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Filipina Librarian Named
2007 IFLA/OCLC Fellow

Congratulations to Alicia Esguerra of Bulacan State University, Malolos, Bulacan!

For the first time since the IFLA/OCLC Early Career Development Fellowship Program began in 2001, a librarian from the Philippines has been selected as one of five fellows to undergo a five-week training program in the United States and the Netherlands.

The press release states that "the Fellows will participate in a five-week program of lectures, seminars and mentoring... [and] visit selected North American and European libraries, library organizations, and cultural heritage institutions."

The program guidelines and application form for 2008 will be made available by September 2006. Perhaps more Filipino librarians will be encouraged to apply for fellowships at OCLC—and other institutions, too!—with good news like this.


Categories: Librarians, In the News

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BlogDay 2006

Thanks to a comment left by The Gypsy Librarian, I found out that August 31 is BlogDay 2006, which was "initiated with the belief that bloggers should have one day which will be dedicated to know other bloggers, from other countries or areas of interests."

According to "About BlogDay,"
...bloggers from all over the world will post a recommendation of 5 new Blogs, Preferably, Blogs different from their own culture, point of view and attitude. On this day, blog surfers will find themselves leaping and discovering new, unknown Blogs, celebrating the discovery of new people and new bloggers.
Here are the five blogs I will recommend—not necessarily because the blog owners and I have very different backgrounds, but because I am a Filipino librarian about to start my studies in Canada who would like to meet other bloggers here in Toronto.


The Adventures of Accordion Guy in the 21st Century
When people at Thursday Meetings at Berkman found out that I was a Filipino on the way to Toronto, they said that I should get in touch with Joey de Villa. Well, it turns out that de Villa is one of Canada's top bloggers and a hotshot IT guy.
Photojunkie
Rickey recommended that I get in touch with Rannie Turingan, whom he met at a blogging meet-up in New York when blogging was not so common. Turingan, also one of Canada's top bloggers, has started a portrait series called "My Toronto Includes…" I'll try and get included =)
Stephen's Lighthouse
I met Stephen Abrams at SLA 2005 before he was elected SLA president for 2008. I ran into him again at SLA 2006 and found out he was a Canadian who lives in Toronto. I don't know if there's any other Canadian librarian who is blogging right now who is better known for his writing than him.
ICE
I got to know Nart Villeneuve at Free Expression in Asian Cyberspace. By then, I already knew that I was going to Toronto, so when I found out that he works just a few buildings away from my school, I knew I'd be getting in touch with him again. Especially because I'd like to get more involved in the OpenNet Initiative, with which he is heavily involved.
Subject/Object
Steven Chabot is a student at my school. That's about all I know about him. And that it looks like I'll learn a lot by reading his blog.

I've met Stephen and Nart before, but not since I arrived about three weeks ago. I hope to meet all five of them in the weeks after classes start.


Category: Blogging

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Blogger Beta

The word "blogger" doesn't just refer to a person who blogs. It's also the software I use for this blog—Blogger (B.1). But just in case you didn't know it, there's a new Blogger Beta (B.2), which the people at Blogger are test-driving while they figure out how to migrate the millions of blogs from the old platform to the new one.

This blog is still on B.1, but I've converted Von's Archives the hard way by copying-and-pasting each of the three posts I had into another account in B.2. Actually, it was much more difficult than that.

One of the advantages with B.2 is that it allows me to log into Gmail and B.2 at the same time. However, since I can't merge my account on B.1 with the one on B.2 (due to migration problems), and I wanted to retain the URL vonjobi.blogspot.com, I had to login to B.1, copy my posts into Notepad, logout then login to B.2, set up a dummy Von's Archives blog, copy-and-paste my posts, logout and login to B.1, delete the original Von's Archives, logout then login to B.2, change the dummy blog's URL to vonjobi.blogspot.com, and then I was finally able to say that I had migrated from B.1 to B.2.

Was it worth it? Definitely. The most important feature for me was the ability to use "labels" on my posts. In case you haven't noticed, I've actually been manually categorizing my posts (see "Categories"). It's fairly simple, but not all that easy, especially if one post falls into different categories. With B.2, all I need to do is "tag" a post as I would on Flickr, and all other posts I've tagged the same way will appear if I so desire.

Those who've envied LiveJournal users, who can specify who gets to read their blog, can now do the same on B.2. And thanks to basangpanaginip, I hope to finally remove the not-so-useful Blogger bar on top of this blog (oops, it doesn't quite work for B.2 because reverting to the classic template removes layout changes).

But that's not all. Customizing the template can now be done without having to deal with HTML. You can move boxes around and click on "edit" if you'd like to add a link on the sidebar, among other things. And finally, the best thing I discovered is that there's no more need to republish to see the changes! It used to be that I had to save the changes I made to the template, and then republish, which takes quite some time. Now all I have to do is click on "Save." Actually, posting entries is also much faster now... on B.2.

Which brings me to the fact that I'm still posting this on B.1. As much as I'd like to migrate this blog to B.2 manually, there are just too many posts (i.e., more than 500).


Categories: Blogging, About Filipino Librarian

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Buwan ng Wika 2006

Buwan ng Wika 2006
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF; National Language Commission) has a poster, a few photos and a list of winners. Other government agencies have a few press releases. Is it any wonder that traditional media did not take much notice of Buwan ng Wika (Language Month)?

I hope this seeming disregard for the event is not an indication of the (ir)relevance of Filipino as a language, but it's a good thing more than a few bloggers wrote about what happened this past month. Of the seven unique results for "Buwan ng Wika" on Google News, only three are worth mentioning:

"August is 'Buwan ng Wika (Language Month)': Celebrating the non-existent Filipino language" by Jes Tirol (Bohol Chronicle, 20 August 2006), who says that "we do not know what we are celebrating because at present nobody knows what is the FILIPINO language. The Filipino language, with an 'F' spelling is no longer the Tagalog base Pilipino, with a 'P' spelling."

"Speaking in tongues–Pilipino-style" by Rome Jorge (Manila Times, 13 August 2006), where KWF chair Ricardo Nolasco explains that this year's theme, "Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa ay Buwan ng mga Wika sa Pilipinas" is a "pitch for linguistic diversity. Isang Bansa, Isang Diwa was the slogan during the martial-law regime and that promoted dangerous ideas such as that having many languages was disadvantageous to the country—and that’s not correct."

"In any language" (Manila Times, 23 August 2006), an editorial, notes that "A speaker begins his sentence in English, lapses into Pilipino and reverts to English with ease, without destroying his train of thought. Or he may begin in Tagalog and repeat the process in reverse. Taglish is spoken by masters and servants, the educated and the masses, the rulers and the governed. In the battle for survival, Taglish will prevail."
For a less formal flavor, check out the posts on Technorati, which include:
Photos taken by Lei at her school's celebration.

"TaluMpaTi," where Jadeangel13 says that, "Masyado nating niyayakap ang wika ng ibang bansa. Dumarating sa atin ang kaisipan na kapag marunong kang gumagit ng wikang Ingles, magaling ka." It's not perfect (notice the typo?), but it's one of the very few speeches written by a student that I've found online.

"Buwan ng Wika: No Longer a Costume" by Loreen, where she highlights her experience wearing a malong the whole day and comes up with a very memorable line: "...bakit ba costume lang ang tingin natin sa kanila? That's because we are now so Westernized... para tayong copy-paste ng mga Western people." Wow!
Finally, there's "A proud moment for gay brothers," which narrates an anecdote about how a small girl won the Bb. Buwan ng Wika (Ms. Filipino Language Month) after answering the question, "Totoo bang masayahin ang mga pilipino? (Are we Filipinos truly a happy people?)" Her reply? "totoo po ito. na kahit anong mangyari..masayahin parin ang mga pilipino. tingnan mo ako! kahit sobrang nininirbyos na dito at halos mahimatay na sa takot.. ngumingiti parin ako." Very Filipino, right? =)


Category: The Philippines

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Von's Archives

Just in case you're one of the few who are actually interested in the person behind this blog, I've actually set up another blog, Von's Archives, which I intend to be more personal than this one.


