My Third PLAI Congress
My Third PLAI Congress
Life is a continuous learning process, and as librarians, we must be at the forefront of acquiring new knowledge and embracing the latest trends and innovations. One of the best ways to achieve this is by attending seminars. It's a privilege that librarians have an annual Congress where we can gain insights from timely and relevant research to improve our library services.
In 2024, the PLAI Congress was held in Davao City. When I first heard about the venue, I felt excited since it would be my first time visiting a city in Mindanao. Thanks to the generous support of my UA TLMC administration, I was able to attend with all my expenses covered by the school.
Arrival in Davao
Our flight was scheduled for November 18. As expected, the airport became a mini-reunion venue with lots of cheerful greetings of "hi" and "hello" exchanged with friends and colleagues from different libraries across Western Visayas. Of course, no reunion is complete without a bit of catching up—and, yes, some chitchat or chismis after hugs and handshakes. The conversations were cut short when the boarding announcement came.
1st Day of Congress
The first day of the Congress was held at Grand Menseng Hotel. Registration for those who pre-registered online began at 1 PM, while the morning was allocated for walk-in registrants. The first day mainly focused on registration and the kick-off of the National Book Week celebration.
When I lined up to get my kit, my name was on the list, but my ID hadn’t been printed yet. Still, I received my bag and passport for sponsor signatures. Afterward, I walked around to collect signatures from different suppliers and received various freebies like pens and tote bags.
One thing I noticed was that the venue felt too small for the number of participants, with hallways so crowded that moving around became difficult. The welcome arch, made of styrofoam, glitters, and DIY flowers, stood out—but not in a good way. I couldn’t help but compare it to previous Congresses. Nevertheless, I reminded myself that I was there to learn from the presentations, not to critique the decorations.
After registration, we explored the plaza and took photos at the city hall and church. Later in the day, we visited the Bone Collector, but I’ll write about that in a separate blog.
2nd Day of Congress
On the second day of the Congress, I wore my executive pair of pants and blazer that I bought from TikTok. The day officially began with the parade of colors, featuring the Philippine and PLAI flags, followed by an ecumenical and National Anthem. I particularly appreciated the inclusivity of the prayers, which represented multiple religions. This was followed by the procession of the regional council and the opening messages. Baste was supposed to be present, but for some reason, he didn’t make an appearance.
I have to say, the venue was extremely crowded. Many participants were left standing outside due to the lack of chairs and tables. Thankfully, my friend had reserved a seat for me, but even simple tasks like going to the restroom became a challenge because of the narrow aisles. I overheard an officer venting about the disparity between the 500 online registrants and the unexpectedly large turnout of participants. Some argued that the organizers had repeatedly reminded participants to register to help with logistics planning. Others said this kind of situation should have been anticipated. Either way, it highlighted a quintessential aspect of Filipino culture—things don’t always go as planned.
There was also a presentation on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) that encouraged libraries to collect and share SDG-related stories nationwide. The goal was to "Color the Philippine Map" with initiatives tied to these goals. I recalled submitting forms about our library's Librew Corner, which supports the SDG on poverty alleviation.
In the afternoon, one of the speakers gave a compelling talk on diversity and inclusivity in libraries, underscoring the role libraries can play in creating welcoming spaces for all. It was a day packed with learning and meaningful discussions, despite the logistical hiccups.
3rd Day of Congress
The third day of the PLAI Congress was filled with enriching plenary sessions. Each session had its own set of speakers, and our group choose Room 1. The first presentation showcased best practices in libraries, such as vibrant murals, bookmobiles, creative signages, and proactive reading programs designed to engage various audiences.
The next presentation focused on empowering indigenous communities, highlighting how librarians can play a vital role in teaching digital skills to bridge the technological gap. Afterward, I explored other rooms and attended the session led by sir Michael Pinto. I truly enjoyed his presentation, where I learned about the importance of public libraries as indicators for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). One criterion for evaluating LGUs is the existence of a public library. Interestingly, if every province, city, and barangay were required to hire librarians, the current pool of practicing librarians would fall short. Excluding barangay reading centers, there is still a demand for 3,655 librarians in public libraries alone.
