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~uqust 15" 1991
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, California
Yisit to Palo Municipal Libraa __ and Infqrmation __ ....Q§..l1ter in Palo.
Leyte. Philippines
Xambers of the Council:
REPORT IN BRIEF
This is an informational report 5uDl.!Ilarizing the .April 1991 trip
taken by F.aty obringer, Palo AltD Supervising Librarian of
children's services, to one of Palo Alto's sister cities, Palo,
Leyte, Philippines. She represented the City of Palo Alto, the
Palo Alto Library, and Neighbors Abroad. No Council action is
required.
~ACKGROQ!!Q
In 1Sl83, Neighbors Abroad representatives met 'With Katy Obringer to
discuss ideas about starting a Children's Library in Palo. In
1988, the library became a reality with the first shipment of books
coming from donations gathered at a Share-a-Book Farty held at Palo
Alro's Children's Library~ The Palo Municipal Library and
Information Center, 'Which includes a childrents section r is no.,
recognized as the best municipal library in the Philippines. In
January 1991, Neighbors Abroad applied for funding from U.S .. Sister
Cities International for a technical support grant to provide
professional library expertise in developing children's prog~ams
and services at the Palo Municipal Library. The grant 'Was received
and combined with additional monetary support from the Friends of
the Palo Alto Public Library. In accordance with the City'S Merit
Syste~ Rules, the City Manager authorized a paid leave of absence
for Katy to fulfill the goals of the grant.
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PURPOSE OF THE TEIP
Specific objecti~es ~ere set for the trip ~ith the desired results
being: improved communication between the GI.~"lTS, the Palo
organiz;).ticn that oversees Neighbors Abroad projects, other key
Paloans, and Neighbors Abroad; a better understanding of ~hat was
happening 'ali th Neighoors Abroad sponsored programs in-cludinq the
Palo Municipal Library and Information Center, the Out ot School
Youth program, the Scholarship program, and the building of the pew
Pio PearO$a Educational center: more complete ideas of the needs of
the library: the identification of a core group of library
supporters: the selection of a candidate from Palo for a~
interns~ip at the ~alo Alto Children's Library; a~d an increase in
general library service to all citizens of Palo.
EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPL_ISHMENTS
As part of her official role~ Katy met with and addt'essed nwnerous
organizations and groups, some of ~hich ~ere the GIANTS; the Mayor
and his chief advisor:ii; the Barangay (village) president and
captains; the Department of Education, CUlture, and Sportsi
Department of social welfare; Knights o~ Columbus: SENCAPS (Senior
Citizens): tha archbishop of Leyte: the Municipal Judge; health
pers:onnel: representatives from the two Palo elementary and high
sc'hool districts and private schools, loca1 colleges, trade scheels
and a seminary: and the students and scholars supported by
Neighbors Abroad ~ She gave the commencement address for the
graduates of the Neighbors Abroad Out of School Youth prog~am and
was interviell.'cd by the neighboring city's TV station.
Workinq 'With the Palo Municipal Library and Infonna'tion Cente.r
staff, xaty conducted 37 story times in the library and baranqays
~ith attendance of over 1,500 people of all ages: reorganized the
library and classifie~ the juvenile collection, making access to
the 'bc.oics easier for the staff and patrons; 'Worked "'ith the
librarian and library aide in various aspects of 1 ibr03rianship,
includinq library services to the cOlllIDunity, collection
develepment~ creating and pro:!:':oting: tne library, and retrieval of
books: and conducted a ".Best Use of i01.1r Library'll contest. Working
~ith specific individuals in the community. an a.greement was
reached to begin a Palo Friends of the Library.
Finally, Katy had the opportunity to experience the culture of Palo
by attending many social events, including the 40th Anrtiversary of
the GIA..'1TS.
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CONCLUSION
The Palo library staff 'Was vS!ry receptive to lCaty's ideas and,
accordingly, changes were made to better serve the community. Tt.e
community itself developed a new level of awareness of what a
library could be. Hopefully. this new community interest in their
library 'Will generate more use, donations, and volunteer:'s to make
the library the focal point of the community. Katy's geals in
qeneral .. ere accomplished, and reports and recomll:lendations have
been made to Neighbors Abroad. The Palo committee of Neighbors
Abroad has implemente1: many ideas that Katy suggested and is
exploring several other possible projects.
It was a most valuable trip. and thanks are dUE to the city for
making it possible for Katy to have this unique personal and
professional experience. The general knowledge gained will enhance
thi! 'Working relationship of Palo Alto Neighbors Abroad and the
peopl~s of Palo.
Respectfully submitted,
7MM; ~;~
Mary Jo ~
Director of Libraries
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,,"ssistan't. City
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