Category: About Vonjobi

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Broadway: Avenue Q

Website | Libretto

avenue qIt sucks to be me. Everyone's a little bit racist. The Internet is for porn. I'm not wearing underwear today.

Nope, I'm not depressed, bigoted, horny or gross. Those are the titles of songs in Avenue Q =)

And yup, if you only have enough money and time to see one Broadway musical, make it Avenue Q.

But don't take my word for it, here's what Rickey says:

It absolutely deserved the Tony Award for Best Musical over Wicked. I know some of you expect Broadway shows to have amazing sets and costumes, but Avenue Q demonstrates that you don’t need any of that to have a great time.
You may as well take a look at all the other raves, including one from the New York Times, which uses West Side Story as a basis for comparison.

I'm not going to say anything more about the production because others have said it better. Aside from adding that Avenue Q seems like a politically-incorrect Pippin (because "Purpose" has much in common with "Corner of the Sky"; and both have sex scenes on stage), let me just share my favorite song.

This is for all those who've fallen in love with someone who didn't love them back. I just hope you're not there anymore... or wake up soon =)
There's a fine, fine line
between a lover, and a friend.
There's a fine, fine line
between reality, and pretend;
And you never know 'til you reach the top
if it was worth the uphill climb.

There's a fine, fine line
between love,
and a waste of time

There's a fine, fine line
between a fairy tale, and a lie.
And there's a fine, fine line
between "you're wonderful" and "goodbye."
I guess if someone doesn't love you back
it isn't such a crime

But there's a fine, fine line
between love,
and a waste of your time

And I don't have the time to waste on you anymore.
I don't think that you even know what you're looking for.
For my own sanity I've got to close the door
And walk away...
Oh...

There's a fine, fine line
between together,
and not.
And there's a fine, fine line
between what you wanted,
and what you got.
You gotta go after the things you want
while you're still in your prime.

There's a fine, fine line
between love,
and a waste of time.
Enough said.


Category: Broadway

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Broadway: Wicked

Website | Libretto

wickedWhat if Cory Aquino and Imelda Marcos were, in fact, batchmates in college? What if they were not just batchmates, but best friends? And what if, contrary to what everyone knows, there was a story that has never been told?

That, in essence, is what Wicked—which tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Glinda, the witch of the North, and Elphaba, the witch of the West—is all about.

If you liked The Wizard of Oz or The Wiz (whether book, movie or musical), go see Wicked. But you'll need an open mind because the witches aren't as black-and-white as they're presented in the original works above.

Music and lyrics were by Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, The Prince of Egypt), but as Rickey has said, "I cannot for the life of me remember any melody from Wicked."

The book and lyrics, however, are another matter. Perhaps because the musical is, in fact, based on a novel: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.

The following lines probably won't mean much if you haven't seen the show, but these are the words that stuck in my mind:

The Wizard tells Elphaba that he hasn't been lying to the people of Oz and adds, "...where I come from we believe all sorts of things that aren't true... we call it history!" Try and imagine some politicians saying such a thing =)

The "good" and "bad" witches sing about their friendship, and made me think about the many good people I've met in my life:
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But, because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...
And then there's the "wicked" witch telling her boyfriend not to be wicked:
Elphaba: I wish I could be beautiful... for you.
Fiyero: Elphaba...
Elphaba: Don't tell me that I am, you don't need to lie to me.
Fiyero: It's not lying! It's... uh... it's looking at things another way.
And that's what Wicked is really all about: Looking at things another way.


Category: Broadway

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First $100 on Google AdSense

First $100 on Google AdSenseIt's been a little more than 18 months since I started this blog, and a little less than 18 months since I thought of trying to make money on the side by becoming a Google AdSense publisher.

Well, I never thought I'd make enough to actually get a check. But apparently, small change can, indeed, add up to $100. Today, it finally happened!

But don't ask for balato because it will take at least a month before I get my check and another two weeks for the check to clear. And then, I'll probably just leave it in the bank because I don't know whether the stipend I'll be getting will be enough for all my expenses.

So, if you're one of those who have ever clicked on any of the ads on this blog, thank you very much!


Category: About Filipino Librarian

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Talumpati: Onofre Pagsanghan

See also the category "Talumpati." And whether you found what you were looking for or not, please leave a comment below so I can help you better.
Today is National Heroes Day.

"Sa Kabataan" (To the Youth) by Onofre Pagsanghan, first published in Hasik (Quezon City, 1976), is the only Tagalog speech I am aware of that was written so that first-year high school students could recite it in class.

I have divided the speech into two parts, which was how Pagsanghan divided it when he assigned it to my class many years ago. He then told us to choose one, memorize it and deliver it in class.

The speech ends with the words: "Ang tunay na pag-ibig sa bayan... ay nasa pawis ng gawa," which literally translates into "True love of country... lies in the sweat of action." My not-so-faithful translation: "Love is a verb."

Our national heroes acted on their love for their country. Some even died because of it. After all, true love is not just a feeling that comes and goes. True love goes beyond emotions and translates into action.


Sa Kabataan
Onofre Pagsanghan

- I -

Isa sa mga salitang napag-aralan natin sa wikang Pilipino ay ang salitang "nabansot." Kapag ang isang bagay raw ay dapat pang lumaki ngunit ito’y tumigil na sa paglaki, ang bagay na ito raw ay nabansot. Marami raw uri ng pagkabansot, ngunit ang pinakamalungkot na uri raw ay ang pagkabansot ng isipan, ng puso, at ng diwa.Ang panahon ng kabataan ay panahon ng paglaki, ngunit ang ating paglaki ay kailangang paglaki at pag-unlad ng ating buong katauhan, hindi lamang ng ating sukat at timbang. Kung ga-poste man ang ating taas at ga-pison man ang ating bigat, ngunit kung ang pag-iisip naman nati’y ga-kulisap lamang, kay pangit na kabansutan. Kung tumangkad man tayong tangkad-kawayan, at bumilog man tayong bilog-tapayan, ngunit kung tayo nama’y tulad ni "Bondying" ay di mapagkatiwalaan—anong laking kakulangan. Kung magkakatawan tayong katawang "Tarzan" at mapatalas ang ating isipang sintalas ng kay Rizal, ngunit kung ang ating kalooban nama’y itim na duwende ng kasamaan—anong kapinsalaan para sa kinabukasan.

- II -

Kinabukasan. Kabataan, tayo raw ang pag-asa ng Inang Bayan. Tayo raw ang maghahatid sa kanya sa langit ng kasaganaan at karangalan, o hihila sa kanya sa putik ng kahirapan at kahihiyan. Ang panahon ng pagkilos ay ngayon, hindi bukas, hindi sa isang taon. Araw-araw ay tumutuwid tayong palangit o bumabaluktot tayong paputik. Tamang-tama ang sabi ng ating mga ninunong kung ano raw ang kamihasnan ay siyang pagkakatandaan. Huwag nating akalaing makapagpapabaya tayo ng ating pag-aaral ngayon at sa araw ng bukas ay bigla tayong magiging mga dalubhasang magpapaunlad sa bayan. Huwag nating akalaing makapagdaraya tayo ngayon sa ating mga pagsusulit, makakupit sa ating mga magulang at sa mahiwagang araw ng bukas makakaya nating balikatin and mabibigat na suliranin ng ating bansa. Huwag nating akalaing makapaglulublob tayo ngayon sa kalaswaan at kahalayan, at sa mahiwagang araw ng bukas bigla tayong magiging ulirang mga magulang.

Kabataan, ang tunay na pag-ibig sa bayan, ang tunay na nasyonalismo, ay wala sa tamis ng pangarap, wala rin sa pagpag ng dila. Ang tunay na pag-ibig ay nasa pawis ng gawa.


