One of the foremost resources that a university would have is a library that is well-stocked with timely editions of books, periodicals, electronic resources, and online databases, among other resources.
The University Library’s constant challenge is precisely this: to stay on track in adapting to the changing information environment, and maintain its relevance in University life and research by meeting the demands of Web 2.0, largely driven by social media and scholarly research accessed through online databases.
University students, however, may be less drawn to appreciate the use of the library due to the expedient availability of information on the internet, which can be accessed from nearby internet shops and the students’ very own machines.
In spite of this, the library continues to launch programs aimed at cultivating the interest of the student body. “Said program is managed by the Assistant Director for Support Services assisted by a team of staff,” shares University Library Director Ana Fresnido.
The programs include exhibits, an online newsletter entitled Balitang Aklatan, Facebook accounts for the Library and the American Corner, a Twitter account, the maintenance and development of guides, brochures and other materials designed to acquaint new users with the Library, as well as events such as book fairs (for new acquisitions) and contests. Upon interview, however,
According to usage statistics for AY 2011-2012, the Library’s Reader Services have 34,906 uses for the undergraduate level (roughly 11,635 uses per term); this pertains to the borrowing of books and other materials. Undergraduate students also accessed the University archives 14,466 times last year (4,822 uses per term).
Perfect Place to Sleep?
Students make use of the library for leisure reading and mostly for academic purposes such as studying and researching. Its sources are deemed convenient with its computers’ fast internet connection and “quality reading materials.”
According to a survey by The LaSallian, 93% of student respondents visit the library without needing an assignment from a professor or similar academic motivation. However, 23% have admitted that they use the venue because the “air-conditioning is free” and it is the “perfect place to sleep.”
39% of surveyed students say they refer more to the internet than to sources exclusively available in the library because it saves time and lessens the tediousness of library research. Students in the survey who responded so believe that information on the internet is easier to filter, and is more updated than those found in books, if not the same. E-journals are also available through the students’ library accounts, making reliable sources more reachable.
On the other hand, 52 out of 100 students equally refer to both the library and the internet for academic research. Although both sources are accessible and necessary, their uses vary. Students use the internet to get the gist of topics. However, because of the unreliability of online sources, they use library materials such as books to verify their sources, making sure the extracted information is indeed credible.
A respondent states, “I use both the library and the internet when doing an academic research [or other things] because whenever there are [materials] that I cannot find in the library, I try to search it in the internet. When I don’t have enough time to go to the library, [I start depending on the internet.] So in my case, it depends on the situation that I’m in and what the professor would want me to use more.”
The Collection Development Librarian is especially tasked for upgrading the Library’s collections, including the selection and de-selection of titles. These are part of the Library’s Collection Development Program.
In addition, the Library has recently launched its Turn 1 into a Million Project, which is a mass book drive aimed at soliciting the donation of 1,000,000 books from DLSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partner institutions.
Facility improvements
However, several complaints also arose addressing the need to improve the library’s services. Students in the survey suggest renovating the area, “so that everyone would actually go more often and study there.”
The existing library building was donated in 1985 by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office for American Schools and Hospitals Abroad. While being repaired periodically, the building has been subject to certain anomalies, to which the library responded to promptly.
In 2005, Dr. Manuel Belino of the Mechanical Engineering Department conducted a study on the quality of air-conditioning in the University Library, finding alarming levels of benzene content released by the photocopying machines. Benzene is a carcinogenic compound, linked to leukemia.
Fresnido says, however, that DLSU had taken note of Belino’s study and used it as a guide in replacing the powder-type photocopiers with safer liquid-type copiers whose benzene emissions may be regulated.
However, given that the University Library will be moving to the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, renovation of facilities may be best suited for other purposes. The existing building, according to unofficial sources, would be used for faculty rooms and department offices.
“As the Library is scheduled to transfer to the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall, the academic community is assured of state-of-the-art facilities, like discussion or group viewing rooms, quiet rooms, a faculty corner, a bigger café equipped with more computer terminals, lounging areas, multi-purpose rooms and an audiovisual room… a self check-out facility will also be introduced,” tells Fresnido to The LaSallian.
Student feedback
Several other suggestions include the accumulation of copies and books that focus on the interests of the students and not just on academic purposes, as well as a stricter implementation of library polices, faster photocopying machines and a more organized placement of books.
Students report that when finding a source on the online catalogue, “a book that is said to be available [is] not there.” Moreover, the “use of other services of the library aside from books” is not well publicized to the students, despite the availability of exhaustive marketing strategies being implemented and developed by the Assistant Director for Support Services and team.
The payment of expensive charges, with the inclusion of Sundays and the day that the book is returned in the number of days for overdue books raises concerns among the students. The overdue fine of P20 ($0.48) per day is among the highest overdue fines in the Philippines, indicating the value of the books and the corresponding responsibility for borrowers.
A more prominent issue found in the survey is the “long line of students waiting to deposit and claim their bags”, which refers to the queue at the main entrance of the Library.
