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

An Assessment of the Mapua Institute of Technology Library Using Total Quality Management Principles

Researcher: VERONICA M. JOSE

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Management

Year of Graduation: 2001

The Organization of Philippine Vocal and instrumental Scores in Selected Academic Music Libraries in Metro Manila: A Survey

Researcher: JOSEPHINE CECILIA L. BARADAS

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Music Libraries

Year of Graduation: 2000

Research Problem

The purpose of this study was to determine the following: types of format of Philippine vocal and instrumental music scores that are cataloged in six music libraries in Metro Manila, namely: PWU, SIC, SPCM, SSC, UST, and UPCM; levels of bibliographic description utilized for these scores; sufficiency of the subject authority lists for subject heading assignment for Philippine music scores; provision of additional subjects; and classification systems adopted for these scores. The music scores analyzed were the published and unpublished Philippine vocal and instrumental music scores composed during the early nineteenth century to the present.

Methodology

This study used the descriptive survey method consisting of questionnaires and interviews. The results of the study show that the four types of bound and unbound Philippine Music scores are the music textbooks.

Findings and Conclusions

Five libraries catalog the published Philippine music album while one library (SPCM) has an improvised style of bibliographic description. Three libraries were able to catalog the Philippine music sheets based on AACR2 while one library (SPCM) has utilized another system. Due to numerous acquisitions of music manuscripts, UPCM has substituted an author/title index for the card catalog. PWU has managed to catalog its music manuscripts while in SSC, the music manuscripts remained uncataloged. No manuscripts were found in UST, SIC and SPCM. Majority of the librarians/catalogers have come up with their own improvised subject headings for Philippine music libraries. The subject authority lists, i.e., Sears List and LCSH seem to be insufficient in that the music libraries needed to improvise the subject headings assigned to Philippine music scores and music books. Majority of the libraries have classified their Philippine music collection of scores as Filipiniana materials. Two libraries used the DDC scheme while three libraries make use of the LCC scheme. One library makes use of an improvised classification scheme.

Recommendations

1. Librarians without music background and who are assigned to music libraries must provide time to attend some of the music classes offered by their respective music departments.

2. An association of librarians/catalogers must be established to prepare the cataloging-in-publication for all published and unpublished Philippine music compositions

3. Resource sharing is recommended for the libraries that are in need of Philippine music materials.

4. The notes area should be enhanced by additional information such as: type of notation, first line of a vocal composition, duration of the music piece, and range and key signatures of vocal works.

5. For better access to Philippine music compositions, a review, analysis, and compilation of various subject headings used or the improvised ones, must be made.

6. The form of music composition and subject content of every music score must be reflected in the subject entries.

7. A compilation or an index of Philippine music tunes and themes must be made.

8. A list of subject headings applicable to Filipino music compositions be established.

Information Seeking Behavior of Filipino Visual Artists

Researcher: BIENVENIDA P. CASCO

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Information Seeking

Year of Graduation: 2000

Research Problem
This study was conducted to determine if Filipino visual artists make essential use of libraries; the type of libraries which would best meet their needs; their sources of information regarding: 1) technological information needs; 2) visual information needs; and 3) inspirational information needs; if they make essential use of interpersonal sources regarding information in the local art scene; and their modes of selling works, procuring commissions and learning about shows.

Methodology
One hundred fifty respondents were selected with the use of systematic random sampling. The respondents came from a population of 262 professional artists members of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA); Art Association of the Philippines (AAP); and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Directory of Visual Artists. The data were gathered using a questionnaire patterned after Cobbledick’s (1996) interview questionnaire. Only 82 (54.06 percent) were returned for analysis. Descriptive statistics were mainly used in the analysis.

Findings and Conclusions
The profile of the respondents show that almost one-fourth (21.95 percent) of the respondents are in the 31-35 age group. Having not much difference in years of experience were age groups of 10 years and below (31.10 percent) and the 11-20 years (32.13 percent). Almost two-thirds (68.28 percent) of the respondents were able to have a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, with more than half (58.53 percent) who are self-employed. From the results of the study, it is concluded that artists make essential use of libraries since all of the respondents often go to the libraries. Almost half (43.39 percent) go to university and/or college libraries. Interpersonal sources or people in their own league were their sources of information regarding technology, developments in the local art scene and in the procurement of commissions. Visual information came from the respondents’ own imagination (13.15 percent). Personal life experiences (11.00 percent) were their sources of information. Shows are learned through mail (39.4 percent) and works sold are mainly through direct contact with buyers (36.36 percent). Several recommendations are being made. It is suggested that: 1) visual artists be treated as professionals: 2) practical information on competitions, opportunities, fellowships, and the like should be widely disseminated; 3) visual artists should be encouraged to attend seminars and/or conferences; 4) alumni should also be accommodated in libraries; and 5) linkages between institutions which cater to visual artists should be made even up to the extent of using electronic bulletin boards.
Source: Journal of Philippine Librarianship (21: 96-97) 2000

