Users' Evaluation of the Library of the F.L. Vargas College Tuguegarao City Based on the PACU-COA Standards: Towards A Proposed Lib. Development Plan

Researcher: MRS. JANE PIGGINGON-FRANCISCO

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Saint Mary's University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 2008

Introduction

The continuing trend of knowledge explosion and the rapid advances in science and technology put emphasis on the use of the academic library by students to help them pursue their academic activities and gain knowledge beyond their textbooks and beyond their teachers' lectures. As the heart of a school institution, the library should be planned and organized to meet the needs and challenges of our rapidly advancing society especially if it speaks of quality education.

Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to describe the current status and conditions of the F.L. Vargas College Tuguegarao City Library as evaluated by the users in terms of collections, personnel, facilities, and services as a basis for coming up with a proposed development plan for the library.

Specifically, the study aimed to do the following:
1) Describe the status of F.L. Vargas College Library in terms of the collections, personnel, facilities, and services;
2) Determine the extent to which the library meets the conditions or standards provided for in the PACU-COA Library Evaluation Criteria, as evaluated by the faculty and students, with respect to: 2.1. Collections; 2.2. Personnel; 2.3. Services; and 2.4. Facilities;
3) Determine if there is a significant difference in the evaluation between the faculty and student users; and
4) Propose a development for F.L. Vargas College Library based on the result of the evaluation.

Methodology
The study used the descriptive research method to describe the current situation prevailing in F.L. Vargas College Library. It also used descriptive-comparative sub-type of survey research to determine if there is a significant difference between the faculty and student users' evaluation of the F.L. Vargas College Library.

Findings
1. Status of the Library.
A) Collection. The F.L. Vargas College Library has a total general collection of books and other print materials with a total of 1,878 titles and 3,338 volumes. There are no books in Religion and Public Administration. As regards to the professional books in the degree courses, the library has a total of 659 titles of professional books and 1,840 volumes. Engineering has the highest number of titles, however, Criminology has the highest number of volumes dated 2002 and above. It was also found out that the library still lacks necessary instructional media like films, pictures, posters, sound recordings and other audiovisual materials.

B) Personnel. The F.L. Vargas College Library Tuguegarao Campus, it is composed of two (2) fulltime librarians and one (1) fulltime library aide and three (3) student assistants. In other words, it is managed by a Head Librarian, the assitant library, library aide and 3 student assistants.

C) Library Services and Usage. The F.L. Vargas College Library Tuguegarao Campus is open fifty-nine (59) hours a week; adopts a closed-shelf system; provides bulletin board; offers librarientation for firts year and transferee students; and librarians render lecture on the organization of the library, the card catalog, and others.

D) Physical Facilities. There is physical provision for reading comfort in the library. It is well-lighted, ventilated and acoustically suited for quiet reading, free from noise, attractive, properly maintained and with an atmosphere conducive to learning. It was found out that it lacks atlas stand, map stand and xerox machine. It also lacks necessary audiovisual equipment like cassette tape player, DVD player, sound system and other nonbook resources.

2. Evaluation of the Library Based on the PACU-COA Standards
A) Collections. The collection development of F.L. Vargas College Library was evaluated by the faculty members and students generally to be "Good" however, it is not the ideal situation because it is just at the middle of the scale and it needs improvement. The general collection of the library was rated by the two groups of raters to be "fair" and this implies that the acquisition of books, journals and other related reference materials is neglected.

On the other hand, professional books for degree and non-degree courses was rated "good" and the evaluation for the audiovisual materials and equipments were rated "poor." The overall evaluation of the collection in general was rated "good" which implies that there is a need to put emphasis on the holdings of F.L. Vargas College Library.

The organization of materials was rated to be "very good" since the collections are organized according to an accepted code of cataloging. However, the overall evaluation of the two raters was "good" that implies improvement with regards to the organization and care of materials.

B) Library Personnel. On the five (5) items of evaluation under library personnel, there are 3 items that were rated as "very good." It shows that the library personnel of the library are well qualified and competent in their designated positions. However, the overall rating by the two groups of raters is "good" wherein, it means there is still need for improvements.

C) Library Services. The overall evaluation of the F.L. Vargas College Library services and use by the two groups of raters is "good" that it also implies improvements. Out of the seven items of evaluation under library services, there are four items that were rated "very good" since the needs and demands of the students and faculty members are really met on the following items: that the library is open 54 hours a week; services of the librarians are available during library hours; library policies are fair and extended to all qualified clients; and they are informed of newly acquired books. However, the overall rating is "good" because the library practices the closed shelf system, no internet searching in the library, no xerox machine, viewing and listening facilities.

