UNIT IV LIBRARY MANAGEMENT: PUBLIC LIBRARY
No provision was given for the
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY : ITS OBJECTIVES AND MISSION
The public library is the local center for information, making all
kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its
users. The services of a public library are provided on the basis
of equality of access for all, regardless of social and cultural
background. Specific services and materials must be provided
for those users who cannot use the regular services and
materials for reasons like linguistic minorities, people with
disabilities, people in hospitals and prisons, and other relevant
reasons.
All age groups must find materials relevant to their needs.
Collections and services have to include all types of appropriate
media and modern technologies as well as traditional
materials. High quality and relevance to local needs and
conditions are fundamental. Materials must reflect current
trends and evolution of society, as well as the memory of
human endeavor and imagination. Collections and services
should not be subject to any form of ideological, political, or
religious censorship, nor commercial pressures.
The Public Research Group of London and Home Counties
Branch of the Library Association of United Kingdom set out in
1971 the following objectives for the public library services.
1. Education - to foster and provide means for the self-
development of the individual/group at whatever stage of
education, closing the gap between the individual and the
recorded knowledge.
2. Information - to bring the individual/group accurate
information quickly and in-depth particularly on topics of
current concern.
3. Culture - be one of the principal centers of cultural life, and
promote a keener participation, enjoyment, and appreciation
of the arts.
4. Leisure - to play a part in encouraging a positive use of
leisure and providing materials for change and relaxation.
IFLA Publications No. 27 entitled The Public Library Service:
IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for Development prepared by a
working group [ chaired by Mr. Philip Gill on behalf of the
Section of Public Libraries and which came out in 2001, is
primarily aimed at librarians, for them to use in fighting for
improved library services. The publication is not only confined
to standards but also recommendations to provide public
librarians the assistance in any situation to develop an effective
public library service related to the requirements of their local
community.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE PUBLIC
LIBRARIES
Public librarianship in this country started when the American
Circulating Library, established on March 9, 1900 by Charles
Greenleaf, with Nellie Young Egbert as its first librarian, was
turned over to the Insular Government through Act No. 96 on
March 5, 1901 and was placed under a Board of Trustees.
Through Act No. 222 which was passed on September 6, 1901,
it became the American Circulating Library Division of the
Bureau of Education. Henceforth, several laws were enacted
relevant to the development of public libraries and The
National Library.
The first effort to establish a public library outside Manila was
made on June 21, 1904 with the enactment of Act No. 1175,
An Act Authorizing the Establishment of a Circulating Library in
the Province of Albay.
implementation of the Act, thus the library did not materialize.
It was in 1955 when Albay Provincial Library was organized.
Iloilo Provincial Library was the first to earn the distinction of
being the first regular provincial library established in the
Philippines; it was organized on October 29, 1916.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES CATEGORIZED
There are more than one thousand (1,000) public libraries in
the country. However, only about 50% of this number is
operational. Public libraries are categorized as follows:
national, regional, congressional district, provincial, city,
municipal, and barangay reading centers.
At present, the only regional library established in the
Philippines is the regional library in Autonomous Region for
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Out of more than 200
congressional districts, the only congressional district library so
far since the enactment of RA 7743 is the congressional
district library in Mandaluyong City. Forty nine (49) provincial
libraries out of 79 provinces have already been established.
Out of ninety nine (99) cities, 79 were able to establish city
libraries. One hundred five (105) out of 1510 municipalities
have their municipal libraries. Of more than 41,000 barangays,
around three hundred were able to put up barangay reading
centers.
Forty one (41) bookmobile units were also established under
the supervision of selected provincial or city libraries.
LEGISLATIONS TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARIANSHIP
Public libraries in this country are social institutions set up to
develop effective and mature individuals. Their main function
is to cater people of all ages and from all walks of life. This
function makes public libraries totally different from other
types of libraries.
The following is a summary of legislations related to public
librarianship.
➢ Act No. 1849 - passed on June 3, 1908, this provided
for the establishment of a public library to be known as
The Philippine Public Library, making suitable
appropriations, and for other purposes.
➢ RA 411 - enacted in 1949 and authored by the late
Senator Geronima Pecson. It is considered the first
legislation supporting the public library movement of
the country, calling for the establishment of 1,000
municipal libraries in the country for a five-year period.
Due to lack of provision for funding, the law was not
implemented.
➢ RA 7743 - another important legislation which was
recently enacted into law on June 17, 1994. It is known
as An Act Establishing Congressional District, City, and
Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers
throughout the country. Similar to RA 411, RA 7743
also had no provisions for funding. Although it lacks
this very vital provision, there had been a growing
interest among local officials to establish public
libraries through information dissemination done by
The National Library.
➢ RA 3873 - this effected the change of the name of
Bureau of Public Libraries to The National Library.
