An Assessment of Public Secondary School Libraries in the Division of City Schools, Manila

Castillo, Kathleen N (2004). An Assessment of Public Secondary School Libraries in the Division of City Schools, Manila. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

The Problem

This study aimed to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the public secondary school libraries in the Division of City Schools, manila and the extent of their compliance with the DECS Order Number 6 series of 1998, Policies and Programs for School Library Department.

Methodology

The study utilized the descriptive method of research. Likewise, observation and ocular inspection were used in this study to determine if the standard set by the Department of Education (DECS Order Number 6 series of 1998, Policies and Programs for School Library Development) were complied with. The study focused on the twenty-eight (28) public secondary school libraries in the six districts of the Division of Manila. Respondents for this study constituted the faculty, students and the librarian of each of the twenty-eight schools.

Findings

Of the twenty-eight public secondary school libraries, twenty-four have their libraries located in a separate room. The twenty-eight public secondary school libraries offer library orientation, circulation, cataloging, indexing services, reference service, and current awareness services. Majority of the school libraries have insufficient collection. Twenty-seven (27) public secondary school libraries complied with what have been stated by the standards set by DECS with regard to librarian’s qualifications; Majority (24) of the school libraries concerned do not follow the standard with regard to library funds. Modal frequencies show that teachers from the twenty-eight public secondary school libraries use their library mainly for research purposes, followed by “for lesson plan preparation, report, group meeting, and curriculum preparation.”

Conclusions

It can be concluded that this study attests to the fact that limitations in resources, especially monetary or financial resources, exert a great influence on the ability of the libraries to meet the demand and information needs of their faculty and students. It is due to this limitation that the twenty-eight libraries have not been able to meet their clientele’s needs’ satisfactorily.

Recommendations

The study recommends the following measures: a) since the 28 libraries do not completely comply with the standards stipulated in the DECS Order Number 6 series of 1998, librarians together with the principals and the members of their respective Library committees, must formulate policies and regulations to the above DECS Order; b) Libraries of the Manila City Division must be provided with adequate and continuing budgetary support as a separate item from the budget allotted to the different public secondary schools; c) The need to have a more organized collection is needed. It must be indexed, cataloged and classified properly; and lastly d) That the DECS Order Number 6 series of 1998 guidelines should be revised with the purpose of updating these to keep up with the latest developments and trends in school media centers.

Computerization and Modernization in Government Agricultural Libraries within Metro Manila: A Survey

Cañezal, Jennifer Cabangan (2004). Computerization and Modernization in Government Agricultural Libraries within Metro Manila: A Survey. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

The Problem

The objectives of the study are: 1) To identify government agricultural libraries in Metro Manila that are computerized, not-computerized and/or planning to computerize their operations; 2) To identify the predominant computer configurations as well as software employed and/or planning to be installed by these libraries; 3) To determine the conditions of access to the computerized systems; 4) To determine the extent of computerization in the government agricultural libraries in Metro Manila; 5) To identify the specific library functions/services/areas that are currently being computerized and/or planning to be computerized; 6) To determine from among the non-computerized libraries, the primary services that should be given priority in computerization; 7) To determine from among the computerized libraries the benefits derived from computerization; 8) To identify the major factors that influence and/or hinder the computerization of the government agricultural libraries in Metro Manila; and 9) To recommend innovations to further improve the computerized libraries.

Methodology

The head librarians of the 21 government agricultural libraries in metro Manila comprised the respondents of this study. The descriptive research method was used with the survey questionnaire as a data gathering instrument. The questionnaire was composed of two types: Questionnaire A was intended for computerized libraries and Questionnaire B for non-computerized libraries. All of these questionnaires were personally distributed to 21 libraries in metro manila for one week and were personally collected the week after. These were supplemented by interviews and observations during the actual library visits. The data gathered were organized, tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted using frequencies, percentages and ranking to carry out the objectives of the study.

Findings

A total of 18 head librarians responded out of the targeted respondents. Three out of the 18 reported that they were already computerized while the remaining 15 are still in the process of planning computerization. Two of the computerized libraries implemented their system in the late 1990s while the other one started only in January 2002. Although they are partially automated, the process of implementation had been proceeding smoothly. Cataloging and indexing were mostly the processes that are computerized in these libraries. The main factor influencing the decision for computerization was the goals and objectives of the library/organization whereas, financial resources seemed to be the common factor influencing the non-implementation of the non-computerized libraries computerization plan.

