Cebuano is envoy to international librarians group

John Louie Zabala is the first Cebuano named as Philippine ambassador to the International Librarian Networks. (Contributed photo from www.interlibnet.org)

A 23-year-old Cebuano was chosen  the first Philippine ambassador to the International Librarians Network (ILN).

John Louie Zabala, a faculty staff member  and librarian of the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), applied online for the post last February.

“I really did not expect this because some applicants are library directors who are more experienced than me,” Zabala said.

Zabala graduated with magna cum laude honors in a Bachelor in Library and Information Science at USJR. He ranked 4th during the Librarian Licensure Examination in 2012.

The ILN is a non-profit organization run by volunteer librarians. It was founded in Australia three years ago.

Its mandate is to build an international platform for librarians across the globe where they can exchange ideas and best practices for continuing professional development.

It has 110 member countries and the Philippines is ranked fourth overall in the number of participants.

Part of Zabala’s challenge is to raise public awareness on the role of librarians and the value of libraries.

Zabala said there are 8,000 registered librarians, 200 of whom are in Cebu.

“Some librarians don’t have self-esteem. Some are not being treasured or valued,” he added.

Advocacy

Part of his job is to mentor librarians and empower libraries through visits and organizing convention and seminars.

Zabala  raised the concern that some schools don’t have libraries or registered librarians.

“A library without a librarian is just like a stock area. Librarians are important since they help in aiding the intellectual needs of the students and public,” he added.

He said he will continue his advocacy on barangay reading centers in the Philippines.

Love of reading

A year ago, Zabala started the barangay reading center in  Banilad, Cebu City  in coordination with barangay officials and Basadors, a Cebu-based nongovernment organization (NGO).

“This is to inspire and ignite a love of reading among children. The next areas which  tied up with me on this project are barangays Bulacao and Basak. Hopefully, there will be more, not just in Cebu but the rest of the country,” Zabala said.

Aside from barangay reading centers, Zabala will also coordinate with local government units (LGU) to establish more public libraries in the country.

In Cebu, public libraries are found in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu,  Mandaue and Naga.

Zabala said he is gathering his documents to join a research congress of the International Federation of Library Association in South Africa two months from now.