To provide Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) graduates and incoming fourth-year students with a comprehensive review for the upcoming Computer-Based Licensure Examination for Librarians (CBLEL), the Library Unit (LU) of the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) was invited as one of the resource speakers at the Cagayan State University (CSU) – Carig Campus on July 21-24, 2025.

NFRDI Head Librarian John Paul Combalicer explained the key theories and principles behind how cataloging rules were developed, from traditional methods to today’s digital library systems. He also guided participants through hands-on exercises using professional standards like the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2), Resource Description and Access (RDA), Subject Cataloging with Controlled Vocabularies, and the Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC21) system.

The review also covered indexing and abstracting, focusing on how summaries (abstracts) and indexes are created and used. Participants learned about the basics of writing abstracts, how indexing works, and the role of open access resources and paid indexing services both in the Philippines and abroad. To measure their learning and preparedness for the September 4–5, 2025 licensure exam, pre- and post-tests were given during the session.

“Passing the board exam doesn’t happen overnight. It demands significant investment and effort, requiring you to read review materials, create and manage a study schedule, and juggle work. Likewise, you must also build up your mental resilience to overcome the pressure and challenges that may arise as the examination draws near. These efforts, together with the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired and the support of your friends and family, will serve as your trump card in passing the exam,” said Combalicer.

Organized by CSU’s BLIS program under the College of Information and Computing Sciences (CICS), the review provided a comprehensive revisit of key concepts, principles, and practices within the field of Library and Information Science.

This review activity aligns with NFRDI’s mission to provide responsive and adequate technical support to its stakeholders. ### (John Paul Combalicer)