Twelve MMSU librarians attended  the Philippine Librarian Association Inc. (PLAI) Regional Summit last August 11 at the Fr.  Gerard de Boeck Mission Library Building, Saint Louis College, City of San Fernando, La Union.

The theme, Coping with the Trends  in Librarianship, the activity was hosted by the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.  –Ilocos Region Librarians Council (PLAI-IRLC) in partnership with Saint Louis College (SLC).

The librarians   were among the  97 participants  (staff, librarians, information officers, administrative officers  and students) who represented the academic libraries, special libraries,  school libraries in Region 1 who realized the following objectives of the group: 1)   to discuss the issues and concerns about the profession;  2)  understand the direction of the regional and national association  to become a proactive member of PLAI both regional and national;  3)  to suggest ways to solve  problems concerning work in the library and the association,  and  4)  to become aware of the latest trends in librarianship especially the CPD.

Topic discussed focused on the “Continuing Professional Education  (CPD) of 2016 : Its Implementing Rules and Regulations and Operational Guidelines which was  expounded by Dr. Louie M. Fernandez , Chief Librarian, PIMSAT Colleges, Inc.

In the handout distributed during the session, David (2017) concluded the following: 1) Although CPD is mandatory by law in the Philippines, it is designed to prepare you for the future; 2) You alone can design your own CPD plan. Questions you should take into account are: Where am I now in my career?; What do I want to become?; What CPD activities do I need to reach my goal?; How do I assess  my progress and 3) CPD is work in progress. It is a lifelong activity.

MMSU librarians who attended the activity were ULS Director Lucena R. Felipe, Marilyn G. Aceret, Agnes Dolores  C. Cantorna, Francisca V. Dumlao, Benefreda G. Foronda, Nelia R. Franco, Avelina R. Lacuesta,  Emerita  Q. Matipo, Virginia B. Medrano, Maybelle R. Perinion, Benelyn R. Salvador, and  Eliza H. Gorospe-Villarin.