Course: Master of Arts in Education major in Library Science
School: Saint Mary's University, Philippines
Subject Area: Academic Libraries - Nueva Vizcaya
Year of Graduation: 2001
Rationale
An effective and efficient library should meet the needs of the users especially the faculty and students in order to enhance teaching and learning situation and achieve the institution's goal which is quality and excellent education.
Statement of the Problem
The study was conducted to into and assess the status of the Nueva Vizcaya State Polytechnic College (NVSPC) library based on the new accreditation instruments of the AACCUP. It further looked into the extent of problems encountered regarding the different content areas of the NVSPC library. The study was limited to the undergraduate level of the said college.
Methodology
The study employed the descriptive survey method of research as it intended to draw the status of the Nueva Vizcaya State Polytechnic College library. It further employed descriptive-comparative analysis to test the difference in the status evaluation ratings of the library across the different content areas and the differences in the ratings per content area of the three groups of raters. The qualitative type of research was also used in the study.
Thirty (30) administrators and staff, forty (40) faculty members and one hundred and fifty (150) students were the respondents of the study. Random sampling was used for three groups of raters.
Mean scores, standard deviations and percentages were used to describe the status of the Nueva Vizcaya State Polytechnic College library as regards the different content areas of the library. A modified 6-point scale was also utilized to derive the descriptive equivalents of the ratings of the different content areas in the analysis and evaluation of the status of the NVSPC library, while for the extent problems encountered by the three respondents a modified 4-point scale was used. To test the hypotheses, ANOVA was used. Rejection or acceptance of the hypothesis was done at the 0.05 level of significance.
Findings
1. Status of the NVSPC Library Based on the New Instruments of AACCUP Standards.
The NVSPC Library generally complied with the standards of the AACCUP. Five (5) of the seven(7) content areas were rated “very good”, indicating that the provision is moderately extensive and functioning very well. These areas, in order, are: Personnel, Administration, Services and Utilization, Physical Set-Up and Facilities, Collections/Holdings. Financial Support and Linkages were rated “good”. The three groups of raters had the same assessment with regards to financial support and linkages of the library, which they rated as “good”, meaning the conditions are adequate and functioning well. The data on “collection/holdings” showed that there is a need for additional reference materials, magazines and newspapers, multimedia equipment and computers, even if this area was perceived as “very good”.
2. Difference in the Status Evaluation Ratings of the Library Across the Different Content Area. There are significant differences in the status evaluation ratings of the library across the seven (7) content areas evaluated. This is supported by the F-ratio of 23.77 which is significant event at 0.01 level. Based on the mean per content area, the area that had the highest overall rating was “Personnel” while the lowest was Linkages.
3. Differences in the Ratings per Content Area of the Three Groups of Raters of the NVSPC Library.The three respondents groups do not significantly vary in their evaluation. These are supported by the following F-Ratios: 0.64 for Administration, 1.704 for Personnel, 1.473 for Collections/Holdings, .500 for Services and Utilization of the library, .424 for Physical Set-Up and Facilities, .779 for Financial Support and .545 for Linkages.
4. Extent of Problems Encountered by Administrators and Staff, Faculty Members and Students on the Different Content Areas of NVSPC Library. In general, the problems encountered by the administrators and staff, faculty members and students were considered “little” in extent. However, based from what they have enumerated in their comments and suggestions, their main problems were “insufficient library collections, especially on journals, unavailability of some equipment like computer, and a need for additional support staff in the library.”
Conclusion
1. In general, the NVSPC library comes up with the prescribed standards of the AACCUP Accrediting Team, but the need for computers and additional books, magazines and multimedia materials is very important for the teaching-learning process. 2. The NVSPC does not allot specific and adequate budget for the library alone to provide needed learning resources in the library.
3. On area of collections/holdings, there is a need to increase the collection of Engineering books.
4. The librarians were qualified and licensed but they were not granted academic status equal to that of the faculty.
5.The physical set-up of the library is generally very good; it is spacious, well-ventilated, well-lighted, and clean. There is a separate library for the Graduate School.
6.The Linkages of the library are not efficiently carried out.
7. The three groups of respondents have similar evaluations with regards to the different content areas of the NVSPC Library.
8. The dominant problems encountered by the administrators and staff, faculty members and students were: insufficient library collections especially on journals/magazines in line with the curriculum, unavailability of some equipment like computers and multimedia, and a need for additional support staff in the library.
Recommendations
1. The administrators and librarians of the NVSPC should consider seriously the library standards of the AACCUP in their efforts to improve further the library.
2. The administration should allot a definite and adequate budget for the acquisition of library materials and resources to improve library services.
3. There should be a continuing evaluation of the library by administrators, librarians, faculty and the students.
4. Collections should be improved.
5. Linkages with other libraries in the Region should be established.
6. Computers, Internet access should be installed in the College Library.
7. The collection of magazines and journals should be improved and updated.
8. Furniture and equipment in the library like tables and shelves should be standardized.
9. Non-book resources like multimedia, CD-ROMs and others should be added.
10. Additional support staff be provided.
11. A follow up study can be cinducted.
3. On area of collections/holdings, there is a need to increase the collection of Engineering books.
4. The librarians were qualified and licensed but they were not granted academic status equal to that of the faculty.
5.The physical set-up of the library is generally very good; it is spacious, well-ventilated, well-lighted, and clean. There is a separate library for the Graduate School.
6.The Linkages of the library are not efficiently carried out.
7. The three groups of respondents have similar evaluations with regards to the different content areas of the NVSPC Library.
8. The dominant problems encountered by the administrators and staff, faculty members and students were: insufficient library collections especially on journals/magazines in line with the curriculum, unavailability of some equipment like computers and multimedia, and a need for additional support staff in the library.
Recommendations
1. The administrators and librarians of the NVSPC should consider seriously the library standards of the AACCUP in their efforts to improve further the library.
2. The administration should allot a definite and adequate budget for the acquisition of library materials and resources to improve library services.
3. There should be a continuing evaluation of the library by administrators, librarians, faculty and the students.
4. Collections should be improved.
5. Linkages with other libraries in the Region should be established.
6. Computers, Internet access should be installed in the College Library.
7. The collection of magazines and journals should be improved and updated.
8. Furniture and equipment in the library like tables and shelves should be standardized.
9. Non-book resources like multimedia, CD-ROMs and others should be added.
10. Additional support staff be provided.
11. A follow up study can be cinducted.