D) Physical Facilities. The overall rating by the two groups of raters on the physical facilities of F.L. Vargas College Library is "fair" which shows that there is a great need for improvement.

The overall summary of the respondents evaluation on the status of F.L. Vargas College Library was generally evaluated by the two raters as "good." It implies that it does not meet the conditions or standard provided in the PACU-COA library evaluation criteria.

There are a lot more things to improve in F.L. Vargas College Library namely: the space requirements that it needs relocation of the library or addtional rooms to accommodate additional acquisition and to have a space for any increase in enrollment; the holdings; collection development; organization and care of materials; library services; additional library personnels for additional library services; and the security control in the library.

3. Comparison of the faculty and Student's Evaluations.
The two groups of respondents do not significantly vary in their evaluation. This is indicated by the significance value which are higher than .05. They diffey only by the significance value of .048. Therefore, the null hypothesis is accepted that there are no significant difference between the evaluation of the faculty and student users on the extent to which the F.L. Vargas College Library meets the standard provided for in the PACU-COA library accreditation criteria, as evaluated by the faculty and students with respect to the four areas evaluated.

Conclusions
1. The F.L. Vargas College has inadequate collection of books and periodicals. It lacks necessary audiovisual materials and equipment which are considered as important tools of instruction.
2. Librarians are qualified and licensed but the overall evaluation indicates a need for more improvement. Space requirement is "fair," the library has a very limited space.
3. In general, the F.L. Vargas College Library does not meet the PACU-COA standards. General books and professional books are very limited. Very few are copyrighted 2002 and above. Useful audiovisual materials and equipment are lacking.
4. The two groups of respondents have similar evaluation with regards the four areas evaluated. It implies more improvement on F.L. Vargas College Library.

Recommendations
1. The library staff and concerned authorities should strengthen the weaknesses identified and implement relevant measures to improve the library status.
2. Re-evaluation after five year implementation of the development plan is also recommended.

Evaluation of the Aldersgate College High School Science Library: Towards the Formulation of a Proposed Five-Year Development Plan

Agraan, Marycris B (2007). Evaluation of the Aldersgate College High School Science Library: Towards the Formulation of a Proposed Five-Year Development Plan. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Introduction

Libraries have long championed the concept of unrestricted access to information. However, such access will be impossible if the citizens are ignorant of the quantity and scope of the information available and how best to retrieve that information. Librarians are mandated by their profession to provide researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance their role in support of learning. The library media specialist works with the students and other members of the learning community to analyze learning and information needs, to locate and use resources that will meet those needs, and to understand and communicate the information the resource provides.

The Problem

The primary aim of this study was to formulate a five-year development plan for the Aldersgate College (AC) High School Science Library. As a basis, the study first described the current status of the AC High School Science Library in various aspects concerning secondary school and identified the problems and needs of the library users. Specifically, the study (1) described the general profile and status of the High School Science Library of the Aldersgate College in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya and evaluated it based on the standards for secondary school libraries as prescribed by the DECS Bulletin No. 1, series of 1988, enclosure No. 2 (Recommended Minimum Library Standards for Secondary Schools), along the following aspects: 1.1. Physical Plant and Set-Up; 1.2. Furniture and Equipment; 1.3. Collection/Holdings; 1.4. Personnel/Staff; and 1.5. Library Services; (2) identified the library users’ problems and needs which the library should respond to; and (3) formulated a proposed medium-term or five-year library development plan based on the profile and evaluation of the AC High School Science Library against the DECS standards and on the library users’ problems and needs.

Methodology

The study employed the descriptive-evaluative method to draw a general picture of the Aldersgate College High School Science Library. Data were gathered through the use of the researcher-developed questionnaire and documentary sources. Personal observation, ocular inspection, and interview were conducted to enrich and strengthen the information gathered. The study had two (2) groups of respondents namely faculty and students.

Findings

1. Physical Plant and Set-Up. The Aldersgate College High School Science Library was evaluated by the students and faculty to have complied with the standards on “Physical Plant and Facilities” to a “moderate” or average extent. Hence, there is still much to be improved. However, there are specific standards that were complied with to an “extensive” extent (or above average), namely: a) The library can serve 10% of the enrolment (35-40 students) at a time; and b) The library provides atmosphere conducive to reading and study. On the other hand, the library complied with the following only to a “little” extent: The library is equipped with comfortable functional and properly spaced furniture. All the other specific standards were complied with one extensive seating capacity.

