The University of Asia and the Pacific Library's Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC): Status and Prospects

Researcher: ASELA U. SANTIANO

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Online Public Access Catalog

Year of Graduation: 2007

An Annotated Bibliography of Books and Selected Articles (2004-2005) on Bioethics Available in the University of Santo Tomas Library

Researcher: THELMA PAULO TRINIDAD

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

Subject Area: Bioethics - Annotated Bibliography

Year of Graduation: 2006

Status of the Secondary School Libraries in the Division of Ifugao Based on Department of Education Standards

Researcher: NELLY B. AGPAWA

Course: Master of Arts in Education major in Library Science

School: Saint Mary's University, Philippines

Subject Area: School Libraries-Ifugao

Year of Graduation: 2006

Introduction
Institutional self-assessment of the status of the secondary school libraries allows school heads, principals, and school librarians to determine their library's strengths and weaknesses. In recent surveys, findings showed that many Philippine school libraries in general hardly meet the requirements imposed in the standards.

Statement of the Problem
This study assessed the status of the secondary school libraries in Ifugao based on the library standards of the Department of Education. Specifically, the study (1) identified the secondary schools in the Division of Ifugao which had a functional library, (2) described the general profile of the functional libraries in terms of the following areas: (a) physical set-up, (b) library resources/collections, (c) organization and maintenance of holdings, (d) staffing and administration, (e) services; (3) evaluated the libraries and the extent to which they complied with the maximum standards set by the Department of Education on areas specified above.

Methodology
It employed the descriptive-evaluation survey method and involved two phases. Phases 1 - The survey of all the secondary school in Ifugao to determine the existence of such elements as: (1) a library room /building; (2) Qualified librarian or teacher-librarian (with an item to perform the library functions and services; and(3)book, periodical, and non-book collections. Phases 2 - Personal ocular visit to the libraries, inspection of their records, observation of their procedures, and evaluation of their (a) physical set- up, (b)library resources/collections, (c) organization and maintenance of holdings, (d) staffing and administration, and (e)service

Research Environment and Procedure
The environment of the study (Province of Ifugao) consists of 11 municipalities: Banaue, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Mayoyao, Alfonso Lista (Potia), Hingyon, Tinoc, Asipulo and Aguinaldo. In Phase 1, 37 schools were the target but 1 did not response to the survey. Of the 36 that responded to the first phase, only 16 met the required elements of a library - library room,collections, and a qualified librarian. In stage 2, only 9 were found to be functional and hence were finally evaluated - 5 public high schools, 2 vocationals school attached to a college, and 2 private high schools namely: (1)Banaue National High School, (2)Mayoyao National High School, (3)Hapid National High School-Main, (4) Namillangan National High School,(5) Santa Maria National High School, (6)Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry-Nayon, (7) Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry-Lagawe, (8)Immaculate Conception School, and (9) Don Bosco High School. The 9 school libraries were evaluated using an evaluation instrument based on the DepEd Library Standards- with criteria along such areas as: physical set-up, facilities, resources, organization and maintenance of holdings, staffing and services. Factual information were also recorded. The evaluation was done on a 6- point rating scale: Very Great Extent, Moderate Extent, Little Extent, Very Little Extent, and Missing but Needed. The specific physical facilities and equipment were assessed and identified if they were within or below standards.

Findings
Only 9 secondary schools of Ifugao (out of 37 ) had functional libraries. Only 4 librarians had the necessary basic educational qualifications (Bachelors degree and major/minor or specialization in Library Science). They also passed the Librarian Licensure Examination which is the basic licensure requirement prescribed in Philippines Librarianship Act of 1994. Five (5) have seminars and trainings in library science and one of them had availed a magna carta illigibility.

In general, the 9 libraries had extensive collection of general encyclopedias unabridged English dictionaries, subscription of local magazines, collections of novels (home reading books), books on Social Sciences, Filipino and English grammar, Filipino and English literature, and History. But they had moderate collections of science and health encyclopedias, other language dictionaries, subscription to national newspapers, books on philosophy, religion, arts, technology, geography and English and Filipino Supplementary Readers. They had a very little collection of encyclopedias, world atlases, Philippine atlases, books on mathematics, history, world almanac, national magazines, professional materials for teachers, yearbooks, almanacs and the Guinness Book of World records, school manuals and guides, and school library manuals/guides, biography books. Missing but needed were multi-lingual dictionaries, gazetteer or geographical dictionary, subscriptions to local newspapers.

Globes, world maps, Asian maps, charts, posters and pictures were generally available in the libraries but the private and vocational schools had more of these than the public schools. Only 1 (a private school) had a overhead projector. Not one of the 9 schools has slide projector. Only 1 private school had a carousel. CDs and VCDs are not provided at all in the public and vocational schools. Both the 2 private schools have CDs in their library collection, but only 1 has VCDs. Filmstrips and slides are not also available in the 9 schools. Radio cassette recorder, cartridges, and records are available in the 2 private and 2 vocational schools, but not in all of the 5 public school libraries.

Except for having a functional card catalog,all the 9 libraries performed to a little extent proper accessioning, cataloging and classification (with the use of the Dewey Decimal Classification, Sears List of Subject Headings, and Cutter's Table), shelflisting and proper labeling of books as limited. The libraries did not do binding and indexing bound periodicals, organizing school archives, and cataloging, classifying and properly storing audiovisual materials.

