yes, I agree that for the meantime give this unlicensed librarians ample time to take units or pursue their MA in library science. But, what I am referring here is in the case of a private school, with existing licensed librarians and was appointed to head the library but because the licensed librarian doesn't know how to play politics in that institution, (don't know how to make "sip-sip" he was releived and replaced by a teacher. With the approval of the school management they appointed an English teacher to head the library without consulting the incumbent librarian of the new set up. This teacher admitted that he had no experience or background in library science but he recognized the role of the librarians. He was dynamic and open to suggestions. He was very supportive to the librarians and encouraged them to attend different library functions. The library also had a lot of accomplishments during his term because both he and the librarians are cooperative with each other.
However, after four years of being the “head librarian” the teacher was relieved by the managemetn an appointed his “favourite man” (an unlicensed teacher) to head the library. The librarians feel offended and want to stop this malpractice since it shows lack of respect to the profession. The “new head” is nothing but a figure head in the library because he shows no interest at all in the library work. He just sits in his air conditioned office doing his lesson plans (he was allowed to teach religion subjects), correcting papers, etc. He has no managerial ability to run the library as a potent force in promoting the educational goals of the school. As “figure head” of the library, he just gives in to the demand of his superior like stopping periodical subscriptions, not obtaining new books, computers and other important materials for the library. He just blindly follows the demand of his superior to remain in good graces lest he will go back to his former job as teacher assistant. He is not approachable; he seldom smiles to students and teachers. If you have this kind of person in your library and being a librarian, are you not ashame of yourself if you allow this thing to happen. As I've said before, I will not oppose to the idea that unlicense librarian handle the library tasks because they have finished the course of library science. But, unlicensed teacher to be the "head of the library", I think this is not fair anymore. I heard that that the librarians of this institution have already sent letter to BFL but until now no action has been done. I hope we could inform our colleagues in the profession to rally behind this malpractice. 2010/2/3 zarah gagatiga <[email protected]> > this can work for now. however, these non-librarians practicing the art and > science of library and information science SHOULD be given a condition that > at some period of time, they MUST have earned their license. > > to amplify, an employer of a non-licensed librarian may sit down with > him/her to discuss plans and actions on how he/she can take MA classes in > library and info science for, say, two years. after that, a year to earn a > license. this can be an agreement between the employer and the non-licensed > librarian. it would be good if this is put in writing -- a black and white > document that serves as a contract as well. if the non-licensed librarian > fail to do so, then the employer can do its part to hire a licensed > librarian or follow what policy it has for such cases. > > just my two-cents worth. > > this situation may happen in private institutions but i do not know how > things are in government practice. > > > On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 1:34 PM, Vhic Gilos <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Fellow Librarians, >> >> Just a thought... While contemplating on RA 9246 and at the same >> time preparing for CICT iSchool roll-out wherein I will be teaching >> non-librarians acting as librarians in public secondary schools the ways of >> a librarian, a thought occurred to me that instead of discouraging, I will >> be encouraging them to continue acting as librarians even if it is against >> the law. The same way that other SUC librarians did in their localities. >> >> If you disagree with me, I'd like to hear your point of views >> regarding the help I will be extending to teachers acting as librarians. >> Thank you. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 11:18 PM, vonjobi <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> A discussion on the violation of certain provisions of Republic Act No. >>> 9246 <http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/ra_9246_2004.html>(or >>> R.A. 9246), specifically the continued employment of unlicensed >>> librarians in the Philippines, is now on its third week at the Filipino >>> Librarians Googlegroup >>> (1<http://groups.google.com/group/filipinolibrarians/browse_thread/thread/1eee0da33ce3f04b?hl=en#> >>> 2<http://groups.google.com/group/filipinolibrarians/browse_thread/thread/219a6818b4d690b7?hl=en#> >>> 3<http://groups.google.com/group/filipinolibrarians/browse_thread/thread/c28e2a44415af4db?hl=en#> >>> 4<http://groups.google.com/group/filipinolibrarians/browse_thread/thread/d7e5845c12850376?hl=en#>). >>> Some have suggested that there are certain situations where violating the >>> law is justified, but the appointment of non-librarians to head a library, >>> despite the presence of qualified, licensed librarians, is indefensible. And >>> then there are the unlicensed librarians who have been "OICs," supposedly a >>> temporary designation, for almost two decades. >>> >>> It is not clear, however, whether those who have been suggested as the >>> individuals or groups who can do something about the concerns raised are >>> reading these emails. But it is also important to remember that it is not >>> just somebody else's responsibility to make sure the law is followed; it is >>> also our responsibility. Why do I say this? Zarah >>> Gagatiga<http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/01/filipino-librarians-license-and.html>has >>> already pointed out that, "The librarian MUST have a license. The >>> employer MUST hire a licensed librarian." But what if they DON'T? Do we just >>> wait for the powers-that-be to put