The STC Libraries successfully ran TakBook: the book drive for victims of calamities

TakBook – One Million and Counting…: Book Drive for Victims of Calamities, a 3K charity­ run was hosted by DLSU Science and Technology Complex (DLSU­-STC) Libraries in partnership with the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. – Southern Tagalog Regional Council (PLAI­-STRLC) and Association of Librarians in Laguna Province, Inc. (ALLPI). This activity was held at DLSU-­STC in line with the celebration of the National Book Month and the Library and Information Science Month on November. The activity was held simultaneously in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon on 17 November 2013. For the province of Laguna, the assembly point and book drop registration was done at East Canopy Lobby, Milagros Del Rosario Bldg., DLSU­-STC Leandro V. Locsin Campus, Biñan City. 

This project aims to raise one million books to help those libraries damaged by calamities in the Southern Tagalog Region, Zamboanga, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and other regions. The project was coordinated to DLSU-­STC through its Librarians headed by Justina P. Garcia, also officer of PLAI-­STRLC and the current president of ALLPI, Yugosto A. Balbas, College Librarian and Candy May N. Schijf, Pre-­School Librarian.

The registration fee was in a form of book donation. For student participants, the book donation value was P100.00 while for professionals and other participants; a minimum book donation value was P200.00. Participants were allowed to register with at least one book or more preferably with the most recent edition or edition 2000 and up.

Employees and students from different schools, colleges, and universities attended the charity­ run. The thirty nine (39) TakBook participants were from University of Perpetual Help Biñan, University of the Philippines-­Diliman, Angels in Heaven School, Malayan College, San Pablo College, Laguna Provincial Library, University of Perpetual Help Calamba, Don Bosco College Canlubang, and students from the Integrated School of DLSU­-STC.

A total of 434 books were received from the 39 TakBook participants. The books received from this project were turned over to the PLAI Regional Council who then forwarded it to the PLAI National for counting and distribution of the books to the libraries destroyed by calamities.

A TakBook Finisher’s Certificate was given to the participants to acknowledge their sincere and active participation to the charity ­run project. The participants appreciated the project and are very enthusiastic to join next year’s event.

This activity was also commended by Br. Armin Luistro FSC, former DLSU President and current Secretary of Department of Education (DepEd), for being a testament of the dynamic collaboration of librarians not only in professional development but also in charity work. During a meeting with the officers of PLAI­-STRLC and PLAI­-National, he mentioned that he is planning to have a partnership with the Librarians for next year’s activities.