THE DOST-ESEP LIBRARY NETWORK

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THE DOST-ESEP LIBRARY NETWORK

• Presented by Lourdes T. David, Director, Rizal
  Library, Ateneo de Manila University at the
  public forum on Networking for survival a
  sharing of consortial experiences sponsored by
  PAARL, held at the World Trade Center, on August
  12, 2004 in conjunction with the Manila
  International Book Fair.

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Introduction

• The DOST ESEP Library Network is a network of
  eight academic libraries in the Philippines. It
  was established in 1994 in response to the need
  to share information resources to support the
  manpower development program of the government in
  the area of science and technology.
• The implementing agency of the project was the
  DOST.
• ESEP stands for Engineering Science Education
  Project

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Distribution and Composition of the DOST-ESEP
Library Network

• Manila 3 libraries U.P. Manila Main Library, De
  la Salle University Library, and University of
  Santo Tomas Main Library
• Quezon City 3 libraries U.P. College of Science
  Library, U.P.College of Engineering Library and
  the Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University
• Laguna 1 library U.P. Los Banos Main Library
• Mindanao 1 library MSU-IIT at Iligan

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Manpower Development Project

• Designed to develop faculty and staff in the
  participating institutions specifically in
  Mathematics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences,
  Computer Science, Physics, Statistics,
  Engineering and Geological Sciences.

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Status of Member Libraries before Networking

• None of the libraries were using integrated
  library systems. All were using Micro CDS/ISIS
  for building their catalogs, indexes and OPAC.
• IT facilities were inadequate. Computers were not
  networked
• Books and other library materials were
  insufficient in quality and quantity
• Budgets were small
• Staff were not trained in use of ICT

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Vision for the Network

• As an integral component of the DOST-ESEP
  manpower development project, the library network
  was envisioned to
• Build complimentary resources through cooperative
  acquisitions schemes
• Become automated and interconnected
• Have trained staff on ICT use
• Share resources through interlibrary loan,
  document delivery services and reciprocal use
• Have Internet access

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Objectives

1. To provide the member libraries with an
   integrated library system which they can use
   independently of each other while at the same
   time providing access to each others catalogs

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Objectives

• To build library resources and services adequate
  to support eight member institutions identified
  for the masters degree programs in science and
  engineering through a cooperative acquisitions
  program and efficient document delivery mechanism

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Objectives

• To provide member libraries with access to the
  Internet and all its services
• To provide non-member libraries access to the
  network library catalogs via the public telephone
  system and/or any Internet service provider

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Objectives

1. To achieve a widespread diffusion of skills in
   the use of IT by providing training for members
   and non-members and by acting as demonstration
   sites for other libraries wishing to automate

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Concerns and Strategies

• Need for Coordinating Committees for
  administration and technical planning and
  implementation
• Inadequate library space
• Inadequate equipment and furniture

• Establish a coordinating committee composed of
  librarians and IT personnel from each
  participating institution
• Build new facilities
• Purchase equipment and furniture

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Concerns and Strategies

• Poor book collection and poor and fragmented
  serial collection
• Library services not adapted to coming digital
  age

• Purchase books and serials. Fill-in gaps in
  serials collection, if possible. Share resources
• Review and evaluate services against institutions
  abroad with similar course offerings and FTEs for
  faculty and students.

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Concerns and Strategies

• Lack of hardware and software for digital
  applications
• Absence of network infrastructure
• Absence of Internet access

• Purchase hardware and software for library
  automation
• Interconnect hardware
• Provide access to the Internet

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Concerns and Strategies

• Inadequate staff
• Library staff not knowledgeable and unskilled in
  IT applications in libraries
• Need for continuous funds for network viability

• Recruit staff with IT skills
• Train existing staff on IT applications. Send
  them to local and institutions abroad for short
  term and formal training.
• Seek funds or ways of generating funds

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Key factors to success

• Committee composed of head librarians of the
  participating libraries developed the plan and
  agreed to have cooperative acquisition, share
  resources through ILL and document delivery
  systems.
• Committee composed of technical staff from the
  participating institutions assisted the
  librarians in preparing and implementing the
  technology plan.

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Key Factors to Success

• Common library system and hardware platform made
  interaction among librarians possible
  specifically during training and annual
  conferences
• Staff training was well supported by the
  participating institutions. Librarians and
  technical staff were sent for training in formal
  and non-formal training programs both within and
  outside the country

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Key Factors to Success

• The PhNet was established and provided a vehicle
  for e-mail between and among the librarians and
  faculty
• Access to the Internet was made possible
• Reciprocal use of libraries was started and
  continued

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Pitfalls

• The DOST-ESEP Network was born at a time when the
  Philippines was not yet set-up for a good data
  backbone. The speed of the PhNet was too slow
  for data access and transfer.
• Many librarians and faculty were not ready to
  embrace automation.
• The dollar exchange rate soared to unprecedented
  heights such that the materials that were
  delivered could not be paid for.

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Conclusion

• It was successful because the objectives were met
  including online access even if the speed was
  very slow.
• The major accomplishments are in the areas of
  resource sharing, automation, and staff training.
  
• It spearheaded the development of automated
  libraries in the Philippines.

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Recommendation

• Revitalize the DOST-ESEP Library Network but call
  it by another name and increase the membership.
  Although the good things that happened then are
  continuing, the Network needs to be re-energized
  specifically in terms of consortium arrangements
  re acquisition, cataloging, access and use.

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• Let us thank God for giving us another day to
  show we care for one another!

Lourdes T. David