things right? Below are the relevant >>> sections of R.A. 9246 and my comments, followed by suggestions on what >>> licensed librarians can do to uphold the law: >>> >>> SECTION 26. Illegal Practice of Librarianship. – A person who does not >>> have a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification >>> Card or a temporary/ special permit from the Commission shall not practice >>> or offer to practice librarianship in the Philippines or assume any >>> position, which involve performing the function of a librarian as provided >>> under Section 5 of this Act. >>> >>> The "person" referred to in Section 26 is, in essence, someone who is >>> working as a librarian illegally. Note, too, that there are noexceptions >>> granted for certain kinds of librarians (e.g., special >>> librarians). Everyone working as a librarian in the Philippines is covered >>> by this law. The only exceptions, I suppose, are those whose employers are >>> not covered by Philippine laws, like some international agencies. >>> >>> SECTION 31. Employment of Librarians. – Only qualified and licensed >>> librarians shall be employed as librarians in all government libraries. >>> Local government units shall be given a period of three (3) years from the >>> approval of this Act to comply with this provision. >>> >>> The emphasis in Section 31 on government libraries does not imply that >>> the law applies only to librarians working for the government. All this is >>> means is that the government, as the single, largest employer of librarians, >>> was singled out for special attention. >>> >>> SECTION 32. Penal Provisions. – Any person who practices or offers to >>> practice any function of a librarian as provided for under Section 5 of this >>> Act who is not registered and has not been issued by the Commission a >>> Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card, or a >>> temporary license/permit or who violates any of the provisions of this Act, >>> its Implementing Rules and Regulations, shall, upon conviction , be >>> penalized by a fine of not less that Thirty thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or >>> imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than three (3) years at >>> the discretion of the court. >>> >>> The most important phrase here is, to me, "upon conviction." Thus, a case >>> has to be filed against the librarian. But I do wonder why the employergoes >>> unpunished. Shouldn't the employer be liable as well? Note, however, >>> that Section 32 is one of the sections that clearly shows that those who >>> drafted R.A. 9246 were not as careful as they should have been. What exactly >>> did they mean by "not less that Thirty thousand pesos (P100,000.00)"? >>> >>> There are, of course, certain realities that must be acknowledged, such >>> as the fact that no one is really enforcing the law. Academic and school >>> librarians are in a better position because accrediting agencies mark down >>> universities and schools for non-compliance with the law, but all other >>> kinds of libraries, including the public libraries funded by local >>> governments, can ignore R.A. 9246 if they so desire. Have cases been filed >>> against unlicensed librarians? Have any been convicted? If so, please let me >>> know. >>> >>> The following are my suggestions for those who wish to see R.A. 9246 >>> implemented properly: >>> >>> 1. Verify whether someone working as a librarian is licensed or >>> unlicensed. The Board for Librarians, the National Library, the Civil >>> Service Commission, and the Philippine Librarians Association are >>> supposed >>> to have "up-to-date, complete and properly organized" lists of all >>> licensed >>> librarians in the Philippines. >>> 2. Write a letter to the person, with copies to the person's >>> employer, the Board for Librarians and the Philippine Librarians >>> Association >>> (and, if applicable, the National Library and/or the Civil Service >>> Commission), indicating all the pertinent details and exactly how the >>> provisions of R.A. 9246 have been violated, pointing out that the >>> person's >>> continued employment is punishable by law. Make sure you keep copies of >>> all >>> correspondence, and ask recipients to sign for any letters you give them. >>> 3. If your letters are ignored or you are discriminated against or >>> fired (because the person was your boss, for instance), file a case >>> against >>> the person at all appropriate agencies. >>> 4. If filing a case, or even writing letters to the person or >>> agencies concerned, is not an option, send letters to local and national >>> newspapers laying out how the law is being violated. While this may be >>> done >>> anonymously, it is perhaps best that you identify yourself. >>> >>> All these are, of course, easier said than done. But all we really need >>> is one, high-profile case, preferably involving a well-known employer, that >>> can then be used to show others who are violating the law that librarians >>> are serious about policing their ranks. >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Posted By vonjobi to Filipino >>> Librarian<http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/02/unlicensed-librarians-and-ra-9246.html>at >>> 2/02/2010 10:07:00 AM >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "Filipino Librarians" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected] >>> . >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> [email protected]<filipinolibrarians%[email protected]> >>> . >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/filipinolibrarians?hl=en. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Filipino Librarians" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]<filipinolibrarians%[email protected]> >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/filipinolibrarians?hl=en. >> > > > > -- > -z- > http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com > http://sumatrawoman.blogspot.com > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Filipino Librarians" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<filipinolibrarians%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/filipinolibrarians?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Filipino Librarians" group. 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