Libraries, archives, and museums: Preservers of Filipino identity

Abstract

The Libraries, Archives and Museums are some of the institutions that help preserve Filipino identity. These cultural institutions conduct researches, acquire/collect materials, conserve and educate the nation of its history and heritage in order to sharpen the consciousness of our being Filipino. The challenge in these institutions is to continuously play the significant role of preserving Filipino identity.

We are also aware of the many problems and limitations of Libraries, Archives and Museums, especially in a nation where the financial resources of the government are only sufficient for the basic needs of the people. Moreover, majority of the private institutions prioritize in their budget the provision of salaries/wages and operations of the institution. This, it is a reality that many of these mentioned institutions are struggling in fulfilling their mandates.

Furthermore, preserving the Filipino identity is not only the mission of these cultural institutions; the Filipino people should primarily be responsible in preserving national identity. The people should do their part in educating themselves of the history and heritage of the nation.

In this time of urgent need, the Librarians, Archivists and Museum Curators should persevere in their mandate and responsibilities. There is a need to immediately take action to salvage documents and artifacts in the cultural institutions. Experts on cultural heritage should be requested to help in assessing and restoring the damaged cultural properties. Responsible persons of these cultural institutions should be very creative in managing and dispensing services to the society. Creativity in management will include sourcing funds in order to sustain the operations of the institution.

Lastly, these three institutions must continue to lead in educating the populace for the purpose of preserving Filipino identity.