Course: Master of Library Science
School: University of the Philippines
Subject Area: Librarians-Management Styles
Year of Graduation: 1994
Research Problem
A profile was drawn of the theological librarians in the Philippines in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, professional profile and experience, technical knowledge and training needs. Management practices or management styles were determined.
Methodology
Correlations among the socio-demographic characteristics and management practices were computed. The chi-square and contingency of coefficient tests were used to analyze and interpret the data.
Findings
Findings reveal that over half of 81 respondents in the sample do not have any formal education or training in library science. Three-fourths of the respondents feel less competent in cataloging and classifying non-book materials. This is the most frequently mentioned library skills in which training was deemed most needed. Majority of the respondents allow their staff to take advantage of training. Majority of them asserted that they maintain open, candid communication with subordinates and that they encourage feedback from subordinates during meetings. Majority of the respondents indicate a democtratic style of management. More respondents from the National capital Region and the Visayas are members of library organizations. More respondents who attended seminar-workshops come from Mindanao and Visayas than from Luzon. A large number who had not read journals in librarianship come from the Mindanao Region. The biggest group who claimed they read journals are from Luzon. Those who do not conduct staff meetings are mostly from the Luzon Region. Those who conduct staff meetings are mostly from Mindanao. The monthly salary tends to be higher, the longer the professional experience. Those with longer years of experience as library professionals are mostly the ones who had attended seminar-workshops. Majority of the respondents with library science background either work as teachers or belong to the non-teaching staff. A big number of respondents who took some courses in library management also have teaching responsibilities. Those who read journals in librarianship also attend seminar-workshops in library management. Reading journals in librarianship correlate with attendance in seminar-workshop in library management courses correlate with attendance in seminar-workshops. The older the respondents, the more they saw themselves immediately targeting areas for change as a new administrator. Respondents with academic background in library science agree with the management practice of involving subordinates in decision making.
Recommendations
The study recommends that theological librarians improve their management and technical skills to help create a more professional image and to extend more effective information service by seeking further training in librarianship. Organizations like the Philippine Theological Library Association and the Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools should be able to offer the training sought by the respondents. The theological librarians themselves should have initiative to seek further training on the skills where they feel less competent while school officials should do their part by planning and encouraging the continuing education and training of the librarians.
