Afterthoughts

Day 1 of ASLP's ICT in Libraries:Trends, Security,Ethics has ended and a recap is able at the ASLP website here and here. Next week's column will be devoted to the topics covered in the seminar so I will not repeat it here.

We were a cozy bunch. Though we did not reach our target in terms of participants with the activity coming at the heels of CONSAL XIII, they were nevertheless receptive consisting of what I can label as the next-gen librarians.

The program couldn't have been arranged any better with US Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Bruce Armstrong's keynote and my lecture on IT fluency setting the stage for the more complex topics of security and free and open source software in libraries. All throughout the different presentations, it was oft repeated that librarians are not expected to become IT experts but it would be helpful in the performance of our duties to understand even the basic concepts of IT not only to survive in the information age but also to be able to use IT effectively in our daily lives.

As a resource person, I find it difficult to strike a balance in the content when addressing a mixed audience such as the one we had today. On one hand there were those who were receptive to IT and on the other hand there were those who got lost towards the end of my lecture.

There is truly much work to be done in terms of education and training librarians in information technology. But with some librarians shunning activities with the slightest hint of technology in them, how do we, who organize continuing education activities for them, entice them to attend? How do we break the barrier or to be blunt about it address their technophobia? These are the million peso questions.

The profession needs to mature in terms of opening up to cutting edge professional development activities. It was disheartening to hear stories about the participants of the recently concluded and much promoted CONSAL XIII who raved not about the content of the presentations but the quality and cost of items they bought from the flea market.

I rest my hope on the growing number of next-gen librarians to start building a counter-culture. That is if they are given the chance now for tomorrow may be too late.

Saved by a hairbrush

I was on my way home riding an FX taxi from the ASLP seminar on ICT for Libraries when a man boarded the taxi at the corner of Taft and Quirino Ave. squeezing himself in the middle row and sat next to me. I was deep in thought wrapping up today's event for the ASLP website and for my column for Manila Bulletin I had no idea my seatmate was dipping his hands into my bag already.

The couple beside me called out to the driver to stop which pulled me back to my senses. As I moved my bag, I noticed that the zipper was half open. I felt for my cellphone, zipped up my bag, made a gesture with my hand, and looked at the man beside me. I did all these in a matter of seconds. The man, acting innocently, withdrew his hand pretending to retrieve his ID. Then I told him to open the door as I was getting out. To my surprise, he also got off the taxi without paying his fare when earlier he showed no intention of doing so. He hurriedly crossed Taft Ave. and as I was following him with my eyes I saw him looking at a bus. When the coast was clear, I didn't see any sign of him and assumed he took a bus to the opposite direction.

Thanks to my hairbrush and my shades which was cramped in my bag, my cellphone wasn't taken. He must have had a hard time feeling for and pulling out my phone because the bristles got in the way. I was profusely thanking my angels for sparing me from what would have been a nerve wracking experience.

Lesson learned: be vigilant and extra careful especially inside public utility vehicles. These are tough times, indeed.

Do note fear tomorrow

This is not a doomsday advice. I actually thought of placing a colon between 'note' and 'fear' for added drama but that wouldn't do justice to the man who wrote these words.

Though Dean Alfar strongly suggested (or would pleaded be more appropriate?) to his audience, that included me, during his presentation at the 2nd iblog Summit not to quote him on his typo but this is too good to pass up on so Dean, if you're reading this, I'm sorry.

I have not seen a more animated speaker than Dean and I'm soooo glad I chose the Art & Literary Blogging Track over the Legal Track. Ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya. And I hope I get to practice some of the tips he gave. On my way home from the Summit, I almost missed my stop because my mind was churning out one topic after another. Ganun katindi yung epekto ni Dean sa kin. He virtually unlocked a part of my brain that was just waiting to be opened and for that I thank you. I have always believed I lacked the capacity for creative writing having confined myself to journalistic and academic writing but having listened to Dean, I guess all I have to do is to keep on practicing. And before I called it a night I was able to come up with seven, yes, seven topics!

My friend Zarah was also to deliver a talk on "Blogging as a Teaching Tool" and we were exchanging SMS of all days, Good Friday, regarding her presentation. I sensed her anxiety and assured her she was going to be all right. But after listening to Dean, this was all I could say to her in the hallowed hall that is the ladies room just before I entered the cubicle: "Ngayon naiintindihan ko na kung bakit ka anxious."

I will be writing more about the iblog Summit in MB this Monday but I leave you with these words from Dean: "Remember the past. Work today. Do note fear tomorrow". But what really struck me was when he repeated a number of times "Kung kaya ko, kaya nyo rin". Encouraging words from a man who has won eight Palanca Awards.

IELTS and future OFWs

I just wrapped up the second day of a 5-day weekend review course on IELTS (International English Language Testing System) for prospective health workers for the US and UK. The applicants have been shortlisted based on academic qualifications and work experience, and taking and passing the IELTS is just the first step in the processing of their applications.

It saddens me that of the 6 students I have, only 1 has the potential to pass the IELTS and be on his way to Florida to work as caregiver. Another two can make the grade if they keep on practicing the different skills and master the techniques of taking the test. But for the remaining three, they need more than practice; they need to undergo an intensive English refresher course. Previously, caregivers were not required to take the IELTS. But two months ago, the British government made it a requirement.

The applicants for the US need an overall band score of 6 and those for the UK need a 6.5. Should they fail to reach these scores, they will be illegible to apply for a working visa and along with it the demise of their dreams. And these just breaks my heart and what I can do besides do all I can to help them prepare for the test is to pray for them.

ICT in libraries seminar this month

The dust of CONSAL XIII has settled. If you did not attend it, like me, for whatever reason, and is looking for a seminar to attend ASLP has one slated this April 27 & 28.

The seminar is on ICT in Libraries: Trends, Security, Ethics. This will be held at Kimberly Hotel in Ermita a block away from Taft Avenue. ASLP's website is currently unavailable due to the high traffic the site has generated and thus exceeded the bandwidth allocation. Registration fee is 2,600 pesos but ASLP is offering a discounted rate of 2,400 pesos for registrants who will pay a 50% downpayment on or before April 15.

I've posted this before, so this just serves as a reminder. I'll be glad to furnish you more details. Just leave a comment to this post or leave a message in my tag board and I'll get in touch with you.

The 2nd LGU Web awards

Accepting the trophies of the 2nd LGU web awards from L-R:
Vice-Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado of Naga City, Vice-Mayor Dominador Rosales Jr.
of Pateros, Councilor Jose Tabada Jr. of Trinidad, Bohol, and Rex Mangalindan,
Head of Bulacan's Provincial IT Office (PITO)

The National Computer Center in partnership with the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communications conducted this year's 2nd annual eLGU web awards. The contest had two categories for provincial, city, and municipal levels: the NCC-Content Management System (CMS) and the independent category. The NCC-CMS category is for LGU websites that use NCC's website template with an online content management feature. The independent category is for LGUs that use other web development tools.

The municipality of Pateros bagged the NCC-CMS category. Winners for the independent category in their respective levels were: the Province of Bulacan, Naga City, and the municipality of Trinidad in Bohol. This is Naga City's 2nd award and should they win again next year, they will be elevated to the eLGU Hall of Fame.

I highly recommend that you visit the sites and see for yourself why they deserve to win. There is much hope in the country with eGovernance. It cuts red tape and promotes transparency.