AKLAT AT AKLATAN: KAAGAPAY SA AKTIBONG
KARUNUGAN
TUNGO SA PAMBANSANG KAUNLARAN
by
Milagros Santos-Ong
2003 National Book Week: Aklat at Aklatan: Kaagapay
sa Aktibong Karunungan Tungo sa Pambansang Kaunlaran..”
November 25 2003, Cathedral Heights, E. Rodriguez Sr., Blvd., Quezon City.
I.
INTRODUCTION
A. Theme
The theme for this year’s National Book Week “AKLAT AT
AKLATAN: KAAGAPAY SA AKTIBONG KARUNUGAN TUNGO SA
PAMBANSANG KAUNLARAN” states the vital role of book and
libraries to nation building or national development. The beauty of the
Pilipino language as one translates this message into English. Individual
interpretation is allowed. To be able to know its true message in English, it
must be taken as a whole or in its totality since there are words that cannot
be translated literally in English. What is the literal translation of Aktibong
Karunungan, Active Knowledge? Fr. Leo English Tagalog-English
dictionary does not include the word Kaagapay. My own interpretation of
this year’s theme is “Books and Libraries: Partners to the Search of
Continuing Knowledge towards National Development.”
There is no question that books Aklat (Books), and Aklatan
(Libraries), are indeed the partners to Aktibong Kunlaran (Knowledge)
which eventually redound to Pambansang Kaunlaran (National Development
or a Nation’s Progress). However, books, and libraries do not per se result
to acquisition of knowledge and will not automatically translate to its final
objective of national development. There are important qualities or
ingredients needed. Let us discuss each of them according to the three main
categories:
a. Books
Let me first qualify two things. First, by books, I
also include other reading materials such as magazines, periodicals,
pamphlets etc. Secondly, books and other printed materials are now in two
forms: “printed,” and those electronically available such as the E-Books,
the Internet, CDs,Videos and those in microfilms or microforms. There
are some books, magazines and journals are in printed forms with CDs.
Books are not just kaagapay or partners to obtain
knowledge. Books are THE pangunahing pinanggagalingan or source of
knowledge. They ensure quality education, and literacy. This is the
universally accepted role of books. In developing or less developed
countries including the Philippines, government and even civic minded
associations, organizations and individuals sponsor projects which aim to
provide books to the remotes member of each country’s population. Books
are donated either to the libraries directly or to the schools. Asia Foundation
is a donor of important books to schools, universities and even extending
to law libraries. The Books for the Barrios (BftB) have been giving books
to the country’s public elementary and secondary schools since 1990. This
year and article in the Manila Bulletin dated October 30, 2003, stated that
they have donated five (5) million books. Bevil Mabey Study Foundation in
line with “Tulay ng Pangulo Project” has donated reference books to
public schools and the most recent recipient is the Pag-asa Elementary
School. Even SM has a donate a book project. The city of Makati has two
book projects. The first donated books, and chairs to public schools in the
municipalities of Agoo, La Union, and Goa, Camarines Sur and the city of
Sagay, Negros Occidental. The second project of Makati is the “Reading
Together Club (RTC). With the availability of books, the goal of
education and literacy for national development will not be achieved
without the following vital ingredients:
1. Reading
What good will it be if there are Books but they are not read?
This is a universal problem in which each government, international
organization such as the UNESCO, civil organizations, educational
authorities and even librarians are continuously addressing. In this regard
the educational system and several programs are continuously being
undertaken to stimulate and sustain reading habits, and promote the love
for reading and the art of effective reading. The UNESCO during the
International Book Year of 1972 launched the “Books for All” which
specifically provided the promotion of reading habit as one of its principal
objectives. IFLA for its part had “Reading in a Changing World” as its
theme for its annual session held in Budapest. In June 1982, the UNESCO
World Congress on Books adopted as its overall aim “Towards a Reading
Society” and “emphasized the need to create a reading environment in all
types and at all levels of society.” Reading is perceived as one of the
stumbling block to education and reduction of illiteracy. Education is a key
to the growth of a nation. The latest of said programs that I have come
across is the Reading Together Club of Makati which aims to rekindle the
love for reading which is considered as a fundamental literacy skill. In the
United States, “the Books Connect Project aims to support the development
of new creative partnerships between libraries, museums and the arts using
books and reading as a launch pad to develop new audiences and new
venues for reading inspired creativity.
