This document is a narrative report of a student's on-the-job training at the College of Communication Library, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, as part of a Bachelor of Library and Information Science program. It details the author's first deployment from September 15 to October 3, 2026, covering tasks such as attaching barcodes, inventorying furniture and theses, shelf-reading,…
TFPLIOO2026 BLIS 4-2 1ST INSTITUTION RAYA ALEXA EPARWA PUP - COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONOR
CONTENTSNARRATIVE PICTURES ATTENDANCE (DTR) REFLECTION CERTIFICATE EVALUATION
NARRATIVE
NARRATIVE NARRATIVE REPORT OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING EXPERIENCE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION LIBRARY POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES SEPTEMBER 15 – OCTOBER 3, 2026 My first on-the-job training (OJT) deployment at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines was a memorable and meaningful experience filled with new challenges, learning opportunities, and personal growth. As a Bachelor of Library and Information Science student, I was excited to finally apply the knowledge and skills I had acquired throughout my academic journey in an actual library setting. However, I also felt nervous because I knew that this experience would introduce me to a new environment, new people, and responsibilities that required professionalism, patience, and adaptability. My OJT officially began on September 15, 2026. I was assigned to the College of Communication (COC) Library alongside another OJT student from section 4-1. However, our deployment did not immediately begin at our assigned institution because the librarian was on leave. In the meantime, Doc Bernice temporarily assigned us to the Technical Division of the Main Library. Upon arriving, Ma’am Cindy introduced us to the staff, who warmly welcomed us and made us feel comfortable despite being unfamiliar with the workplace. Ma’am Tin assigned us our first task, which involved attaching barcodes and call number labels to books. Although the task was relatively simple, it allowed me to experience the technical processes involved in preparing library materials. Working alongside other OJT students also made the tasks easier and more enjoyable because we were able to help one another accomplish our assigned responsibilities. Later that afternoon, Doc Bernice assigned Jade, Hannah, and me to assist the professors at the College of Education (COED). For the next two days, September 16 and 17, I worked under the supervision of Doc Sumande, assisting with organizing and labeling documents, printing materials, and editing files. These two days were particularly hectic because of the number of tasks that needed to be accomplished. One memorable experience was when Doc Julian introduced me to Dean Dizon, who personally assigned me a task. I felt extremely nervous because it was my first time interacting directly with our dean, and I wanted to make sure that I performed my responsibilities correctly. Despite the demanding workload, the experience was enjoyable and productive. I was also grateful for Doc Sumande's generosity and for Doc Bernice, who gave us the opportunity to experience administrative work outside the library.
NARRATIVE On September 18, I finally began my official deployment at the College of Communication Library. I met Ma’am Niña, our supervising librarian, who oriented us on the library's organization, shelving arrangements, and borrowing and returning procedures. I also met Irene, the library's student assistant, and Kat, my fellow OJT trainee. Knowing that I would be working alongside people who were familiar with the library's daily operations helped ease my nervousness. Our first task was to conduct an inventory of the library's furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, shelves, computers, cabinets, and other labeled items. After completing this task, we were assigned to inventory the library's collection of theses. The thesis inventory became one of our primary responsibilities throughout the deployment. We were tasked with organizing theses, identifying duplicate copies, checking accession numbers and call numbers, and recording information in an Excel spreadsheet. At first, I thought the work would be relatively easy, but I soon realized how physically demanding and time-consuming it could be. Many of the theses were heavy and dusty, and there were numerous copies that needed to be examined individually. Nevertheless, as the days passed, I became more familiar with the process and developed a routine that helped me accomplish my tasks more efficiently. Another important part of my OJT experience was assisting library users. During my first Saturday duty, I met Ma’am Tes, the librarian assigned to the COC Library every Saturday. Compared to Ma’am Niña, she was stricter when it came to maintaining discipline among students, but she was equally helpful and supportive. One of my most memorable experiences happened when a student approached me to borrow a thesis. Although I had already been oriented on the borrowing procedures, I became nervous and made a few mistakes while processing the transaction. Fortunately, Ma’am Tes guided me through the correct procedures and reminded me of the steps I needed to follow. That experience taught me the importance of remaining calm, being attentive, and asking for assistance whenever necessary. On the same day, an alumnus visited the library to look for his thesis from 2013. Initially, I thought locating the material would be simple, but after searching the shelves for several minutes, I began to worry because I could not find it. Ma’am Tes helped me search, but we were still unsuccessful. Eventually, I remembered that some theses without accession numbers had been placed on separate shelves. I immediately checked that area and finally found the thesis. I felt incredibly relieved and happy because I was able to assist the alumnus successfully. That particular moment became one of the highlights of my deployment because it reminded me that being observant, resourceful, and persistent is essential when providing library services.