Thanks to Ronald Cabunagan and Francis Alvarez, SJ, for their assistance in obtaining the text.

Category: Talumpati

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LLE 2006: Terms of Specifications

The document below was sent by Corazon Nera, member of the Board for Librarians, to the PAARL Yahoogroup. It is unclear whether the document has already been published in "the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation," but it's clear that it is intended to be in effect in time for the Librarians' Licensure Examination this November.

I adjusted the spacing and indention, but I have not changed the text in any way. I am reproducing it here because the Professional Regulation Commission has not been updating the pages intended for board resolutions, including the one for the Board for Librarians.


=====


BOARD FOR LIBRARIANS
Resolution No.____
Series of 2006


PRESCRIPTION AND ADOPTION OF THE TERMS OF SPECIFICATIONS
FOR THE SUBJECTS IN THE LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR LIBRARIANS


WHEREAS, Sec. 3 (a), Article I of R.A. No. 9246 known as the "Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003" states that the "Act shall govern national examination for licensure, registration of librarians, issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card".

WHEREAS, Sec. 8 (k), Article II of the same Act vested upon the Board "to prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi or terms of specification of subjects for the librarian licensure examination consistent with the policies and standards set by the CHED"

WHEREAS, Sec. 16, Article III of the same Act specifies the scope of the examination and authorizes the Board "to modify or add to the subjects covered in the examination as the needs and demands in the library profession may require".

WHEREAS, the Board resolved to assign and revise the percentage weights for the subjects listed in Sec.16, Article III of R.A. 9246 in Resolution No. 06, Series of 2004 approved by the Commission on 28th day of September 2004.

WHEREAS, as early as 2005, the Board conducted a series of dialogues with the academe for the purpose of disseminating the contents of CHED Memorandum Order No. 8 series of 2005 on the Policies and Standards for Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) Program with an adopted syllabi.

WHEREAS, the present Board further conducted a series of consultations/conferences with the Philippine Association of Teachers of Library and Information Science for the adoption of the syllabus for each of the subjects in the licensure examination for librarians and the participants favorably endorsed the said terms of specifications during the consultation/conference on July 14, 2006 at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board hereby resolved, as it now resolves to prescribe and adopt the terms of specifications for the Librarian Licensure Examination contained in the document denominated as "Terms of Specifications in the Licensure Examination for Librarians" appended and marked as "Annex "A" and made an integral part of this Resolution.


The terms of specifications adopted herein shall be issued starting with the November 2006 Licensure Examination for Librarians.

This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier.

Let copies of this Resolution be circularized through the schools/colleges offering the librarianship course for the information and guidance of those concerned.
Done in the City of Manila this _____ day of _______ 2006.



PERLA T. GARCIA
Chairman


CORAZON M. NERA
Member


ELIZABETH R. PERALEJO
Member



Attested:


CARLOS G. ALMELOR
Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards



Approved:


LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO
Chairperson


AVELINA A. DE LA REA
Commissioner


RENATO B. VALDECANTOS
Commissioner


=====


ANNEX "A"


PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION
BOARD FOR LIBRARIANS


TERMS OF SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE
LIBRARIAN LICENSURE EXAMINATION


Library Organization and Management
-With Laws, Related Practices, and Trends – 20%


Course description:

Introduction to administration, to the basic concepts and principles of management and its application to the library organization, to the different types of libraries and to major administrative concerns as well as legislations, related practices, and trends.
Objectives:
To understand and identify the principles, theories and techniques of organization and management applicable to various types of libraries and information centers;
To identify and apply the various principles relevant to the management of libraries and information centers;
To distinguish and appreciate the different types of libraries as to objectives functions, collections, staffing and services;
To be familiar with the current trends, practices and legislations related to libraries and information centers.
Course Outline:
Introduction to Administration/Management
Definition of terms
Administration
Management
Library Administration

Management Development
Scientific Approach
Scientific Management Movement
Classical Movement
System Movement
Human Relations Approach
Human Behavior Movement
Self Actualization Movement
System Approach
Decisions Theory Movement
General Systems Theory Movement
Psychological Movement

Principles of Administration / Management

Planning
Definition of Terms
Factors
Techniques
Levels of Objective
Policy and Decision Making

Organizing
Definition of terms
Scalar Principles of Hierarchy
Line and Staff
Unity of Command
Span of Control
Functional Authority
Organization Policies and Structure
Evaluation

Directing
Definition of terms
Recruitment and hiring
Supervision
Theories
Motivation, Coaching, and Communication
Employee Training

Controlling
Definition of terms
Techniques of Control
Evaluation: Performance Appraisals
Management Information Systems
Cost Benefit Analysis
Study Operations Research
Time and Motion
Budgetary Control/Budgeting Techniques
Types of Budget
Line-Item Budget
Formula Budget
Program Budgeting
Performance Budgeting
Planning Programming Budgeting System (PPBS)
Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) System
Characteristics of Effective Control: Disciplining, Counseling,
Terminating

Management Styles
Leadership – the executive and other functions in administration
Role
Qualities and Traits

The Administration of the Library
Cultural and Social Influences
Relationship of the librarian with the organization
External/Internal Environment

Types of Library
Academic
Special
School
Public

Library Board/Committee
Definition
Composition and functions
Major Administrative Concerns

Personnel Management
Personnel Policies, Practices, and Problems
Position Classification
Supervision
Staff Training and Development
Performance Appraisal/Evaluation

Finance
Source of Support
Budgeting
Accountability

Library Services
Readers Services
Technical Services
Outreach Services
Reference Services

Physical Facilities
Library quarters
Equipment and furniture
Supplies

Material Resources
Types of Information Sources
Collection Management
Preservation and Conservation

Promotional Activities
Marketing strategies of Library and Information Centers
Newsletter and other publications
Bulletin Board Displays
Handbooks and Manuals
Web sites or web pages

Evaluation of library services
Surveys
Reports and records
Inventory

Laws, Related Practices, and Trends
Legislations Affecting Librarianship
Commonwealth and Republic Acts
Presidential Issuances – Executive Orders, Memo Circulars
Other Issuances – from the PRC, BFL, COA, CSC

Related Practices and Trends
Professional Association, National Book Week, Information Month
Interlibrary Cooperation, Networking, Consortia, Resource Sharing
Library Automation, Information and Communication Technology
Accreditation, Standardization
Knowledge Management
Library Instruction, Information Literacy Program
Globalization, Global Competitiveness
Re-engineering
Library Information Systems

Reference, Bibliography and User Services – 20%

Course description:
Evaluation and use of basic and general reference sources and materials in various disciplines and for different users; discussion of the methods and techniques of the reference process; types and functions of reference and information services; and the application of computer-assisted search in reference service.
Objectives:
To differentiate types and functions of information sources and services in libraries/information centers;
To identify reference sources in the Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences;
To search and evaluate relevant information sources;
To determine the functions of bibliographic networks and their role in reference Service;
To adopt efficient and effective strategies for user education programs.
Course Outline:
Introduction
Nature and Development of Reference and Information Services
Definition of terms
Historical background
Beginnings of reference service
Pioneers of reference service

Functions of reference service
Supervision
Information
Instruction
Guidance
Bibliographic Control
Appraisal

The Reference Department
Organization structure
Functions
Philosophy of reference service
Reference collection policy
Evaluation
Personnel

Qualities and qualifications of a reference librarian
Duties and responsibilities
Relation of Reference Service to the Other Library Services
Administrative Department / Technical Services Department
Acquisitions
Cataloging
Bibliography and Indexing
Reprographic Service
Readers’ Services Department
Circulation/Loan Desk
Serials/Periodicals Section
Special Collections

Reference and Information Sources
Nature of Reference and Information Sources
Definition of terms
Types
Source types/fact finders
Locators/control-access-direction type
Timeliness of reference sources
Primary sources
Secondary sources
Tertiary sources

Selection and evaluation
Aids to selection
Criteria for evaluation
Authority
Scope
Treatment
Arrangement
Format
Special Features
Cost
Recency
Usefulness

