On March 7, 2025, the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao (USLT) – University Libraries successfully redeployed the Book Mobile Project in collaboration with the Community Engagement and CICM Advocacies (CECA) office.
The initiative included engaging activities for the children at the Calao Child Development Center, making the event an enriching experience for all participants. Additional book donation activities were also conducted at some partner schools.
Before the conduct of the main activity, the team started with a courtesy call to Fr. Nicolas Citolo, CICM, the parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Mission. He received three (3) boxes of books on behalf of the school officials of Allaguia National High School as the team was not able to go further due to bad weather conditions.
The Book Mobile Program at Calao Child Development Center commenced with a warm welcome message from Ms. Nellie Salingbay, Daycare Teacher. The Collection Development Librarian, Ms. Jessa Lannao, presented the objectives of the bookmobile and the different activities planned for the day.
To energize the kids, the librarians and library staff, led by Ms. Antonettemarie D. Malana and Mrs. Ma. Katrina I. Juan, conducted an interactive session of nursery rhymes. This was followed by a storytelling segment aimed at igniting a passion for reading in the children, featuring the story “Sandosenang Sorpresa,” narrated by Ms. Jee Ann F. Encarnacion.
The children were also engaged in a coloring activity. Materials such as coloring books and crayons were provided to enhance their creativity and artistic skills. Snacks for the kids were also offered. The daycare pupils participated in these activities through the assistance of other librarians and library staff, together with BES-CECA Coordinator Mr. Bryan F. Arugay from the CECA Office.
Mrs. Michelle A. Abella, Director of Libraries, provided a heartwarming message and additional instructions to the kids and parents on how to fully maximize the books in the Book Mobile. Mr. Arugay also shared a short yet meaningful message at the end of the activity. The team bid their farewells, hoping that the books that were lent to the children would bring big, bright smiles to their little lives.
Subsequently, another three (3) boxes of books were donated at the Allaguia Elementary School, which was received by Ms. Rosemarie M. Dasayon, the school principal. All the books donated are from the different libraries of the university, which consist of weeded materials.
The program concluded positively, with smiles from the kids and gratitude expressed by the Parents Association and all those who participated in the activity. The bookmobile recipients well-appreciated it, and it was indeed a success.
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