The 9 libraries were generally weak in their staffing. Most of the librarians had no major in library science and had limited experience as librarian. Except for attending library seminars as moderate in extent, the librarians had little involvement in extra-curricular activities and very little or no involvement at all in Library Committees. Written policies, procedures, rules and regulations were provided only to a very limited. Most of the libraries had no comprehensive library handbook of policies, procedures, and rules and regulations.

To a moderate extent, the librarians oriented their new faculty, staff, and students about the library policies, collections and programs, proper use of library facilities and resources. Use of the open-shelf system was very limited -with the collections mostly behind closed shelves or cabinets. The libraries provided to a moderate extent bibliographic reader assistance. Provision of photocopying service was limited for some and missing for most of the libraries.

The strongest characteristics of libraries (described as extensive )are about their(a)accessibility to the teachers and students, (b)being well lighted, and (c)being well ventilated. To a moderate extent, their libraries are rectangular, with 2/3 of the area devoted as reading room. But functional and properly spaced furniture and equipment are limited.

More than 50% of the functional libraries had single-faced and doubled spaced book shelves, bulletin boards, magazines display racks, newspapers racks and dictionary stand with shelves but most of these are below standards. However, less than 50% of the libraries had standard reading room, tables, card catalog cabinets, shelf list cabinets, charging desks, vertical file cabinets for clippings, information file cabinets, library supplies storage cabinets, and librarian's working table.

All of the 9 libraries had office supplies such as accession books, library cards, fasteners, stapler, staple wires, staple wire remover, and glue. But fewer than 50% of them had puncher, tape, dispenser, and supply of bond paper, dater stamp pad ink, logbooks, paper cutter, and tray for index cards. Radio cassette tape recorder was available only in 1 private school, both vocational schools, and some of the public high schools and some public high school libraries

Conclusions
On the basis of the findings, the study concluded that much is still to be desired with respect to the present conditions of the libraries in the areas of physical set-up, library resources/collections, organizations and maintenance of holdings, staffing and administrations, and services. They are a far cry from the requirements as spelled out in the Library standards formulated by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

Recommendations
Primary attention should be addressed to the 28 schools that do not have a functional library. The 9 functional schools should be further strengthened.

Undergraduate Students' Use and Non-Use of the Nueva Vizcaya State University Library as Related to Certain Variables

Researcher: JUVY B. PALIS

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: March 2006

Rationale

In this present continuously changing environment, modern libraries are no longer mere depositories of all past, present and future knowledge. They have become information-oriented. As a result, they have become more of information service centers reaching out to readers who are actively involved in the development of the society - in contrast to the traditional libraries that simply waited for their readers.

Statement of the Problem

This study explored the phenomenon of undergraduate college students' use and non-use of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) and the factors that influence such phenomenon. Specifically, the study determined the following: (1) distribution of the (a) users and (b) non-users of NVSU Library (based on enrollment) across the following variables: 1.1 college; 1.2 curriculum year; 1.3 sex; 1.4 residence while studying; and 1.5 academic classification; (2) significant differences in the distribution of users and non-users of NVSU Library when grouped according to the aforementioned profile variables; (3) On the part of the users: extent of their self-reported use of NVSU Library based on: 3.1. attendance, 3.2. use of the a. Circulation, b. Filipiniana, c. Reference, d. Periodicals, and e. Graduate School Sections; (4) the extent of the students' use of the library (based on actual book loans) with respect to the subject classifications; (5) significant differences in the extent of (a) attendance, (b) book loans when grouped according to the following variables: 5.1 college; 5.2 curriculum year; 5.3 sex; 5.4 residence while studying; and 5.5 academic classification; (6) primary (a) purpose/reasons and (b) motivators of the student library-users in using the library resources; (7) significant differences among the users' (a) purpose/reasons and (b) motivators in using the library resources when grouped according to their profile variables; (8) On the part of the non-users: their a dominant reasons (de-motivators) and (b) classroom instruction-related alternatives for their non-use of the NVSU Library, and (9) significant differences among the non-users' (a) dominant reasons (de-motivators) and (b) classroom instruction-related alternatives for their non-use of the NVSU Library when grouped according to their profile variables.

Methodology

The study used the descriptive survey method, particularly the following sub-types: normative, comparative, and correlational analysis. The primary data were obtained through a survey questionnaire. Secondary data came from documentary sources, particularly library records on student's use of NVSU-Main Campus-Library. The study covered the schoolyear 2004-2005, particularly June 2004-March 2005.

Research Instruments

There were two sets of questionnaires – Set A for the identified library users, and Set B for the non-library users. Both questionnaires had the same first part which ask common information such as personal profile variables, namely: college, curriculum year, gender, residence while attending school, and academic classification. Part 2 of Set A (for the users) asked data on the following attendance, reported use of the different sections purposes/reasons for the use of the library, and the motivators in using the library resources. Part 2 of Set B (for the non-users), asked data on the following: (a) dominant reasons (de-motivators) and (b) classroom instruction-related alternatives for their non-use of the NVSU Library. Library records, monthly statistical summary reports on loans, book cards, and circulation files, were used as sources of data on the following variables: (a) individual student's book loans (or number of materials borrowed), in the different sections, such as the following: Circulation Section, Filipiniana Section, Reference Section, Periodical Section, and Graduate School Section; (b) kinds/forms of materials (namely, books, periodicals, reference books, non-book materials) borrowed, (c) subject classification of book loans. Based on the records of the use of the library, the users and non-users were identified. The identified library users were given Survey Questionnaire, Set A. The identified library non-users were given Set B.

