TESDA Librarians and LRC Focal persons from Regions V to CARAGA participated in a two-part Capacity Building Program on the Koha Integrated Library System held on November 25-28, 2024 via Zoom platform. The first session, for Regions V to VIII (Batch 1), took place on November 25-26, while the second session, for Regions IX to CARAGA (Batch 2), was held on November 27-28, 2024.
The training was organized by the National TVET Trainers Academy (NTTA) and led by Mr. Mark Anthony A. Bulaon, TESD Specialist II. The program also received support from the National Library of the Philippines, with Ms. Ana Fe V. Azuela and Ms. Rovelyn Centina from the Information Technology Division assisting in the sessions.
A total of 51 TESDA librarians and LRC Focal attended the training across both batches, including 12 participants from the Davao Region. Notably, Ms. Mary Grace A. Pelayo, TESD Specialist II and current Library-in-Charge at the Regional Training Center – Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC), Davao, also took part in the capacity-building initiative.
The program aimed to promote the use of Koha, an open-source library management system, to improve the administration and management of TESDA libraries nationwide. The training also sought to establish a network of Koha users for ongoing professional development and learning.
In addition, the Koha ILS Basic Training covered several key topics, including setting basic parameters and global preferences; adding/editing/deleting a patron, patron image and staff access permission; adding/editing/deleting a record in catalog; using OPAC to search a record; checking-out and checking-in library materials; creating simple guided and SQL reports; getting familiar with Linux Operating System; making the Koha server visible in a network; doing Koha basic troubleshooting and maintenance; and finding Koha online help.
Koha is a comprehensive, open-source library management system originally developed by Katipo Communications Ltd in New Zealand and first deployed in January 2000. TESDA adopted Koha to standardize its library information systems across the agency and improve overall library operations.
The capacity building program is part of TESDA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the competency of its librarians and LRC focal persons, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to manage and optimize the agency’s library systems effectively.
