A School Library for the Community

A School Library for the Community

Regional Conference on School Librarianship: Directions for the Future of School Libraries

April 26-27, 2012

BackgroundOne of the thrusts of the Ateneo de Manila

University is nation building.The Rizal Library believes that one of the

strategies to achieve this goal is helping build, develop and enhance school and public libraries. Thus it regularly donates used and new books, computers, software, shelves and other furniture to needy libraries in partnership with other organizations.

Objective of the PaperThis paper is a report on joint school and

public library where the Rizal library played a major role on its establishment and maintenance.

This library is the St. Ignatius Library in San Isidro Nueva Ecija

RationaleThe Rizal Library believes that

access to information will broaden the horizons and empower the individual and the community.

It also believes in proving access to information outside the four walls of the library .

The St. Ignatius Library

St. Ignatius LibraryThe joint public and school library is located

inside the school compound and is open to the students and the general public.

The community it serves is composed of students, teachers, farmers. OFWs, health workers, etc.

It was built by the community and provides services that the community wanted.

St Ignatius Library

St Ignatius Library

Services The library provides:

access to reading materialsaccess to the InternetAssistance to users in looking for jobs,

using the Internet, learning more about their business,

Reading lessons for non-readersA venue for training housewives on

health and other issues

Role of the Rizal LibraryAssisted in the Cataloguing Trained the Staff Provided books,Furniture, softwareAnd hardware

Role of the Local GovernmentThe local government through the

Mayor of San Isidro provided the funds for the: Salaries of the staff of the library Supplies and materialsUtilities maintenance

Role of the SchoolIt provided the lot to build the

libraryIt provided trainors for internet and

computer trouble shootingIt encouraged its students to use the

resources of the library

Role of other partnersProvided construction materialsProvided information resourcesProvided computers and access to

the InternetProvided technical expertise in the

construction of the building

AccomplishmentsThe St Ignatius Library was able to provide

service to different groups of users. It helped overcome social inequality in accessing information because everyone was welcome and services were free.

The Home-school relations was strengthened because the parents of the students were able to use the library in the school. Students and parents were learning together.

Problem For two years the St. Ignatius library was

operating well. The users were happy with their new library and access to the Internet. It was recognized as one of the outstanding libraries in the province of Nueva Ecija.

After the local elections however, everything changed. The mayor replaced the staff with political appointees and soon after closed the library to the public.

SolutionWith the help of DepEd management

of the library was transferred to the school.

The old services to the community was restored with the help of teachers of the school

Lessons learnedThe community can help build the

library so that they feel a sense of ownership for the library

The collection should be relevant to the potential users of the community.

The LGU cannot be depended upon to manage and maintain the library because of changes in leadership

Lessons LearnedThe school library can be opened to

the public so that more people can benefit

A joint public and school library is best managed by the school.

Thank You!Lourdes T. DavidDirectorRizal LibraryAteneo de Manila

[email protected]