Myanmar Theological Librarians prepare for virtual library
To gird up for the challenges of making libraries relevant amid online learning,thirty-five (35) participants from fourteen (14) ATESEA member and five (5) non-member schools participated in the webinar on Developing Online Services for Academic and Research Support in Myanmar on October 13, 2020. This was a response to the request of Myanmar Theological Librarians for a continuing education/training on how to initiate an online platform for library services and identify the most effective and reliable mode in their context.
In the morning, Dr. Reysa Alenzuela, Associate Professor and Archives Consultant of Central Philippine University (CPU), Iloilo, Philippines gave an overview of Virtual Reference Service (VRS) as a component of the Reference Services of the library. She also presented how several libraries implement a VRS as part of their online support to their students and faculty. The discussions resonated with the participants a sense of urgency the need to develop a library website and an e-library. The participants were convinced of the necessity to upgrade their internet connectivity, increase their digital literacy especially on online e-resources and maximize the use of social media with the purpose of reaching out to the needs of their clients. Furthermore, they acknowledge that such advancements imply the need to improve and/or revise their written library policies, and put up social media guidelines.
In the afternoon, Ms. Allana Delgado, Cataloger and Librarian of the College of Law and VRS of Henry Luce III Library, CPU, showed practical steps on how the school developed VRS during the quarantine period due to the pandemic. Lastly, Dr. Alenzuela discussed the Familiarization with Theological Resources as Starting Point for Data Curation.
The librarians sensed the appropriateness of the topics amidst the emerging virtual era when face to face meetings are discouraged, and online communications are indispensable. Furthermore, they perceived that this milestone requires innovation and creativity using the present available technologies. They are looking forward to a series of webinar as follow-up on the said topic with the following proposed subject matters: 1) Managing VRS; 2) Digital Literacy; 3) Copyright laws; 4) Acquiring e-resources; and 5) Setting up books by department (e.g. New Testament, Old Testament, etc.)