Reading is the main ingredient in learning and for one’s
enjoyment in improving one’s knowledge. “It is the means by which a
literate person can gain access to the vast and varies supply of knowledge
and experiences that are preserved in written form,” (1) in book form or
electronically.
The book of William Gray and Bernice Rogers on the “Maturity
in Reading” list the following reasons for reading:
“As a ritual, or from force of habit
From a sense of duty
Merely to fill in or kill time
To know and understand current happenings
For immediate personal satisfaction or value
To meet practical demands of daily living
To further avocation interests
To carry on and promote professional or vocational
interest
To meet personal-social demands
To meet socio-civil needs and demand (good
citizenship)
For self-development or improvement, including
extension of cultural background
To satisfy strictly intellectual demands
To satisfy spiritual needs.”
Despite the above reasons, there are people read do not read,
others put less priority in reading or while others do not read at all. There
are several reasons why. Distractions or causes of diversion of attention is
one of the major reasons. To enumerate some of these major distractions
are: Movies and home video, computer GAMES, for the young people
“telebabad,” including the cellphones or text messages are some examples
of such distractions. Incidentally, another disadvantage of this “text trend”
is defective spelling and sentence construction. The worst distraction is
DRUGS.
Others despite their desire to read and the availability of books,
do not have the time to read. Solutions to this problem are being designed
by educational institutions, civic organizations. One solution is offering
short courses like Speed Reading. This course on “Speed Reading” enables
one to read fast with great amount of retention. Lack of time is the main
problem of the “busy people” and less fortunate for they have
responsibilities to undertake to survive. We can see children selling
sampaguita even until late hours of the night or children helping their
parents in farming or fishing. The “busy people” are those who have to
work full time and study at night. Yes, this is not an excuse for history has
shown that some of our heroes, government officials, administrators and
other people found time to fight this problem. We have read in our history
books that they used candles in order to be able to read during the wee hours
of the night. For those who love to read and have recognized the importance
of gaining knowledge through books, I am confident that with their
determination, they could always find time to read like during their lunch
break, in the bus etc.
Books are not for display purposes or to be used as “status
symbol.” Why “status symbol?” Some buy books for show. After buying,
they just put it in their “study room” or what they call library in their own
home. In school, yes some student carry their books in class. Do they
read them? Some students do not even read their required textbooks. How
they pass? They read “ALTERNATES.” What do I mean by “Alternates?”
One example are the comics version or the abridged version There are
comics version of the Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. I have seen in the book stores the abridged version of
litrerary works such as “Tale of Two Cities,” Little Women,” “Robinson
Crusoe,” “Old Man of the Sea,” “Mark Twain” etc. Not all the details are
found in the comics and the abridge versions. If I may use the “ tagalong
lingo” of this generation, the treatment to the book is MABABABAW.
2. Quality of books
“It is not the number of books that one reads that will
enrich man’s thinking, it is qualitative reading.”
What type of books or reading materials do you read? Quality
of books are those recommended for reading. Not all printed books are
worth reading for they are what British call rubbish. It was previously
written in the papers that some books being purchased for our public
schools have inaccurate data. For individual purchases, we can rely on
book reviews published in newspapers and electronically in the internet. I
would suggest that you can take a look at the E-books website in the
internet. For libraries, this is where the good judgment of librarians come in
their book selection policy. Librarians must take into consideration the
primary needs of thrust of the institution. This is found in their mission
vision, the nature of their work and the for school, their curriculum. Even
books donor such as the Books for the Barrios choose their books. Trained
personnel insure the quality of books by “routinely inspecting all materials.
The material is screened, sorted and packed into cases.”
There is one popular movie star who was proud to say that he
loves to read. When he was asked what book does he read? His response
was not the name of an author but magazines and similar reading material.
Is he reading quality materials?
Yes, there are different types of books such as those to
increase your stock knowledge, “general information” or for leisure and
relaxation. Whatever type they are, quality material is needed. What do I
mean with “general information” books? These may be reference books, or
any book of your interest like on history, science, literature, psychology like
the Chicken Soup series.. “Dummies” series are good sources of general
information books for by reading them you will learn how to do things
yourself. What are those for leisure and relaxation. The popular one
nowadays are best sellers and Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings.
