Current Projects: Training Library Staff and Supporting Makerspace Activities

My current projects in the library have changed. As I am now a restaurateur and can only actively participate in library projects every now and then, I still find time and ways to contribute by doing the following.

Supporting Library Makerspace Activities

Libraries are evolving to meet the changing needs of their communities. Old libraries with dusty books are now being used for more activities. Fortunately, the community is now learning that libraries can be much more than places to read quietly,

Training Non-librarian Staff

I am working to mentor and support non-librarian staff in a special library setting. The special library in question is a quaint, small one in La Union, Philippines. I charge a minimal fee for my services, because it is still my time I am dispensing (time I could use to make money selling food in my restaurant). But I still consider these current projects my outreach,

Why I do this: by recognizing the valuable contributions that staff from diverse backgrounds can bring to the library profession, we can foster a collaborative and inclusive environment that enhances the services we offer.

Let’s never gatekeep anything, especially when it comes to literacy. Librarians are not the only ones who can work in a library. Maybe I should add raising paralibrarian awareness to my current projects.

So, yeah, I am teaching non-librarian staff the basics of library work.

My trainees are all very passionate about research and are committed to making the library an inclusive place where people can discover and expand their potential. Their passion is one of the reasons why I am including this mentorship to my current projects.

Email me rubygalvez(at)gmail(dot)com if you want me to teach your non-librarian staff how to organize and establish a functional library from scratch. I can teach via zoom or I can create a guidebook for your staff.

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...

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....

How Important is Proper Document Control in ISO Accreditation?

If your organization is working toward ISO accreditation—or trying to maintain it—you’ve probably heard the phrase document control more times than you care to count. But before your eyes glaze over, let’s break it down. ISO standards (like ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, or ISO 27001 for information security) are built on the idea of consistency, traceability, and accountability. None of that works without proper documentation. And documentation doesn’t stay proper on its own. It needs structure. That’s where document control comes in. So, how important is it? In short: it's everything. What Is Document Control in the ISO Context? Document control refers to how an organization manages its critical documents—such as procedures, manuals, forms, and records—so that they are: Correct (the latest version) Accessible (to the right people) Secure (from unauthorized changes) Traceable (who approved, changed, or accessed them)...

Why the Banned Book 1984 by George Orwell Seems Prophetic Now

In George Orwell's book '1984', we are transported to a totalitarian state that is uncannily like the very world we are living in. It's a politico-social novel that tells a lot about how power can be a dangerous thing when placed in the hands of a remorseless totalitarian government that punishes with impunity and rewards only those that cooperate. It's so borderline non-fiction that many libraries have banned it a short time after it has been published. They say it's fear-mongering, but as many of us in the 21st century now know, it was somewhat prophetic.

Weekly Facebook Reel Content Plan (#003): Being a Good Samaritan

With a theme like "Being a Good Samaritan," you can create a powerful way to engage your audience while promoting kindness and community involvement. Here's a table to guide you through a week of such content: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Helping the Homeless Show yourself preparing care packages and distributing them to homeless individuals. Tuesday Animal Welfare Visit an animal shelter and spend the day volunteering. Highlight ways others can help too. Wednesday Environmental Cleanup Organize or participate in a local area cleanup. Share tips on how to keep communities clean. Thursday Food Donation Collect food items and donate them to a local food bank. Encourage viewers to do the same. Friday Elderly Care Spend time with elderly people in a care home or virtually. Share their stories and needs. Saturday Acts of Kindness Perform random acts of kindness like paying for someone's coffee. Challenge your audience to do the same. Sunday Community Awar...

Libraries as Community Makerspaces

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....

5 Books That Make You Better at Getting Things Done

1. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz This book says energy is more important than time. Weird, right? But it makes sense. The authors say we should work like athletes — focus hard for a bit, then take real breaks to rest and recharge. Instead of running on empty all week, you learn to build routines that give you energy, not drain it. Basically, it’s saying: stop acting like a robot and start acting like a human who takes naps. 2. Getting Things Done by David Allen If your brain feels like a messy desk full of sticky notes, this book is your cleaning guide. David Allen teaches you how to put every task, idea, or reminder somewhere safe — so your mind can finally relax. Once you’ve written everything down, you can actually focus on what’s in front of you instead of wondering what you forgot. It’s for people who want to feel calm, in control, and slightly smug about their tidy to-do lists. 3. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker Peter Drucker is...

Library Crafts: 3D Letters with Butterflies and Flowers

Library crafts are a fun way to keep users engaged, especially the young ones. This works for the library because children will remember the place as somewhere to have fun and learn art and not a place where a librarian is always shushing them and telling them not to make a mess! Materials: Cardboard or thick foam board Craft knife or scissors Colored paper and cardstock Butterfly and flower templates or pre-cut shapes Glue sticks Double-sided tape Markers, glitter, and stickers Small faux flowers, fabric butterflies, or other embellishments Paint and brushes (optional) Instructions: Create the Base Letters: Pre-cut large 3D letters from cardboard or foam board. Alternatively, have kids trace and cut out their own letters with supervision. Decorate with Paint: Let kids paint the letters in their favorite colors, and allow them to dry. Cut Out Butterflies and Flowers: Kids can use templates to trace and cut out butterflies and flowers from colored paper or cardstock. Alternatively, p...

Ilokano Ancestor Worship and Other Beliefs that Still Persist

The Ilocano people are a Filipino ethnic group native to the Ilocos Region of the Philippines. They have a rich cultural heritage that includes a variety of beliefs, traditions, and practices. Some of their traditional beliefs include: Anito Worship : Anitos are spirits of ancestors or nature that are believed to have influence over various aspects of life. Anito worship involves offering prayers, rituals, and sacrifices to these spirits to seek their guidance and blessings. Kulam (Witchcraft) : Ilocanos, like many other cultures, have beliefs in witchcraft or sorcery. Some people are thought to possess the power to inflict harm on others through supernatural means. This belief has led to the practice of seeking protection through amulets, charms, and rituals. Folk Healing : Ilocanos have a tradition of folk healing practices using herbs, rituals, and prayers. Traditional healers, known as "albularyos," are respected members of the community who ar...

Lecture Notes on Library Advocacy, Exhibition Spaces in Libraries, and Human Libraries

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 ...

Ruby Galvez, RL

Search This Blog