The University Libraries in its mission to support the Louisian Academic Community by providing a sustained, well-balanced collection, recently conducted a Three-day Book Fair at the College Library on May 22-24, 2013. Fifteen (15) book publishers/vendors paraded their most recent collections, from among which, book- loving faculty members and students from SEAS, SBAA, SEAFA, SCIS, CTVED, CHAS,  Elementary and High Schools evaluated and recommended materials that are useful and appropriate for their respective departments. An estimated PhP3.5 million worth of books were selected from the book festival. Interested outsiders also joined the event.

The fair was conducted simultaneously with the Three-day Training on Basic Processing of Library Materials by the Cagayan and Kalinga Apayao Librarians Association (CaAKAp) led by the dynamic USL Director of Libraries and CaAKAp President, Mr. Michael A. Pinto, in cooperation with the USL’s University Libraries and Student Organization of Library and Information Science (SOLIS). Dr. Juliet D. Villanueva, Mrs. Evangeline Cabello, Mrs. Arlyn S. Cristobal, Mr. Bilyson Alejo and Mrs. Venus Ibarra-Guyos were among the roster of competent speakers.

During the roundtable discussion of the TJIC staff and CICM School Library Directors and staff, last June 5,2013, the Thomas Jefferson Information Center donated some reading materials to the four CICM schools. Materials regarding the United States and other reading and writing materials were given to the four schools. This endeavor is part of the collaboration between TJIC and the four CICM schools. Aside from these learning materials, the TJIC staff informed the group that the four schools can conduct trainings, visit to the TJIC and other educational activities in the center to disseminate information to the target users of the TJIC and the four CICM schools. The materials include books, magazines, journals and CD’s.  Thanks to all the staff of the TJIC for their generosity.

The four Library Directors of the four CICM schools had a roundtable discussion with the staff of the Thomas Jefferson Information Center (TJIC) of the US Embassy last June 5, 2013 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Dr. Rina Diaron (SLU), Michael Pinto (USL), David Cabonero (SMU) and Ligaya Caranay (SLC) together with their staff had a meeting with Princess Grace Wooden, the Deputy Director of TJIC to discuss the renewal of collaboration among the CICM schools and the TJIC. The TJIC staff was introduced by Mrs. Wooden after which, discussion on the different online resources was presented. Mrs. Wooden informed the group that the four schools will be given access to elib USA and some other online databases available in the TJIC website. Other future endeavors were also discussed by both parties to intensify the collaboration between and among the CICM schools and the US Embassy.