Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - Comité International des Bibliothèques. 3:e session. Stockholm 20—21.8. 1930. Actes - XIII. Report by Mr. G. A. Bernardo
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Annexe XIIL
Report by Mr. G. A. Bernardo, Manila.
It seems not altogether out of place at the present moment to state a few facts
regarding the Philippine Library Association about which so little is known outside of
Manila, its place of birth. For, with the astonishing discovery that throughout Europe,
Spain excepting, the Philippine Islands are familiär only to a limited circle of
geo-graphers, ethnologists and, possibly, to very few librarians, one cannot help asking
oneself why a national organization of not more than four score members should have
a representation in so important a world organization as the International Federation
of Library Associations; or what benefit the library world at large could dérive from
so insignificant a body as the Philippine Library Association.
An adverse answer to the first question was already advanced in Rome during the
last World Library and Bibliographie Congress, not officially by the International
Bibliographie Committee to be sure, but as least personally by one of its prominent
members. Thanks to the heroie efforts on the part of the official delegates from the
American Library Association and to the sympathetic encouragement from the German,.
French, Spanish and Scandinavian representatives, the considération and final
settlement of the status of the lone representation from the Philippine Islands came into
the hands of the Executive Committee through Dr. Isak Collijn, now the much beloved
President of this Federation and its no less esteemed Secretary, Dr. T. P. Sevensma.
Mr. Milam, Dr. Bishop and Dr. Keogh, perfect gentlemen all and thoroughly
inbibed with the real spirit of helpful librarianship, expressed what the lone Philippine
delegate could only murmur among his sympathizers, namely: that the political status
of a librarian’s country should not be a hindrance to his being heard in a World Congress
where books and men of sane minds and good will are the prédominant norms. So
it was that with the keenness and liberality of mind and kindness of heart Dr.
Collijn was the first personally to propose the official récognition of Philippine
representation to that CongVess. It was also he who invited the Philippine delegate to express
before the Executive Committee the official adhesion of the Philippine Library
Association to the International Federation of Library Associations. Thus, the favourable
and the only correct answer to the first question was finally given.
Now, the answer to the second question still remains to be answered, never
adequately in mere words, however, but in deeds: What has the library world at
large to gain from the Philippine Library Association, the tiniest infant in the great
family so worthily named the «International Federation of Library Associations»?
The undersigned may be permitted to attempt the mere suggestion of the only
possibility through which this question can be correctly answered. It would be
super-fluous to suggest hère that bibliographie publications of international importance,
except those officially published by the United States Government Printing Office, by
Robertson and by Le Roy of the United States, by Retana of Spain and by Medina of
South America, be consulted to see how inadequately Philippine bibliographie data
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