A Critical Analysis and Evaluation of the O.P Siena Archives Practices

Bumangabang, Wilma Tapaya-on (2004). A Critical Analysis and Evaluation of the O.P Siena Archives Practices. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

Abstract

A well-documented and unprejudiced study of its own past makes the Church more “expert in humanity” because it reveals the historical richness that lies behind her and allows her to identify herself with her essential, continuing and varied mission of enculturation and acculturation.

This study proceeds from a careful collection of all that can be documented helps out in planning a future founded on the contribution whereby memory is also prophecy. Thus, the documents preserved in the archives represent, and become an immense and precious heritage Canon Law 486 mandated each Curia to establish in a safe place a Diocesan Archives where documents and writings concerning both the spiritual and the temporal affairs of the diocese are to be properly filed and carefully kept under lock and key. In like manner, in the Acts of the 7^th General Chapter, December 16-31, 1985 and the provision of the Constitutions and Directory 1988, Art. 526 of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena commissioned the Progress General with the deliberative vote of her Council to appoint on Archivist to attend to the Archives of the Congregation. Hence, the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Siena Archives (O.P. Siena Archives) serves as the repository of records for the Congregation. It will be the “official memory” of the institution, bearing witness to its activities for generations of Siena Sisters to come.

It aims to appraise, collect and organize all available records of permanent value; preserve and make available these records for use; and promote the study and appreciation of the O.P. Siena heritage and history in the Philippines to the larger community it serves and the general public. To ensure its proper administration, current archives practices being used at the O.P. Siena Archives were identified, assessed and analyzed if these conform to the standard and accepted archives practices presented.

Appropriate recommendations for the improvement of the O.P. Siena Archives practices were suggested vis-à-vis the accepted practices and the standards formulated by the International Council of Archives. Findings show that insufficient knowledge on standard archives principles and practices used turned out to be the primary problem in the O.P. Siena Archives.

Recommendations for the proper facilitation of the O.P. Siena Archives administration, based on accepted and standard archives practices were provided for implementation.

An Assessment of the Application of the Principle of Provenance on Archival Arrangement and Description in Selected Academic Archives in Metro Manila.

Bongalos, Florbella S (2004). An Assessment of the Application of the Principle of Provenance on Archival Arrangement and Description in Selected Academic Archives in Metro Manila. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

Introduction

Provenance or respect des fons is respect for the source or creator. This means maintaining the Integrity of a whole body if records are organically related, thereby preserving inter-relatedness and context of records at the time they were created. Going by the definition of archives as “records organically related to an entity” and the archival principle, “Archivists think groups,” it is imperative that the principle of provenance be adhered to in the arrangement and description of archives.

The Problem

The objectives of the study were: 1) to identify the different arrangement and description practices in selected academic archives in Metro Manila; 2) to determine the extent of compliance in these selected archives to the principle of provenance in the arrangement and description of archives; 3) identify the problems and issues in the application of the said principle of provenance in these academic archives.

Methodology

To attain these objectives, the study used the descriptive method of research. Eight academic archives, which have established archives in Metro Manila were assessed. Ocular visits, observations, and organization and analysis of documentary sources were utilized.

Bibliographic Instruction and Critical Thinking

Ballesteros, Kathleen Lourdes M (2004). Bibliographic Instruction and Critical Thinking. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

Rationale

With the increasing bulk of information produced as well as with the increasing reliance on global network, there is a need to educate more information literate students. The current situation is providing an opportunity for librarians to play a major role in providing the student the needed skills in dealing with the fast changing environment of information and information technology. It is one of the responsibilities of librarians to educate independent information seekers. The goal in libraries in this situation is for librarians to help the users reach a level of critical thinking or reflective judgment so that the users will be able to make good decisions on which resources to search. As such, they would be able to identify and locate appropriate information within the sources, integrate the information into their understanding of the topics then produce a written output.