2. Furniture and Equipment. Ninety-seven (97) to one hundred (100) percent of the respondents indicated that the facilities listed were present except, a computer with printer. This aspect of the library was complied with to an above average extent as shown by the mean 4.00 for both students and teachers their overall rating.

3. Collection. The overall rating on compliance by the students was described as “moderate” with a mean of 2.98 while the teachers’ overall rating was described as “extensive” with a mean of 3.56. Since the overall rating was only to a “moderate” extent, the librarians should do something about it as it leaves much to be desired for the improvement of the collection. The students rated all items about the collections as complied with to a moderate extent whereas the teachers assesses only 5 items as complied with to a moderate degree and described 8 items as extensive. The teachers rated higher compared with the students.

4. Personnel and Staff. The AC High School Science Library’s organization and management of the library collection was rated as “moderate degree” with a mean of 3.16 while the overall rating by the teachers was also to a “moderate degree” with a mean of 3.46 which is a little higher than that of the students. Since the ratings were equivalent to 3 on a 6 point scale, there is still room for improvement. All items were rated to a “moderate degree” by both the students’ and teachers’ ratings.

5. Library Services. The AC High School Science Library’s staffing was evaluated by students and teachers alike as complying with the standards to a “moderate” extent as indicated by a mean score of 3.18. The teachers and students gave a similar rating for all the items. The only exception is that the students rated one item to be complied with only to a “little” extent, namely: The library has written policies, procedures, rules and regulations embodied in a handbook. This is an aspect that needs to be addressed in the proposed AC High School Science Library’s Five Year Development Plan.

6. Library Utilization. In terms of the library’s utilization, the Aldersgate College High School Science Library was evaluated by both the students and teachers as complying with the standards to a “moderate” extent, as shown by an overall mean score of 2.92. The evaluation indicates that there is still need for improvement. Such should be addressed in the AC High School Science Library’s Development Plan.

Conclusions

On the basis of the findings of the study, the following conclusions were arrived at about the state of the Aldersgate College High School Science Library vis-à-vis the library standards promulgated by the Department of Education. They were all summed up to one thing: There is much to be desired with respect to the present conditions of the high school library. They are a far cry from the requirements as spelled out in the library standards formulated by the Department of Education.

Recommendations

1. The location of the high school library should be transferred to the ground floor of the high school building near the principal’s Office to become more accessible to the library users and should follow the space as required by the standards.

2. The library should be furnished with functional, well-designed and standard furniture and equipment.

3. There should be a well-balanced, good quality and enough quantity of collection, organized for effectiveness catalogued according to simple rules.

4. A full-time professionally qualified librarian that had met the standard should be assigned in the high school library considering the number of students.

5. The librarian should ensure that the library services should be delivered to the highest extent.

6. Above all, the study recommends the consideration by the Aldersgate College Administration should adapt or implement the Proposed Medium-Term Library Development Plan formulated by the researcher to improve the AC High School Science Library.

An Assessment of the Library Resources and Services of Sta. Isabel College, Manila: Basis for Proposed Five-Year Development Plan

Researcher: ANABELLE P. TABIANAN

Course: Master of Arts major in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 2003

Rationale
The call for quality education has challenged school administrators to review their educational services provided to students as well as the faculty. According to Alan Carter, "The library is the heart of the university." Thus, its services should be geared towards implementing the general program and specific educational goals of the college.

Statement of the Problem
The main thrust of the study was to assess the resources and services of Sta. Isabel College Library. Specifically, it sought to answers the following questions:

1. How were the following areas of Sta. Isabel College Library assessed by the administrators/faculty, students and library personnel: 1.1. Library Collection; 2) Library Personnel; 3) Physical Facilities; 1.4) Financial Support; and 5) Services?

2. What recommendations were made by the administrators/faculty and student respondents to improve the services and resources of Sta. Isabel College Library?

3. What proposed five-year development plan may be proposed to achieve quality resources and services of Sta. Isabel College Library?

Methodology
The survey questionnaire was the main instrument and was based on PAARL Standards. The subject of the study was composed of 263 students, 30 faculty/administrators, and 3 librarians. The accomplished assessment tools were gathered for analysis, tabulation and interpretation using the statistical measures which include the percentage and frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation.

