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 Occult Books That Can Be Classified Under LCC G

If you hear the word “occult,” you might imagine dark rooms, candles, and someone whispering Latin badly. But in library science, the occult often sits quietly under LCC Class G — the section for Geography, Anthropology, and Folklore . Why? Because many occult works deal with myth, symbolism, ritual, cultural belief systems, and human attempts to understand the unseen. In other words, they are less about flying broomsticks and more about how people make meaning. Here are ten notable occult books that can reasonably fall under LCC G , especially within folklore (GR), customs (GT), or cultural anthropology. 1. The Golden Bough – James George Frazer Frazer’s massive comparative study of myth and religion explores magic, ritual sacrifice, fertility rites, and sacred kings. It is not a spell book. It is anthropology with a dramatic flair. Why LCC G? Because it analyzes myth and ritual across cultures. This comfortably sits in folklore and anthropology (GR). 2. The Hero with a Thousand Face...

3 Easy Ways to Instantly Improve Your Handwriting

Handwriting doesn’t have to be a lost art, even in today’s digital world. Whether you’re taking notes, writing a letter, or just doodling in your journal, legible handwriting is a skill worth mastering. Let’s start with three quick tips to make your writing more readable: 1. Pay Attention to Spacing Spacing is one of the most overlooked aspects of legibility. It’s tempting to let your letters and words run together, but that’s the quickest way to turn your notes into an indecipherable mess. Make a conscious effort to leave some space between each letter and word. This breathing room allows the reader to clearly distinguish one word from the next. Slow down, and you’ll find your spacing naturally improves. 2. Hold the Pen Correctly You might not think much about how you hold your pen, but it plays a big role in your handwriting. Too tight a grip, and your hand tires quickly, causing shaky lines. Too loose, and you’ll struggle to control the pen. Aim for a relaxed but steady grip that le...

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...

A Librarian’s Method for Organizing a Wardrobe: Current, Non-current, or Archive?

I did not set out to fix my wardrobe. I was just tired of negotiating with it every morning. My closet was full, but I wore the same few things. The rest stared back at me like a group project I never agreed to join. I had already tried the usual advice: declutter, be ruthless, imagine an ideal self who attends brunch more often than I do. None of it stuck. Then I realized the problem was not the clothes. It was the lack of a system. I am a librarian. When something does not work, I do not add more space. I reclassify. Again, I remind myself that I am a librarian. When something is chaotic, my first thought is NOT “buy more storage.” It is “this needs a system.” My closet did not need more hangers. It needed cataloging. Librarians do not panic about having too many books. They decide where each book belongs: current , non-current , or archive . So I tried the same method on my wardrobe. The Library Method, Explained Without the Jargon In libraries: Current ...

First Impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam

So This Is What 14 Degrees Looks Like The very first thing I saw of Hanoi was not a building. Not a landmark. Not even a proper tree. It was fog. From the plane window, the land below looked like a watercolor painting someone had forgotten to finish. The trees were faint shapes, like shy ghosts standing politely in line. It was late January. The captain announced it was 14 degrees Celsius. So this is what 14 degrees looks like, I thought. It looks like a country half-asleep under a gray blanket. The Expectation That Quietly Packed Its Bags Before arriving, I carried a small, unflattering assumption in my suitcase: that Vietnamese people might not be especially warm or smiley. That assumption lasted about as long as the walk from immigration to baggage claim. People were kind. Not loud. Not overly expressive. Just… kind. The kind of kindness that responds to how you show up. If you are friendly, they are friendly. If you are respectful, they soften. It felt less like customer serv...

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 006 Thrifting

F ocusing on a single theme like "Thrifting" for a week can provide a cohesive and engaging experience for your audience. Here's a that outlines a one-week Reel plan centered around thrifting: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Thrift Store Tour Move through different sections of a thrift store, highlighting unique finds. Tuesday DIY Thrift Flip Transform a thrifted item into something new. Move from the before state to the after state. Wednesday Budget Thrifting Set a budget and move through the store, showing what you can get within that budget. Thursday Thrifting for Different Styles Move between racks and sections, picking out items that fit various fashion styles. Friday Thrifted Outfit Challenge Create an outfit entirely from thrifted items. Move from the selection process to the reveal. Saturday Thrifting Tips Share tips for effective thrifting. Move from general advice to specific examples. Sunday Thrift Haul Showcase your week's finds. Move from unbaggi...

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...

Why Create a Homeschool Library?

You need a homeschool library if you’re homeschooling your children. Homeschooling has become a big thing in recent years, especially with the pandemic. It is difficult for parents to cope with the workload of tutoring their children, especially if they have mainly depended on the school systems to take care of their children’s educational needs. Fortunately, parents and guardians have plenty of support from various sources like social media groups and non-profit organizations that aim to help with the teaching part. Now, the resource part of the homeschooling journey is another matter. What should your library contain? A homeschool library should contain books that support the homeschool curriculum. These resources can be encyclopedias, dictionaries, fiction books, and others. Objectives of a Homeschool Library Like a school library, you need to build your home’s resource space with the following objectives: 1. To develop an awareness of the importance...

Commuting from La Union Back to Manila

After soaking up the sun, waves, and culture in La Union, it’s time to head back to Manila. Back to real life, as they say. If you’re wondering how to make the return journey as smooth as possible, taking a bus is your best bet. Here’s a simple guide to get you back home without a hitch. Choose Your Bus Company Several bus companies operate routes from La Union to Manila, offering a variety of schedules and comfort levels. Partas Transportation Co. : Known for its extensive network and reliable service. Viron Bus Lines : Offers a comfortable ride with good schedules. Dominion Bus Lines : Provides multiple trips daily, making it a convenient option. My preference? Partas. There are buses coming in from other areas in Northern Luzon every hour, but during rush hours (Sunday night when everyone wants to get back to the city in time for the Monday workday), all the buses are packed with people. The buses that travel from La Union usually have the most number of passengers and arriving 30 m...

Ruby Galvez, RL

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