Yolanda Francisco Odsinada: a tribute

After thirty-five (35) years of intelligent and devoted service, Miss Yolanda Odsinada has retired from the De La Salle University Learning Commons effective 3^rd Term, AY 2012-2013.

A graduate of University of the East, Yolly, as she is fondly called by friends and colleagues, started her work with The Learning Commons (then called the University Library) on August of 1972 as an Assistant Librarian at the Circulation Section.  In 1981 to 1989 she was appointed as the Periodicals Section Librarian where she worked on improving the services and organization of collection of the said section.  She is responsible for increasing the visibility of the section both outside and in-campus.  During her term she was also able to accomplish the DLSU Periodical Holdings List.

From 1989 until her retirement she was assigned at the Information-Reference Section (IRS) where she spearheaded several initiatives that greatly improved the services of the section. She was instrumental in the integration of Web 2.0 applications for increased user interaction and to facilitate the delivery of reference services to Library patrons. Under her leadership, the use of virtual reference services was introduced which gave birth to LORA (Library Online Reference Assistant).

Among the online services she helped developed are Ask LORA, Chat with LORA and even TXT LORA which uses mobile phones to receive and answer reference queries. Ask LORA employs one of the Springshare’s web-tools – LibAnswers- which consolidates chat, SMS and email in one system. Chat with LORA on the other hand, uses instant messaging services such as Yahoo Messenger and Skype.

Her persistence to enhance the service of the IRS did not stop there. Miss Yolly also devoted her time in producing Pathfinders which lists down all the resources available in the Library on a certain topic. Aside from that, she also worked on creating and maintaining the Reference Tools where links for relevant web-based reference sources are provided.

Besides her work as Reference Librarian, she also served as Head of the Readers’ Services from 1992 to early 2007 and was able to produce the Philippine Literary Index to DLSU Library Holdings.

Through the years Miss Yolly has established and maintained good relationships with her co-workers. She was commended for her competence, good performance and dedication. Here’s what her long-time colleagues have to say about her: 

“Yolly isang kaibigan at ang taong maraming alam pagdating sa mga panglunas sa maraming sakit, ito ang madalas na "private joke" namin lalo kapag siya ay may dinaramdam at babanggitin nya ang gamot na ginamit.  At kapag naitanong kung sino ang manggagamot nya, isang mahinang ngisngis ang sagot. Ibig sabihin si Doktor Yolly Odsinada ang doktor nya.  Kagalanggalang, mapagkakatiwalaan, tapat at masipag. Maparaan siya lalo na sa paggamit ng Internet upang mapaunlad ang serbisyo ng "Reference Section"  kaya naman kadalasan ay ginagawa tayong pamantayan ng ibat-ibang pamantasan pagdating sa "reference service". Yolly is a silent worker who would avoid any possibility of being in the limelight but most willing to work on any project that would enhance library services.  I will surely miss Yolly, fortunately, communication is now made easy in the presence of the different technologies. Maraming salamat Yolly hindi lang sa pagiging kasama sa trabaho, boss at ipinagmamalaki ko na isa ako sa iyong kaibigan”. – Jocelyn Ladlad

“She is like a mother to me, why? Because of that time when the whole library staff is scheduled for a 3-day outing in Baguio City, she paid for my transportation fee so I can join the outing, saan ka nakakita na boss ang nagbabayad?  She devoted most of her time for work, serving clients, entertaining faculty members, accepting different kinds of queries from different type of customers, kaya nga siguro di nya natapos yung Theses nya kasi trabaho lang talaga ang ginagawa nya pagnandito na sya sa loob ng library.  With regards to her being my immediate supervisor, she is very strict on things you need to do and she will tell you kung ano yung mali mo (kaya lagi akong nakasimangot) but she will defend you kung nasa tama ang ginagawa mo.  I am very thankful that I was once under the supervision of Miss Yolly, she made a big impact in my life, in my family and in my career.” – Dodie Frias

"A strict but a loving boss–that’s how I describe Miss Yolly.  Yes, she is absolutely strict when it comes to work, particularly in dealing with reference queries; meticulously, she makes it a point to check on all of the transactions we are answering within the day. She is a loving boss who cares for her staff, stands for them whenever necessary. Though I was only given a bit of time at the IRS, I am thankful and grateful that Miss Yolly was able to train me somehow.  Thank you so much for your assistance during the time that I am clueless of what I am supposed to do at the counter, your guidance helped me to gain confidence towards my work at the IRS" – May Cajes

Though Miss Yolly has retired from active duty, happily, she has not withdrawn from the hearts of the people who are working at the DLSU Learning Commons. Fortunate are we to have her integrity, her insights, and the love she has shared with the Lasallian Community for the past 35 years. Kudos to you Miss Yolly!

One of the parting gifts of the library staffis a framed picture of LORA with Ms. Yolly's face.A fitting tribute to the one who conceptualized LORAand put a face on the DLSU Library.