Treatment of Data

The data were analyzed using the following descriptive statistics: 1. frequency counts and percents were used to describe the profile and distribution of the respondents; 2. means and standard deviations were used to describe the users in terms of attendance; and 3. reported use of the different sections, purposes/reasons for use of the library, and motivators in using the library resources and the non-users in terms of (a) dominant reasons (de-motivators) and (b) classroom instruction-related alternatives for their non-use of the NVSU-Library. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) were used to test significant correlation between the students' profile variables and their respective variables indicative of use and non-use of the Library. Analysis of Variance, t-test, and chi-square were used to test the significant differences between/among the users and non-users (with respect to certain indicators or descriptors of use and non-use of the library) when grouped according to certain profile variables. The null hypotheses were tested at 5% level of significance. Statistical analyses were done through the Statistical Package.

Findings

1. Users and Non-Users of the Library. Only 36.7% of the total average enrollees per semester during the School Year 2004-2005, used their library, that is borrowed a library material at least once during the semester. The proportion of the non-users of the library is bigger (63.3%), indicating minimal use of th library. The highest proportion of users (based on average enrollment) came from the students in the colleges of Engineering and Agriculture, first year, and females.

2. Significant Differences in Proportion of Users and Non-users Across Variables. There were no significant differences on the proportions of users and non-users across colleges, academic classification, residence while studying, house staying in while studying, and sex, except across curriculum year level where there were significantly more users in the first and third years than in the other year levels.

3. Reported Use of the Library. In general, the reported attendance in the library regardless of the variables, was 3 to 4 days a week. The most frequently used section of the library was the Circulation Section.

4. Actual Book Loans and Library Attendance Among the Users. On the average, the users borrowed 4 to 5 books in NVSU Library. But the highest number of book loans were made by the students in the colleges of Engineering and Agriculture (7, and 6, respectively), and fifth year students (8). The males and females borrowed almost the same number of books (5 and 4, respectively). Most of the book loans were in the pure sciences, applied sciences(or technology), and social sciences – in that order.

5. Significant differences in Actual Attendance and Book Loans Across Variables. The library users from the Colleges of Engineering and Education had significantly more actual library attendance (library visits) than those in the other colleges. But extent of user's library attendance (frequency of library visit) did not significantly vary across sex, year level academic classification, residence while studying at NVSU, and house staying in while studying.

6. Purposes/Reasons and Motivations for Using the Library. The leading purposes of the users in going to the library were: (1) to borrow library materials for research work, term papers, and assignments; (2) study their lessons, read their own books, and notes, and (3) Read books and periodicals in advance for future lessons. The leading motivations for the library use are: (1) to learn and to understand one's subject well; (2) to be regularly prepared interact actively with one's teachers and fellow students in classroom discussion and dialogs; (3) to get good grades in quizzes, examinations, recitation, assignments, (4) to make quality well-prepared research papers, term papers, reaction papers and project by using library resources; and (5) to good academic image among one's teachers, friends, and classmates.

7. Significant Differences in Reasons and Motivations When the Users are Grouped Accordingly to Variables. There was no significant difference in the extent of almost all of the reasons identified by respondents when they are grouped by sex, and college, except for “reading magazines and newspapers” as a reason or purpose. There was no significant difference in all of the reasons when the users were grouped by year level, residence while studying, house staying in, and academic classification. There were also no significant differences in the extent of all the motivators when the respondents were grouped by college and year level.

8. Reasons for Non-Use. Among the non-users, their leading reasons for non-use of the library are: (a) difficulty of looking for library materials; (b) inadequacy of existing library materials especially for one's course and field of specialization; (c) unavailability in the library of reading materials assigned by teachers; (d) unapproachable library personnel; (e) assignments,projects, term papers, reaction papers assigned by the teachers can be done without using the library; (f) lack of adequate knowledge and skills in using the library; inadequate reading space, poor lighting and ventilation in the library; and (g) pressure from one's peers/classmates not to go to the library.

9. Alternatives for Non-Use. The non-users leading alternatives are: (a) buying one's own textbooks and references; (b) book loans one's classmate books references, and notes; (c) relying principally on one's teacher's handouts and lectures; and (d) using the Internet sources outside the NVSU Library. The non-uses do not differ significantly in their demotivators when they are grouped according to year level, house staying in, and academic classification. They also do not significantly differ in their alternatives when grouped according to sex and house staying in.

Conclusions

1. Minimal use of the NVSU Library by the students, vis-a-vis the total enrollment. Very few students use the NVSU Library. In general they do not find using the library resources as necessary in their studies. They can go on with their schooling without Book Loans library materials. Using the library has not yet become a culture in college students' academic life. This is equally true for students regardless of college enrolled in, academic year, sex, and residence while studying, house staying in while studying, and academic classification.

2. Library attendance and Book Loans are minimal. On the part of the users, there is not much use of the library with respect to attendance and book loans. However, Education and Agriculture students go to the library more and borrow books more than the students in other colleges. Other variables such as academic year, sex, residence while studying, and house staying in while studying are not significant sources of variation among the users in terms of attendance, book loans, reasons for use, and motivations for use. However, regular or ordinary students tend to use more the library than the academic scholars, dean's listers and Working Students.