General Reference and Information Sources
Definition, classification, evaluation, and use of the different types of reference sources
Dictionaries
Encyclopedias
Yearbooks and Almanacs
Handbooks and Manuals
Directories
Biographical Sources
Indexes and Abstracts
Bibliographies
Geographical Sources
Government Publications/Documents
Continuing Resources
Audio-visual materials
Microforms
Electronic Resources

Reference and Information Sources in the Various Subject Fields
Nature, scope, problems, and types of reference sources of the different subject fields
Librarianship
History and Auxiliary Fields
Humanities
Social Sciences
Pure and Applied Sciences
Filipiniana

Reference and Information Services
The Reference Process
Definition of terms
Classification of reference questions
Direction
Ready reference
Specific search
Research
Methods and techniques

Reference interview
Approaches in answering queries
By subject
By source
By purpose
By inquirer
Length of time spent on a question
Levels of reference service
Conservative/minimum
Moderate/middling
Liberal/maximum

Steps in literature searching
Developing basic library skills
Causes of unanswered questions
Reference Services in the Library

Direct
Inquiry answering service, personal assistance, etc.
Formal or informal instruction in the use of the library or information center and its resources
Electronic conferencing, e-mail reference service

Indirect
Access to a wide range of information sources
Selection of reference materials
Reference admission
Interlibrary loans
Document delivery
Evaluation of the reference department/section: user survey, user needs

Miscellaneous tasks
Information Services
Types and functions
Current Awareness Service (CAS)
Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)
Abstracting and indexing service
Technical inquiry service
Translation service
Reprographic service
Bibliographic service
Other services

Computer-Assisted Reference Service
Use of computers in reference service
Computer-assisted search
Online search
Search strategy
Types of computer searches
CD-ROM searches
Internet search
Computer-assisted search vs. manual search

Bibliographic Networks
Function of bibliographic networks
Use of networks in reference service
Major bibliographic networks
Online Computer Library Center (OCLC)
Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN)
Western Library Network (WLN)
University of Toronto Libraries Automated System (UTLAS)
Other emerging networks

Bibliographic networks in the Philippines

Selection and Acquisition of Multi-Media
Sources of Information – 15%


Course description
Concepts, theories and principles of collection development; processes, strategies, criteria and roles in selection, acquisition, evaluation and disposition of information sources; bibliographic selection tools and online data bases; publishing industry
Objectives:
To apply principles in the practice of selecting, acquiring and evaluating library materials;
To recognize the importance of selection in collection development;
To identify standard selection tools and current reviewing media
To formulate selection, deselection/weeding and acquisition policies
Course Outline:
1. Introduction
The place of collection development
Definition of terms
Factors affecting collection development

Selection of multi-media information sources
General principles
Bases of selection

2.2.1 Statement of books selection
2.2.2 Standards of collection development
2.2.3 Selection and acquisition policies
2.3 The Librarian as selector
2.3.1 Responsibility for selection
2.4 Criteria for selection
2.4.1 Print materials
2.4.1.1 fiction
2.4.1.2 non-fiction (subject area)
2.4.1.3 editions and translations
2.4.1.4 continuing resources
2.4.1.5 pamphlets
2.4.1.6 microforms
2.4.2 Non-print materials
2.4.2.1 still pictures
2.4.2.2 moving pictures
2.4.2.3 dimensional object
2.4.2.4 audio-recordings
2.4.2.5 electronic resources

3. Acquisition Process
Methods of acquisition
purchase and subscription
gifts and exchanges
loans and deposits
cooperative acquisition

Ordering work flow
Procedures
Forms, records and files

Factors affecting acquisition work
Institutional policies
Legal regulations in general
Local regulations
Inventory, property accountability and reporting practices
Budget

Procedures in the distribution of library materials

4. Evaluation of collections
Approaches to collection evaluation
Deselection/Weeding
Criteria
Process

Formulation of collection development policies
Preservation and conservation of collections

Issues and trends in collection development in the Philippines
automation of the acquisition function
selection and evaluation of acquisition system
access vs. ownership
copyright / fair use
ethical issues in collection development
censorship
resource sharing

Cataloging and Classification – 20%

Course description:
Development of cataloging and classification systems; descriptive cataloging; classification and subject analysis of books, continuing resources, non-prints and electronic resources using standard cataloguing rules and classification tools; and trends in cataloging.
Objectives:
To understand the basic concepts of cataloging and classification;
To apply the rules and principles of descriptive and subject cataloging and classification for all types of library materials;
To use all the tools in cataloging and classification such as the Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Classification, Sears List of Subject Headings, LC Subject Headings, Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, and Cutters Table;
To use computerized cataloging system.
Course Outline:
Introduction
Importance of cataloging and classification
Historical development of catalogs and cataloging rules
Definition of terms
The Library catalog- types, parts and functions
The Cataloging department
Functions and organization
Relation to other library departments
Personnel
Records and files
Electronic tools related to job
Policies and procedures

Descriptive Cataloging
Basic concepts and principles of descriptive cataloging
ISBDs and AACR2
Description of all types of materials
Prescribed sources of information
Areas and elements of description
Levels of description
Punctuations
Rules on description

Access points
Personal authors
Corporate bodies
Geographic headings
Titles
Uniform titles

Name authority file
References

Subject Cataloging
Principles of subject cataloging
Forms of subject catalogs
Standard lists of subject headings
Sears List of Subject Headings
LC Subject Headings
Others, e.g. MeSH, SHE

3.4 Assigning subject headings
3.5 Subject authority file

4. Classification
Historical background
4.1.1 Overview of the different classification systems
4.2 Principles of classification
4.3 Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
4.3.1 Historical background of DDC Scheme
4.3.2 General characteristics
4.3.3 Schedules and tables
4.3.4 Cutter table (Cutter-Sanborn table)
4.3.5 The DDC call number
4.4 Library of Congress Classification (LCC)
4.4.1 Historical background of LCC Scheme
4.4.2 General characteristics
4.4.3 Schedules and tables
4.4.4 Internal Cutter table
4.4.5 The LCC call number

5. Shelf-listing and filing catalog entries
Shelf listing
Rules in filing catalog entries

6. Other catalog files and records

7. Trends in cataloging
Computer assisted cataloging
MARC records
Online cataloging
Dublin Core
Metadata
Data mining
Conversion of records

Indexing and Abstracting – 15 %

Course description:
Principles, theories and development of abstracting and indexing, designing of thesauri, preparation of book and periodical abstracts and indexes and trends in abstracting and indexing.
Objectives:
1. To determine the principles and theories in the development of abstracts and indexes;
2. To develop and construct a thesaurus;
3. To prepare book and periodical abstracts and indexes;
4. To identify various types of abstracts and indexes;
5. To apply the principles and theories of abstracting and indexing.
Course Outline:
1. Abstracting
Definition of terms
Development of abstracts and abstracting process
Abstracts and the various types of document surrogates
Uses of abstracts
Types of abstracts
Principles and concepts of abstracting
Parts of a abstract
Reference
Body
Signature

Citation formats in abstract
For monographs / books
For periodical articles

The abstracting process
1.10 Abstracting standards
1.11 Abstracting policies, procedures and guidelines
1.12 Production of abstracts

2. Indexing
Definition of terms
Development of indexes and indexing
Role of indexing in information retrieval
Information retrieval systems
Purposes and uses of indexes
Types of indexes
Book indexes
Newspaper indexes
Periodical indexes

Principles and concepts of indexing
2.7.1 Exhaustivity
2.7.1.1 Summarization
2.7.1.2 Depth indexing
2.7. 2 Specificity
2. 7.3 Consistency

