The month of November was declared as the “Library and Information Services Month” by President Corazon C. Aquino under Proclamation No. 837 to focus public awareness to the invaluable service that libraries and information centers render.

This year, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), The National Library (TNL) and the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) sponsored the celebration with the theme: Philippine Libraries and Librarians in the Midst of Global Competitiveness.

This month-long celebration started by launching the first ever Search for Outstanding City Library in Metro Manila.

According to Atty. Antonio M. Santos, Chairperson of the Search Committee, they invited 16 city libraries in Metro Manila. From 16, nine (9) responded to join the search. And finally after a painstaking evaluation and strict compliance with the criteria, the winner was declared.

November 3, 2008 was the much awaited day of all the candidates in the 2008 Search for Outstanding City Library. This day marked the announcement of who will own the crown for the Outstanding City Library in Metro Manila which was preceded by a successful motorcade from Quirino Grandstand to the National Library.

We were also proud to say that we led the motorcade via the Marikina Sound Truck playing the Marikina City Library Jingle.

The results of the search are as follows:

First Place: Pasig Discovery Centrum & Library Learning Resource Center w/95%

Second Place: Marikina City Library with 93%

Third Place: Quezon City Library with 86%

Fourth Place: Manila City Library with 80%

Fifth Place: Makati City Library with 73.5%

Sixth Place: Malabon City Library with 68.5%

Yes we won the second place! with only two points away from Pasig City Library.

A close fight indeed!

We were so proud and happy that our dedication to give a life-long learning and quality service to the library clientele was recognized. This award will be our additional inspiration to work and serve better.

We owe this to each and every staff and volunteers of the library and most especially to the utmost support our dearly beloved Mayor Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando.

Next year, we look forward to do more beneficial projects and we aim to get the First Place in the next year’s search.

Watch out for us!

In celebration of the Halloween, the City Government of Marikina held the “TAYO NA SA DILIM: Halloween Parade and Costume Contest 2008” last Friday, October 31, 2008. The parade started from Marikina City Hall up to the Riverbanks Activity Center at around 6:00 p.m.

The activity was participated by private groups and all the departments of the Marikina City Government. There were fantasy, superheroes, gory, bloody, supernatural, sci-fi and scary categories. The prices for the best costume ranged from 2,000 to 10,000 pesos.

This was my first time to participate in a costume parade. I really enjoyed every moment of the event, from preparation till the end. There were many people who took a photo op with us and I feel like a celebrity that night. Hahahaha….

Picture-picture and posing-posing everywhere.

Special thanks to our face painter, Jaja for that awesome make-over with the library department. The make-up was excellent and we were able to scare many children and most really cannot recognize us.

Here are some of our pictures:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!! Awhooooooo……

The City Government of Marikina, through the City Library in partnership with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP) will launch a Reading Week dubbed “Halina’t Magbasa, Bagong Kaalaman ay Tuklasin Na!” on June 30, 2008.

 Mayor Marides Fernando said the event is part of her administration’s vision of creating a “City of Readers.”

 ”We believe in the power of reading to transform lives. It’s a power we particularly want to give our young children to jumpstart their knowledge-driven journey.” she added.

 The launching of the City Library’s Instructional Reading, Teacher Mom Mentoring program and City Library Jingle entitled : Halina’t Magbasa” composed and sung by the Acting City Librarian, Mr. Vic Jayson C. Cruz will also be simultaneously held.

 At the City Hall Quadrangle, 9:00 a.m., MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and Mayor Marides Fernando will lead the opening of a book fair.

 A forum entitled “The Importance of Reading to the Children” will follow with the president of the Reading Association of the Philippines, Dr. Mel Ahon as resource speaker. It will be held at the MCF Hall on the second floor of Marikina City Hall.

 ”We are a City of Readers! Halina’t Magbasa, Bagong Kaalaman ay Tuklasin Na!” will run until July 4, 2008. There will be various activities like art workshops, seminars, book drive, and tutorial reading programs. Further, there will be storytelling and reading sessions with Ms. Nikki Gil on July 1 and a Writers’ Day on July 2 with Virgilio Almario and Bienvenido Lumbera as resource speakers.

 For more information, visit us at http://city.marikina.gov.ph/pages/marikinareading.htm