NARRATIVE As our deployment continued, Kat and I developed a regular working arrangement. She usually worked inside the library office, while I stayed outside near the shelves and student area. Aside from inventorying theses, I was responsible for monitoring the students and reminding them to minimize their noise whenever necessary. Through this responsibility, I learned that maintaining a conducive learning environment is also an important aspect of library management. Although reminding students to lower their voices sometimes felt repetitive, I understood that it was necessary to ensure that the library remained a comfortable place for studying and research. Throughout the succeeding days, we continued organizing theses from different years, including those from 2007, 2006, and 2005. We separated materials with incomplete bibliographic information, grouped duplicate copies, and returned properly identified theses to their designated shelves. Gradually, the piles of theses became smaller, and I began to appreciate the progress we were making. The experience taught me the importance of patience, consistency, and teamwork, especially when performing repetitive but essential library tasks. One of the most challenging days of my deployment occurred on September 25, when heavy rain suddenly poured while I was having lunch outside the library. Unfortunately, I had not brought an umbrella, so I had to borrow one from a nearby store. Despite having an umbrella, my clothes still became wet because of the strong wind and rain. Returning to the library was particularly uncomfortable because the temperature inside was already very cold. Kat advised me to dry myself before resuming work, which I appreciated. Although the incident was stressful, it became another memorable part of my OJT experience. The following day, during my second Saturday duty, Ma’am Tes introduced me to serial cataloging. This was especially meaningful because cataloging was one of the areas of librarianship that I wanted to experience firsthand. She explained the process of cataloging serial materials and how it differed from cataloging books. Since I already had some background knowledge from our academic courses, I was able to understand several aspects of the process. Ma’am Tes also encouraged me to visit the Laboratory High School Library, where she was assigned during weekdays, to gain more experience in serial cataloging. Although I was unable to visit because of my schedule, I was grateful for the opportunity to learn something new and apply my classroom knowledge in an actual library setting.
NARRATIVE Another significant learning experience occurred on September 29, when we began shelf-reading the theses according to their Library of Congress call numbers. Previously, we had been returning inventoried theses to the shelves without arranging them properly by call number. Since shelf reading was one of the topics discussed in our Cataloging course under Doc Dimasaca, I was excited to apply what I had learned. This task was relatively easy for me, and it gave me a sense of accomplishment because I could finally see the practical application of our classroom discussions. During the same period, I also became more confident in assisting students with borrowing and returning theses, especially as more library users approached us for assistance. As September came to an end, Kat and I became increasingly determined to complete the remaining inventory tasks before our deployment concluded. We had been working on the collection for several days, and we wanted to make sure that everything was properly organized before leaving. We began multitasking and working more efficiently to finish the remaining theses. Although the work was tiring, seeing our progress motivated us to continue. On October 2, we finally completed the inventory of all the remaining theses, including materials dating as far back as the year 2000. After several days of sorting, checking, recording, and organizing, we were able to finish the task that had occupied most of our deployment. We tied the remaining duplicate copies and placed the materials in their designated areas. Completing the inventory gave me a great sense of relief and satisfaction because I knew how much effort and patience we had invested in the process. Aside from accomplishing our assigned tasks, one of the most meaningful parts of my OJT was building relationships with the people I worked with. Over time, I became more comfortable talking with Kat and Irene, and we gradually got to know one another better. What initially felt like an awkward working environment eventually became a place where I felt welcomed and appreciated. I was grateful to have met people who made my first deployment enjoyable. I was also thankful to Ma’am Niña for her guidance, kindness, and generosity throughout our stay at the COC Library. My final day of duty was October 3, 2026. Unlike the previous days, it was relatively calm. I assisted students who wanted to borrow theses, monitored the library area, and reminded students to minimize their noise whenever necessary. Although nothing particularly unusual happened, I appreciated the peaceful atmosphere because it allowed me to reflect on everything I had experienced during my deployment. I felt a little sad knowing that it was my last day at the COC Library, especially because I had already become accustomed to the environment, my responsibilities, and the people around me.
NARRATIVE Looking back on my entire OJT experience, I realized that working in a library involves much more than organizing books and assisting borrowers. It requires patience, responsibility, attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to adapt to different situations. Through my experiences in the Technical Division, College of Education, and College of Communication Library, I gained a better understanding of the different responsibilities involved in library and administrative work. I was able to apply my knowledge of call numbers, shelf reading, circulation procedures, inventory management, and serial cataloging while developing my confidence in interacting with library users and staff. More importantly, this deployment helped me grow not only as a future library and information professional but also as an individual. From being nervous and uncertain on my first day to becoming more confident and independent in performing my responsibilities, I could see how much I had improved throughout the experience. I learned that mistakes are part of the learning process, that asking questions is necessary for improvement, and that even the simplest tasks contribute to the effective operation of a library. Overall, my first OJT deployment at the College of Communication Library was a successful, productive, and memorable experience. I am grateful to everyone who guided, supported, and welcomed me throughout this journey. Although my time at the institution has ended, the lessons, skills, and memories I gained will remain valuable as I continue my training in other institutions. This experience strengthened my appreciation for librarianship and reminded me that every opportunity to learn, no matter how small, contributes to my development as a future professional. As I move forward to my next deployment, I will carry the knowledge, experiences, and values I gained from my first institution. This may be the end of my first OJT experience, but it is only the beginning of many more opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development. One deployment down, three more to go!
