Researcher: EMMA RUTH G. FRONDA
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: April 2005
Introduction
The challenge to librarianship is to motivate and encourage wider and deeper reading of books and to make these other resources available to meet the growing demands both for an intellectual and cultural frame of reference and for specialists' information. It is important for any institution of higher learning to improve its ability to chart its direction in the foreseeable future in order to contribute better to the development of the entire academic community. There is a need to institute a systematic guide by which its programs and all the necessary resources support college programs.
Statement of the Problem
This study was conducted to provide an empirical basis for a five-year Library Information Storage and Retrieval Services Development Plan for Nueva Vizcaya State University Library. It also evaluated the extent of the problems encountered regarding the different content areas of NVSU library. To achieve this goal, the study pursued the following: (1) determined of the NVSU Library in the following aspects as assessed and evaluated by the students, faculty, and librarians: (a) Administration, (b) Personnel, (c) Collection/Holdings, (d) Services and Utilization of the Library, (e) Physical Set-up and Facilities, (f) Financial Support, (g) Linkages: (2) determined the profile of the users: (3) described the librarians' information technology capability: (4) drew the information technology resources profile of the University; (5) identified and described the problems commonly encountered in the library in terms of the seven (7) aspects; and (6) developed a Library Information Storage and Retrieval Services Development Plan for NVSU Main Library.
Methodology
The study made use of descriptive-survey method. Data were extensively drawn using a survey checklist based from the new instrument of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered College and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP, 2002). Mean scores and standard deviation were used to describe the status of the NVSU Main Campus library and the problems encountered in the use of the library along the different content areas or aspects. A modified six-point scale was to describe the numerical and descriptive rating of the different content areas, while a modified four-point scale was used in the problems encountered. The respondents of the study included 30 students, 30 faculty and seven librarians of the University Main Library . The student and faculty respondents were purposively selected from among the regular users of the library. The librarian-respondents constituted a total enumeration of all librarians of the University Library.
Findings
1.Status of the NVSU Main Campus Library. Based on the documentary data, the NVSU Main Campus Library generally complied with the requirements as prescribed by the AACCUP. All the seven content areas or aspects were rated very good which meant that the provisions were moderately extensive and functioning very well.
2. Profile of the NVSU Main Campus Library Users. The College of Education had the highest student population in the University, and among the curriculum year level, first year students constitute the bulk of the enrollment, both during the first and second semester. The Reference Section, Filipiniana Section, and the Circulation Section had more users during the first semester of SY 2003-2004, as compared to those of the second semester of the same school year, The Periodical Section and the Graduate School library had more number of users during the second semester than in the first semester.
3. Librarians' information technology capability. The librarians had capabilities to use word processing program. Their knowledge on other application software was very limited.
4. Information technology resources of the University. Only 19 computer units were available for faculty members' use. These were distributed in the seven colleges/academic units of institute. More than 80% of about 204 faculty members were considered computer literates, having various levels of computer knowledge.
5. Problems encountered in the NVSU Main Campus Library. The problems encountered by the users of the NVSU Main Campus library along the seven content areas or aspects were described as encountered up to a little extent, meaning these problems were seldom encountered. From the different problems presented, two came out to be moderate in extent. These were the following: limited quantity of books and library materials, and non-replacement or non-repair of old and/or torn books, journals or magazines. These two problems were under the area of library collection/holdings.
6. Proposed NVSU Main Campus Library Information Storage and Retrieval Services Development Plan. Two priority areas are given emphasis in the plan. One is the setting up of electronic sources where on-line access of library materials and the use of CD-ROMs are available. The other areas is the interconnection of the NVSU library to the PHNET and the Internet to have immediate access of up-to-date information and knowledge. Under these connectivity, electronic mailing, file transfer, information search and retrieval, and remote login can be possible.
Conclusions
On the basis of the results of the assessment made on the status of the NVSU Main Campus Library based on AACCUP standards, the following conclusions were drawn:
1. The NVSU library has tired to cope up with the standards prescribed by AACCUP. But the need for state-of-the-art computers, multi-media and audio-visual equipment is very evident. During the last three years (2001-2003), no amount was allocated for the procurement of multi-media equipment.
2. the collections of the NVSU Main Campus Library, especially journals, needed in the different areas of concentrations or disciplines is very minimal.
3. The linkages of the NVSU Main Campus Library, particularly foreign, are not sufficient.
4. The librarians are qualified and licensed but their information technology capability is relatively low. Further more, they do not academic ranks.
5. The information technology resources of the University, especially among the different colleges are wanting.
6. The most pressing problems encountered by the NVSU Main Campus Library users are the limited quantity of books, and other library materials, and the dilapidated state of existing books, journals and magazines.
7. The NVSU Main Campus Library has not yet started any automation and/or computerization activities on holdings.
Recommendations
1. Computers. Multi-media and audio-visuals equipment / facilities should be immediately procured. The University should allot annual budget for this purpose.
2. Additional journals, particularly foreign issues / editions, needed in the different areas of concentrations / disciplines should be subscribed by the NVSU Main Campus Library.
3. Networking and linkaging with other research agencies and institutions, particularly those based or operating abroad, must be extensively established to increase the foreign source of library materials like journals, research bulletins and the like.
4. The librarians should be obliged to increase their information technology capabilities. The University must allot funds for their formal and/or informal training on computer applications in library operations.
5. The librarians should be allowed to hold academic commensurate to their education and other qualifications.
6. The computer needs of the faculty members should be addressed by procuring additional computer hardware and licensed computer software to be distributed to the different colleges or units. These computers, if possible should be linked up with the Internet facilities of the Institute and to the library for on-line access of library resources.
7. The quantity of books, particularly the professional textbooks, should be increased and the edition must be the most recent ones. Regular repair and replacement of torn and old issues should be carried out.
8. The library should start automation and computerization immediately. It should have new computer units that are connected to the Internet or PhilNet for on-line access of NVSU Main Campus Library holdings and the collection of other Institutions.