3. Inadequacy and availability of library resources and difficulty of looking for library materials are the leading causes of non-use of the library. Consequently, the non-users leading alternatives are (a) buying one's own textbooks and references; (b) book loans one's classmate books, references, and notes; (c) relying principally on one's teacher's handout and lectures; and (d) using the Internet sources outside the NVSU Library.

Recommendations

On the strength of the foregoing findings and conclusions, the researcher offers the following recommendations:

1. Students should be given activities, which will trigger their interest and develop positive attitude towards the use of the library, e.g. conduct of a Library Week.

2. Instructors should integrate library work in their syllabus by giving them assignments and enrichment activities to be accomplished in the library work

3. Administrators support and encourage the librarians to engage/attend to seminar – workshop and/or trainings to update their knowledge in the new trend of approaches techniques and skills in managing the library and must develop program and strategies for the promotion of the library use.

4. The librarian should revisit and revise the policies on library use.

5. There is a need to improve the utilization of library resources through library marketing and cooperation with the faculty.

6. Information storage and retrieval system must be enhanced to improves access to library materials.

7. The NVSU library collection should be developed based on the needs of faculty and students.

8. Further research similar to the one is recommended to follow up to the librarian profile to access their needs in their work.

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

Indeksing ng mga Tesis at Disertasyon sa Pagtuturo ng Filipino Taong 1970-2005

Researcher: HERMINIA R. ATIENZA

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal University

Subject Area: Indexing

Year of Graduation: 2006

The Centro Escolar University Library Internet-Based Services: Status and Prospects

Researcher: HAYDEE MAPALAD CLEMENTE

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Information Networks

Year of Graduation: 2006

Use of Media Technology as an Instructional Tool in Inter-Institutional Consortium (I-IC) Schools

Researcher: VIVIAN C. SORIENTE

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Diliman

Subject Area: Media Technology-Usage, Consortia

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to: 1) determine the extent of use of the media technology among the I-IC school; 2) determine the perceptions of the students and teachers regarding the effectiveness of the media technology; 3) identify the problems encountered in using the media technology; and 4) find out possible solutions in resolving the problems.

Methodology

The study used the descriptive survey method, particularly the formal interview (Sanchez, 1986) where the respondents were asked questions from carefully prepared interview schedules and their answers were recorded in a standardized from. This enabled the researcher to acquire valuable insights and first hand information from the students and faculty members of the I-IC schools on their perception of media technology.

Findings

Results of the study revealed that the overhead projectors are still the most commonly used equipment and VHS tapes are very useful media materials. Borrowing of materials and equipment was most frequently done by DLSU and PCU whereas SPCM and SSC often reserved the viewing room. Few students used the modern type of technology due to lack of knowledge and expertise.

Recommendations

Some of the recommendations were to purchase more modern technology equipment; conduct a regular in-service media training to media staff; promote annual acquisitions of media materials and equipment; and create a standard policy of circulation and sharing of equipment to each member school.

The Development of a Library Instruction Program for the St. Stephen’s High School Library with Emphasis on Improving Specific Library-Related Skills

Researcher: JUDITH Y. SY

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Diliman

Subject Area: Library Instruction

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem

This study developed a library instruction program that aims to improve students’ competence in using library resources and in finding information that they need in the library by addressing specific library-related skills. In order to achieve this, the study measured the existing level of awareness or knowledge of students regarding these skills. Specifically, the study addresses the following questions: 1) What is the current level of awareness of students at St. Stephen’s High School (SSHS) of the following specific library-related skills: a) knowledge on the different parts of a book; b) knowledge on Dewey Decimal Classification; c) knowledge on card catalog; d) knowledge on the use of reference materials; and e) knowledge on conducting basic research?; 2) Which of the preceding specific library related skills need to be given emphasis in a library instruction program that aims to address and improve identified weaknesses/knowledge among the students' level of awareness of the said skills?

Methodology
The data required for this study were gathered into two phases. The first phase involved measuring the current level of awareness/knowledge of the students of St. Stephen's High School by means of administering the research instrument to both experimental and control groups drawn from the three year levels. Results of the pre-test were used to guide the development of the library instruction program. The prototype library instruction program developed using the result of the first phase of data collection was then used in instructing only the experimental groups. The second phase involved administering a post-test to both experimental and control groups.

Findings
The results of the pre-test showed that knowledge on the use of reference materials and knowledge on conducting basic research are the two areas that garnered the lowest average percentage of correct answers. Moreover, the average percentage of correct answers for these two areas is less than 50% which means that less than half of the sample respondents were able to answer the questions pertaining to these areas correctly. Moreover, it was also noted that each of the five areas had items that garnered low percentages of correct answers. using formulated concepts based on the results of the pre-test as guidelines, materials were compiled from various sources to constitute the library instruction program for SSHS Library. The three designated experimental group were then given the library instruction program developed using the results of the pre-test. Afterwards, a post-test was administered to both designated experimental and control groups. Results of the pre-test and post-test were examined and compared. It was generally found out that there is an increase/improvement in students level of awareness/knowledge of specific library related-skills upon being administered a library instruction program that is specifically based upon actual diagnosed instructional needs of the students.

Economics of Scale in Academic Libraries of the University of the Philippines Diliman

Researcher: NEVILLE C. CATAYLO

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Academic Libraries

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem
The study examines scale economies in the U.P. Diliman academic libraries using two year cross-section pooled data on 26 libraries.

Methodology

The data was fitted into a cost function under a natural log linear model. Two collection outputs, nine service outputs and a dummy variable were included in the cost function. The choice of variables was intended to reflect library operations.