Indexing languages
2.8.1 Purposes and uses
2.8.2 Features/characteristics
2.8.3 Types
2.8.3.1 Natural language
2.8.3.2 Controlled vocabulary
2.9 Indexing systems
2.9.1 Coordinate indexes
2.9.1.2 Pre-coordinate indexes
2.9.1.3 Post-coordinate indexes
2.9.2 Classified indexes
2.9.2.1 Enumerative indexes
2.9.2.2 Faceted indexes
2.9.3 Chain indexes
2.9.4 Permuted title indexes
2.9.4.1 KWIC
2.9.4.2 KWAC
2.9.4.3 KWOC
2.9.5 Citation indexes
2.9.6 String indexes
2.9.6.1 PRECIS
2.9.6.2 POPSI
2.9.6.3 NEPHIS
2.9.6.4 Other systems, e.g. CIFT
2.10 Measures of effectiveness of the indexing system
2.10.1 Recall
2.10.2 Precision
2.11 Subject indexing process
2.11.1 Recording bibliographic data
2.11.2 Subject or conceptual analysis
2.11.3 Translation into standard terms using controlled vocabulary
2.11.4 Generating index entries
2.12 The Thesaurus
2.12.1 Difference/similarities between thesauri and subject headings lists
2.12.2 Relationships of terms
2.12.3 Basic features of a thesaurus
2.12.4 Design/construction of a thesaurus
2.13 Indexing standards
2.14 Indexing policies, procedures and guidelines
2.15 Production of indexes

3. Application of Abstracting and Indexing Data
Primary publications
Abstracting and indexing services
Database products
Online searching
Current awareness services

4. Automatic Indexing
5. Trends in Abstracting and Indexing

Information Technology – 10 %

Course description
Computer applications to libraries, principles and technologies used in libraries and information centers to store and retrieve information in print and other formats, basic knowledge of information handling and processing, introduction to hardware, software and communication components of information technology and its impact on the current practice of the profession.
Objectives
To understand the principles and techniques of information handling through various methods and techniques of organizing, storing, retrieving and disseminating information;
To identify the various tools used in information processing;
To determine various components of information technology such as the technical aspects of computer hardware and software and their applications in library work;
To determine the vital linkage of telecommunications and computing technologies in accessing information;
To identify new information technologies and their impact on library operations
To identify and use software applications in word processing, presentation and data processing.
Course Outline
Introduction
Nature and need for information
Functions and responsibilities of libraries and or information centers

Information storage and retrieval systems
User needs as basis for information retrieval
Principles
Search tools and engines
Searching techniques and strategies

Technologies for information handling 3.1 Overview of computers and computer systems

Hardware
Software
Manpower component

Information systems and or databases
Regional and National Information Systems e.g. AGRIS, AIBA, NISST, etc
International library systems e.g. Follet, Maelisa, Athena, Geac, Millennium, Library Solution, etc.
International information databases e.g. ACM IEEE, CINAHL, ACS, EconLit, PsycInfo, Inspec, etc

Computer applications in library operations
Acquisitions
Cataloging
Circulation
Serials
Inventory
Reporting

Computer systems
history of computing
hardware
software – operating systems, programming languages
computer development and their effects on library and information work

Communication technologies
basics of telecommunications
developments in telecommunications
networks - LAN, WAN, MAN
Internet, WWW

Multimedia technologies
current developments
applications in libraries and information work

Issues in information technology
Information Age, Information society
New roles for information professionals
Emerging trends in IT
Digital resources
Safety and security controls
Licensing
Open Journal Access

Ethical issues in IT
Netiquette
IPR, copyright

Category: Licensed Librarians

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Integrated Library Software

Integrated Library SoftwareIntegrated Library Software
The table above shows that Follett is much more popular than Athena. At least in the United States, according to "Reshuffling the Deck" by Marshall Breeding (Library Journal, 1 April 2006). But since Follett just bought Sagebrush, the maker of Athena, those who are currently choosing between Follett and Athena should probably go with the former.

If your library has the necessary resources and has no need for "Free Library Software," you may want to check out the following before making any decisions regarding acquiring or replacing software:

Finally, it's interesting that EISI, the local distributor of Follett, now has a blog as its website: EISI News. Go bloggers!


Category: Technical Services

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Library Associations, Websites
and Missed Opportunities

In "Bookfair Website and Special Events," I listed the special events taking place at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) last year. This year's MIBF website doesn't have a page devoted to special events, but UPLSAA has a list of the ones that will probably appeal to librarians.

I was going to take the list and improve on it by linking to the sponsors' websites, but looking for the different sites just reminded me that library associations in the Philippines aren't quite as "wired" as I hoped they would be.

UPLSAA and ASLP are the only ones that I could find that have pages devoted to the events they are sponsoring. PAARL has a website, but it doesn't seem to have been updated in the last few months. MAHLAP's website hasn't been updated in more than a year. And PLAI, the PRC-accredited organization for librarians, doesn't even have a website.

Anyway, here's the very short list of MIBF events that have put more than just titles and times, if at all, on their websites:


Sparking the Filipino's Imagination : nation-building through library excellence, a culture of reading, and inspiring Filipino stories
Speaker: Fr. Ted Gonzalez, SJ
Date: 31 August 2006, 10:00 am
Place: Function Room B, World Trade Center, Pasay City
Sponsor: University of the Philippines Library Science Alumni Association (UPLSAA)

For registration fees, further inquiries, or to download the invitation, click here. For more about the speaker, click here.
The Role of Blogging in Librarianship: Pros and Cons
Speaker: Ms. Zarah Gagatiga
Date: 31 August 2006, 1:00 pm
Place: Function Room B, World Trade Center, Pasay City
Sponsor: Association of Special Libraries of the Philippines (ASLP)

For more information, click here.

But the "missed opportunities" in the title of this post aren't just related to the MIBF. As I've learned since I started this blog, there is so much more that an online presence can contribute to improving relations with the communities we serve and the development of our profession in the context of those communities.


Category: Librarians

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Talumpati: Ramon Magsaysay

See also the category "Talumpati." And whether you found what you were looking for or not, please leave a comment below so I can help you better.
Ramon Magsaysay, former President of the Philippines, was born on 31 August 1907. After his unexpected demise in 1955, the Ramon Magsaysay Award was conceived to honor "greatness of spirit shown in service to the people." The first awards were given out in 1958. This year's awardees will be honored next week.

It is unclear what role the Credo below plays in the selection of awardees or in what context it was first pronounced, but it is quite obvious that many—even non-Filipinos—have been inspired if not by the Credo in its entirety, then at least by the second sentence.

The Tagalog translation is mine.


Credo
Ramon Magsaysay

I believe that government starts at the bottom and moves upward, for government exists for the welfare of the masses of the nation.

I believe that he who has less in life should have more in law.

I believe that the little man is fundamentally entitled to a little bit more food in his stomach, a little more cloth in his back and a little more roof over his head.

I believe that this nation is endowed with a vibrant and stout heart, and possesses untapped capabilities and incredible resiliency.
I believe that a high and unwavering sense of morality should pervade all spheres of governmental activity.

I believe that the pulse of government should be strong and steady, and the men at the helm imbued with missionary zeal.

I believe in the majesty of constitutional and legal processes, in the inviolability of human rights.

I believe that the free world is collectively strong, and that there is neither need or reason to compromise the dignity of man.

I believe that communism is iniquity, as is the violence it does to the principles of Christianity.

I believe that the President should set the example of a big heart, an honest mind, sound instincts, the virtue of healthy impatience and an abiding love for the common man.

Pananalig
Ramon Magsaysay
Nananalig akong nagsisimula ang pamahalaan sa ibaba at kumikilos paitaas dahil ang pamahalaan ay narito para sa ikabubuti ng nakararami sa ating bayan.

Nananalig akong ang mas gipit sa buhay ay dapat mas higit sa batas.

Nananalig akong may angking karapatan ang karaniwang mamamayan sa mas higit na laman ng tiyan, mas higit na pananamit at mas higit na sisilungan.

Nananalig akong ang bayang ito ay nabiyayaan ng isang pusong masigla at magiting, at nagtataglay ng lihim na galing at nakamamanghang kakayahang salubungin ang mga hamong hinaharap.