Findings
1. Assessment of the different areas of Sta. Isabel College Library.
1.1. Library Collection. The administrators/faculty respondents give a rating “very good” while the students rate the library collection as “good”. Likewise, when the students asked if the collection of books are enough to support the curriculum, it was rated also “good”.

On the assessment of library personnel, the library collection was rated “very good”. Three items are rated “excellent”: general references; up-to-dateness and relevance of the library collections. Other items were rated “good”. As whole, the library personnel rating was the highest while the students rating the lowest.

1.2. Library personnel. The administrators/faculty and librarian respondents rated the library personnel “very good” while the students perceived “good” for library personnel. The students perceived “good” in terms of efficiency and promptness of the personnel in giving service to the clientele and the efficiency in answering reference questions. This implies that the library needed to deliver more efficient service to the users. As a whole, the administrators/faculty rating got the highest while librarian was the middle and the students rating was the lowest.

1.3 .Physical Facilities. The rating given by the three groups of respondents (administrators/faculty, students and librarian) on physical facilities was “very good”. Two items was rated “excellent” by the library personnel respondents: lighting and ventilation. However, the provisions for security measures the use of computer and Internet service were rated “good”. The Information Technology section needed improvement especially in providing a functional server unit of the Internet service.

1.4. Financial Support. As to the financial support, the over all rating of the administrators/faculty respondents was “very good” while the student respondents gave rating “good” with a weighted mean of 2.70 and standard deviation of 0.65. Meaning the provisions were moderately extensive.

As perceived by the students, the responsibility to prepare, defend and administer the library budget was given to the librarian and it was rated “very good” while the following items was rated “good”: The budget allocation for library which means that the library depended only on the income generated from library fees which were not entirely used for the purchase of books and journals.

1.5. Library Services. As perceived by the administrators/faculty respondents regarding library services and use was “very good” indicating that the staff functioning adequately. Printing Services and security measures for library was rated “good” indicating the need for improvement. As perceived by the students, the services offered by library was rated “good” as over all rating. As perceived by library personnel respondents, the services was rated “very good”. However, the following were rated “good”: CD-ROM, Internet Service,Printing Service, Photocopy Service, Index to periodical collection. “Fair” was also given to item pertaining to adequate safeguard against losses,mutilation and theft. As a whole, the five areas as perceived by the administrators/faculty with weighted mean of 3.96, students with a weighted mean of 3.37 and library personnel rated the library with a weighted mean of 3.73. Over all mean is 3.69, interpreted as “Very Good”.

2. Recommendations for the Improvements of the Library
2.1. Library Collection. More informative books; books on public relation; more new books and periodicals; more references and at least two copies in every major subjects. Weeded out books that do not give enough information was another recommendation and systematic acquisition procedures must be implemented and to produce materials of limited copies.

2.2. Library Personnel. The respondents would like to have library staff who are more friendly, more considerate, reasonable, approachable and courteous. Additional staff for library was also suggested and knowledgeable librarian in all aspect of work.

2.3. Physical Facilities. The respondents suggested to have more computer and faster Internet service; upgrade and high tech facilities; better ventilation of the library.

2.4. Financial Support. There must be a clear budget in the acquisition of books for every department and additional library funds.

2.5. Service and Use. Improvement or upgrading of the Internet service and improvement of the library procedures. Other services like photo copier must be improved.

3. A proposed Five Year Development plan for the Sta. Isabel College Library.
The areas and programs were identified based on the recommendations and suggestions of the respondents are the priorities to achieve quality resource and services.

Conclusion
Based on the findings, the conclusions was drawn that while the library was perceived to be performing adequately, there are some areas needed to be improved such as collection, personnel, library automation, financial support and services.

Recommendation
1.That the proposed five-year Development Plan be adapted.
2.The same research should be replicated in the Elementary and High School levels of Sta. Isabel College.

A Proposed Five-Year Development Plan for the Northwestern Mindanao Christian Colleges Library

Researcher: GLENDA PRISCILLE SUMABAT

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 2001

Proposed Five Year Development Plan for Don Jose Ecleo Memorial Foundation (DJEMF) Library

Researcher: BEATRIZ C. DIVINAGRACIA

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1998

An Assessment of the Sariaya Institute Library: Basis for a Library Development Plan

Researcher: AUREA G. ORIACEL

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Academic Libraries - Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1996

Research Problem

The study tried to determine how well and adequate were the collection, the staff, the services and facilities of the library in carrying out its purpose in support of the needs of its users.

