NWU Advances Digital Literacy among Laoag City School Librarians through Google Workspace Training

Recent Posts

Northwestern University strengthens the digital competencies of 31 school librarians and teachers-in-charge of libraries from the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Laoag City through a seminar-workshop held on October 24, 2026, at the University’s Educational Resource Center (NWUERC) E-Library.

Organized by NWUERC in collaboration with the Vedasto J. Samonte Graduate School (VJSGS) through its Extension Services, the activity, titled “Empowering School Librarians for Digital Innovation and Future-Ready Library Services through Google Workspace,” provides participants with practical skills to modernize library operations and improve the delivery of information services in their respective schools.

As educational institutions increasingly integrate technology into teaching and learning, school libraries are expanding beyond their traditional roles as repositories of printed materials. Digital platforms offer new opportunities to improve information management, facilitate resource sharing, and respond to the changing needs of students and educators.

Dr. Juan Jobelle S. Acosta, Dean of the Vedasto J. Samonte Graduate School and Director for Educational Technology at NWU, served as the resource speaker. Drawing from his expertise in educational management and technology, he discussed how Google Workspace applications can support library administration, document preparation, information organization, and communication within school communities.

The seminar-workshop complemented these discussions with hands-on activities that allowed participants to explore practical applications of digital tools in their daily responsibilities. The sessions demonstrated how accessible technology can simplify administrative tasks, strengthen collaboration among educators, and support more efficient library services.

“The seminar-workshop served as a transformative platform, bridging basic digital tools with practical, everyday library operations,” said Nora V. Clemente, Associate Director of NWUERC.

Clemente emphasized that the training equipped participants to streamline administrative workflows, strengthen collaboration, and introduce technology-enabled services in their respective schools. She further described the initiative as an opportunity to empower participants to become “proactive, innovative, and future-ready information leaders in their respective school libraries.”

The program also brought together University officials and personnel supporting the initiative. Prof. Rowell Casil, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Charliemane A. Bullalayao. Also present were Dr. Yolanda S. Lao, Director of the Center for Community and Social Development, and Dr. Lucena R. Felipe, Director of the Educational Resource Center, who introduced the resource speaker.

Beyond developing individual competencies, the initiative reflects NWU’s commitment to extending its institutional expertise and technological resources to the broader educational community. By providing professional development opportunities to basic education institutions, the University contributes to strengthening the capabilities of educators who play an essential role in connecting learners with information and knowledge.

The collaboration with DepEd Laoag City further highlights the value of partnerships between higher education institutions and basic education providers in addressing emerging professional development needs. It also demonstrates how university-based resources can support the modernization of educational services beyond the campus, creating opportunities for continued cooperation and knowledge sharing.

For Northwestern University, preparing education for the future extends beyond equipping its own students with the skills to succeed. It also means helping fellow educational institutions build the capacity to adapt to changing demands and better serve their communities. As libraries continue to evolve alongside technology, initiatives such as this reinforce the importance of investing not only in digital infrastructure but also in the people who make knowledge accessible. Through these efforts, NWU continues to extend the reach of its educational mission, helping create learning environments where innovation serves a wider community.