PICTURES
PICTURES SEPT 15, 2026: DAY 1 SEPT 16 & SEPT 17, 2026: DAY 2 & 3
PICTURES SEPT 18, 2026: DAY 4 SEPT 19 & SEPT 22, 2026: DAY 5 & 6
PICTURES SEPT 23, 2026: DAY 7 SEPT 25 & SEPT 26, 2026: DAY 8 & 9
PICTURES SEPT 29, 2026: DAY 10 SEPT 30, 2026: DAY 11
PICTURES OCT 2 & OCT 3, 2026: DAY 12 & 13
ATTENDAN C E
ATTENDANCE OJT DAILY TIME RECORD
REFLECTI O N
REFELCTION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING EXPERIENCE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION LIBRARY POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES SEPTEMBER 15 – OCTOBER 3, 2026 As my first institution, the College of Communication Library of PUP gave me a memorable on-the-job training experience that I would carry with me to my second institution and my second-semester institution as well. The hands-on experience was far from amazing because, from the moment we entered the library and listened to Ma’am Niña’s orientation, I observed a few problems here and there within the four walls of the knowledge center of the College of Communication. However, these observations and realizations while working there made me realize the reality of how underfunded libraries make things work with what little they have. The first thing you notice is the lack of equipment, specifically a computer for students to use to log their time of entry into the library, just like the one used in the main library. To ensure that the library continued monitoring the students who entered, we used a logbook instead. Fortunately, the students there knew what to do, and we didn’t always need to remind them to write in the logbook. I also noticed that there were a bunch of materials, such as broken chairs, electric fans, and memorabilia from past graduates, stored in the library, taking up valuable space that could have been used for shelves. However, the main problem of the library was with the books and theses. As Ma’am Niña taught us how to inventory the theses, we quickly realized that the accession numbers and call numbers sometimes did not match what was recorded in Koha, or vice versa. Another issue was that one study could have multiple copies, or sometimes a thesis did not have an accession number or call number at all. What we did was organize the theses based on what they lacked, such as a call number or book card, as well as those with missing or incorrect accession numbers and call numbers. We separated them so they could be sent back to the main library’s technical services department to have their proper accession numbers and call numbers assigned. It was a really long process, and all these things I experienced were challenging, especially since this was my first deployment. But enough of the bad things, because I also learned a lot and met people, I am thankful for during my first deployment. At first, I panicked a lot because this was the real deal, unlike the hypothetical situations I encountered in exams or activities. I was dealing with real people and real scenarios. However, as the days went by, I learned how to check out and check in books and how to conduct shelf reading.
One situation I will never forget was when I assisted an alumnus of COC who needed a thesis from 2013. The thing was that we couldn’t find the thesis on any of the thesis shelves. However, I remembered that we had theses without accession numbers, and lo and behold, we found it there. The feeling I had at that moment when I found it was one of relief and joy. The alumnus was happy, and I was happy, too. Moreover, I learned how to properly handle students when they became too noisy. I also learned that having an organized system for managing books makes our work more efficient and faster. The most important thing my first on-the-job training taught me, which no one had told me before, was how delighted I felt whenever I successfully helped students find the books they needed. I felt elated, and it made me appreciate this field even more. I am grateful to Ma’am Niña, who taught me all the essential things in the COC Library, and to Ma’am Tes, who guided me during the three Saturdays of my duty and taught me how to do serials cataloging. I am also thankful to Kath from BLIS 4-1 and Irene, the student assistant, because the three of us always helped one another with our tasks. I would also like to thank the staff member who always helped us throw away our garbage and tie up those heavy theses. From the bottom of my heart, I am so thankful to them for helping me and providing me with a great experience at my first institution. There is one thing I wish I could have done, which was cataloging, but that did not affect my overall experience one bit because there will be many more opportunities to learn it. I believe my first deployment was successful, and I am grateful for what I achieved and learned. Because of this experience, I appreciate this quote by John Dewey even more, “We do not learn from experience… we learn by reflecting on experience.” Experience alone is not enough, we must take the time to analyze what happened, what we learned, and how we can apply those lessons in the future. Reflection transforms experience into knowledge because what I experienced at my first institution will influence my experiences at my next institution and those that follow.
CERT I FC A T E I
CERTIFICATE
EVAL U A I T ON
EVALUATION SHEET
TFPLIOO2026 BLIS 4-2 1ST INSTITUTION RAYA ALEXA EPARWA PUP - COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONOR REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCEPUP A. Mabini Campus, Anonas Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila 1016 Trunk Line: 335-1787 or 335-1777 Website: www.pup.edu.ph | Inquiries: https://bit.ly/PUPSINTA A LEADING COMPREHENSIVE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY IN ASIA