Teachers and parents and even librarians can help in guiding
specially the youth in the books that they read. Teachers should continue to
give relevant assignment so that students will have interest in reading.
Parents should guide children in the choice of reading materials. One way to
do this is to give books as gift. Librarians should provide up-to date books
and periodicals in the library for different age groups.
3. Libraries
The role of libraries is to promote the reading habits,
stimulate the search for knowledge and to citizens access all types of
information. Like books in this new millennium, there are three types of
libraries: Regular Libraries, E-Libraries and the Virtual libraries.
These libraries can be further classified to academic (schools or
universities), institutional/corporate or government, public or even personal
libraries.
Do libraries meet the needs of their patrons? The answer could
be readily seen from the number of library users or client who come to the
library and use its facilities or those who request for materials either
physically, electronically via e-mail or fax and by phone (reference
questions).. What good will it be to put up a library and nobody uses it. A
library may have a million books or as big as the Library of Congress and
can still be classified as useless IF nobody uses it. I am sorry to say that
there are libraries even here in Metro Manila who fall under this category.
Let me enumerate some of the criteria which may affect the people who
come and/or use the library :
1. Physical Facilities – “LOOKS”
1.a. Arrangement of the Library
Some libraries even here in Metro Manila
Still have their in the cabinets and some on
close shelves.
The Library is not well lighted. It is not
convenient to read. They are more convenient come to
sleep.
Others are dirty and dusty. We visited some
libraries in the North this weekend. There is one which
is not only dirty and dusty, it was in disarray. When we
were in the Library, we felt itchy and just like your
generation say “nakakadiri.”
The chairs and tables are not inviting to use.
Good physical arrangement of a library
attracts more clients to use the library. Would it not be a
“come on” or an attraction for library users is they can
find comfort and relaxation while reading and using the
other facilities of the library? Some are “homely” like
there are even “sofas” for comfort while reading. The
libraries of University of the East and the Ateneo
Professional School even have indoor garden where one
can look when eyes get tired reading. A public library in
Malaysia rests near a lake with trees. I n the public
library of Legaspi, you can relax by looking thru the
window and see the majestic Mayon volcano.
1.b. Computers and other Multimedia facilities
2. Collection
Does a library have the materials:
2.a. needed by the clientle
2.b. of interest to the clientle
3. Library services
Librarians
3.a. How effective and efficient are they?
3.b. How “friendly are they? Miss Tapia type
This now becomes as a challenge to librarians to improve
library services, quality of their collection and even the physical facilities of
libraries in order to attract more people to use the libraries. There is even
now a new course in library school, public relations in libraries. Programs
are designed to be able to attract library users to visit the library and use its
facilities.
Personal libraries do no face the above dilemma for they are
designed and organized according to the research needs and taste of the
owner.
Effective use of books and libraries will produce knowledge.
This may be seen from our heroes, great leaders and key government
officials. Even those holding key positions now in government read books
and some even have their own libraries with sizeable collection as their
source of knowledge in performing their responsibilities for the nation and
for the citizenry.
To better illustrate how knowledge leads to national
development is the citation by James Madison found at the entrance of the
Library of Congress (Jones, Stephen. The Role of Libraries in Democracy
Development in Georgia)
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who
mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power
which knowledge gives”
In a way, the vision of the National Committee on Libraries and
Information Services (NCCA/NCLIS) covers the above message “A
progressive Philippines with a network of public, school, academic and
special libraries, serving all groups of users down to the grassroots and
automated library and information services that will facilitate access to
global information and professionals serving the information need of the
people.” The vision extends beyond national development for it extends to
global competitiveness.
I have asked Professor Victoria David why she chose me to
speak before you on this topic. I was hesitant and insecure to be be able to
do justice to the assigned take for my experience is on special library,
LAW, while I am now before an academic community. Prof. David did not
give the categorical answer. However, I realize the wisdom of her choice as
I was developing what I was to speak before you.
As I have previously stated, my thirty years (30) experience has
been in law librarianship, serving the legal profession from the time they are
students, law practitioners and members of the judiciary as lower court
judges until Justices of the Supreme Court.
