Lopez Museum : A Reflection

Reflection and observations to digitization / Info Retrieval System of Lopez Library

The word ABS –CBN is the first thing that normally enters my mind when I hear the name Lopez. The Lopez  Museum is one of the contribution of the Lopez Family in the Philippines when it comes to information preservation. Mr. Eugenio H. Lopez Sr. dedicated the Lopez Museum to the memory of his parents, Presentacion and Benito last February 13, 1960. The Lopez Memorial Museum is located at Ground Floor of Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Last September 20 , 2011, our class on LIS 260 went to the Lopez Museum to observe their digitization program. One of the things I did not expect is to see exhibits of headsets with different sounds playing on it and “electronic” sound conductor. What amazes me is that their collection of rare books materials dated from fifteen hundreds and collection of Rizal’s works.  Their specialize collection on Filipiniana materials, magazines, news paper, and articles about famous Filipino personality is really one of their strength as a library.

Personally, I am glad that there are such private institutions that spend their effort in building an information center like that. When Esmy and I arrived, I noticed that there are several foreign individuals who are doing their research.  Though the physical arrangements of their computer terminals is not that organize and there are only limited number of tables to be used, I believe this does not stop their clients to do their research in the Lopez Museum.

 The staff members at the Lopez Museum demonstrated on how they go about their digitization. There were specific person in-charge for a certain task and it seems though that they were able to establish an organized system in their digitization program.

Personally, it was my first time to see an actual digitization process, so it was very impressive in my part on how they go about it. From the selection of the materials,  up to scanning of the materials and preservation.

During the time we visited they are still on the transition from the old system to the new one. We try to make some searching using the alchemy system.  They have a wide range of topics and subjects about the Philippines.  The system was very easy to use and the functions are very easy to understand. An ordinary user will easily be familiar with the system.

If there is one thing I notice about the Lopez Museum is their printing cost. It was quite expensive. Probably because some of the clients they cater are foreigner or professional researchers, but with an average students the amount of 200 pesos (if me memory serves me correct) is really expensive.

What the Lopez Museum is doing, is really admirable, helping the nation in the preservation of its cultural heritage and by providing information to thousand of researchers. I hope someday there will be more like the Lopez Museum whose dedication to heritage advocacy is unfaltering.