Findings

The study finds that significant economies of scale exist in the UP Diliman libraries with the sum of regression coefficients being equal to 0.64. The regression model explains 80.4 percent of the variation of total cost. The results show that the volumes held and circulation to be very important aspects of the UP library network and essential measures of library performance. The results also show a fairly strong association between total cost and the usage of Filipiniana materials, periodicals, audiovisuals and group presentations. The serials collection, as measured by the number of serial titles, the use of reserve materials, newspapers and the provision of reference services are not found to be significant contributors to the cost of UP Diliman Libraries. The results point to a set of economic factors that could assist in the analysis prediction of future performance of the UP Diliman Libraries. These results of the regression analysis may also be used for library management, operational planning and budget preparation, among others.

A Profile of Government Archivists in Metro Manila

Researcher: JOCELYN P. BASA

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Archivists

Year of Graduation: 2005

Introduction

As any organization, archives cannot exist without the appropriate staff. The size and type of personnel depend on the size of the institution and the archival program. Those seeking archives positions should be competitive enough not only to comply with the minimum standards but to surpass these.

Statement of the Problem

This study focused on people working in government archives. It aimed to construct a profile by looking into government archivists in Metro Manila with regard to the following aspects: educational background, work experience, task performed, and qualification requirements of their position as set by their institutions.

Methodology

There were eight (8) institutions surveyed namely: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), House of Representatives (HOR), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Philippine Normal University (PNU), Records Management and Archives Office (RMAO), Senate of the Philippines and the University of the Philippines (UP).

Findings

Educational requirements of archives personnel have not been specific on what degree should applicant possess before they apply. Government archives hire archivists who are graduates of any course without the necessary archives training and experience. Qualification standards set by the Civil Service Commission are being implemented or used by the institutions. Otherwise, they use a different position title.

Conclusions

The study concluded that: position titles/designations of archives personnel depend on the kind of institution the archives is under; staff with permanent appointment status have second level eligibility; form of training readily available is informal; staff are sent to attend short courses, seminar-workshops, etc. on official time since formal education cannot normally be availed during office hours; informal training programs on archives offered locally and abroad seem appropriate to the needs of government archives/archivists in the performance of their duties; and necessary skills are acquired through in-service training programs. The qualification standards being used by government archives can be modified eventually when a formal degree on archival studies will be available locally. It was noted that certain government agencies were very protective of their institutions. No information was given for questions the administration decided were confidential with respect to their reputation as an archives office. They did not want to give information that may result in the conclusion that their personnel are unqualified or do not possess the ideal qualifications. It is also desired that offering a formal degree in archives studies be pushed through to equip future archivists with the necessary archival principles and skills prior to employment. In the absence of a degree, non-formal training could be considered to modify the qualification requirements for hiring archivists in the government. It is the desire of the author that institutions in the future are more cooperative in similar studies since the study only wants to help find ways to improve the profession.

A Study of the Acquisition Practices of the Member Libraries of the Mendiola Consortium

Researcher: PIA P. RESIDE

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Acquisition

Year of Graduation: 2005

Introduction

The Mendiola Consortium is an organization of four institutions located in Mendiola, Manila namely: Centro Escolar University, College of the Holy Spirit, La Consolacion College, and San Beda College which have formally agreed to pool their manpower and physical resources to enhance their capability to provide quality education and public service, and to participate more actively in the attainment of national development goals.

Statement of the Problem and Methodology
The primary objective of this study was to find out the acquisition practices of the member libraries of the Mendiola Consortium. Forty (40) respondents were requested to answer the questionnaires. Respondents were full-time and regular librarians of the member libraries of the Mendiola Consortium. There was 100 percent rate of returns. This utilized the descriptive method of research. Through a descriptive document analysis of the gathered documents, a comparison of the the libraries' acquisition policies was also taken into consideration. Interviews were also conducted to ensure valuable information on the problem being investigated. The respondents' profiles were studied and tabulated. The acquisition practices of the four institutions were also studied and analyzed.

Findings
The study revealed that they have different written acquisition policies and have similar acquisition practices in acquiring books and other library materials. They acknowledged acquisition planning as an important phase of acquisition work. They acquire books through purchase, gifts/donations and exchange of school publications like journals but not book exchange. The member libraries of the Mendiola Consortium do not practice cooperative acquisition.

Recommendations
1. Member libraries of the mendiola Consortium must be updated with the current practices of the different progressive academic libraries in materials acquisitions, including online payment and materials selection;

2. Librarians must exert more effort to be able to solicit valuable materials to supplement regular acquisitions;

3. Involvement in other consortia or network to add to possible sources of library materils;

4. There must be a review of existing policies and procedures to be able to identify the aspects of acquisition work that are no longer applicable or beneficial to the library;

5. Provision for a feedback (evaluation) mechanism to determine effectivity of current acquisition procedures;

6. The chief librarians should discuss with their respective administrators the advantages that will accrue if they embark on a cooperative acquisitions program. The member institutions, more or less, have started cooperative endeavors in other aspects. Now is the time to think of library cooperation and networking.

Qualitative Analysis of the Institute of Library and Information Science Theses Abstracts

Researcher: RICHARD JONATHAN O. TADURAN

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Diliman

Subject Area: Theses-Abstracts, Library Science-Abstracts

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem

This study analyzed the technical and substantial qualities of the University of the Philippines Institute of Library and Information Science (UPILIS) theses abstracts.

