In "70 Library Hubs and still counting," Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 9 August 2008) summarizes the latest developments regarding Library Hub. Perhaps the most interesting news—especially for unemployed librarians—is that, "after two years of discussions, the licensed librarian post was finally approved by the Department of Education." This could mean that as many as 70 licensed librarians may be needed across the country as soon as the approval becomes reality.
Right now, most of the 70 hubs are still not operational, and Cruz expresses hope that, "between the preparation of the required physical space and the delivery of books, the public support will remain constant and unwavering." I, too, hope that the dream turns into reality, but I wonder about the "public support" to which she refers. As far as I can tell, there is no tangible support from the public for the establishment and operation of libraries. What we have are a few good men and women—including Cruz, who keeps on writing about Library Hub—working within their spheres of influence to promote the idea that libraries are necessary.
The State of Library Hub
Passion for Libraries: Hubs and Hugs
Update as of 16 September 2007: I missed another more recent article: "How to Build a Library Hub" by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 14 September 2007). The title says it all =)"Raising Filipino literacy" by Blooey Singson (Manila Bulletin, 13 September 2007) is an ok article, but I don't know that anyone, after reading the article, would be moved to do anything about the fact that, "About one in every 10 Filipinos cannot read or write." Facts, quotes and statistics are abundant, but the author probably should have kept in mind this saying: "Do your homework and know your facts, but remember it's passion that persuades."
In contrast, "Library Hugs" by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 3 July 2007)—which I missed when it first came out—has an intriguing title (and not just because it has the word "library" in it) and very few facts, quotes and statistics. (Note: The online version's title is different from the printed version's.)
True, Cruz was writing an opinion column, but Singson's article appeared in the "Youth & Campus" section, which I guess means it's for younger readers. Then again, maybe the difference lies in the fact that the authors are writing for different newspapers with different editorial policies. Whatever the case may be, I'll just leave it up to readers to decide which one is more effective—based on their understanding of the two writers' objectives.
What can librarians learn from these two articles? Please don't get me wrong. Facts, quotes and statistics are important, too, but they need to be used appropriately.
Video: Juan Miguel Luz on Library Hub
He attributes the continued spread of Library Hubs all over the country not to money but to the leadership of Beverly Gonda and DepEd undersecretary Teodosio Sangil, Jr., which only proves once more my thesis regarding money and leadership.
Meeting Luz was one of the many things that make me glad I went to the Books Across Southeast Asia conference organized by the Book Development Association of the Philippines, which had a substantial number of librarians among the panelists and the audience.
In a few hours, I will be a panelist on "Reading Literacy Campaigns in the Region," though my focus will be on Internet access to libraries. And, of course, since there will be publishers in the audience, I'll be asking whether they know C.S. Canonigo. Then, I'll be attending a copyright session in the afternoon. Guess what I'll ask during the open forum? =)
Library Hub: Update from an Insider
by Riko Vinluan
This update on Library Hub was provided by the author upon my request.
The Naga Library Hub is working now. Public school libraries have adopted our information system, but I don't know if the system is working at the library level because there is a lack of trained IT staff in DepEd divisions. We are circulating books, but I am very strict with the divisions, especially regarding the circulation of books. I set up a reading program, a concrete project to ensure that the books being circulated will be used in the classroom.
Problems cropped up, however, when the books were distributed to the schools. There were teacher-librarians who, perhaps due to overloading, did not really distribute the books in their schools. The books stayed in their classrooms, and were underutilized. So what I am doing right now is continuing to monitor the use of the books. I believe this is the opportunity to consider the hiring of professional librarians for the public schools.
With the release of funding from the World Bank intended for the Library Hubs, public officials in different parts of the country have begun extolling the virtues of the project. Here's hoping it will not be politicized and that its objective of promoting the use of reading and making every child a reader will be achieved.
More Support for Library Hub
House Deputy Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas said the “warehouse-type large-volume libraries” for the public-school system will go a long way to improve basic education and strengthen English language skills among students.This is good news, of course, but the fact that we're getting "praise" releases, instead of hard news, makes me uncomfortable. And, unlike the last press release, this one is not identified as such.
—"Gullas makes a pitch for P1.5-B library hubs" by Miguel Antonio de Guzman (Manila Times, 4 December 2006)
Category: Libraries—Public Schools
Support for Library Hub Continues
In line with the thrust of the Department of Education (DepEd) to make every Filipino child a reader by grade three, Secretary Jesli Lapus has pushed for the establishment of library hubs nationwide.
"Education chief pushes for establishment of library hubs"
(Sun.Star Manila, 15 October 2006)
It's good to know that Jesli Lapus, the new DepEd secretary, supports Library Hub. It's interesting, however, that the press release does not mention former undersecretary Miguel Luz at all.
Category: Libraries—Public Schools
Threats Can Be Opportunities
The following news may be seen as good or bad, depending on how the reader views them. Are they, in fact, threats or opportunities?