Procedure

The research personally distributed copies of the questionnaires to the student-respondents in each year level during their respective library hours. Retrieval rate of the accomplished questionnaires was 100 percent.

Treatment of Data

The answers to the questionnaires were tallied and tabulated and computations were presented through the use of tables of frequencies and percentages. The mean was also used to enable the researcher to compare the respondents' perceptions and opinions on the status of the collection, services, use and the facilities of the library.

Findings and Conclusions

1. The Sariaya Institute Library, although it had begun developing its collection, was generally inadequate with regard to the required minimum library standards for secondary schools. The staff and the general references, however, were found adequate.

2. The physical facilities are not adequate to accommodate the required number of students.

3. Maximum limit of two books on loan is not sufficient to meet the information needs of the users.

4. The Sariaya Institute Library Development Plan which was designed to guide the library's operation into more functional and useful high school library must be implemented. It aims update and developed its collection, staff, services, facilities and use to meet the needs of its clientele and enhance its capability ti support the curriculum of the school. It is imperative that the plan be adequately sourced and made operational.

An Assessment of the St. Anthony's College Library in Antique : Basis for a Proposed Five-Year Development Plan

Researcher: VICTORIA A. DOMINGO

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1994

Colegio De San Jose Recoletos: An Analysis of their Resources, Facilities and Services and Proposal of a Five Year Development Plan 1981-1986

Researcher: RUSTICA S. BONGCAYAO

Course: Master of Science in Library Science

School: University of San Carlos, Philippines

Subject Area: Academic Libraries - Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1982

An Evaluative Study of the Resources, Facilities and Services of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Libraries, with a Plan of Development f

Researcher: ARABELLA MAGBUTAY ANANORIA

Course: Master of Science in Library Science

School: University of San Carlos

Subject Area: Library Assessment

Year of Graduation: 1981

Five-Year Library Development Plan for Mountain State Agricultural College

Researcher: NORA J. CLARAVALL

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1978

Data Banks in the Metro-Manila Area: Their Roles, Functions and Implications to Librarianship

Researcher: MARYLOU G. SANTOS

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1977

The EDPITAF Library Development Program: A Case Study

Researcher: MA. SOCORRO D. RUIZ

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1977

Notre Dame University Library: An In-Depth Study of its Resources, and Facilities with a Five Year Development Plan

Researcher: LEONARDO NINTE

Course: Master of Science in Library Science

School: University of San Carlos, Philippines

Subject Area: Academic Libraries-Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1977

The Ebenezer Bible College Library: A Case Study of its Growth and Development

Researcher: THELMA F. NARAVAL

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Development Plan, Ebenezer Bible College Library

Year of Graduation: 1976

MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology Library Development Plan

Researcher: CONSEJO M. CARIAGA

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1976

Notre Dame of Marbel College Library: A Study of its Facilities and Services with a Five-Year Development Program

Researcher: CLARITA LIMPOT GAROL

Course: Master of Science in Library Science

School: University of San Carlos

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1976

The Presidential Papers of Ramon Magsaysay: A Plan for their Organization and Development

Researcher: PAT I. NIVERA

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Development Plan

Year of Graduation: 1971

Abstract

The records created by and for the President of the Philippines, better known as his Papers, reflect much of his own actuations, the state of the country at a given period and the nation’s international position. As such, they are valuable sources for the writing of political, socio-economic or diplomatic history, and biographies, for the documentation of events or for training the course of public administration and government machinery. To date, ten men have occupied the position of President of the Philippines, but the Papers of only three (Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel L. Quezon and Jose P. Laurel), have so far received some measure of care and preservation.

This thesis lays out a plan for the organization, administration and development of the Papers of the late President Ramon Magsaysay which have been placed in the custody of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, and their subsequent opening to research. The processing of the Papers and the construction of finding aids such as a card catalog, an index and a guide to the Papers are extremely discussed. A brief history of the Papers and an outline of the organization of the Office of the President of the Philippines are presented the better to understand the nature and contents of the Papers. It expresses a hope that the plan will serve as a model for the preservation of other Presidential Papers and recommends legislation for this process because the Presidential Papers form a part of our national heritage.

Source: Journal of Philippine Librarianship (4: 157) 1971