VILLASIS MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

HISTORY OF VILLASIS MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

The public library, serving as the local gateway to knowledge, establishes a fundamental condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making, and cultural development for individuals and social groups. This Manifesto asserts UNESCO’s belief in the public library as a dynamic force for education, culture, and information, and as an essential agent in fostering peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women.

Formerly, the Villasis Municipal Library (VML) was located on the second floor of the old town hall, under the direct supervision of the Office of the Mayor. However, it was relocated to the legislative building and directly supervised by the Office of the Secretary to the Sanggunian. Over the years, it was managed by designated librarians and appointed employees, including Helen Rebosa, Ofelia Racadio, Susan Q. Sison, Basilisa M. Padilla, Marilou Dacanay, Renz Fabro, and Rhoderick Bascos.

In October 2009, for the first time in the town’s history, the library was flooded due to Typhoon Pepeng. The strong current of water from the destroyed dikes along the Agno River caused extensive damage to properties, infrastructures, and roads. The library was not spared, with books, computer units, and furniture submerged, necessitating its temporary closure.

In January 2012, a major renovation of the legislative building was funded by the proceeds from the Villasis Town Fiesta Popularity Contest, where Mrs. Beatriz De Vera-Olivar was crowned as the Queen. Consequently, the building was named the Beatriz De Vera-Olivar Legislative Building. The newly renovated legislative building was inaugurated in 2014.

On October 8, 2014, the new Villasis Municipal Library was blessed and formally reopened to the public. It occupies a larger space compared to the old library, taking over the former Post Office location. Mrs. Merly S. Zambrano was designated to manage the library through an Executive Order signed by former Mayor Libradita G. Abrenica.

The library began providing essential services such as loaning books and assisting researchers. Mrs. Zambrano also initiated efforts to promote the library and its services, increasing community awareness.

In July 2016, the library was established as a Tech4ED Center, a project implemented by the Department of Information and Communications Technology. The Tech4ED Project offers various content and learning materials, providing numerous services to all community sectors. It functions as a conduit for the efficient delivery of government and other services and serves as a powerful tool for the empowerment and participation of unserved and underserved communities in development. Tech4ED centers nationwide offer diverse services, including platform usage, digital literacy, internet use, and skills training—all free of charge. Through the Tech4ED Project platforms, the library offers enhanced services with both online and offline content.

One of the library's most popular services is free access to various e-government services. The library staff provides free assistance to clients in processing online transactions and applications with agencies such as the DFA, PSA, NBI, PRC, and others. These online services have significantly increased the library’s daily client base.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the library staff adapted their outreach services by visiting barangays through the innovative Library Assistants, VILL and ASIS. These personas were created to represent the Villasis Municipal Library, embodying the spirit of community service and literacy promotion.

VILL and ASIS, the librarian-assistants, are known for riding bicycles and traveling around the far-flung barangays of the municipality. During their visits, they conduct impromptu storytelling sessions along the streets whenever they encounter groups of children. They also distribute storybooks, coloring materials, hygiene and protective items, and other small gifts to bring joy to the children, even if only for a brief moment.

In addition to engaging children, VILL and ASIS distribute pamphlets to promote the library and its services, ensuring that the community remains informed and connected to the resources available at the Villasis Municipal Library. This initiative has not only maintained but strengthened the library's presence and impact during challenging times.

VML has actively built networks with stakeholders, different organizations, and library partners to enhance its service offerings. Notably, through the efforts of Marie Faye Ordinario Aucena and her sister Rio, who works at Harvestraw King’s Daughters Public Library (HKDPL) in New York, VML received donations of computers, laptops, books, and school supplies. These donations have significantly bolstered VML’s service capabilities.

VML also partnered with Beyond Access Philippines and the Department of Education, Villasis District I and II. This collaboration led to a series of workshops on digital literacy and the creation of local language materials, which are now used in the library's Reading Challenge program. Additionally, libraries such as the Pangasinan Provincial Library, Quezon City Public Library, and Paranaque City Public Library have donated books and materials to recently opened Barangay Reading Centers in Lipay, Caramutan, and Bacag.

