The Fund for Assistance to Private Education [FAPE] - Filipiniana Assistance Program for Private Schools Libraries: An Assessment

Researcher: LIGAYA JAVIER FAJARDO

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Collection Development

Year of Graduation: 1995

Planning for University Status: Library Development Requirements

Researcher: SALVACION A. ABELLA

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Management

Year of Graduation: 1995

Library Resources, Facilities and Services of the Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao: An Assessment

Sernande, Veneranda C (1995). Library Resources, Facilities and Services of the Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao: An Assessment. Unpublished Master's Thesis – Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

Introduction

It is often said that librarians are agents for changes but to effect changes, librarians in percepts, words and deeds must exemplify change in a setting called library which is the fountain of truth, knowledge and wisdom. These are the pillars of a society that marches on with the times.

The library is the richest storehouse of knowledge, repository of information and a place for study. It is the heart of the school, college or university, since it is the most important tool in research. It forms a vital part of the world's system of communication and education. Its important role in the educational program is to support the objectives, aims, curricula and the teaching methods of the school.

The use of the library is an art; it involves the combined skills of locating with at least time and effort, of being able to discriminate in the practical use of materials. Hence, the student should familiarize himself with the facilities, policies and procedures and the location of the library.

The Problem

This study attempted to assess the library resources, facilities and services of the Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao Main Library for the 1^st Semester of School Year 1994-1995.

Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions: 1. What are the qualifications and professional training of the library staff? a) Highest educational background, b) Major and minor field of specialization, c) Civil service eligibility, d) Number of years experience as librarian, and e) Membership in professional organization, e.1) local and e.2) national; 2. What are the perceptions of the College faculty members and students as to the following aspects? a) Adequacy of book holdings, a.1) Cultural Books, a.2) Reference Books, a.3) Professional Books; b) Adequacy of Periodicals, b.1) Magazine, b.2) Journals, b.3) Newspapers; 3. How sufficient are the library service as perceived by the College faculty members and students?; and 4. How do the perceptions of both respondents compare?

Methodology

The descriptive normative survey was used in this study since it involved a description, recording, analysis and interpretation of conditions that exist.

Findings

A. Profile of the Library Staff

The salient findings pertinent to the qualifications and professional trainings of the library staff are as follows: 1. The library staff is composed of a Chief Librarian, an Assistant Librarian and library clerk; 2. As to the qualifications of the library staff, one is a BSE graduate, major in library science, while another staff is a BSC graduate with 24 units of library science. The library clerk is an AB graduate, major in political science; 3. One of the library staff possessed Civil Service eligibility, which is the Career Service Professional Examination; 4. As to number of years as librarian, one had 16 years of experience, while another staff had 4 years of experience. A mean of 6.8 or 7 years of experience had been obtained; 5. Most of the library staff are members of professional organizations in both local and national organizations.

B. Perceptions as to Adequacy of Book Holdings on Cultural Reference and Professional Books and Adequacy of Periodical and Other Reading Materials like Magazines, Journals, and Newspapers.

Faculty: 1. For cultural books, the college faculty members perceived that the English, Social Science including Philosophy, Languages, including Filipino, History and Rizal books are “adequate;” 2. Cultural books on Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Arts are “moderately adequate;” 3. For reference books, encyclopedia are “adequate” 4. Dictionaries, Atlases maps and Almanacs are “moderately adequate;” 5. For Periodicals and other magazines, the college faculty members revealed that magazines are “often” updated and clippings and other informative materials are “often” available; 6. The library has collections of College organs of other Colleges and Universities but “inadequate;” 7. The library has “inadequate “ collection of annual reports from different agencies; 8. The College faculty members believed that there is an “inadequate” collection of professional journals.

Students: 1. On cultural books, the students claimed that Rizal/ History, Mathematics, English, Language including Filipino, Arts and Social Science including Philosophy books are “moderately adequate;” 2. For reference books, encyclopedia are “adequate;” 3. Dictionaries, Atlases, Maps and Almanacs are “moderately adequate” and updated; 4. Professional books for students' educational growth are “moderately adequate;” 5. Clippings and other informative materials are “adequate;” 6. Newspapers and magazines are “often” updated; 7. Professional Journals are “inadequate;” 8. The library has “inadequate” collection of annual reports from different agencies; 9. The library has “inadequate” collection of College organs from other colleges and universities.

C. Sufficiency of Library Services

Faculty

A.1. On the Selection of Books and Materials. The college faculty claimed that there are “regularly” adequate supply of newspapers and magazines for their references; 2. College faculty are “regularly” provided with enough books in the subjects they were teaching; 3. College faculty “regularly” give suggestions on the selection of books; 4. The library has subscriptions of newspapers and magazines “regularly;” 5. The faculty are “sometime” provided with published catalog as they give suggestions on the selection of books.

B.1. On circulation of Materials. College faculty members revealed that they are “often” given enough time to use the books; 2. Because of effective library service, students are “regularly” prompt in submitting their reports and assignments; 3. Faculty members confirmed that they “regularly” lend the books they borrowed when there are no available books in the library; 4. College faculty members checked the number of reserved books in the library before they assign reports and assignments to the students; 5. Teachers confirmed that they “regularly” bring home reserved books.

