Malditang Librarian

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched the world's first national crypto library to protect and secure confidential information in the country. This was initiated by the Cryptography Research Center of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). According to Faisal Al Bannai, secretary general of ATRC, "The ever-evolving sophistication of cyberattacks should not be taken for granted. By developing a national crypto library in the UAE and integrating this within critical digital infrastructure, we can increase our security levels and build sovereign capability simultaneously." The library consists of algorithms that cryptographers use to protect information in different data-driven fields such as health care, telecommunications, and finance.  The research center have already released several versions of the library and are working on integrating it into UAE's data infrastructure. They work with scientists in cryptography and related fields such as post-qu...

Globe launches Ugnay, a learning platform using text or short messaging service (SMS). Though SMS has limited capabilities, it can be useful for those who have limited internet access. Ugnay aims to deliver accessible content to learners. Text messaging has its advantages as a fast and effective way to deliver information, and it can reach thousands of learners with less effort. Lessons can also be delivered in a short and concise way through text. It also saves the user from the hassle of logging in and out of different platforms. “This pandemic heightened the need for distance learning but there are a lot of challenges -  from the adjustments that have to be done by teachers and students to accommodate distance learning to the availability of content and limitations of accessing learning media that rely heavily on compatible devices and stable internet connection. This prompted us to look for ways to address these concerns,” said Ariane Nava, Globe Head of Channel Governance an...

A new Banned Books Museum recently opened in Tallin, Estonia. The museum houses banned books in several countries and aims to educate the public about literary censorship. According to museum founder Joseph Dunnigan, "We want to raise people’s awareness of the long history of censorship and the importance of freedom of speech. Freedom of thought and expression is not a universally accepted human right to this day. I am happy to contribute to the dissemination of freedom of speech with the museum.” They have a collection of over 100 banned books, classified by country. The museum features banned and controversial books such as Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code , Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale , and William Golding's Lord of the Flies . They also have collections of burned books, children's books, and books on censorship. The museum's vision states that "We dream of a world in which people can freely share, challenge, and refine their ideas. The value...

Camarines Sur 2nd district Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte is proposing a bill for textbook publishers to allow the scanning and digitization of books for educational purposes, as long as it complies with the Philippines' Intellectual Property Code. House Bill 8020 or "An Act amending R.A. 8047, otherwise known as the 'Book Publishing Industry Development Act,' providing for the scanning and conversion of public school textbooks into eBooks and other digital formats"  was filed last November 17, 2020. It has been forwarded for review by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture. This proposed act mandates the digitization of eBooks by publishers under the government's Public School Textbook Program. The digital copies of these textbooks shall be available in 'any manner deemed appropriate and reasonable by the DepEd' for access by public school students in the country. According to Rep. Villafuerte, "It is no secret that textbooks i...

This year's Newbery Medal awardee is Jerry Craft's graphic novel, New Kid . The Newberry Medal is an annual award given by the American Library Association's (ALA) Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) division for the author of "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." New Kid is written and illustrated by Jerry Craft and published by Harper. It is the first graphic novel to win the award.  According to Krishna Grady, Newbery Medal Committee Chair, "This distinct, timely, and honest story respects children and gives its readers a glimpse into what it means to be other."  The graphic novel explores themes such as race, class, and bullying. Book Summary: "Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of t...

Photo credit: Ana Mae Cantel (PLAI WVRLC President) This December 20, 2020, the Philippine Librarians Association - Western Visayas Regional Librarians Council (PLAI WVRLC) conducted an outreach program in Brgy. Olango in Miag-ao, Iloilo. The program, "Pag-ulikid sa mga bata sa bukid: remedial module teaching and storytelling to children in the mountains" was made possible through the effort of librarian volunteers and donations. School supplies, books, magazines, and toys were donated to the communities. Just in time for Christmas, food packs were also given to the recipient families. Post from Ana Mae Cantel, PLAI WVRLC President Follow Malditang Librarian for news, updates, and trends on libraries and librarians in the Philippines . Facebook page

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) together with exclusive partner Globe, announced the much-awaited lineup of films for the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival  in a presscon held via zoom, together with Dondon Monteverde of Sphere Entertainment, Inc. (UPSTREAM). The 2020 MMFF official entries in different genres such as fantasy, drama, comedy, horror and romance, that every family member will enjoy include the following:  Coming Home Fan Girl Isa Pang Bahaghari Magikland Mang Kepweng PAKBOYS Suarez: The Healing Priest Tagpuan The Boys Foretold The Missing But amid the challenges of the pandemic, with social distancing protocols still in place, one asks how the public can fully enjoy these films and recreate the wonderful tradition of the MMFF. Thankfully, Filipinos from here and even abroad can recreate the wonderful tradition of watching these MMFF films, through the UPSTREAM video streaming platform/app provided by UPSTREAM and GMovies ticketing platform provided by Glo...