Nananalig akong mamamayani sa lahat ng antas ng gawain ng pamahalaan ang dakila at walang-sawang pagtalima sa tawag ng kabutihan.

Nananalig akong malakas at tuwid ang pulso ng pamahalaan, at mayroong sigla ng misyonero ang mga pinuno nito.

Nananalig ako sa karangalan ng pamamaraang naaayon sa konstitusyon at sa batas, sa kahalagahan ng karapatang pantao.

Nananalig akong matatag ang kabuoan ng pandaigdigang lipunan, at walang pangangailangan o dahilan upang isantabi ang karangalan ng sangkatauhan.

Nananalig akong salot ang komunismo, ganoon din ang karahasang idinudulot nito sa mga pinahahalagahan ng Kristiyanismo.

Nananalig akong dapat maging halimbawa ang Pangulo ng pagkakaroon ng pusong mahabagin, pag-iisip na tapat, likas na kakayahang magpasiya, angkop na kawalan ng tiyaga at isang walang-hanggang pagmamahal sa karaniwang mamamayan.

Category: Talumpati

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Laptop Adspace for Rent

Just in case anyone's interested, my laptop lid is for rent. Sacha Chua started it, and Stowe Boyd and J. Angelo Racoma picked it up. The only advantage I have over them is that I have photos—taken by Jove, Punzi and Rani at different events—to prove that people pay attention when I'm live-blogging =)


RockYou slideshow | View | Add Favorite


I've live-blogged in Manila (Consal XIII, FEAC, iblog2), Singapore (A-LIEP), the US (SSP, SLA 2006, Wikimania), and Canada (SLA 2005). However, unlike Sacha (!), no one has yet suggested that I put ads on my bare chest. But I will be using my laptop a lot at the University of Toronto campus, and am likely to attend more conferences in the next four years.

If you're interested, email me at von-dot-totanes-at-gmail-dot-com. We can discuss what you want, and price it accordingly =)


Category: About Filipino Librarian

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Mel Gibson and Isagani Cruz: Bigots?

Mel Gibson was arrested last month for drunk driving, but got into more trouble for saying that, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world" (see TMZ for docs and more). He has since apologized, but he has been called a bigot, nonetheless.

A few weeks later, Isagani Cruz wrote "Don we now our gay apparel" (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 12 August 2006), and provoked, among others, Manuel Quezon III's "The grand inquisitor" (PDI, 14 August 2006). Cruz asserted his right to free speech in "Neither here nor there" (PDI, 20 August 2006), which prompted Quezon to reply with "Oblivious in Cloud Cuckoo-land" (PDI, 21 August 2006). Others, of course, have jumped into the fray. And yes, the word "bigot" has been used.

Gibson has apologized, but Cruz seems unrepentant. Can a relationship be made between the two? Jews are different from homosexuals, right? Well, the best answer I have is: it depends. According to Wikipedia (as of 24 August 2006), "A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles or identities differing from their own."

If you think that Cruz was not being intolerant when he wrote, "Let us be warned against the gay population," then you would probably be right to think he is not a bigot. After all, he did not say "Kill the homosexuals." Which begs the question: what exactly did he want to accomplish by writing what he wrote? Did he intend to influence public opinion or was he just exercising his right to free speech? In which case, should Gibson be called a bigot? Best answer? It depends =)

Though many viewed Gibson's apology as a PR stunt, Cruz may want to consider issuing a similar statement:
I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.
But in the end, it may be good to reflect on a song from Avenue Q:
Everyone's a little bit racist sometimes
Doesn't mean we go around committing hate crimes
Look around and you will find
No one's really color blind.
Then again, how would you define "a little bit"?


Category: Education

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Broadway: Last-minute, Discounted
Tickets for Sold-Out Shows

Nope, this isn't about TKTS, which sells tickets at half-price but doesn't allow you to choose the day or the seat. This is about Broadway.com's Last-Minute Availability service, which allows those who'd like to get into the hottest shows to buy discounted tickets for good seats just a few days before the show.

At this point, for example, there are half-price seats available for orchestra and front mezzanine seats not available on TKTS for sold-out shows like Spamalot and The Color Purple. There are also 20-percent-off tickets for other shows, including Wicked, which usually sells out weeks in advance.

Tickets, however, are usually sold in ones or twos. Perfect for Broadway fanatics who must see a particular show within a short time and a limited budget.


Category: Broadway

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Blogging Librarians

Walt Crawford has published "Looking at Liblogs: The Great Middle" (pdf | html), a slightly different (oh, by about 150 blogs) follow-up to last year's "Investigating the Biblioblogosphere."

This year, in addition to this blog, Crawford has included School Librarian in Action (SLIA), which has the 24th longest average length of posts among the 213 covered by the study.

Incidentally, Zarah Gagatiga—the owner of SLIA, and who was blogging even before I did—will be the speaker at "The Role of [the] Blog in the Library: Pros and Cons" at the Manila International Bookfair on 31 August 2006. Check it out!

It looks like more and more Filipino librarians are getting interested in blogging. This is the second time a library association is sponsoring a talk on blogging. The first, as far as I know, was the one I did for PAARL.

Maybe in a year's time, there will be enough so that Crawford can devote a whole section to Filipino librarian blogs =)


Categories: Blogging, Biblioblogosphere

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Free Library Software

The software listed below are more commonly known among librarians as integrated library software (ILS). There are, of course, commercial software available, but since many libraries in the Philippines have limited budgets, only free software have been included in the list.

"Free," however, is relative. Most can be downloaded for free, but those without websites will require that you go to them personally and bring a CD on which to copy the software. They can also provide the CD and mail it to you... for a small fee.

Training and support are the do-it-yourself kind, unless you would like to pay others to do it for you... for a larger fee. Not as large as the commercial vendors' fees, of course, but it wouldn't be free.

Please leave comments below if you have installed and/or used any of the software for the benefit of others who may wish to download them. I have not installed any of them myself, so please don't ask me for help =)


CDS/ISIS
Institution: UNESCO
Contact: Institute of Library and Information Science (ILIS)
Tel. No.: +632-9818500 loc 2869

Individuals/institutions must register to download the software. Or contact ILIS, the local distributor, which will be holding a WinISIS Workshop on 16-18 October 2006.

Note: CDS/ISIS is not, strictly speaking, ILS. But it's still being used and people are still asking about it, so...

Infolib
Institution: Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University
Contact: Gerry Laroza
Email: glaroza-at-ateneo-dot-edu
Tel. No.: +632-4266001 loc 5800

Koha | Download
Support: Free | Paid

OpenBiblio | Download
This one looks like it's truly open source software with no "owner." You'll just have to start with the forums and figure it out yourself =)

PhpMyLibrary | Download
Contact: Polerio Babao III
Tel. No.: +632-8300639

Rizal
Institution: Environmental Studies Institute Library, Miriam College
Contact: Romy Sebastian
Email: rej2k2-at-gmail-dot-com
Tel. No.: +632-4359240 loc 266

Copies of the software will be distributed at a one-day training session to be held on 28 August 2006.

SciNET-Phil Library Management System | Download
Institution: Science and Technology Information Institute, DOST
Contact: Joseph Esguerra
Email: jayjay-at-dost-dot-gov-dot-ph
Tel. No.: +632-8377519

Categories: Technical Services, Internet

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Xreferplus Free Trial

At the Wikimania session on Online Research, John Dove, president of Xrefer, invited those present to try his company's product. Free one-month trials for libraries and individuals are available, but to those who don't want to go through the hassle of registering (which is actually no hassle at all), the info you need for the remaining days of August are:
URL: www.xreferplus.com
Login: august
Password: cottage
I asked Dove if it would be ok to share the login info on my blog and he said, "yes." So don't worry that you're doing something illegal by using the info above.

