When Maโam Paulina T. Baba first walked into the library of what would later become Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), she almost turned around and left.
It was January 1990, and the library she was about to manage was in complete disarray. Chairs were scattered about, trash and bottles littered the floor, and a stage took up much of the space. The guidance office shared the same hall, and books were locked away in a stockroom instead of on display. The space doubled as a venue for conferences, school programs, graduations, and even classrooms.
โWe jokingly call it a sira-sira store because we close it during events. I felt like backing out because of this situation,โ she recalled. But walking away was never in Maโam Babaโs nature.
CHANCE ENCOUNTER
Paulinaโs path to DNSC began with a chance encounter. In November 1989, on her way to work as a librarian in Toril, Davao City, she ran into her high school mentor waiting for a jeepney. That conversation changed the course of her life.
Her mentor mentioned a vacancy for School Librarian I in Panabo City. The very next day, Paulina filed for leave, traveled to Panabo, and submitted her application. After going through oral and written interviews, where she also showcased her talents in public speaking, acting, and singing, she was hired. By January 2, 1990, she officially began her career at DNSC.
TURNING POINT
The turning point came when then-OIC President Quirino Bero ordered changes to restore the libraryโs true purpose. The stage was dismantled, the Guidance Office relocated, and the books finally brought out of storage. Maโam Baba had her canvas, and she set about transforming the library into the learning hub it was meant to be.
Her dedication never wavered. Before DNSC was chartered as a state college in 1995, she passed the Librarianโs Licensure Examination in December 1994. Shortly after, she was promoted to School Librarian III, and later reclassified as College Librarian III, a position she still holds today.
In 2008, she was sent to pursue her masterโs degree in Library and Information Science, which she completed in 2013. Along the way, she oversaw major developments, โThrough the years, many developments were made in the library, like collections of references, online databases, nonprint materials, library systems, and other library resources, through the support of the administration. In 2012, the library was redesigned, a mezzanine area was installed along with the refurbishing of the Audio-Visual Room. The e-library was also added, which rebranded the college library to Learning and Information Resource Center. Now, we await to one of the most exciting phases of the library, the renovation and turning it to a three-storey LIRC building with modern facilities and services to be available soon.โ
SECRETS TO LONGEVITY
For Paulina, the library is more than a workplace. It is her lifeโs work, her bread and butter. It has allowed her to support her family and send her children through college.
โMy path in this institution is full of ups and downs. I surmounted all obstacles and difficulties,โ she shared. โSince this is my lifeblood, my devotion and love for this organization are unwavering.โ
DNSC also gave her countless opportunities for growth, attending seminars, building networks, and staying updated on the latest trends in library management.
After 35 years of service, Paulinaโs advice to younger employees is simple, โBuild and expand your relationships. Manage your time effectively, yet be willing to render exigency of service, especially in critical situations. Donโt be afraid to ask questions when things are not familiar to you and take feedback graciously.โ
From a library once called a sira-sira store to a modern information center poised for the future, Paulina Baba has been the constant hand guiding its transformation. And like the best of stories in the library, hers is one worth reading, and remembering. (end, CNL)
