The Performance of Public Libraries in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Abstract

This descriptive research examined the state of public libraries in Negros Occidental as to its compliance with RA 7743; its performance based on standard requirement; and implementation of greening practices to 31 administrators and 379 users. Findings revealed that most of the provisions of the law were not complied as indicated by the number of municipalities without libraries, the appointment of a non-professional librarian, and the inadequacy of budget allocation. Likewise, assessors find their performance as good but distinctively rated IT facilities and services as poor. In the implementation of sustainable practices, administrators rated it great, while users find it to a moderate extent. The challenges encountered by assessors conveys a clear message that public libraries are striving to fulfill its philosophy of existence. Thus, broader knowledge and understanding of local authorities and the community of the vital role public library plays in nation-building shape its future.

Undervalued, understaffed, underdeveloped, and underutilized? The status of public libraries in the eleven municipalities of rural Iloilo Province, Philippines

“…The results suggest that most municipal libraries in Iloilo Province did not conform to the stipulations of the Standards regarding the provision of sufficient equipment for a conducive learning environment. Moreover, the study supports the findings of the previous studies about the unavailability of Internet connectivity for public use in most public libraries (Alaya-ay, 2013; Laspinas, 2014; Macapagal, 2018; Tuble and Bayoneta, 2019). This is a sad reality despite the increasing importance of the Internet in supporting a range of services such as e-government, jobs and employment, health information, and education (Bertot et al, 2011).…”

“…Some do not even have a budget. The findings confirm some local studies’ findings stating that the Philippines’ municipal libraries were operating with an insufficient budget, while some did not have a budget at all (Alaya-ay, 2013; Laspinas, 2014; Tuble and Bayoneta, 2019). The findings of the studies mentioned above were confirmed by Macapagal (2018), stating that some public libraries in the country were operating with at most Php1000.00 annual budget.…”

“…However, despite its importance in collection management, Macapagal (2018) found that 80% of public libraries in the country were not accessioning. On the contrary, although not explicitly stated, Tuble and Bayoneta (2019) found that public libraries in Negros Occidental exhibited good performance in collection management.…”

“…The Standards stipulate that the LGU should administratively supervise the public libraries, while the NLP shall oversee the technical operations and train the library personnel. Several local studies found that most public libraries were compliant with the standard (Laspinas, 2014; Macapagal, 2018; Tuble and Bayoneta, 2019) while few were under the information department or other LGU departments or offices (Macapagal, 2018). Furthermore, most of these libraries were receiving technical assistance from the NLP.…”

“…The Standards specify that a licensed librarian should manage a public library. Additionally, RA 9246 stipulates that the practice of librarianship is limited only to a person who is a “bona fide holder of a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians and by the Professional Regulation Commission [(PRC BFL)].” Despite that, some local studies found that the majority of the public libraries in the provinces of Leyte (Ortego, 2016), of Negros Occidental (Tuble and Bayoneta, 2019), of Cagayan-Iligan Corridor and Misamis Oriental (Alaya-ay, 2013), and in Region VII (Laspinas, 2014) were being managed by non-librarians. However, considering the date when most studies were conducted, the result of the latest national survey (Macapagal, 2018) suggests that there has been quite a development in terms of the qualification of the personnel managing public libraries in the country.…”