Service Quality and Client Satisfaction in Selected University Libraries in Metro Manila

Researcher: UMBELINA CINCO CALABON

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Library Services

Year of Graduation: 2000

Research Problem

This exploratory study was specifically aimed to investigate if service quality and overall library performance effect client satisfaction, to examine if the educational attainment of clients affect client satisfaction and perception of overall library performance, and to determine whether there are significant differences between and among university libraries regarding client satisfaction, overall library performance and service quality.

Methodology

Top three university libraries in Metro Manila participated in the survey, namely: The University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas (UST), with a total of 165 respondents. A purposive sampling technique was used in the study. Eighteen 5-point Likert scale with three open-ended questions and demographic data were in the questionnaire, 16 variables in the Likert scale were grouped and classified into personalized services, tangibility and reliability.

Findings and Conclusions

Results of the survey show that the following needs improvement and attention from the library managers: library facilities and equipment, manner by which questions are answered, and participation of clients in library decision-making. Survey also shows that libraries are good on the following: courtesy of personal attention of the staff, on scheduled library hours, location and atmosphere of libraries, and the professionalism and assistance received from the staff. Based on the objectives and problems of this study, the main findings on the tested hypotheses are the following: 1) Overall library performance and service quality positively affect the client satisfaction. The higher the service quality and the overall library performance, the higher the client satisfaction; 2) Educational attainment of clients does not affect the overall library performance and client satisfaction; 3) There are no significant differences between client satisfaction, overall library performance and service quality between and among the three different university libraries. Hypotheses were tested through the use of analysis of variance and linear regression analysis. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS). Mistake or errors in service encounters cannot be avoided even with the best strategic plans but an appropriate service recovery effort will always bring favorable results. Because of this, a more in-depth study on qualitative and quantitative data on library services helps us achieve service quality and client satisfaction for users. Service quality is extremely hard to measure and hard to control. Maintaining high quality is not a guarantee for success but a minimum requirement for survival especially if there are limited resources. Service failure can occur if service is unavailable and when delayed or below a minimum acceptable level. Hence, we can all learn from different business techniques like benchmarking, total quality management, just-in-time, continuous improvement, and acquiring adequate funds for value-added services.

Source: Journal of Philippine Librarianship (21: 95-96) 2000

A Study of the Information Services of the Makati City Library

Researcher: ROSARIO IBAY AMERCA

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Information Services, Makati City Library

Year of Graduation: 2000

Research Problem

The study aimed to: 1) describe the characteristics of the various user groups of the Makati City Library; 2) describe the library’s present services, resources, and facilities; 3) identify the range of information needs of its users; 4) evaluate the extent to which the library’s present services, resources, and facilities meet the information needs of its users, and ; 5) recommend and propose the measures on how the library may improve its services by developing it along the lines of a business-oriented information center.

Methodology

The seven user groups included in the study were businessmen, government employees, housewives, the elderly, students, and children aged 10-13 who were regular users of the library. Through purposive sampling, 50 respondents from each user group were chosen for a total of 350 respondents. A questionnaire was given to these respondents as they came to use the library.