But what is Xreferplus? According to their website, it is "a complete reference collection from over 50 publishers," which include McGraw-Hill, Thomson Gale, H.W. Wilson, Elsevier, and even Encyclopædia Britannica (but it looks like it's not part of the free trial or not yet operational). Access is available to "the full text of the best reference books, along with images, customizable data, visual concept maps of results, sound, maps, and more."

If you're a student or a parent with a child who forgot to do his homework and need information now, take advantage of the free trial, and search more books than you could probably search at the library. If you're a librarian and your library is thinking of buying more than a few dictionaries, encyclopedias and other reference books, Xreferplus might be a better buy. I just hope there's a discount for libraries in developing countries. This, of course, presupposes that you or your library are "wired" or connected to the Internet.

I didn't try it out extensively, but one weakness I found was that Xreferplus can only be as good as its sources. In a search for "Manuel Quezon," the Chambers Biographical Dictionary had the following sentence: "The new capital of the Philippines on the island of Luzon is named after him." Quezon City was, of course, the capital of the Philippines... but that was several decades ago.

What's good about it, though, is that its search engine ranks results without cluttering the page with unnecessary percentages or visuals (unlike other databases I've seen in the past few months). You can also view the results as a Concept Map, which provides a visual overview of a given topic that can help establish relationships on a topic you're not too familiar with.

There's supposed to be a blog, but it leads to Google. I wonder if that means anything =)


Category: Internet

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Broadway: Sweeney Todd

Website | Libretto

Broadway: Sweeney Todd"I'm not going to see Sweeney Todd," was what I told Rickey a few hours before I decided, at the last minute, to see it. I knew it was about a barber who murdered his clients—because I had seen a video of the original production with Angela Lansbury—and knew that I didn't want to watch such a dark and depressing musical. But I ended up buying a ticket for it because my Plans A, B and C fell through. I used a discount coupon. Student rush tickets are available, but I didn't have my student ID yet.

I did not, however, regret watching it. While the British accents were difficult to understand and the songs are typically Sondheim (read: not too hummable—though it does have "Nothing's Gonna Harm You," one of my favorite songs), the staging was well worth the price of admission. So I would recommend this musical if you're in the mood to admire real theatrical talent, creativity and virtuosity.

There are ten people onstage, and they do everything from playing the musical instruments, moving the sets, changing costumes and even helping out with flashlights every now and then. Oh, and they sing and act, too! Now, how many actors and actresses do you know who are good at singing, acting and playing the oboe? Patti LuPone is probably the best known, if not the only one. I don't know how they'll replace her.

But the entire cast was really amazing. Some of them played several instruments and characters. They deserved the standing ovation they got at the end. It would have been good, however, to see John Doyle, the director, who put the whole show together and truly deserved his Tony for Best Direction of a Musical.

The best small thing I noticed, which most probably just took for granted, was the mirror on top of the piano. It was part of the set but, at the same time, served as a way for whoever was playing the piano to see, at any point, what was going on behind him. Wow! Then again, if you watch musicals the way I eat food (i.e., I don't care how it's done as long as it's good), you may not appreciate Sweeney Todd as much.


Category: Broadway

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Talumpati: Benigno Aquino, Jr.

See also the category "Talumpati." And whether you found what you were looking for or not, please leave a comment below so I can help you better.
August 21, the day on which Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., was assassinated 23 years ago, was declared a national holiday in 2004 by virtue of Republic Act No. 9256. The excerpts below were taken from the speech that Aquino never got to deliver. The translation is mine. (Updated URL for "speech" on 22 August 2006, because the old one did not cite its source.)


Undelivered Speech
Benigno Aquino, Jr.
I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through non-violence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.
I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis.

I never sought nor have I been given any assurances, or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end, justice will emerge triumphant.

I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer—faith in our people and faith in God.

Talumpating Di Naipahayag
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.
Malaya akong nagbalik upang makiisa sa mga nagsisikap ibalik ang ating mga karapatan at kalayaan sa payapang pamamaraan.

Hindi ako naghahanap ng laban. Ipinagdarasal ko lamang at sisikapin kong magkaroon ng tunay na pambansang pagkakaisang katarungan ang batayan.

Nakahanda ako sa anumang mangyayari, at nagpasiyang suwayin ang payo ng aking ina, ng aking tagapayong espiritwal, marami sa aking mga matalik na kaibigan at ilan sa aking pinakapinahahalagahang gabay sa pulitika.

May nag-aabang na parusang kamatayan sa akin. Dalawa pang paratang ng paghihimagsik, na parehong kamatayan ang parusa, ang isinampa sa akin mula nang ako ay lumisan tatlong taon na ang nakaraan at ngayon ay nasa mga hukuman.

Maari ko sanang hinangad mamalagi sa Amerika, subalit sa aking palagay, ang maghirap kasama ang aking mga kababayan, lalo na sa panahon ng matinding pangangailangan, ay aking katungkulan, tulad ng bawat Pilipino.

Hindi ako humingi o kaya ay nabigyan ng katiyakan, o pangako ng kapatawaran ng may kapangyarihan. Malaya akong nagbabalik tangan lamang ang aking malinis na konsyensiya at pinalalakas lamang ng aking pananampalatayang sa kahuli-hulihan, magwawagi rin ang katarungan.

Nagbalik ako mula sa ibang bayan tungo sa isang di-tiyak na kinabukasan na matinding pagnanais at pananampalataya lamang ang tangan—pananampalataya sa ating mga kababayan at pananampalataya sa Panginoon.

Category: Talumpati

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Talumpati: Manuel L. Quezon

See also the category "Talumpati." And whether you found what you were looking for or not, please leave a comment below so I can help you better.
Manuel L. Quezon III (MLQ3) writes about Manuel L. Quezon (MLQ), former president of the Philippines and known as the father of the national language, on the latter's birthday. MLQ3 links to a recording of "Message to My People" (mp3), which MLQ delivered in English and Spanish.

According to MLQ3, the speech was "recorded in the 1920s, when he was first diagnosed with tuberculosis and assumed he didn't have much longer to live." This speech, aside from being good for students to recite in the classroom, might be a good reminder to our current leaders in the administration and the opposition.

The text that appears below is from "Nationalism" by MLQ3 (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 19 August 2004). The translation that follows is mine.

Message to My People
Manuel L. Quezon
My fellow citizens: there is one thought I want you always to bear in mind. And that is: that you are Filipinos. That the Philippines are your country, and the only country God has given you. That you must keep it for yourselves, for your children, and for your children's children, until the world is no more. You must live for it, and die for it, if necessary.
Your country is a great country. It has a great past, and a great future. The Philippines of yesterday are consecrated by the sacrifices of lives and treasure of your patriots, martyrs, and soldiers. The Philippines of today are honored by the wholehearted devotion to its cause of unselfish and courageous statesmen. The Philippines of tomorrow will be the country of plenty, of happiness, and of freedom. A Philippines with her head raised in the midst of the West Pacific, mistress of her own destiny, holding in her hand the torch of freedom and democracy. A republic of virtuous and righteous men and women all working together for a better world than the one we have at present.

Mensahe sa Aking Mga Kababayan
Manuel L. Quezon
Mga kababayan ko: may isang kaisipang nais kong lagi niyong tatandaan. At ito ay: kayo ay Pilipino. Na ang Pilipinas ay inyong bayan, at ang tanging bayan na ibinigay ng Diyos sa inyo. Na dapat niyo itong ingatan para sa inyong mga sarili, sa inyong mga anak, at sa mga anak ng inyong anak, hanggang sa katapusan ng mundo. Kailangan niyong mabuhay para sa bayan, at kung kinakailangan, mamatay para sa bayan.

