DLSU LIBRARIES - 3RD WEEK
- CHRISTIAN NOE BONGALBAL
- Apr 5, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 8, 2025
(MARCH 03 TO MARCH 07)
A. MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES
This week has been the most tiring week since it required more physical tasks and adroitness. But I did enjoy it as I had the opportunity to explore the Digital Scholarship Initiatives, the Archives, and the American Corner Manila of the institution. During my first two days in the DSI, formerly known as the Multimedia section, I will not forget how challenging it is to re-check and re-evaluate the CD collection, which is so massive.
I needed to crouch to pull out those that are deemed for discarding, which made Sir Alfred and Sir Yong give me a break. I also had the opportunity to assess the previous theses and dissertations of graduate students on the disk form.
However, when I checked it on a DVD writer, only one disk was readable. On top of all of this, I am so happy that I have experienced performing an encapsulation with Miss Christine, Sir Louie, Miss Ana, Miss Gianina and Miss Vivian’s assistance. Like I said, it was so tiring as it needed a sufficient amount of dexterity to cut a very huge mylar sheet, which unfortunately, I cut my finger in the process.
I also did a correspondence of letters of DLSU’s former brother-president, Andrew Gonzalez. I also loved encoding the previous records of alumni, which is under records management. Lastly, the one I enjoyed the most was the American Corner with Miss Roana, where I had the opportunity to reshelve their American collection, including numerous board games, be a member of American Spaces Manila, take up online courses, and see how American Spaces Manila functions as a whole.
B. LESSONS LEARNED
As I continued my internship here, I was constantly reminded how multi-faceted the profession is. It called out to me how we tend to perform jobs that others are not aware of, like cutting mylar sheets or even hosting an online event.
All of these are just minor details of what librarians are all about. Furthermore, as I was assigned to the archives section, I suddenly remembered our previous discussions on how important archives are in preserving the culture and institutional history of an organization.
The correspondence we did and the vast archival documents of DLSU libraries are proof of that fact. However, Sir Louie made me realize that others may have thought of an archive as just a stock room, which is not, because he mentioned that there are materials there that should not be archival worthy at all. When that case occurred, there came their criticism and evaluation.
Also, Miss Roana mentioned that future librarians must be skilled in multiple ways. They should not only be knowledgeable on cataloging, indexing, or the technical aspects of the profession, but they should also know how to talk to other organizations, build networks and linkages, and host events. She even emphasized that librarians must be quick with resolving problems as failure to do so may affect the whole process, crucially if it’s a major event.
C. BEST PRACTICES/FEATURES OF THE LIBRARY
One of the notable features or practices of the library I have discovered this week is how they still have an entire collection of films, documentaries, and movies. They also have various multi-media devices available in DSI that are allowed for check-in and check-out. Sir Alfred introduced me to those when I did my exercises there.
Also, in the archives section, I appreciated how they have certain rooms or shelves per donations or provenance, which is important in respecting and preserving the structure, content, and context of the material. The way they also allowed the interns to experience the encapsulation is also one of the best practices they have as they allow first-hand experience for us to absorb and familiarize.
The American Corner, which is under the American Spaces here in the Philippines, is my highlight this week as the DLSU Libraries are the only academic library in Metro Manila that provides its services. It is also accessible to everyone; however, they must follow the procedure by starting with going to the American Corner in DLSU.
Also, I had the opportunity to glimpse how DLSU recognizes and values the time and effort everyone exerts for renovation, as Miss Roana discussed the current progress and plans of the ongoing reconstruction of the American Corner, from the budget to the contract signing, interior planning, and actual construction.
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