some of the barriers to effective study and how to deal with them. 1. Lacking Energy When was the last time you ate? If you can't focus, you must be thirsty or hungry. You should eat just enough to keep you going. Do not overeat, because you might feel sleepy. Some of the best revision foods are the following: nuts and berries - they're fingerfood, but good for your brain and body. coffee and chocolate - they keep you awake; the less sugar, the better cut-up fruits - they're sweet but not too sweet; they fill you up Avoid pastries, sauces, foods that require dips, and heavy carbo stuff like rice and pasta. 2. Fatigued Quick power naps work! Students who can take naps are better at reviewing. Some libraries allow naps, especially in carells, i.e., small tables for individua...

Part II: Takeaways from PLAI 2018:“Connected Actions, Collective Vision: Libraries Transforming Society” 1. Lecture Title: “Your Voice Counts: Libraries for Supporting Community Advocacy” - Bibliotherapy – one way to support the community  Donate books for the waiting areas of hospitals, especially public hospitals  Storytelling for hospital wards  Support digital inclusion – provide free access to some literary materials for the less fortunate 2. Lecture Title: “Creating Experiences in Spaces: Exhibitions to Spark and Stoke Interest in the Visual, Auditory, and Print story of Filipinos” - Speaker M. Bugnosen is the librarian at the Filipinas Heritage Library (Ayala Museum) - Suggested Library Exhibits/Designs  The Secret Life of Books – art exhibit on book binding/book making, demonstrations, lectures, workshops  Revolutions Exhibit – uniforms of old soldiers  Film exhibits – digital screens show different scenes/short movies  Film screening  Poetry reading ...

Part I: Takeaways from PLAI 2018:“Connected Actions, Collective Vision: Libraries Transforming Society” 1. Lecture Title: “Philippine Toy Library” Website http://www.philippinetoylibrary.org/ Partnership page: http://www.philippinetoylibrary.org/donate-share-or-partner-with-ptl/ What is it? A special library built by partnerships between and among organizations Toys become tools to reinforce love for reading. Books and toys in the same space. Philippine Toy Library (PTL) transforms idle spaces in barangays, schools, parishes, and partner organizations into fun and educational playrooms for the children in the community. Playtime is associated with library time. The toy library’s popularity has become a beacon for national government agencies (NGAs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) to implement their own programs, e.g., “handwashing day at the PTL” and “storytelling at PTL by community leaders” Children are encouraged to read by being promised a toy after several visi...