VML has successfully attracted numerous organizations and individuals to collaborate on its outreach programs, significantly enhancing its impact on the community.

The Villasis Youth for Good Governance (VYGG) has been a key partner, collaborating with VML on their PAGbASA Project. Launched in 2022, this project has recently benefited its 5th school/barangay, demonstrating its growing influence and reach.

Millennial.ph, a group of dedicated student-volunteers, partnered with VML for a literacy drive campaign targeting children in Villasis. This initiative has also involved collaboration with the Sangguniang Kabataan, further strengthening the community's engagement in promoting literacy.

Additionally, various organizations and business entities have collaborated with VML on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These collaborations have included outreach programs, feeding initiatives, and gift-giving activities. Notable contributors include:

·               Alpha Phi Omega Quinta Alumni Association

·               Alpha Phi Omega Nu Beta Chapter

·               R1 Urdaneta District Jail Female Dorm

·               Amansinaya Beach Resort

·               La Corona Ready Concrete Mix

Over the years, interest in VML has surged, reflected in the steadily increasing daily user statistics. Volunteers and donors have shown remarkable enthusiasm in supporting the library’s programs and services, contributing to its sustained growth and positive impact on the community.

 Significant Milestones

October 8, 2014: The newly renovated Villasis Municipal Library (VML) was blessed and reopened to the public under the administration of former Mayor Libradita G. Abrenica.

July 26, 2016: VML was established as the first and only Tech4ED Center in Villasis, launched province-wide at the Pangasinan Provincial Library in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Notable Achievements and Commendations

March 2017: Awarded the Plaque of Distinction for carrying out innovative and relevant 21st-century library services by Beyond Access, IREX, the National Library of the Philippines, and MDFI.

July 2017: Recognized as a Top 14 Performing Tech4ED Center by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Luzon Cluster 2.

September 2017: Finalist in the Outstanding Tech4ED Center-Emerging Category at the National Tech4ED Awards, organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Tech4ED PMO.

September 2017: Ranked 3rd in the Top Performing Tech4ED Centers: Library Category by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Tech4ED PMO.

January - March 2018: Consistently awarded as the Top 1 Most Diligent Public Library in the Submission of Monthly Statistics Report by the National Library of the Philippines.

March 2018: Recognized as a Completer for the Monthly Online Submission of Reports for the period of January to December 2017 by the National Library of the Philippines.

September 2018: Achieved 3rd place in the Search for the Best Success Stories of Luzon Cluster I by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Tech4ED PMO.

December 2018: Honored as an Outstanding Tech4ED Center in the Emerging Category at the National Tech4ED Awards by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Tech4ED PMO.

March 2019: Named the Most Diligent Public Library in the Philippines by the National Library of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.

February 2020: Ranked as the Top 7 Most Diligent Public Library in the Philippines for 2019 by the National Library of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.

March 2021: Achieved 3rd place as the Most Diligent Public Library in the Philippines for 2020 by the National Library of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.

February 2022: Ranked as the Top 4 Most Diligent Public Library in the Philippines for 2021 by the National Library of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.

August 2022: Awarded Ikatlong Gantimpala - Gawad Parangal sa Natatanging Propesyunal na Tagapangasiwa ng Pampublikong Aklatan by the National Library of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.

March 2023: Achieved 2nd place as the Most Diligent Public Library in the Philippines for 2022 by the National Library of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.

March 2024:

• Awarded Unang Gantimpala at the 2024 Gawad Pampublikong Aklatan by the National Library of the Philippines, The Asia Foundation, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Information Agency.

• Received the Public Library Achievement Award by the National Library of the Philippines, The Asia Foundation, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Information Agency.

·  Recognized as the Top Performing Public Library in the Philippines for 2023 by the National Library of the Philippines, The Asia Foundation, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Information Agency.

·  Named the 2023 Public Library of the Year.

2017-Present: Consistently recognized as a Completer of the Monthly Report submissions by the National Library of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.