The Adequacy of the Collections and Services of the Elementary and Secondary School Libraries in Malabon, Metro Manila

Researcher: SALVACION S. NAVARRO

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Philippine Women’s University, Manila

Subject Area: School Libraries-Malabon

Year of Graduation: 1981

Statement of the Problem
This study was undertaken to find out the adequacy of the 30 elementary and secondary school libraries both private and public in Malabon, Metro Manila, during the school year 1978-1979 with reference to the staff, budget, physical facilities with emphasis on collections, services and students’ use of the library.

Methodology
The researcher utilized the normative evaluative survey using the questionnaire, interview and documentary analysis.

Findings
1. The library collections of the public elementary and secondary schools as to books, periodicals, vertical file and audiovisual for students and teachers were deficient. The private elementary and secondary school libraries were inadequate in some fields of its book collection like Filipiniana, supplementary readers and audiovisual materials. Books and magazines for teachers were lacking;
2. Library services needed by students and teachers were not properly rendered by the public school librarians both elementary and school and in some private schools;
3. Elementary school librarians are Education graduates, given teaching loads and work on part-time basis in the library. The secondary school librarians are B.S.E. graduates with major in Library Science and worked on full time basis although some are assigned to do part time teaching;
4. Budgets of the elementary and secondary school libraries were inadequate for library needs;
5. Libraries of elementary and secondary schools both private and public lacked the necessary rooms, furniture, equipment and supplies;
6. Private elementary pupils used the library for their research and recreational needs while the public elementary pupils did not. Majority of the students of both the private and public school sometimes went to the library and made use of their resources.

Conclusions
1. Library collections of the public elementary and secondary schools for the students and teachers were inadequate. Private elementary and secondary schools were insufficient in some areas of their library collection;
2. Library services rendered by the school librarians were inadequate in most libraries;
3. Elementary school librarians worked as teachers and assigned as part-time librarians. The secondary school librarians worked full time in the library and some with occasional part-time teaching;
4. The main problem of school libraries is lack of funds for library development.
5. School libraries were not provided with the standard facilities;
6. Private elementary pupils sometimes used the library and its resources while the public elementary pupils did not. Most of the secondary students sometimes made use of the libraries’ collections.

Recommendations
1. Library collections for students and teachers should be increased and up-dated yearly;
2. School librarians should render adequate library service to students and teachers.
3. Librarians assigned work in school libraries should have the necessary educational qualification, training and experience;
4. School libraries should be allotted with sufficient funds for its development;
5. School libraries should be provided with the necessary facilities;
6. Teachers and librarians should encourage students to make use of the library resources.

The Relationship of the Academic Performance of Students in the Philippine Christian University and Their Use of and Attitudes Towards the Library Ser

Researcher: NAOMI A. SANTILLAN

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Philippine Women’s University, Manila

Subject Area: Library Services

Year of Graduation: 1981

Statement of the Problem
The study sought to determine the correlation between the academic performance of the students of Philippine Christian University (PCU) and their use of and attitudes towards the library services for school year 1980-1981.

Methodology
The researcher used the descriptive survey method to determine the relationship of the academic performance of students in the PCU and their use of and attitudes towards the library services. The subjects of the study were the university students representing the different departments of PCU in the main campus on Taft Avenue, Manila, for the school year 1980-1981.

Findings
The academic performance of students in the PCU were classified into levels of superior, above average, below average, and poor. Majority of the students belong to the average and below average levels. In general, the students are average.

In general, most of the respondents of all levels of performance never use the library, only 10-20 percent use it once, twice, or three time a week. They also used the following resources ranked in the order of frequency of use: Reference Services, Circulation and Reserved Book Services, and Personnel Services.

Irrespective of levels of academic performance and curricular year levels, majority of the respondents had “uncertain” attitudes toward their instructors and librarians, while majority of the respondents had positive attitudes towards some physical aspects of the library.

A large percentage of the respondents have “uncertain” attitudes toward their own skills and knowledge of the use of the library resources.

All respondents agreed that the library is the center of teaching and learning and that the students’ use of the library resources has a direct relationship to their academic performance.

A high relationship exists between academic performance and the use of the library resources among superior, above average, average, and poor or failing students.

There is no relationship between academic performance and the use of the library resources for below average students who were mostly working students. There is no relationship between the encouragement and assistance given by the professor and librarian and the use of the library services.

Recommendations
The college curriculum should be expanded and enriched so that it includes subjects which lead to the development of library consciousness among students. A 1-unit introductory course on the use of the library resources should be required for all new and first year students, regardless of courses taken.

The library should have qualified personnel.

A follow–up study of the faculty’s use of the library resources should also be made.

The administrators and department heads of the University should disseminate to the teachers and librarians as well, the results of this study to make them aware of the present situation regarding the skills of students towards the use of the library services. Subsequently, students should be motivated to cooperate for improvement of these library skills.