C.1. On Reference Services. College Faculty members always make use of bibliographies on books in the preparation of their syllabus; 2. Faculty members are regularly allowed to borrow as many reference books as they need; 3. The College faculty members regularly make suggestions for reserved books in their subject; 4. Faculty members revealed that students regularly make use of other books aside from the reserved books in their assignment; 5. College faculty members regularly read professional books provided by the library; 6. Faculty members regularly ask the help of the librarians in the preparation of bibliographies;

D.1. On the Capacity of the Library to Provide Instruction. The teachers disclosed that the posters or signs above the shelves “often” facilitate an easier way to locate books that one need; 2. Faculty members make use of the card catalog; 3. Faculty members get information on the arrival of new books; 4. Faculty members regularly include library instruction in their subjects; and 5. Faculty members regularly ask librarians to give lectures on the functions and use of the library.

E.1. On the Administration of the Library Program. The teachers revealed that discipline is “often” observed in the library; 2. Library personnel are “often” courteous; 3. Faculty members often get the necessary services from the library; 4. Library personnel often help in the implementation of library rules and regulation; 5. The library schedule is often conducive to faculty and students; 6. The library atmosphere is regularly conducive to studying.

Students:

A. 1. On the Circulation of Materials. The students confirmed that they are often admitted to the stacks area when they want to select books for references; 2. Students often get the books they used when they borrow; 3. Students are often allowed to renew reserved books after an hour; 4. Students regularly favor the use of library cards in borrowing library materials; 5. Reserved books are circulated fairly well to all borrowers; 6. Students' attention are regularly called by the librarian when they don't return books on time; 7. Students are regularly allowed to borrow more than one book; 8. Students regularly favor the closed shelved system which the library is adapting at the reserved section; 9. Students confirmed that one hour which is allotted for reserved books is regularly sufficient to make their assignments and reports; 10. Outsiders are regularly allowed to borrow books for others; and 11. Students are sometimes allowed to borrow books for others.

B. 1. On Providing Reference Service. Students revealed that the library personnel often refer them to other libraries or agencies when materials are not available in the College library; 2. Librarians often encourage students to use the encyclopedia; 3. Students are often guided on the use of the card catalog; 4. Students often seek the help of librarians in their assignments; 5. Students regularly research in the library as a class; 6. Students regularly get information on the arrival of new books; 7. Library personnel regularly provide students with the list of books when they work on their research; and 8. Adequate supply of newspapers and magazines for references are regularly provided.

C.1. On the Capacity of the Library to Provide Instruction. The students confirmed that librarians often give lectures on the use of library; 2.Librarians often give orientation lessons on the use of the library; 3. Students are often provided with copies of library rules and regulations; 4. Students regularly find library instructions in posters and bulletin helpful; and 5. Library instructions are regularly included in the students' subjects.

D.1. On the Administration of the Total Library Program. The students revealed that the library schedule is often conducive to students; 2. Discipline is often observed in the library; 3. Library personnel often render extra time when situation demands; 4. Students often get the necessary service from the library personnel; 5. Library personnel are often courteous; 6. Students are often treated fairly by library personnel; 7. Books are often inspected when they are returned; 8. Library personnel often help in the implementation of library rules and regulations; 9. Missing and torn pages of books are often replaced; 10. The atmosphere in the library is often conducive for studying; 11. Unnecessary conversations and discussions are tolerated in the library; and 12. Students are sometimes disturbed with unnecessary noise in the library.

Conclusions

From the findings of the study, it could be concluded that professionally trained library personnel greatly contributed to an effective and efficient library service. Adequate library resources and facilities result t better library services. Updated books, references, journals, newspapers and magazines contributed to a well- informed studentry. Proper orientation and instruction on the use of the library is necessary for more effective and functional library. Proper working relationship among faculty, library staff and students are necessary for a more efficient and conducive library atmosphere.

From the findings of the study, it could be further concluded that library resources and facilities of the Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao main library is adequately meeting the needs and demands of teachers and students. The college main library has the capacity to provide adequate reference service, proper circulation of materials and adequate instructions to both faculty and students. The total administration of the library program is efficiently discharged.

Recommendations

1. The library through its staff should develop linkages and friendly relations among schools, colleges and universities, and other agencies in order to secure their cooperation in the acquisition of their school organs, annual reports and other journals for file.

2. Library instruction should be included as a basic subject in the curriculum.

3. The library must be housed in a separate building to make it more spacious and to accommodate the growing collection needed by its users.

4. Library fees should be spent solely for library needs, and for up-dating library books and other resources.

5. Administrative as well as financial support should be always available to strengthen the library management and operations an ensure the delivery of proper library services to the clientele.

6. Acquisition of professional journals is needed to ensure well informed students.

7. Additional professionally trained librarians are needed for better library services.

8. Acquisition of more books is needed to replace old books.