THE UST Miguel de Benavides Library opened National Book Week and the 34th Library and Information Services (LIS) Month on Nov. 7 with a slew of interactive activities dedicated to empowering readers.
Guided by this year’s theme for LIS Month, “LibVOCACY: Unity towards Inclusive and Empowered Libraries,” the UST Library aims to cultivate an inclusive environment and encourage even non-readers to visit the library.
“The library is a welcoming home to everyone,” Lady Catherine de Leon, head librarian of the Filipiniana section, told the Varsitarian.
‘So para ma-feel ninyo na lahat ng mga activities namin, involved kayong lahat, part kayong lahat, part tayong lahat,” she added.
The UST Library began its festivities with a kick-off program, a library watch party, and a book donation drive whose proceeds will go to the Bamban Public Library.
The keynote address for the kick-off program was delivered by Leoniver Gaquing, head of the Braille Section at the Cebu City Public Library.
In line with this year’s theme, Gaquing called for inclusivity in library services, as well as the promotion of independence, equality, and empowerment specifically for the disabled community.
“Without people, there is no country, and countries are composed of communities,” he said.
Gaquing, who is visually impaired himself, stressed the need to educate the public on the capabilities of visually impaired people to foster understanding and acceptance in society.
“We may have lost our sight, but we never lost our vision,” Gaquing said.
The entire month of November was first declared as LIS Month through Proclamation No. 837, series of 1991.
The UST Library will conclude its 34th LIS Month with a trivia contest, the opening of a “de-stress corner,” and an academic journal sale. With reports from Fernando Pierre Marcel B. Dela Cruz