Findings

Findings reveal that most them are indicative, either technically good or fair, and substantially fair. Common errors came out as redundancy, erroneous grammar, and incoherence, being too lengthy, unclear, and substantial, and lacking information. The relation of the technical quality varies with the student’s age, sex and degree and also with theses’ year of submission and numbers of pages while the relations of the substantial quality turned to be insignificant due to most of them are fairly written. The results attribute to the lack of theoretical courses offered and insufficient time allotted to teaching abstracting.

Recommendations

Recommendations include the separation of abstracting to indexing, the integration of philosophy in LIS matters, the revision of the UPILIS thesis manual, and the implementation of a subsequent study in 2010.

A Study of Selected Community Parish Archives Practices

Researcher: MA. BERNARDITA L. ROBLES

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Archives

Year of Graduation: 2005

Introduction

Archives are needed as the primary source of identity and information of the past which continue to affect human rights. The value of archives is its accessibility. The archives, as ministry of evangelization in today's church, promote the use of its resources to strengthen spiritual lives and provide accurate documentation of the historical church. The voluminous collection of archival documents of the Philippine Church, particularly the parishes, is seemingly neglected and unattended. More importantly, the loss of records, whether diocesan or parochial, undermines, religious heritage.

Statement of the Problem and Methodology
The focus of the study is on the current record keeping practices of canonical documents and other archival collections of the four (4) community parish archives located in Metro manila. To attain the objectives of the study, qualitative method of research was employed. Ocular inspections and interviews were conducted to gather data in order to analyze and determine the archives practices observed and implemented by the parishes. A comparative analysis was made between the current practices and the standard and accepted archives practices with regard to the sacramental records and administrative archival documents, such as minutes of meetings, memoranda, correspondence, and other record series of enduring value which are generally appraised and preserved for future reference.

Findings and Recommendations
Findings reveal that insufficient knowledge, professional training, and technical skills of the persons designated and responsible for the archival records are the reasons why these selected parishes have not given priority to establish an official parish archives. Due to the absence of policies on standard and accepted archives practices, recommendations are presented which will hopefully help contribute in the area of archives practices in the parishes.

Archives in the Museum Context: A Case Study on the Application of Archival Principles and Practices in the Jorge B. Vargas Museum and ...

Title: Archives in the Museum Context: A Case Study on the Application of Archival Principles and Practices in the Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman

Researcher: RICARDO L. PUNZALAN

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Archives, Museums

Year of Graduation: 2005

Introduction

Although considered to perform similar and sometimes overlapping functions in society, archives and museums are two distinct institutions that follow different sets of standard principles and practices in managing their respective collections. In fact, the two have managed to survive for centuries without having to rely on each other. In reality, however, museums have been assuming the role of the archives in collecting historical records as evidenced by continued assimilation of archival records into museum collections. This is probably due to the absence of archival programs or facilities in the rural areas and the perennial problem of budget constrainsts for cultural institutions. More and more individuals and families throughout the country are donating their personal archives and private collections to museums. Other would establish their own family museums with their memorabilia and accumulated books and records forming the nucleus of collections on exhibit.

Statement of the Problem
With the main goal of exploring the context of the archival principles and practices in the museum setting, this study has focused on the case of the Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filippiniana Research Center (UPVM).

The study also attemps to discover a way to situate the role of the archives in the museum by constructing the administrative history of the UPVM using available Museum records.

Historical Background
This museum has a rich collection of the personal archives of its donors, Mr. Vargas, who had served in various key positions in the government starting from the Commonwealth era, continued into the World war II and up to the 1960's. in 1978, the collection was donated to the University of the Philippines and, thus, serves as a University Museum. The UPVM is a site where archives exists within the museum structure and presents an ideal set up for an inquiry that looks into the archival collection of the museum.

Methodology
UPVM's archival collection may be grouped into two fonds or record groups; namely: 1) personal archives of jorge B. Vargas; and 2. institutional archives of the UPVM. these two fonds were appropriately arranged based on the archival principles of provenance and original order. Just like any other institution, the UPVM is also a producer or records as it performs its complex roles as both collector and preserver of material culture. The museum's archival records are its institutional memory.

Results and Discussions
The study illustrated how a particular record and its given recording and documentation processes and procedures perform this function of organizational memory and, at the same time, be an active agent of institutional activity. Foremost among its records is the catalog and documentation worksheet used to provide material description and account for the physical condition of the art collection. The study had emphasized that the UPVM catalog may be considered as an archival record by noting its great influence in musuem management and operations and its function of object representation. If museums are about representation through the display and assemblage of material culture, records that account for these objects must also acquire this level of cultural dimension. Records then become "representations" of objects of representations. Theis situation opens up a range of interesting inquiries for archival theory. As these museum perform their administrative and collection management functions, they naturally become records creators. Conversely, as collectors and repositories of archives and manuscripts, they become sites for records accumulation. Thus, museums assume the role of both records creator and record keeper while maintaining their unique institutional identity as distinct from archives. This phenomenon has a profound impact for archival practice and implies that a new paradigm must be developed to appropriately situate the place of the archives within the museum structure. Finally, a recommended standard was drawn to provide a code of practice with which the museum could refer for appropriate guidance and direction.

