In cooperation with the annual celebration of the National Book Week in the Philippines, USL Libraries in partnership with the Department of Education, Region 02 and Cagayan Valley Region Librarians Council conducted Regional Literary Joust in September 23, 2015 held at USL Libraries. The celebration was graced by students and coaches of the nine (9) different Divisions of Cagayan in three levels (elementary, high school and college).

 The contested activities were in line with the celebration of the National Library and Information Services (LIS) Month with the theme “The Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration”. Among the conducted activities were Story retelling for Grades 4-6, Essay Writing and Name that Fiction for Grades for Grades 7-8, while the on-the-spot Poster Making was opened to all college year levels.

 The USL Vice President for Academics, Dr. Emmanuel James P. Pattaguan gave his welcome remarks while Rev. Fr. Rex Salvilla formally opened the program. Dr. Norma Viernes who represented the DepEd R02 office was the keynote speaker.

 After the mechanics and criteria of the contested events were given and explained by Mr. Michael Pinto, CaVRLC Officer, the contest proper was conducted. The story retelling contest was done at the USL Elementary Library, the Essay Writing and Name that Fiction contests were conducted in the USL High School Library while the poster making contest was done at the 3^rd floor of the USL college library.

 Awarding ceremony was conducted right after the contest proper. Winners for the Essay writing and poster making contests were automatically the official entries in the national level.

 The event was indeed very fruitful and meaning through the helping hands of USL Library staff, DepEd officials and CaVRLC officers.

The Elementary Library, in partnership with the Young Readers Club (YRC) celebrated the annual National Book Week with this year’s theme “The Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration” from November 18-23, 2015 through a series of meaningful activities for the Elementary Department. Through the leadership of Mrs. Arlyn S. Cristobal, Elementary Library Head and Ms. Mary Angelique Baylon, Assistant to the Elementary Library Head, with the assistance of YRC officers, activities such as “Book Donation Drive”, “Shelfie contest”, “Name that Book” contest, “Tagisan ng Top Readers”, Spelling Bee contest and “Who am I contest “ were conducted. Different contested events were participated in by pupils from Kindergarten to Grade 6 including DKLC.

The activities’ main objectives are: (1) to foster the love for library, (2) improve the reading culture of pupils through the use of story books; (3) to test pupils’ familiarity with the classic stories for children and general reference books; (4) to test pupils skills in spelling of words (use of dictionary); and (5) to develop among children the value of generosity by sharing or donating their story books for the Book Mobile Project of the University Libraries.

The celebration was proven a huge success. It shall continue on as a major activity of the Elementary Library

The following were the results of the different contested events:

November 3, 2015 marked the 3^rd Book Mobile project deployment at Magalalag, Enrile, Cagayan. Dr.  Juliet D. Villanueva, the OIC Director of Libraries emphasized in her Statement of Purpose the advantages of reading which has the power to boost a child’s learning potential in preparation for the foundation of academic excellence.

This activity was graced by the Barangay Captain ALBINO C. CARAG, who inspired the preschoolers in his welcome address, the Barangay Kagawad PURIFICACION T. CALIMAG who participated in the untying of ribbon, Barangay Kagawad LIBRADA L. MABAZZA who accepted and responded to the launching activity and MR. BEN B. ALLAM, another Barangay Kagawad who delivered his inspirational message.

Learning activities such as Story Telling Fiesta, Nursery Rhymes and Coloring Sessions were conducted during the launching activity. These activities were participated in by the preschoolers through the assistance of library staff and BLIS students as facilitators, storytellers and Nursery rhymes’ teachers.

The program was concluded by a short message given by the USL Community and Extension Services Coordinator, Mr. Herbert Corpuz.