The Philippine Librarians Association Inc - Southern Tagalog Region Librarians Council (PLAI-STRLC) will hold its Regional Conference and General Assembly on September 24-26, 2008 at the Queen Margarette Hotel, Domoit Diversion Road, Lucena City, Quezon Province.

The theme for this year activity is “Regional Conference on Empowering Librarians in the 21st Century.” It aims to stress the importance of the involvement of librarians in enabling students and its community to become critical thinkers and effective users of information in all formats and media; strengthen librarian's understanding of the library’s basic functions and how technology has changed these basic functions; and to empower the administrators, librarians, information professionals and teacher-librarians in conquering successfully the library challenges of the 21st century.

The topics include: ABC’s of Librarians’ Success in the Workplace; Personal and Professional Competencies; Library Administration and Management; Basic Library Functions and Services; Current Trends in Information Technology as Applied to Libraries.

The Cavite Librarians Association, Inc. will be holding a 3-day Seminar-Workshop on "Basic Library Management" on May 26-28, 2008 at the Old Session Hall of Cavite Provincial Capitol, Trece Martires City, Cavite.

It aims to enhance the teachers-librarian and other library personnel’s technical skills on basic library management in school libraries which includes the following topic: cataloging & classifying of library materials, reference & information services for school library, library instruction for teacher librarian, managing school libraries and library automation.

Marcial R. Batiancila, Director of the St. Thomas of Villanova Libraries, was elected Regional Chair of the PLAI- Southern Tagalog Regions Librarians Council (PLAI-STRLC) at its recent general assembly in Laguna on October 9-10, 2007.   The Association is a regional council of librarians and information professionals under the umbrella of the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. Membership is open to all licensed librarians from the provinces of Aurora, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Rizal and Romblon. 

Also elected to the PLAI-STRLC board are:  Vice-Chair : Audrey G. Anday (UPOU); Secretary , Rene B. Manlangit (San Pablo Colleges); Treasurer : Rosario A. Villamater (Manuel S. Enverga University); Auditor :  Rosita Masangkay (Batangas Prov’l Library); Board of Directors:  Jocelyn Haling (St. Michael’s College) and Freya Faye Perez (CSJ de Letran-Calamba); House of Delegates: Jhenny P. Encina (CSJde Letran-Calamba), Michael John Tolentino (Imus Institute) NOMELEC Chair : Ms. Charity Mahusay (SSC-R de Cavite), Members: Ms. Rowena Andaya (IRRI), Louella Bagis (CSJ de Letran-Calamba), Jennalyn Pancho (Quezon Prov’l Library) and Joyce Pascua (Olivarez College).

On the other hand, in the recently concluded election of the Cavite Librarians Association, Inc. on December 7, 2007, Mrs. Chairty R.. Mahusay was also elected as Member of the Board of Directors and Mr. Batiancila as Ex-officio Officer. 

On August 31, 2007, the school board unanimously approved the proposal of the Library on the renaming of the Recoletos de Cavite Libraries to St. Thomas of Villanova Libraries.  The renaming of the Library is a fitting tribute to St. Thomas for his promotion of studies and missions in the Order of Saint Augustine, and for his love and care for the poor.  

The launching of the renaming of the Libraries took place on November 26, 2007 during the opening ceremonies of the 2007 Library and Information Services Month and the 73^rd National Book Week celebration.  The ceremony started with the unveiling and blessing of the statue of the saint installed at the Main Library and was then followed by a “Forum on the Life and Spirituality of St. Thomas of Villanova” with Rev. Fr. Alden V. Alipin, OAR (VP-Academics) as the resource speaker.   Present during the inauguration were the following— Rev. Fr. Emilio P. Jaruda, OAR (College President) and several school authorities, librarians and faculty.

It is praiseworthy and noteworthy that the Library was renamed in honor of St. Thomas meriting his contribution to the Order of Saint Augustine and recognizing his life of virtue and for his service to God and the Church.