"Mike Luz quits DepEd" by Yvonne Chua (Inside PCIJ, 22 April 2006)
Former DepEd undersecretary Miguel Luz was the man behind Library Hub. His neither-here-nor-there status since he got into trouble with the current administration for sticking to his principles put the future of Library Hub in doubt. Well, there's no doubt anymore: Library Hub is in serious trouble. I just hope the opportunists don't turn what might have been a wonderful opportunity into another scam."Raising reading-friendly kids" by Amor Maclang (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 23 April 2006)
Read this article for practical tips on how to "teach" kids to love books: Choose to be around books. Look for books wherever you are. When choosing a caregiver, pick one who likes to teach and read simple books to your kid. Check out a school’s reading selection. Make reading fun. Include books in your toy budget allocation. Network with well-read friends and mothers on their book finds and selections."Can a Thriller Be Both Fair and Fun?" by Richard Corliss (Time, 24 April 2006)
"Turn the glare of publicity into a proselytizing opportunity." That's Opus Dei's strategy regarding The Da Vinci Code's upcoming release as a movie. Opus Dei is one of the most conservative groups in the Catholic Church, but I have to agree that the best way to deal with a perceived problem is to turn it into an opportunity. That's what some Bible scholars are doing, instead of fighting the book or the movie—or, as some have done in other religions, calling for the death of the author."Volunteer storytellers reviving kids' interest in reading" by Julie M. Aurelio (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 24 April 2006)
Manolo Silayan, a pioneer of Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines, has told librarians, "You're librarians! You should be fun and wear party hats! Librarians should not be stereotyped as dusty, cranky people." True?
Category: In the News
More on Library Hub
In "Library Hub," I mentioned that there might be problems in continuing the DepEd project now that Miguel Luz, its chief proponent, is not with DepEd anymore. An article in Philippine Star gives some hope when it indicates that Ralph Recto, a senator, is supporting the creation of library hubs all over the country. The word "librarian," unsurprisingly, does not appear anywhere in the article.
The link to the article is provided below, but since Philippine Star links "die" very quickly, I have also copied the full text so that others can still read the article when the link dies.
"3 in 4 recent elementary grad [sic] can’t read"
By Sandy Araneta
Philippine Star, 6 November 2005
Recto, vice chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said the library hubs will be like "book depots" that will serve surrounding schools.
He said the government will spend P120 million to build the first batch of these "textbook centrals and reading malls."
Based on the DepEd briefer on the project which was submitted to the Senate, each hub will contain an initial 50,000 books.
They will serve as "wholesome libraries that will lend books by the hundreds to elementary schools to promote in-school reading program," the DepEd said.
To augment each library’s inventory, government is encouraging the private sector to donate books and to defray the cost of running it.
"Donations are of course tax deductible," Recto said.
A regional education learning center of RELC, on the other hand, will serve as "a regional base for in-service training and the development of indigenous instructional materials."
"They’ll serve as workshops for the creation of books that serve local needs," Recto explained.
He said the government plans to build 300 library hubs in the next few years.
He has proposed that each library be named after a deceased local writer, to honor his work and to make him a model for the young.
"For example, the one in Manila can be named after Nick Joaquin, and in Quezon City, after Franz Arcellana. If one will be put up in Pangasinan, it can be called the Carlos Bulosan Library. The Davao hub can be in honor of Alfrredo Navarro Salanga. Pateros children may soon be borrowing books from the Eman Lacaba public library," Recto said.
"The list is endless. The best way to honor our writers is to name after them places where children go to read," he added.
The DepEd recently partnered with Dole Asia Ltd. to institute the Library Hub Project inDavao City.
Dole official John Dioquino pledged P2 million in support of the DepEd’s "Every Child a Reader by Grade 3" program.
Under the agreement, DepEd launched the Library Hub Project to bring books to public schools nationwide and make every Filipino child a reader.
Warehouse libraries with an adequate number of storybooks and supplementary reading materials will be set up in over 180 school divisions nationwide within a period of five years.
These wholesale libraries will be stocked with at least 10,000 to 25,000 books in smaller divisions, to as many 50,000 to 200,000 in larger divisions.
Since the establishment of libraries in over 40,000 public schools is prohibitive in cost, the DepEd’s system-wide solution is to partner with local government units, non-government organizations, and private corporations such as Dole Asia, former undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz said.
Category: Libraries—Public Schools
Library Hub
"Hub of young readers" by Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 31 October 2005) is proof that the Department of Education's Library Hub (pdf) is finally taking off. If FedEx can utilize the hub-and-spoke system to ensure the timely delivery of packages around the world, then surely DepEd can implement a similar system to ensure that public schools that can't afford to set up their own libraries have a means to "borrow" books for their students.
This, however, is not as easy as it sounds. Politics, of course, just reared its ugly head... as usual. Undersecretary Miguel Luz, the proponent of the project, is currently in career limbo due to the President's unspecified dissatisfaction with his performance. While the article states that Luz has "given word that the Library Hub should continue," it is a reality that budgets tend to get frozen and supporters become uncooperative once project sponsors lose favor with the higher-ups. I hope this does not happen to the Library Hub.
On a lesser note, I'm just wondering why librarians don't seem to have a role in the training sessions that have been conducted. Could it be that librarians really have nothing to contribute to the participants' understanding of the Library Hub?
But don't mind me. Let's just pray that this project takes off beyond the pilot hubs.
Category: Libraries—Public Schools
