BEST PRACTICES OF UP DILIMAN LIBRARY PERSONNEL/STAFF IN DOING COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS DURING THE PANDEMIC
Abstract : This paper investigates the personal experiences of UP Diliman library staff/personnel conducting community outreach projects, including (but not limited to) their challenges due to the pandemic. An online survey was conducted and concluded with general recommendations and best practices drawn from the analysis of library staff/personnel experiences in UP Campus outreach projects.
Keywords : Community outreach projects, COVID-19 pandemic, Librarians
Introduction
In this time of pandemic, community outreach projects have played a big role in helping our fellow countrymen. A good example are the community pantries which provide free items that may benefit those affected by the pandemic. With the intention of helping those in need, the Library personnel are thinking of the ways to help through outreach projects. This paper will provide the practices and recommendations used by the library staff who are already doing and are currently engaged in community outreach projects using an open-ended questions that will try to focus on their lives based on their own experiences.
Method
Online Survey (Open-ended questions) through Google Forms
Results
1. Librarians are active in outreach activities before and even during the pandemic.
2. During the pandemic, health protocols, travel restrictions and social distancing prevent the librarians to fully engage in these outreach activities.
3. Fear of being infected by the virus, coordination and participation to LGUs, difficulty in assessing which channels can best reach different community members, facilitating and engaging in projects due to limited mobility, travel bans and delays in sending donations, fund raising is also a difficult due limited face to face interactions. Time alignment and budget constraints are also a challenge.
4. Following health protocols, putting safety first, coordination and partnership are the keys to a successful outreach program during this time of pandemic. No need to brag, help voluntarily and participate willingly in an organization without hesitations and asking for anything in return is a realization in doing outreach activities. Social media and online distribution channels still allow us to help in any way we can. Information sharing can go a long way in helping those in need. Fulfillment in doing outreach activity, by just giving what you have is what you get by helping others.
1. Have you been engaged in a community outreach project before the pandemic? What is the project? What are the objectives?
All of the respondents have been involved in a community outreach project or activity before the pandemic. One is a volunteer in a high school library. Two respondents are members of Librarians Empowerment and Action Diliman (Team Lead). The goal is to promote information literacy, disaster resiliency and cleanliness to their recipient communities and empower the underserved sector of society by promoting lifelong learning through information awareness, activities, and instructions. Another one is involved in self-initiated/ individual outreach and a volunteer of Rotary Club of St. Ignatius. Another is involved in book drives, pencil drives, and acquisition of educational toys for the local library and school children of New Ibajay, Palawan. They also collect personal hygiene items and drinking water for the aid of those affected by Taal Volcano eruption. Their book drives’ objective is to promote literacy and love of reading. Lastly, another respondent is involved in different outreach activities since 1996. She joined religious organizations in their parish and distributed transistor radios. The goal of the project is to help individuals be aware of current events and news. The respondent is also involved in two outreach projects produced by their college. One is entitled “Share love, share books”. They donate books to less fortunate individuals, schools and barangay libraries in the provinces. The objective of the project is to help individuals develop reading habits. Workshop sessions and storytelling activities to children are also done by inviting faculty members to be their resource persons. Second project is the “art mugs”, an income generating project (IGP) of the college and at the same time promoting artworks.
1.1 How about during the pandemic? Did you have any hesitation before accepting the project?
1.1. One respondent did not engage in any community outreach project or activity during the pandemic due to health reasons. Another respondent still has outreach activities and has no hesitation in accepting projects because the respondent believes that outreach activities are selfless offerings of one’s service and resources to the underprivileged. Another respondent stated that even if there is a pandemic, Rotary Club activities are still ongoing and needed. Another respondent said that projects are still on-going and members are actively participating in the planning during meetings as well as promoting and supporting donation drives set by the committee for extending help to the target beneficiaries of the project despite the pandemic. The committee also distributed grocery packs and health kits to help ease the burden if not to eliminate the basic needs of those deeply affected particularly in the nearest UP community. Another respondent said that there are reservations but they will continue to push through with the outreach projects that they reach. There have been delays and changes in focus as a result of the pandemic. Lastly, another respondent said that the project is initiated by the college so there is no reason not to participate.
1.2. How will you compare the experience between participating in an outreach done before and during the pandemic?
1.2 One respondent said that volunteering during the pandemic includes social distancing and health protocols which were not a practice before. Another respondent said that before the pandemic, basic health protocols were not considered. This is contrary to what we have experienced during the pandemic not to mention the extreme coordination to the Local Government Units and Barangay Health Workers. Another respondent said that before the pandemic, one maybe active in physical participation, going to the community or places wherein community activities were being held. During the pandemic, selected community activities were physically attended, but full support is given to the club. Going to community activities are limited to protect oneself from being infected by Covid-19. Another respondent said that face-to-face activities were done before the pandemic. One can gather targeted beneficiaries and perform programmed activities, however, participating during this time of pandemic is a bit risky considering that there are COVID-19 cases which affect the implementation of the project. Another respondent said that they have redirected their outreach to nearby communities and online efforts. Masks and first aid kits were provided for local front liners of the college. Online efforts included information dissemination amidst the pandemic, and linking online donation drives during the events of Typhoon Ulysses and the Cagayan Flooding. Lastly, another respondent said that doing outreach activity in this time of pandemic is quite challenging because of some restrictions.
2. What are the challenges that you faced during your community outreach project?
2. One respondent said that one challenge is the coordination and participation of the local government units (LGUs). Another respondent said that the only challenge is the fear of being infected by COVID-19. Another respondent said that difficulty in assessing which channels can best reach different community members is also a challenge. Facilitating and engaging the project is very challenging now, since mobility is limited and there are certain protocols to be observed and followed to ensure safety in engaging the activity. Another respondent said that specifically efforts toward New Ibajay, Palawan, travel bans caused significant delays in sending the materials. They also faced challenges in fund raising for outreach projects because of limited face-to-face activities. Time alignment of those involved has also proved challenging. Lastly, another respondent said that budget constraints are also a challenge because we cannot please everybody.
3. Are there any realizations or tips you can give to those who want to engage in a community outreach project in the future?
3. One respondent said that we should follow health guidelines imposed to us to protect ourselves from the pandemic. Another respondent said that putting your safety first, coordination and partnership are the keys to a successful outreach program. Another respondent said that outreach can be done if you want to help voluntarily or participate in an organization willingly. There is no need to advertise or brag about it. We can help others without hesitation or asking for any returns. Another respondent said that by engaging to outreach programs, you extend help to other people and community no matter how big or small it is to help ensure that no one is left behind during this time of pandemic. Another respondent said that building strong attachments to communities and a sense of commitment to help other people to make them feel better in whatever gestures that we may offer to them is worthwhile and fulfilling. Another respondent said that the online landscape is an important in this time of difficulty. Although travel and communication is limited, social media and online distribution channels still allow us to help in any way we can. Information sharing can go a long way with helping those in need. Lastly, another respondent said that there is a fulfillment in doing outreach activity, by just giving what you have with your best effort.
1. It might be good to look into more local outreach programs in Metro Manila since it is one of the centers of the pandemic. Local front liners of UP such as the security, janitors, and medical practitioners also needs help.
2. Comparisons to other university and organization outreach activities done by librarians and coordinators can be also be studied and explored.
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