The Problem and Methodology

This research has been conceptualized to determine whether Bibliographic Instruction can address such need for the development of the level of critical thinking or reflective judgment called for today. The study compared the critical thinking of freshmen students of the Divine Word College of Laoag enrolled in English I classes during the first semester of AY 2001-2002. One class was assigned as the treatment group, to which the Bibliographic Instruction was administered throughout the semester for one hour each week for 18 weeks, aside from attending the English I class. The other class was assigned as the control group where they took the same English I course. A pretest and posttest was administered to both classes to determine the level of critical thinking of the students before and after the treatment. This also determined the gains in the critical thinking of the students.

Findings and Conclusions

The study found out that there is no significant difference in the gains in the critical thinking of the students exposed to Bibliographic Instruction from those who were not. In conclusion, Bibliographic Instruction did not help develop critical thinking among the students who were exposed to such.

School Libraries and Elementary Education: A Comparative Study of Selected Local and Foreign Private School Libraries

Balbin, Louise Z (2004). School Libraries and Elementary Education: A Comparative Study of Selected Local and Foreign Private School Libraries. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

The Problem and Its Rationale

School libraries are and will always be essential in the education of the young and children must be made to realize this. With the aim of competently supporting the goals of the educational institutions they belong to, school libraries must continuously improve and evolve. How can they better serve students in this technologically-advanced age? What programs and services need to be done or improved for students to realize what wealth these school libraries offer. School libraries all over the world have geared towards computerization. Yet this is only one step towards attaining more efficiency in library operations.

Methodology

This study compares local and foreign private school libraries in the Philippines based on their organization, programs, and services to find out their similarities and differences and how they can learn from each other to improve services. There were three local and three foreign private school libraries in the study. Eleven librarians and a library clerk from the six school libraries were interviewed. In each school, forty percent of the total elementary faculty population who responded to the questionnaire give suggestions on how to improve their own school libraries.

Findings

School policies, practices, and economic factors play vital roles in differences found between these school libraries, although there are some common activities done by local and foreign private school libraries to promote their services and increase use in children.

Training Needs Assessment of Academic Archivists in Iloilo City

Alenzuela, Reysa (2004). Training Needs Assessment of Academic Archivists in Iloilo City. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

The Problem and Its Methodology

This study surveyed administrators and archives personnel of academic institutions in Iloilo City in order to assess their training needs and to recommend modules for training in archives administration. Administrators and archives personnel from 22 colleges and 5 universities were the respondents in the study. Eight of these institutions have established their archives while the rest numbering 19, have plans to establish one in their institutions. Although there may be other reasons why majority of these institutions do not have established archives, this study focused on the lack of training and education of administrators and archives personnel as one factor affecting the development of a sound archives program in the city.

Findings

The data in this study showed that there was inadequate training of by people involved in the establishment and administration of archives. This inadequacy cause by the unavailability of archives education programs. In the opinion of administrators, archives education was not available or was inadequate. Forty-six and forty-three (46.43) percent of them believed that there was no existing organization which promoted archives education and training; thirty-two and fourteen (32.14) percent were not aware of any training conducted in the city; and twenty-one and forty-three (21.43) percent said that no archives training was being held. The opinions of administrators were confirmed by the archives personnel. Thirty-three and thirty-three (33.33) percent of the archives propounded that continuing education programs were inadequate while sixty-six and sixty-six (66.66) percent said that it was mostly available.

Conclusions

There was a need to promote awareness of archives education in Iloilo City. The study probed into how the archival training would be effected in academic institutions in Iloilo City. In order to determine their needs, the personal data or profile of administrators and archives personnel, previous training they have attended, including the time for asking the training, and the mode of archives education they will take were analyzed.

The archives education most preferred by respondents was seminar-workshops. Other modes which were found desirable were conferences/conventions, symposia and distance education. The most preferred topics of the respondents vis-à-vis their educational background were: Records management, Arrangement and description, Preservation and restoration, Reference, Access and Security, Archives concepts, Principles and practices.

Information Skills Assessment as a Basis for Developing ILIAC

Information Skills Assessment as a Basis for Developing ILIAC

Researcher: SOCORRO PLACIDA LIMPIN

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal University

Subject Area: Information Skills

Year of Graduation: 2004