An Evaluation of the MEDLINE Database of U.P. Manila Medical Library: Its Coverage and Usage

Researcher: EMELORNA C. ESTEBAN-DELGADO

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Medical Libraries, Library Use

Year of Graduation: 2005

Introduction

MEDLINE has long been appreciated as a major resource for those with academic or research questions. More recently, it has been recognized that MEDLINE supports informed clinical practice as well. A number of published studies report that MEDLINE literature searchers have a significant positive effect on clinical problem-solving and patient outcomes.

Statement of the Problem

The study primarily assesses the MEDLINE database, its coverage of periodical titles and its usage in the Medical Library of UP Manila. The objectives of the study were to: 1) evaluate the MEDLINE database based on the following criteria: consistency, coverage/scope, accuracy, output, customer’s support and training, accessibility/ease of use, and timeliness; 2) determine the UPM College of Medicine practitioner’s areas of specialization that are covered by the MEDLINE database; 3) identify the medical journal titles in MEDLINE database that were most heavily used for the school year 2003-2004; 4) determine if the users use databases other than MEDLINE; 5) Determine methods of delivery (electronic mail and online display) and delivery formats in accessing journals in MEDLINE database; and 6) come up with recommendations regarding the MEDLINE database.

Methodology

The 785 medical practitioners of 27 departments of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital as of June 2003 to March 2004 comprised the respondents of this study. The descriptive method of research was used. The data from the statistics of use of the library users of UP Medical Library from June 2003 to March 2004 were used and consulted for additional data needed in the study. The data gathered were organized and tabulated, tallied, analyzed and interpreted using percentages and ranking.

Findings

The findings of the study proved that MEDLINE database is useful in retrieving information in the areas of specialization of UP Manila College of Medicine practitioners. The availability of online databases affects internal library use, particularly when databases can be accessed through the Internet. Librarians at the UP Medical Library must endeavor to keep abreast of the range of options that are available to them and their users, and should be well-equipped to evaluate those options effectively. Using the SCOUG criteria as a guide when examining different versions of the same database, librarians and other information professionals should be able to make an informed assessment of the relative value and usefulness of a range of services of databases. The UP Medical Library does not need to subscribe to the MEDLINE software since it is available for free from the Internet. If there are funds allotted for the subscription of the said software, it is better to divert the funds to other library expenses. Users of the MEDLINE and other medical databases are encouraged to access the electronic journals. Since full-text versions of many medical journals are being offered via the Internet, it will be increasingly easier to locate the original papers, which will be linked to the results of the user’s search. A user should be aware that MEDLINE does not cover all the medical literature in the world. Users are advised to use other databases like EMBASE, MD Consult, Ovid MEDLINE, and other to cover a wider collection of the world’s medical literature.

The Information Search Process of Diliman Preparatory School Third Year Students

Researcher: ANGELEZ P. ORTEGA

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Information Seeking

Year of Graduation: 2005

Introduction

Information seeking is defined by Marchionni (1995) as a process in which humans purposely engage in order to change their state of knowledge. Information seeking is a process of construction that begins with uncertainty and anxiety. The user’s experience in the process of information seeking needed to be carefully investigated.

Statement of the Problem and Methodology

This study attempted to replicate Kuhltau’s Model of the Information Search Process (ISP). Thirty-eight participants and their teacher for the academic year 2004-2005 participated in the study. Quantitative Process survey and Teacher’s Assessment of Focus were utilized in gathering the needed information. To verify the Model of the ISP, quantitative analysis and replication method were used. Likewise, two methods were applied for preparing the data for analysis. One, nominal data was treated as ordinal, assumed-level data in order to perform statistical measures. The order is that open-ended responses were coded into categorical data for data analysis.

Findings

Results of the survey reveal that the responses indicated that thoughts about the topic became clearer and more focused as respondents moved through the search process seeking more pertinent and focused information. It can be surmised that as the information search process moved through, the information became clearer. It can be supported by the data that 13 of the respondents have a “general description of the topic' during the initiation process; it became 19 during the Midpoint process and Closure processes. Twenty-four of the respondents had "unclear description of the topic" during the initiation process and eventually narrowed down to 2 during the Closure process. Responses revealed confidence steadily increasing with lowest confidence at Initiation, confidence rising significantly at midpoint, and with more significant increase at Closure.

In general, the findings indicate that the participants' thoughts about their topics became clearer and more focused as they moved through the search process seeking more relevant and focused information. Feelings accompanying the changes in thoughts matched those predicted in the model, with confidence steadily increasing. Uncertainty, confusion, and frustration decreased during the process as feelings of being satisfied, sure and relieved increased.

Recommendations
1. Assessment of perceptions of respondents must be done more often and regular monitoring of a research study to determine success or failure of information search process;

2. The model of the information search process needed to be verified in a larger more diverse sample of library users; and

3. The researcher strongly recommends that the findings of this study be validated by doing some longitudinal studies in the near future.

Tomas Del Rosario College Library: An Evaluation with Implication on the Improvement of Information Resources and of Library Services

Tomas Del Rosario College Library: An Evaluation with Implication on the Improvement of Information Resources and of Library Services

Researcher: FATIMA R. MONTANEZ

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Resources, Library Services

Year of Graduation: 2005

Introduction

For the college library to carry out its function effectively, it has to have well-selected information resources, have adequate funding and efficient supervision and administration by a qualified librarian.

Statement of the Problem

The research study is intended to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the Tomas del Rosario College Library’s collection and services guided by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities – Commission on Accreditation (PACU-COA) standards. The focus of this appraisal is to find out whether the library’s collection is adequate enough o support the needs of its users and to know if its users and to know if its services are efficient and effective.

