NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE PHILIPPINES - WEEK 2
- CHRISTIAN NOE BONGALBAL
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 13
(MAY 26 to MAY 30)
A. MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES
I started this week feeling like I am on pins and needles as we continue our work in the Research and Publications Divisions. I was kind of pressured, but on the good side, we managed to publish and pass our required quota of videos and publication materials. And I am so glad to hear such words from Miss Melai, as she was impressed by how we were able to manage to pull off the things she wanted.
After my mission in RPD, we proceeded with the Public Library Division, which is a mistake that we only realized after we were done with the said division. We were two days early since it was scheduled to be on Thursday and Friday (May 29-30), but we rendered our hours there earlier (Tuesday and Wednesday).
But on PLD, we were divided into two groups, where Danie and Nica were tasked to create PowerPoint presentations about Training for Public Libraries affiliated with NLP, while I was directed to encode the property transfer report for newly acquired and donated books for the future affiliated public libraries with NLP. Also, since we kind of skipped the Collection Development Division, we were asked by Ma’am Xenia if we wanted to still wanted to experience CDD, and we will extend and we will render our two days as volunteers in RD, or the hours we will spend in RD will be counted.
We volunteered, and that was the best decision I made so far in NLP. I get to familiarize the circulation area more, and what I will always remember is when Danie and I conversed with a foreigner about maps and the Philippines, and a returning patron told me that I was “sad and empty inside.” Kidding aside, I enjoyed this week.
B. LESSONS LEARNED
What resonated with me during this week is how challenging leadership is. I was able to pull off and prove to Miss Melai and myself that I am a good leader. I am also grateful for Danie and Nica because we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, making our task distribution and performance easier. Along with this realization, I was able to explore more sides of myself and my skills, as I channel my inner “Inka Magnaye” during our recording process.
I also remembered that when I was alone in the Public Library Divisions, I enjoyed being exposed to the property transfer report as Sir Miguel narrates to me how public libraries, barangay reading centers, local and municipal libraries, receive perks and donations from NLP. However, I am ambivalent about that matter as no matter how numerous books and donations were being distributed by NLP, municipal and local libraries, even barangay reading centers do not par with what the society needs. Even in our barangay, the local government, and even the SK, do not take this seriously. Nevertheless, I am also hopeful that more public libraries will be established in the future. But the highlight of my realization this week is that: “always own up to your mistakes.” This week, we made the mistake of going to PLD instead of CDD first, causing difficulties with our schedule. I, myself, admitted to Ma’am Xenia that I haven’t checked the schedule, resulting in my co-interns getting involved. Gratefully, Ma’am Xenia allowed us to still experience CDD for the next weeks, and have our supposed schedule on CDD this week as volunteers in the Reading Area.
C. BEST PRACTICES/FEATURES OF THE LIBRARY
As this week passed by, NLP continues to fascinate me with things and practices that I only discovered and greatly appreciated in their library. First, when we are in RPD, the books and materials we showcase and source in our publications are solely from their collections. This is to ensure that NLP and its resources are fully utilized and are marketed well. Also, even though Miss Melai wanted certain things in our output, she let us have creative freedom, which I think is an important and commendable practice in this internship program, as we develop initiative and independence as we accomplish any given task. I also like how they
Have different subdivisions in the Public Libraries Division, including field libraries, where librarians get to travel in the country, ensuring and persuading municipalities and cities to establish libraries, and the affiliations, monitoring, and evaluation, where affiliation and networking of public libraries to the NLP occur. The transfer of donations and newly acquired books is also under this sub-office. Then they also have a section/subdivision that caters to training for personnel who are affiliated with public libraries. I also commend that these trainings were simplified and sometimes tailored to the level of understanding of the staff on library processes, but also being careful not to undermine what Article IV of RA No. 9246 states. Their practice of securing the donated materials through the property transfer report (PTR) is remarkable as it covers the number of titles, volumes, and responsibilities of the NLP and the affiliated libraries (Please refer to the following photos).
They also ensure that respective offices have a copy of the PTR to ensure the validity and security of the transfer process. This includes the National Library of the Philippines, the NLP’s Accounting Office, the Public Libraries Division, the Affiliated Library, and the Commission on Audit. I also “planted” books, which I never had the chance to ask why it was called planting, but simply, it’s just sorting and stacking books to ensure they are on the right shelf or collection. Maybe because the way it was done resembles that of planting rice or anything.
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