Current school woes

The problem with an internet connection that sucks is that I'm unaware that I've already posted and it ends up duplicating entries...

Anyway, while I have a lot of ideas to post here, I have little free time now. It's my last semester and we're required 500 hours in our library practicum. I was assigned first in Cataloging, and the job requires me to read and scan books to determine the subject when assigning Dewey Decimal numbers for classification. I like it, though of course I find it much easier to catalog fiction than thick textbooks. So next week I hope I get more diverse material than books. We're gonna be working in the library system of our school, then for 2 weeks at SEAFDEC Library in Tigbauan.

2 subjects left, though. There's still PE, Swimming, and I'm grateful that the teacher is kind and knows how to build up people like me who don't know how to swim. There's still Spanish 2, which I could've finished in my last school. It's required in my course too, I just hope I've retained things from before. Final obstacles to overcome before graduating on March 2014.

That's all. Odd when I only realized how much free time I've been wasting when most of the day's hours are spent on working.

One thing I also realized that choosing this course was a right decision. The teachers and librarians are the most supportive I know, I love learning new things here, and I like working in places with lots of books. Really, the first time I heard of LIS was from a librarian's blog who said she had her dream job of cataloging anime and manga in her university. I thought, "Well, I could do that!" While there's no manga in Henry Luce III Library, the books there are great, especially the Filipiniana section with a wide selection of all kinds of Filipino books. I'm also thinking that if I ever enroll in a Master's degree it would still be in CPU so I can still borrow stuff from Henry Luce!

(Most of my fave books ever, I borrowed from libraries.)

LIS bulletin board's new look for next semester.

Yesterday's earthquake was intense. I hope people I know are okay.
- - -
Last Monday me and a classmate changed the BLIS bulletin board in the College of Education, second floor of Old Valentine building at CPU. The text is from the LIS section of myfootpath.com. Of course, I couldn't resist putting a picture of Kakashi reading in there.

 

On the middle is this 'night at the library' wallpaper (with Harry Potter, Alice, Pooh, and other fictional characters who have story-telling sessions between the shelves when no one's there):

Another library tour around Iloilo

The tour yesterday (Sept. 27) was supposed to be for the second-years only, but included all BLIS students so each of us can pay lesser for the trip. Not that exciting but tiring, and except for 2 places (stops 2 & 4) I’ve been in most of them. The other schools were cancelled due to heavy rains. We went to UP Miag-ao, Makinaugalingon Press, San Agustin, Provincial Libray, and Museo Iloilo.

Stop 1: UPV Miag-ao Library
Been here, studied here, have borrowed memorable books here. I realized that as a previous library user only, it’s difficult to see the everyday nitty-gritty details of library work (hence the “librarians have it easy” misconception). University librarians are a busy lot: accreditation, buying books, budgeting, processing books, reader’s services, updating databases...

When I go to other university libraries I can’t help but compare it to how much Henry Luce III Library of our school lags behind when it comes to technology. Sure, we have a good security system and extensive collections, but the library database isn’t fully utilized and experienced programmers are lacking. I’d like quick check-in, automatic book return, and automated log-in I see in other schools, where students don’t have to write their names but only scan their IDs.

UP Libraries I will always see as the best example to follow when it comes to IT. They have a very good database developed by themselves (iLib). CPU is using Destiny, and there is an expensive subscription to pay for that. Most students complain about the library fee and don’t realize what they’re paying for (that’s why they are told where it goes during orientations, but with the thousands of students in CPU I guess only a handful of freshmen attend).

The best software I found UPV librarians use is their modified version of CDS-ISIS. It is for academic texts such as theses, papers, and journal articles and is useful for those doing research. Abstracts are important, it’s what researchers will first read in order to determine if the whole study or text will be useful for them, and students have the option to print it for their use. ISIS is actually an old software from the 90s but they updated it. CPU had it but it’s gone. As someone writing a thesis now, it was difficult to sort through too many physical hard-bound theses because the library didn’t have an adequate database.

Actually, theses can also be accessed by the OPAC, but I find CDS-ISIS more convenient because it is specialized for research works. On the OPAC, there is still the mess of other library resources included and sorting through that is a hassle.

(Which reminds me that if I eventually have a career as a librarian, I’d have to study more about computers. The curriculum of BLIS in CPU is now revised for more IT subjects, and we’re in the old curriculum.)

Stop 2: Makinaugalingon Printing Press
Toured through the details of a printing business. They have two creative departments for designing: one for school yearbooks, another for the rest. We went up a dark room where they print the image plate to use for actual reproduction, then to the many printing machines smelling of ink. Last stop was the binding area where there were large, odd machines for cutting, folding, sewing, binding, and covering books.

Stop 3: University of San Agustin Library & Archives
For me, this library has the best design of all libraries in the city I’ve been in, with large wooden desks and old chairs that look like they’re from another era but are comfortable. There are classic-looking pillars within the reading area, supporting a high ceiling, and the walls are lined with paintings of important friars, national heroes, and famous writers... giving both an inspiring and intimidating effect. The collection and electronic databases are used and promoted effectively. The library is almost full and one can see many students using the library.