The legal profession is the best illustration on how books and
libraries are partners of knowledge towards a nation’s progress or national
development. How and Why?
I came across this phrase prominently placed in a folder that the
Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center give to its client and guests. It states
“I cannot live without books.” This is what Thomas Jefferson
wrote in his letter to John Adams on June 10, 1815.”
Upon reading this, I readily said that this is exactly the same for the
members of the legal profession. Little did I know that Thomas Jefferson is a
member of the legal profession. He privately studied law under George
Wythe. (Compton’s Enclyclopedia, vol. 12, p. 90 (1996). Wythe led
Jefferson into private practice.
Books and other reading materials are “mandatory” to the daily
life members of the legal profession from their student days, during their
practice and maybe even until their dying days. Lawyers cannot live without
books and other sources of information and/or law. This is due to the nature
of law as best described in Justice Artemio Panganiban’s most recent book.
He describes “law is a jealous mistress that demands constant attention and
continuous study. It requires understanding and appreciation, not only on its
own disciplines and rules, but also of every facet of life and learning.
Consequently, jurists and lawyers should not be merely walking computers
of the Constitution, the codes and jurisprudence; they should also have a
working knowledge of all branches of human endeavors, including the arts,
economics, accounting, mathematics, finance, health, computers, political
science, history and the latest science and technology.” Thomas Jefferson
is a perfect example for he also studied mathematics, literature
and philosophy at the William and Mary College at Williamburg.
Librarians do not have to attract lawyers to come to the library.
The primary reason why they will not go to a law library is non-availability
of books and other materials that they need for their practice. Majority even
build their own personal libraries even during their student days.
How important are lawyers to national development. Look
into each nation’s history including Philippines. They are not only members
of the judiciary but they part of a nation’s leaders and heroes including
Presidents/Ministers, members of Congress, economists and other sectors of
society. Lawyers like Thomas Jefferson, John Kennedy, has help shape the
United States as one of the most powerful country in the world. The
Philippines has Manuel Quezon, Manuel Roxas, Jose P. Laurel, Lorenzo
Tanada, etc.
Legislative, economic, financial and even personal
controversies have been settled by courts which all composed of members
of the legal profession. The members of the Legislature or the Executive
are not all lawyers. They say that among the three branches of government,
the judiciary is the weakest. However, in the recent impeachment crisis it
was s proven that it is the strongest. This controversy has affected the
whole nation politically and economically. The dollar rate has gone up,
stock fell, investors left the country. The whole Philippine government was
in crisis.
Imagine if the impeachment papers were sent to the Senate and Chief
Justice Davide was asked to appear before the Senate. What will happen if
he will refuse to appear before the Senate for it is basic in law that the
Supreme Court is a co-equal branch of government. What will the Senate do
to him? Issue a warrant of arrest? What if the Supreme Court declares the
impeachment as unconstitutional (which it did) but the both Houses of
Congress refuse to abide by the decision. What will the Supreme Court do?
Issue warrant of arrest to all members of Congress?
The Supreme Court saw the urgency to work fast to stop the
constitutional crisis. When they acted on this matter, they made sure that
their final solution is accurate, and just. There were no motions for
reconsideration from both houses of Congress and the President fully
supported the decision. How did they do this. The opinion of the different
“friends of the court” or amicus curiae were sought. Details of each
controversy affecting the impeachment resolved by supporting them with the
pertinent laws and jurisprudence. Search of all the pertinent materials in
print and non-print materials found in libraries here and abroad was made
through the electronic and virtual libraries and through the internet.
A strong judiciary is indispensable to the balance of power, it is
an integral part of a strong democracy. A strong democracy leads to a strong
nation and a strong nation leads to national progress.
I do not urge you to be lawyers to be of service for national
development. I urge all of you to develop a good reading habit, develop to
love reading, use libraries in order to continuously enrich one knowledge
for our nation. This is how one can fulfill the statement made by Rizal that
ang kabataan ang pag-aasa ng bayan. Our nation’s progress as compared
with some of our neighbors or other developing country is rather slow. Let
us take this as a challenge and get our acts together. Work for the
continuing search of knowledge for the Philippines. Remember, our country
needs all of you.