Mr. Joseph Yap talks about the effects of libraries to society.
Mapúa Institute of Technology’s library in Intramuros, Manila celebrated the 78th National Book Week from November 20 to 23, 2012 with activities aimed at promoting the library, books and reading as critical instruments for development.
In line with this year’s theme, “Libraries: Effects on Society,” the activities ranged from forums and trainings to photo exhibit and games.
On the first day of the celebration, Mr. Joseph Yap, associate librarian at De La Salle University, discussed the effects of libraries on society during his talk.
He emphasized that libraries shape old and modern societies by acquiring, organizing and preserving facts and other information.
Trainings to teach faculty and students on how to use databases ScienceDirect and Ebscohost were held on the second day. These trainings were conducted to help library users get more relevant, targeted search results for their research and studies.
Librarians from Mapúa, Colegio de San Juan de Letran and FEATI University gathered in Intramuros to attend a training dubbed as the “21st Century Library Customer Service.” The resource person was Mr. Carlos Eclevia of LibTech Source Philippines.
Prof. Mariano Dela Cruz, top library borrower, receives a certificate, privilege card and an 8GB flash disk.
“Excellence comprises care, dedication, and passion, and is pursued by those who are prepared to go the extra mile,” he said.
He also emphasized that libraries are “service organizations that must adapt, evolve, and change as users continue to learn to use new tools and ways to communicate and receive information.”
Mapúa Library opened a photo exhibit, the “Balik-Tanaw: Mapúa History through Photos,” featuring old and rarely seen photographs of the Institute from the year 1940 onwards.
It provided a venue for librarians to promote Mapúa Library as repository of institutional, historical and cultural heritage, and to ask help from alumni and former employees in enriching its archival collection.
Other activities during the Book Week celebration were fun games such as Library Henyo, Minute-to-Win-it and Pick-and-Win, awarding of top library borrowers and users, donate-a-book drive and free book covering service.
This year’s organizers were members of the Information, Education and Campaign Committee.