Findings

Findings reveal that the largest library-using groups are those under 20 years of age, 36.86 percent, composed of children, students and some out-of-school youth. As a whole, the users were mostly female, 68 percent, single, 48 percent, had college degrees, 27.15 percent, and had not yet earning any income, 26.2 percent, due to the predominance of groups under 20 years of age. Despite varied information needs from such a varied group of users, the six most sought information areas are: 1) career development/job placement, 9.09 percent, 2) information technology, 8.75 percent, 3) health, 8.14 percent, 4) communication and transportation, 7.25 percent, 5) cooperatives, 7.13 percent, and 6) sports and recreation, 6.91 percent. Least sought information is agriculture and fisheries, 1.45 percent. The users mostly rely on magazines, 17.3 percent, newspapers, 16.74 percent, and books, 15.79 percent in that order, as information resources. Besides the City Library, however, they also go to the barangay libraries within the Makati City area, to local government offices inside the City Hall of Makati, and informal resources like friends, barangay officials, and local government officials. Among the top information services provided to the users in the City of Makati are those pertaining to social welfare, 19.64 percent, small and medium-scale businesses, 19.64 percent, protective services, 13.2 percent, health, 10.97 percent, environment and ecology, 8.51 percent, and infrastructure, 5.94 percent. As to the Makati City Library’s services and facilities, 54.57 percent say their use of it is irregular, depending on their information needs. The foremost reason for use of the library is to further continue honing skills, 17.4 percent. Their number one difficulty in obtaining information (51.02 percent) is that copies of the books or reading materials are very limited making it hard for them to avail of the copy. To some users, the Makati City Library always meet their information needs, 39.14 percent, although materials are available some of the time, 38.58 percent. The collection/facilities are on the average barely sufficient for their information needs, 30.8 percent. Books (57.14 percent) and periodicals (62.29) percent are evaluated as adequate, while facilities, on the average, are deemed excellent (57.36 percent). The personnel are rated as helpful to them, 72.29 percent.

Recommendations

1. Expansion and improvement of the collection, services, and facilities for the library.

2. Development of additional library services along the lines of a business-oriented information center, catering to the most sought-after information needs for career development/job placement, information technology, health transportation and communication, and sports and recreation.

3. Coordination with public and private offices and organizations, such as the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) in the City Hall, Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA), business firms, and employment agencies for a linkage through a computer network system of job information exchange and dissemination.

4. request the City Government of Makati for funding support for the five-year development plan of the Makati City Library, particularly in the need to invest in its automation.

Information Systems Planning in Selected Libraries in the Philippines

Researcher: FERDINAND ANGELO M. ALIPIS

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Information Systems

Year of Graduation: 2000

Research Problem

This study was investigation and documentation of the information systems planning experiences of the selected libraries in the Philippines. It involved four (4) selected types of libraries namely, the National Library (public library), the International Rice Research Institute Library (IRRI) (special library), the Rizal Library of the Ateneo de manila University (academic library), and the Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) High School Library in Greehills, San Juan (school library). The specific objectives of the study were to: 1) describe the steps/activities in information systems planning by libraries with integrated library systems planning; 2) identify the factors which influenced information systems planning; 3) determine the problems encountered by libraries in information systems planning; 4) highlight the key success factors in undertaking information systems planning; and 5) identify the benefits of information systems planning.

Methodology

The method used in this research was case study. Data were gathered through the structured interview using a questionnaire. Documentary sources were also looked into. Analytical discussion was the main approach in data analysis and is presented in narrative form.

Findings and Conclusions

The libraries in this study undertook information systems planning with no strict adherence to any formal planning approach. The IRRI Library was primarily guided prescribed by Duval and Main (1992). The Rizal Library went through rigorous planning within the context of consortium. In its own, the ICA Library conducted information systems planning in some of the steps they undertook relates prescribes by some formal planning approaches. The National Library experience may be considered another formal planning approach by itself. Based on the experiences, planning concepts such as steps/activities, motivational factors, problems encountered, key success factors, and benefits of information systems planning were also found applicable. In these libraries, factors, which led to information systems planning, were driven by technology, management, financial considerations and service. The information systems planning of the libraries in this study were successful due to factors internal to the organization such as staff commitment and capability and external factors such as the services of a consultant. The two main problems encountered in information systems planning relates to technology and staff capability for the undertaking. Technology is developing so fast that planners have to constantly keep track of it. Knowledge and skills in planning seems to be inadequate. The benefits derived by libraries in the conduct of information systems planning can be viewed on two levels: the organizational level and the individual staff level. The organizational benefits include: 1) strengthened culture of planning; 2) smooth and successful implementation of the project; 3) clarified goals and directions; 4) potential problems anticipated; 5) decisions drawn wisely; 6) broadened staff horizons; 7) enhanced staff capabilities, skills and competence; and 8) uplifted staff morale. As far as staff benefit is concerned, they specifically gained a broad view of their library and of the value of information technology. The enhancement of skills, capabilities and competence followed after the information systems planning experience.

Source: Journal of Philippine Librarianship (21:89-90) 2000

The University of Santo Tomas Library Automation Project: A Descriptive Analysis

Researcher: ANGELITA P. TIMBANGCAYA

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Automation

Year of Graduation: 2000