Researcher: ELVIRA VIRGINIA LASAM CALIG
Course: Master of Library Science
School: University of the
Subject Area: Periodical Collections-Evaluation
Year of Graduation: 1994
Research Problem
The periodical collections of selected Protestant theological seminary libraries in the
Methodology
The impressionistic method was used, utilizing faculty and student’s perceptions about the periodical collections in relation to their personal needs and the curricular requirements of the graduate program of the theological schools. Data were gathered through documentary analysis and a questionnaire, supplemented by interviews. The questionnaire was the main tool used in determining the perceptions of the respondents.
Findings
The findings reveal that the faculty of the theological seminaries have the necessary educational program in their respective academic and professional fields. The periodical collection in some subjects areas offered in four schools was evaluated as “very sufficient” in relation to the curricular requirements of the graduate program while, in another four schools, the periodical collection in each subject was found to be “sufficient.” The resources in the nine theological schools were sufficient in relation to the information needs of the respondents. Majority of the respondents rated their collection as sufficient in relation to the information needs of the respondents. However, there was a great demand for valuable literature relevant to their research and information needs, especially in their areas of specialization. The combined evaluation made by the faculty and students on the use of periodicals reveal that the 260 periodical titles listed were used by the faculty and students on two levels only, i.e., “sometimes” and “rarely used.” With regards to the general evaluation of the library periodical collection, the faculty and students rated the said collection as sufficient in supporting the research needs of the researchers and in supporting the graduate instruction of the theological seminaries.
