ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 41 | October 1999
The NLA at work
Regional officer visits Manila
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| Oliver Mann (Centre) with Ricardo Sanchez and Ned Hartendorp of Heritage Publishing House, Manila |
Oliver Mann, the National Librarys regional officer based in Jakarta, made his first visit to Manila this year to renew the Librarys established connections with national institutions and suppliers, and to investigate other sources of supply. Olivers field trip was facilitated by the cooperation and assistance of the Library of Congress Manila Office through its country representative Mrs Julianita Abas and her assistant, Mrs Amalia Lising. The LC Office in the heart of Manila is housed in the superbly restored Filipinas Heritage Library building that was once the control tower of the Manila airport.
Oliver noted that the publishing scene in the Philippines is similar to that in Indonesia; perhaps a little more organised for monographs, but just as chaotic for serials. The economic crisis does not appear to be as severe in the Philippines as it is in Indonesia, but nonetheless the output of government publications is much reduced and very few of them are now available gratis. Oliver visited 16 institutions, suppliers and bookshops during his four days in Manila.
Heritage Publishing House, one of the Librarys traditional suppliers of Philippine material, is an intriguing mixed business of recent publications, antiquarian books, works of art, antique furniture and artefacts, all housed together in two large old houses. Heritage must have many customers who enter the premises with the express intention of buying a book and leave instead with an antique wood carving.
Three contrasting highlights of Olivers field trip were his visits to the National Library, the Asian Development Bank and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
The dedication of the National Librarys staff is impressive. While Oliver was being shown around the Librarys extensive collections by its director, Mrs Adoracion Mendoza-Bolos, he noticed a sign outside the lifts requesting users to take the stairs if they were younger than 40 as the exercise would do them good and enable the ageing lift to last a little longer! The National Library is justifiably proud of its caring attitude towards its staffwell illustrated by the recently-established medical and dental clinic on the ground floor.
The Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Manila, are backed by a comprehensive library service. The purpose of Olivers visit to the Bank was to put in motion the National Library of Australias expression of interest in becoming a depository library in Australia for the Banks extensive publishing program.
On the other side of Manila, located in a modest suburban house, is the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. The Philippines enjoys a similar state of freedom of expression as Indonesia these days, and the centre is making the most of this freedom to critically examine social and political issues. Its range of quality publications embraces serial, book and video formatsa credit to the professionalism of its small staff.
Enquiries regarding the National Librarys Philippines Collection can be directed to Andrew Gosling (agosling@nla.gov.au). Oliver Mann can be contacted at oliver.mann@dfat.gov.au
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: lkirwan@nla.gov.au