Methodology

The study makes use of the descriptive and evaluative research designs. The population of the study consists of 1,240 individuals, 1,175 enrolled college students and 65 college faculty members. Using stratified sampling method, the sample size became 235 for the college students and 65 for the faculty members.

Findings

Results of the study revealed that the majority of the students (60) and faculty members (56.92) were satisfied with the information services in the library. The Tomas del Rosario College Library was administered and supervised by a licensed and full-time librarian. The library has a strong “Collection Development Policy” that aids the head librarian and library staff in the acquisition and selection of the different library materials. The collection consists of relevant books, serials, pamphlets, documents, non-book and Filipiniana materials. Library materials at Tomas del Rosario College Library were catalogued and classified according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System. The library is furnished with functional and well designed standard furniture and equipment. The library was adequately lighted, properly ventilated and acoustically suited for quiet reading. The findings of this study attest to the fact that support given by the top-level management exerts a great effect on the ability of the library to meet the information need of their faculty and students. On the other hand, the library has been able to meet their clientele’s needs satisfactorily and complied with several PACU-COA standards (except for the control and security measures). Aside from the library is managed by a qualified librarian, having her would ensure the satisfaction of the information needs of the users through easy access of quality information (Ronquillo, 2003).

Recommendations

1. Assessment of perceptions of library users must be done more often and regular monitoring of facilities and resources must be done to determine success or failure of library services.
2. Tomas del Rosario College Library must be provided with adequate and continuing budgetary support as a separate item from the budget allotted for the different expenditures in the institution it belongs.
3. The findings of this study will be utilized in the formulation of a resource-sharing scheme among colleges and universities in Bataan.

An Evaluation of the Computerized Index to Philippine Periodical Articles (CIPPA)

Researcher: BERNADETTE C. MARIANO

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Periodical Index

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Computerized Index to Philippine Periodical Articles (CIPPA) as developed and used by the Filipiniana Section of the Ateneo de Manila University Rizal Library based on the International Organization for Standardization’s indexing standard.

Methodology

The descriptive survey research method utilizing a questionnaire was chosen as the most appropriate and effective method for collecting the data needed to answer the study’s research questions. Analysis of the results defined how the CIPPA complies with the ISO standard. The assessment of how much CIPPA conforms to the ISO standard was then determined in percentage. Analysis was simple and did not require any sophisticated statistical approaches. The fifteen (15) librarians of the Ateneo de Manila University Rizal Library served as respondents for this study.

Findings

Results indicate that the CIPPA generally conforms to ISO 999: 1996 standard. However, there are several areas where CIPPA does not conform and there are certain ISO criteria that are not applicable to a computerized index like the CIPPA, and CIPPA is a bit complicated to users to become familiar with. In fact, some librarians lack familiarity with the CIPPA.

Recommendations

1. Changes must be made in CIPPA to make it conform totally to ISO standard.

2. Improvements in the CIPPA database manual of procedures to make it conform to ISO standard.

3. Changes in the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of CIPPA to make user-friendly.

4. Librarians should be trained on how to use the system.

Usage of Library Materials and its Impact on Students’ Academic Performance: A Case Study of the St. Stephen’s Elem School Library’s Most Avid Reader

Researcher: MARIVIC R. FLORES

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Use, School Libraries

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem

The study basically aimed to conduct an exploratory study of St. Stephen’s Elementary School’s Most Avid Readers (MAR). In examining and comparing the general average of students with different gradations of usage of library materials, the study sought to reinforce the argument that increased usage of library materials helps improve the academic performance of students. The study also sought to examine whether frequent usage of the library materials is a characteristic that can only attributed to outstanding students. This research also aimed to examine whether the proximity of students’ residence to the school and their parents’ occupation were intervening factors in students’ being MAR. Inclusion in the MAR List implies a very high frequency of usage of materials in St. Stephen’s Elementary Library’s collection.

Methodology

Following a record linkage method, the researcher used the names in the two MAR lists as ‘lead’ in looking up the scholastic records (for purposes of data analysis, the general average obtained by non-MAR students for each grade level during the two school years were also tabulated) of the students included in the listings. Having complied the general average obtained by students in the MAR lists; these were compared with that of non-MAR students to find out whether the general average they obtained were higher / lower from that of the general population of students in St. Stephen’s Elementary School.

Findings

1. The mean general average obtained by SY 2002-2003 MAR and SY 2003-2004 MAR were consistently higher for all grade levels compared to the mean general average obtained by non-MAR students.

2. The general average obtained by second-time-MAR have a higher minimum value, maximum value and mean as compared to the minimum value, maximum value and mean general average obtained by first-time MAR. Standard deviations from the mean general average obtained by second-time-MAR are lower as compared to the standard deviations for first time MAR.

3. More than one-fourth of MAR population in each of the two annual lists were recipients of the Principal’s Evaluation Award and that the population of MAR awardees in the Principal’s Evaluation Award constitute less than one-fifth of the total population of awardees.

4. MAR also reside in areas where non-MAR students enrolled in St. Stephen’s Elementary School usually reside and the occupational distribution of parents of MAR is just as heterogeneous and fairly resembles the occupation distribution of parents of non-MAR students. The findings of this study dispel the myth that only outstanding students appreciate reading and library services. This tell librarian that the library’s collection and services must be promoted to all students and the habit of reading can be developed by everyone – not only by those whom we call ‘nerds.’