Welcome Address of Dr. Nilo L. Rosas, PNU President

During the Lecture Forum “Proactive LIP’s: Committed to Customer Service” May 20, 2002 PNU Conference Hall

Isang mapagpalayang umaga sa inyong lahat! Sa mga taga PNU at sa mga bisita natin na galling sa iba’t-ibang mga pamantasan at “library centers” ditto sa loob at labas ng ka-Maynilaan.

Summer is regarded by most people as a time to take a respite from a busy and demanding year. However, in an academic institution like the PNU, it means a number of things. Primarily, it’s a time to accommodate teachers from different parts of the country for professional upgrading and intellectual exchange.

Some of these encounters take the whole summer duration while others last for only brief periods of time. This morning’s academic gathering takes on a different form – a lecture forum titled “Proactive LIP’s: Committed to Customer Service.” What a catchy and attractive title you have chosen for today’s venture!

I guess, for many who are alien to your circle the phrase proactive LIP’s would undoubtedly connote interesting thoughts, some of which maybe naughty or blue. But I like it because it makes people curious to know or discover when it really denotes and what you are really doing. The only adjective I know to describe LIP’s is kissable or sometimes attractive.

As president of this institution, a president for only ten (10) days, I feel elated that the University is finally pioneering in a number of professional organization because of the creativity and initiative of its faculty and graduates embarking on worthwhile endeavors. Since the PNU’s establishment a century ago, we have been known to blaze the trail on countless laudable initiatives. What the you, PNU-LISAA, are undertaking now is considered to be a concrete example of being proactive rather than reactive. Getting involved, being forward looking, collaborating, networking, these are all proactive commitment to service.

I commend the PNU-LISAA, first for organizing yourselves into a professional group that will provide leadership in the development, promotion and the improvement of library and information service. Secondly, for sponsoring this first of a series of four lecture for a specifically programmed for the year 2002-2003. I would also liketo commend the Department of Library Science for all this continuing short term programs aimed at enhancing the personal and professional development of librarians.

The great significance that your group gives to this cause will benefit a wide array of customers from students, to writers, to researchers, to book lovers and curious individuals who have no intentions but to see how a library looks like and what it can provide. The library is the lifeblood of academic life. Even in the meager volumes of our collection, limited staff and absence of the state of the art facilities, the PNU strives to be of service to its many users and clientele. I met Prof. Marasigan few days ago and went around to see our resources and discovered, there leaves so much to be desired. I do hope in a few years time, when you come back, our library would be a little different from what you see today

Hopefully, I like to bring my colleagues and staff to the topnotch libraries in and out of Metro Manila for benchmarking purposes. I hope I can bring them to SEAMEO-INOTEC, ADB, UST, De La Salle, Ateneo De Manila University and other topnotch universities using high technology in providing library and information services to our clients.

We pride ourselves by claiming that we are the prime national teacher education university and yet we may not provide state of the art resources in library services. I am enjoining the professors, headed by Dr. Linda M. Tayona to combine their expertise with the librarians of the University so that there can be a symbolic relationship between the two groups of academicians.

Binibigyang puri ko ang pamunuan ng PNU-LISAA sakanilang pagsisilbi at pagbibigay sigla sa ating “library science alumni” upang ang inaasam natin na mangyari ay magkaroon ng katuparan sa malapit na hinaharap. At iyan ang pagsulong at pangunguna ng PNU di lamang sa pagtuturo,maging sa “librarianship”din. Tangkilikin nating lahat ang mga sumusunod pang pagtititpon ng PNU-LISAA.]

On behalf of the PNU,PNU-LISAA and my own, I convey to each one of you a very warm and pleasant welcome most specially, to our guest speaker, Mrs. Thelma Japzon of the Civil Service Commission.

Hangad kop o ang tagumpay ng PNU-LISAA at ninyong mga “librarians.” Sa inyo pong lahat magandang umaga po at mainit na pagtanggap ang pinaaabot ko sa inyo.