An Evaluation of the National Library Public Libraries Division: Basis for a Proposed Handbook

Researcher: BLESILDA P. VELASCO

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal University

Subject Area: Public Libraries, National Library Public Libraries Division

Year of Graduation: 2007

Information Needs Assessment: Basis for Developing the Collection of a City Library

Researcher: OLYMPIA C. ALCANTARA

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal University

Subject Area: Information Needs Assessment

Year of Graduation: 2007

Community Analysis as a Basis for Developing a Rural Multipurpose Library

Researcher: JORGIA P. CREDO

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal University

Subject Area: Public Libraries

Year of Graduation: 2006

A Proposed Ideal Provincial Public Library in the Province of Laguna

Researcher: LOURDES V. SORIANO

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal University

Subject Area: Public Libraries

Year of Graduation: 1997

A Community Survey of Talim Island with Implications for the Establishment of Public Library Service

Researcher: ROSARIO TORRES MEDINA

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines

Subject Area: Public Libraries

Year of Graduation: 1993

Statement of the Problem

Library services were provided to the community folk on Talim Island in order to improve their skills and knowledge and the quality of life. Specifically, it sought to determine the following: 1. Acceptance of library services; 2. Value of the library to the community; 3. Willingness of local government officials and civic organizations to support the library; and 4) Reading interests and needs of the community.

Methodology

A community survey was conducted to determine the feasibility of establishing a public library and whether the islanders are ready for such a service. The following factors were ascertained: 1. population of the island; 2. literacy rate; 3. general educational background; 4. occupation; 5. reading interests; and 6. needs of the community.

Findings

The results of this study show that the parent respondents are middle-aged, within the 31-40 age group, while the children respondents are in the 13-15 age group. The educational level of mothers is higher than that of the fathers, as more mothers have college degrees. Many of the children respondents have secondary school diplomas. Most of the fathers are engaged in fishing as an occupation while the mothers are in the teaching profession. Some children do catechism work. The common language used in the Island is Tagalog but many also understand, speak and write in English language. Many of the respondents read daily and weekly, mostly newspapers and books. Significantly, comics magazines rank only fourth among the reading materials while friends are second sources of reading materials. All the respondents, both parents and children, agree to the establishment of public library services on the Island and they feel that the government should be the one to establish such services. They are willing to support and maintain it, once it is already established. The respondents chose the barangay hall as the best location in the meantime until a separate building could be constructed.

Conclusions

The study concluded that based on the demographic profile of respondents as to age, educational level, literacy level, reading interests and their attitude towards public library services, the time is ripe for such public library services to be established on the Island. The respondents know the value of reading and they are ready to have a public library for their use, instead of relying on the libraries in the mainland of Cardona and Binangonan of which Talim Island is a part.

Recommendations

The study strongly recommends that the local government start planning for the establishment of Talim Island of a public library that will be a source of information, recreational reading and education as well. The building should be a separate one but, in the meantime, it can be housed in the barangay hall. The public library must have a good starting collection and two librarians to man it. Later on, the public library can organize a “floating library” to service the other parts of the Island or to put up reading centers in every barangay. The public library, when established, must have linkages with the schools, church, government and non-government agencies, prominent families, etc. to ensure continuing support of the library. Lastly, the study recommends that the Department of education, Culture and Sports start adult education classes to reach out to the illiterate members of the community.

A Survey of Libraries among Selected Agencies under the Office of the president with Implications toward Resource Sharing

Researcher: HELEN DE CASTRO

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines

Subject Area: Public Libraries, Resource Sharing

Year of Graduation: 1993

Statement of the Problem

The existing resource, facilities, equipment, services and resource sharing activities of eight libraries were surveyed in an attempt to determine the possibility of establishing a library under the Office of the President.

Methodology

The survey was conducted using the descriptive method of research, employing a questionnaire which was supplemented by interviews. Sixteen libraries responded and accomplished the questionnaire.

Findings

The findings revealed that in terms of location, it is feasible for the eight libraries of the following offices to engage in resource sharing: 1) Department of Budget and Management; 2) Department of Budget and Management Legal Office; 3) Malacañang Palace Library; 4) National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women; 5) Office of the President; 6) Office of the President Legal Office; 7) Presidential Library; and 8) Presidential Management Staff.

Majority of the respondents have collections organized according to standard classification scheme. Respondent librarians have positive attitude towards resource sharing. The cooperative activities they are willing to engage in are: 1) cooperative acquisition; 2) cooperative cataloging; 3) indexing of serials; 4) production of union catalog of books, production of union list of serials, sharing of tools (cataloging/classification and selection tools), interlibrary access and staff training. The respondents chose the Presidential management Staff to be the focal point for the proposed resource sharing activity.

Recommendations
1. A cooperative program among the eight libraries within Malacañang Complex be established;

2. A formal written agreement be drawn up to specify the responsibilities and benefits of a cooperative program and that the agreement be ratified at the highest administrative level of the agency and the library;

3. A union catalog of library resources be compiled to serve as the nucleus of the network; and

4. A continuing education program be provided to both professional and para-professional library staff.

The Organization and Administration of Libraries of Government Institutions of Higher Learning in the Bicol Region, 1979-1980

Researcher: ARACELI SALLE ANTE

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal College

Subject Area: Public Libraries

Year of Graduation: 1982

A Proposal for San Juan Municipal Library

Researcher: REYNALDO G. ALEJANDRO

Course: Master of Library Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Public Libraries

Year of Graduation: 1967

An Appraisal of the Use and Services of the Manila City Library Branches

Researcher: IRENE DIEGO AMORES

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Far Eastern University, Manila

Subject Area: Library Services, Library Evaluation

Year of Graduation: 1966

A Public Library: An Educational Necessity in every Town

Researcher: SR. MARY CAMPION

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Iloilo City

Subject Area: Public Libraries

Year of Graduation: 1949