In the afternoon, I attended a session on the BOOKas Palad program, an outreach initiative by Sacred Heart College of Lucena City, Inc. The program supports the Badjao community, also known as "sea gypsies," with the goal of promoting literacy and numeracy while providing access to reading materials. It aims to help underprivileged individuals by offering learning assistance, coaching, and tutoring outside their homes to support their education.
Later in the evening, we returned for the fellowship night, which had a Disney theme. My costume was Mulan, which I had borrowed for the occasion. The night was filled with fun and excitement, complete with a raffle draw. Unfortunately, as always, luck wasn’t on my side, and I didn’t win anything. Nevertheless, it was a delightful and enjoyable experience that added a touch of lightheartedness to the day.
4th Day of Congress
The fourth and final day of the Congress was truly inspiring. One of the presentations that stood out for me was about librarianship in general, though I regret that I forgot the speaker’s name. The speaker shared a thought-provoking analogy using coffee beans, carrots, and eggs. When boiled, carrots, which are initially hard, become soft, while eggs, initially soft, become hard. This highlights how our responses to challenges depend on our choices and adaptability to our environment.
The speaker also emphasized how calamities unite Filipinos, often inspiring acts of kindness and generosity. Libraries, he said, can play a crucial role in disaster preparedness by implementing programs that inform communities on how to respond to emergencies. He also stressed the importance of reading by humorously using dinosaurs as an example, stating that their extinction was because they didn’t read—a creative way to underline the significance of continuous learning. And one unforgettable line he said, that the Librarians are more intelligent than school heads because we just don't focus on one discipline. We covered everything. We're a walking encyclopedia. I just love that one.
Another notable presentation was about the modernization of the Davao City Library. The speaker detailed how the public library now features aesthetically pleasing designs and modern furniture, showcasing the local government's strong support for literacy and education. It was heartening to see how the library has become a model for innovation. I hope other local government units will follow Davao City's example in promoting literacy through well-supported libraries.
This last day left me with a deeper appreciation for our profession and the vital role we play in fostering education and community development.
General Assembly 2024
After visiting the University of Mindanao Library, we arrived late to the General Assembly and were met with a heated debate regarding the next venue for the PLAI Congress. The officers had agreed to hold it in Bacolod, but some attendees argued that this decision broke the tradition of rotating venues across regions—Visayas, Mindanao, Luzon, NCR, and then back to Visayas. Following the traditional rotation, the next venue should have been NCR.
Since we missed the start of the discussion, I wasn’t able to follow the full context, but the debate became intense. To resolve the issue, it was decided to let the General Assembly vote. According to the organization’s constitution and bylaws, voting could either be done individually or by letting regional presidents decide and the vote would be per regional council. The assembly opted for individual voting, where participants stood to show their choice: Bacolod or NCR. After the voting, the majority chose Bacolod as the next venue for the PLAI Congress.
Another proposal was brought up during the assembly: increasing the annual membership fee from ₱300 to ₱500. The additional funds would allow the organization to subscribe to a database and establish mutual funds. Once the discussions concluded, the assembly was motioned to adjourn.
Overall Impression
The PLAI Congress 2024 may not have been the best I’ve attended, but it was still a valuable experience. While there’s no such thing as a perfect congress, the opportunity to explore new places and experience different cultures is always a highlight for me.
Although the venue this year felt too small to accommodate everyone, I appreciated the well-organized food distribution system—there was no need to stand in long lines, which saved a lot of time. The presentations this year were also exceptional—timely, relevant, and highly informative, surpassing those of previous years in my opinion.
Additionally, the ID printing process was impressively efficient, unlike in previous congresses where I had to wait until the last day to receive my ID.
Overall, despite some challenges, I found the Davao Congress to be a wonderful and enriching experience, leaving me with new insights and memories. I’m looking forward to attending the next PLAI Congress in Bacolod!
Disclaimer: Everything was written based on my memory. Might heard and remember wrong and write it here.
Comments
Post a Comment