Dakila ang inyong bayan. Mayroon itong dakilang nakaraan, at dakilang kinabukasan. Ang Pilipinas ng kahapon ay naging dakila dahil sa pag-aalay ng buhay at yaman ng inyong mga bayani, martir, at sundalo. Ang Pilipinas ng ngayon ay pinararangalan ng taos-pusong pagmamahal ng mga pinunong di-makasarili at may lakas ng loob. Ang Pilipinas ng bukas ay magiging bayan ng kasaganaan, ng kaligayahan, at ng kalayaan. Isang Pilipinas na nakataas ang noo sa Kanlurang Pasipiko, tangan ang sariling kapalaran, hawak sa kanyang kamay ang ilaw ng kalayaan at demokrasya. Isang republika ng mga mamamayang marangal at may paninindigan na sabay-sabay nagsisikap mapabuti ang daigdig natin ngayon.
If you're wondering why MLQ says, "The Philippines are..." see "The Philippines are or is?" If you have a recording or copy of a speech delivered in Filipino or Tagalog by MLQ, please leave a comment below.

Category: Talumpati

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Celebrate with Filipino Librarian

Today, Filipino Librarian, this blog, is eighteen months old; Filipino Librarians, the Googlegroup, is one year old; and Filipino Librarian, this one, is 33 years young =)

When I started blogging, I had no idea where it would take me. But now I've learned so much, attended different kinds of conferences, been invited as a speaker and writer, made contact with people I never would have met offline, and answered more than just a few questions—whether posed to me or a search engine—along the way.

I was going to "renovate" this blog in time for this celebration, but I just don't have the technical know-how to take advantage of the new technology. I have tweaked it a little, though. There are at least four new links, and the sidebar is less cluttered now.

Celebrate with me by taking a look at the sidebar and clicking on the new links. Maybe some of it will translate into what this blog has not brought me so far: money =)

I am posting the photos below for the benefit of those who've been complaining that I rarely post photos of myself or talk about my family. Names of those who took the photos are in parentheses. Photos with no photographer indicated were taken by this blograrian... or the waiter.


RockYou slideshow | View | Add Favorite


Categories: About Filipino Librarian, About Vonjobi

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FO: Talumpati

See also the category "Talumpati." And whether you found what you were looking for or not, please leave a comment below so I can help you better.
"Talumpati" (speech) is now the top keyword that brings searchers to this blog. It looks like many teachers are asking their students to look for speeches that they can recite in class.

Below are links to speeches in Tagalog that are available online. The speeches are not, in my opinion, appropriate for what teachers have in mind. Some were not even really delivered as speeches. But these will have to do for now.

Going forward, I hope to reprint speeches made in Tagalog—or translate those delivered in English—that will be suitable for use in the classroom. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment below.

Ako'y Si Ragam
Raha Baginda
Mula sa Malaka hanggang Maynila ay kilala ng lahat ang pangalang Nakoda Ragam na kanilang pinanganganinuhan, sa kabila ng aking pagiging maharlika.
Pagkakaisa: Ang Tunay na Diwa ng EDSA
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Kung nagsama-sama tayo noon—bata man o matanda, may-kaya o wala, Kristiyano at Muslim, bakit hindi tayo magsama-samang muli?
Kung Sa Bagay
Jose F. Lacaba
Wala akong maipapangako kundi pangako. Wala akong maibibigay kundi sakit ng ulo.
Speech During the 142nd Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
May diwa ng kabayanihan sa bawat isa sa atin. Kailangan lamang na isabuhay natin ito para na rin sa ating kapakanan at sa mga henerasyon pang darating.
Ipagbunyi ang Ika-40 Anibersaryo ng Kabataang Makabayan
Jose Maria Sison
Sinadya nating mga tagapagtatag na piliin ang karaarawan ni Andres Bonifacio bilang araw ng pagtatatag para parangalan ang kanyang pamumuno sa lumang demokratikong rebolusyon ng 1896...

Category: Filipiniana Online, Talumpati

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Broadway: Spelling Bee

Website | Libretto

spelling beeThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was not high on my list of musicals to see, but when I learned that Jose Llana, a Filipino who was in the original cast, was still performing in the show, I knew I had to see it... if only to justify what a series of posts on Broadway is doing on this blog =)

And so, I joined the lottery one day—and lost. I was thinking of going to TKTS or using a coupon, but I decided that trying out the $25 SRO tickets might be good for my soul. Big mistake. I can't help but think now that I might have enjoyed the show more if I were sitting down.

Anyway, the musical is worth seeing if you're a kid or a kid-at-heart, or have ever joined or won a spelling bee... like me <blush>. (Aside: Now you know why I have editor-itis LOL!)

It's really a spelling contest, but the personal lives of the participants are explored, too. Some of the transitions worked for me, but others were a bit forced in my opinion. And no, I don't remember any of the songs. But it is a funny show.

Their best gimmick was calling four members of the audience to be contestants at the start of the show. They were asked to spell relatively simple words. Two of the adults were eliminated after the first word ("j-i-h-a-a-d" and "m-e-x-i-c-i-a-n"; can you believe that?), but the last man standing was actually a boy, who was probably 10 years old.

The boy's first word was "cow." And since all the contestants had to ask that the word be used in a sentence, that's what he did. The answer? "Spell cow." And he did. But what was so amazing was that the boy was able to advance with less familiar words like "wanagan." It helped, of course, that he was asked to listen carefully while words were pronounced carefully. Then again, that didn't help the adults =)

And Jose Llana? He played the role of last's year's champ. I think he played it very well because I couldn't imagine that he was the same guy who was Lea Salonga's leading man in Flower Drum Song. He didn't quite look like a kid, but he was very much a kid.

Note: Don't get confused. This post should have been written while I was in New York. I'm in Toronto now.


Category: Broadway

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Filipina: Black Eyed Peas' Bebot Videos



Bebot is slang for babae, a Filipino word that may be translated into English as "woman" or "female." Or "hot chick," as the writer told MTV News.

The video above, aka "Generation One," is only one of two videos for "Bebot" by the Black Eyed Peas, one of whom happens to be Filipino. The other video, "Generation Two," features Jasmine Trias, Camile Velasco, and many more. Other videos regarding the making of the Bebot videos are available here.

It is, perhaps, appropriate that "Generation One" appeared on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Filipino sakadas in Hawaii (see "Singgalot and the Fourth of July"). To find out why the video was set in Stockton in 1936, read "Little Manila comes alive" by Ian Hill (Stockton Record, 4 August 2006). For more information on Stockton then and now, see Little Manila.

Finally, in celebration of Buwan ng Wika, I have translated the lyrics into English for the benefit of those who don't speak Tagalog. I know that doesn't quite make sense, but never mind =)


Bebot
Ikaw ang aking bebot
Ikaw ay Filipino

Hoy, pare, pakinggan niyo 'ko
Eto nang tunay na Filipino
Galing sa Barrio Sapangbato
Pumunta ng L.A., nagtrabaho

Para makatulong sa nanay
Dahil sa hirap ng buhay
Pero masaya pa rin ang kulay
Pag kumain nagkakamay

Yung kanin, chicken adobo
Yung balut, binebenta sa kanto
Tagay mo na nga ang baso
Pare ko, inuman na tayo

Masdan mo ang magagandang dalaga
Nakakagigil ang beauty mo talaga
Lambingin, di nakakasawa
Ikaw lang ang gustong makasama

Yung bahay o kubo
Pag-ibig mo ay totoo
Puso ko'y laging kumikibo
Wala kang katulad sa mundo ko

Pinoy ka, sigaw na, sige
Kung maganda ka, sigaw na, sige
Kung buhay mo'y mahalaga, sige
Salamat sa iyong suporta
Bebot
You are my woman
You are Filipino

Hey buddy, listen to me
Here’s a true Filipino
From Barrio Sapang Bato
Moved to L.A., and worked

To help out my mom
Because of the hard times
But I'm still happy with my color
I use my hands to eat

Rice and chicken adobo
Balut is sold at the street corner
Pass me a glass
Buddy, let’s start drinking

Watch the beautiful women
Your beauty is irresistible
I can't romance you enough
You're the only one I want to be with

Whether house or hut
Your love is true
My heart is always saying
You're the only one in my world

You're Pinoy, shout it out
If you're beautiful, shout it out
If your life is important
Thanks for your support

Category: Filipina

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