Stop 4: Iloilo Provincial Library
The Iloilo Library has been transferred so many times that we were not sure where it was. Can you guess where it is? Pass? It’s under the bleachers of the Iloilo Sports Complex! It was transferred only recently, and the place is temporary. Who knows where it will be next. The librarian herself is irritated, but well, you know the government.

It was good, actually. They have a book mobile program that travels to areas which don’t have access to books. Inside, there are separate sections for: Children’s, Periodicals, Government documents, General Collection, and Archives. The only problem I can see is lack of promotion or marketing to the citizens. After all, most who know about it are government employees too (but even then, I wonder if they know where it is).

Stop 5: Museo Iloilo
The artifacts are the same since I was a kid who took art workshops here. But they have repainted the place, rearranged the old saints, put up nicer-looking infographics. The new thing I liked is the floor to ceiling hanging cloth paintings of an ancient Philippine map, a Pintados, and a man in colonial clothing. The best thing to see is the gallery, they have new exhibits from Ilonggo artists every few months.

So u wanna be a librarian? Thoughts from librarians in the city.

I was typing the results of our survey for Research, on career personality types and job satisfaction among librarians in Iloilo City. Actually, there are only around 60 professional, licensed librarians in the city and most are working in universities. It is not a popular course, and few people are aware it exists except those already working in libraries. Thanks to the librarians who have taken the time to answer, and most of their answers are eloquent and well-written. It is good to know that the majority enjoy their jobs, it makes me think I made the right choice. Here are my top 5 favorite answers:

1. This was the longest. I liked it, the respondent even typed and printed it! Such a generous and nice answer. (Also, I can relate, I shifted from another course and this person shifted to another career.)

"YES, I am very satisfied with my current job and I am pretty sure that I made the right career choice. Shifting from Research Assistant in the field of Fisheries to a College Librarian of a prestigious university was one of the major decisions I made in my life. Before jumping in the field of Librarianship, I was in a great dilemma on whether to disregard all the time, effort, and energy I spent in building a career in the field of fisheries and start again from scratch with a new career. However, after a few years of working in the field of fisheries, I have learned and realized that the career was not really meant for me. I was no longer happy with what I’m doing and I could not imagine myself working outdoor my whole life, so I decided to look for something that would suit my personality and lifestyle. Timely enough, I was hired by UPV Library to organize their fisheries materials that came from Diliman Library. This opportunity helped me finally decide to change my career path.
          What I like most about being a Librarian is the nature of the work itself. Unlike fisheries where I have to spend most of my time working outdoor, in library science I have to work mostly indoor. I am able to interact with different kinds of clients – from students, faculty, administrators, and researchers both outside and inside the university campus. I could act as a teacher to them or a friend that could help them in their information needs, but at the same time making this opportunity in enhancing my skills in librarianship.
          For every questions answered or needs addressed, a different sense of fulfilment is felt. Self satisfaction is achieved every time I see the smiling faces and hear the gratefulness of the clients I served. This also serves as a measure of my work performance and an assurance to me that I’m doing my work well and that I’m on the right track on becoming an effective and efficient librarian of the organization where I belong." (UPV)

2. Librarianship can be a health hazard...
"Yes, I enjoy my work. However, my health has been affected because of the environment and stress in the technical section. We have been provided with a small air conditioned working area where books are being processed, including re-cataloging of our DDC to LC classification. So dust is accumulated and circulating in the office. I acquired allergy, asthma, and pneumonia." (USA)

3. It is fun!
"Yes! Absolutely satisfied. Being a librarian means I have the freedom to be interested in anything and everything. For me, being a librarian is never boring. It’s a social profession. I realized that the work of a librarian is a very interesting one, but every now and then I have to remind myself that librarianship is a noble profession and a lot of fun." (JBLU)

4. Everyday is a learning experience when we deal with knowledge and information
"I may have accidentally discovered librarianship as a profession, for it has not reached popularity the time I studied it. But at this point, in my more than ten years in the profession, I can say that I am satisfied with my current job and choice of career. This profession/career may not bring you a flowing material wealth, but as a librarian/information specialist, who wouldn't grow professionally and intellectually when you constantly deal with knowledge, information, research, etc.?" (USA)

5. Challenging!
"Yes, I am happy with my career choice. There are many challenges but if you face these challenges and look at it positively, you will be able to handle them and eventually give the best solutions. I experienced difficulties especially when we are under-staffed, but because I love my profession and enjoyed serving my students, the faculty, etc., you don’t count the extra hours. What is important is at the end of the day, you are happy and contented because you have made your customers happy, too. It is also one way of encouraging them to visit the library more often and use the resources independently." (USA)

That's it! I enjoyed working on this. For the first time, I look forward to writing the rest of the paper.