Passed on June J.8, 1964.
➢ Minimum Standards for Public Libraries - formulated
by a Committee created by the Public Libraries
Association of the Philippines in 1988, as requested by
the Philippine Library Association. The standards have
gone revisions to make it relevant with the time. At
present, the Board for Librarians has created a
 committee coming from the different types of libraries
to formulate minimum standards for each type of
library.
➢ RA 7356 - enacted in April 1992, this established the
National Commission for the Culture and the Arts
(NCCA) which was mandated to develop, promote, and
preserve Filipino culture and arts through the
coordination of policies in coordination with affiliated
private and public cultural agencies.
➢ RA 8047 - known as the Book Publishing Act. Passed on
1996, the Act resulted to a considerable increase in the
total book production in the country (from 1,500 titles
in 1995 to 5,083 in 2000).
➢ Executive Order No. 119 - known as the adoption of
the National Book policy, this was signed on July 4,
1999 in relation to passage of RA 8047.
➢ RA 7160 - otherwise known as the Local Government
Code. One of the provisions of the law is the
establishment of public libraries in the municipalities.
The law also puts the administrative supervision of
public libraries under the legislative branch of the local
government, or its Sangguniang Panlalawigan,
Panlungsod, or Bayan.
➢ Civil Service Office Memorandum No. 99, s. 2001 -
issued on July 18, 2001, this strictly implements the
provisions of RA 6966 specifically Sections 11 and 12
about Inhibition Against the Practice of Librarianship.
The memorandum signed by CSC Chairperson Karina
Constantino-David requires appointees to librarian
positions eligibility, pursuant to RA 1080, in addition to
meeting other requirements for the position in terms
of education, training, and experience.
➢ Other relevant laws - these include
RA 6966 and RA 9246 - laws that regulate the practice
of librarianship in the Philippines.
RA 8293 - known as the Intellectual Property Code.
Book IV of the Code is about Copyright and
Neighboring Rights which is implemented by The
National Library.
STANDARDS FOR PHILIPPINE PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Operation and Management
In the Philippines, public library service is discharged jointly by
respective local government units (LGUs) under the technical
supervision of The National Library. Even before the enactment
of the Local Government Code or RA 7160, the law which called
for the devolution of powers, duties, and responsibilities from
national to local government, appointment of public librarians
was the responsibility of local officials. This started when
Decentralization Law took effect in early 1960s. Most public
libraries at present are under the legislative branch of the local
government, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Panlungsod, or
Bayan, as the case may be. As local government entities, they
shall have, as their immediate superior, the local chief
executive or any legally designated local official in accordance
with RA 7160 (Local Government Code).
To monitor affiliated public libraries, the Public Libraries
Division of The National Library requires them to submit a
monthly report of activities and accomplishments. Also
expected from them are annual inventory report of collections
and annual report of activities. These are required because of
the Property Accountability set by the government.
The Standards for Public Libraries was issued in 1988 and had
its revisions in 2001. The revised edition was submitted to the
PRC Board for Librarians for review, evaluation, integration, and
implementation in its project - Standards for Philippine
Libraries.
Personnel and Compensation
Public libraries must be managed by professionally trained,
competent, and licensed librarians. They must be supported by
competent support services staffs. Sufficient number of
personnel must be hired to attain quality service.
Majority of provincial and city librarians are licensed librarians.
Each public library is headed by a chief librarian with a salary
grade depending on the class of the province, city, or
municipality. Most provincial and city librarians are given a
salary grade of 22 although a few in the ranks of Librarian I have
a salary grade of 10.
The size of staff in a public library depends on the population
served and the size of the collection. For every increase of
50,000 people, a corresponding addition of one professional
and one support staff is suggested. Regional, congressional
district, provincial and city libraries must have at least four (4)
professional librarians and three (3) members of the support
services staff, (excluding those holding non-classified positions
like utility workers, etc.). Public libraries of first class
municipalities must employ two (2) professional librarians and
adequate support/non-professional staff as needed; while
lower class municipalities including barangay reading centers,
there should be at least one (1) full time library staff and if the
fund allows, two (2) support personnel that includes one (1)
clerk and one (1) utility worker.
Librarians should be appointed to any of the following position
titles, with corresponding salary grades (SG) in the plantilla of
positions provided for civil service servants in the local
government units, depending on their qualifications and
educational attainment and in accordance with the Salary
Standardization Scheme for Government Workers
➢ Librarian I - SG 10
➢ Librarian II - SG 14
➢ Librarian III - SG 18
➢ Librarian IV- SG 22
➢ Librarian V - SG 24
The National Library is also responsible in training public
librarians.
Budget and Finance
In principle, the library shall be free of charge. The public
library is the responsibility of local and national authorities. It
must be supported by specific legislation and financed by local
and national government. It has to be an essential component
of any long-term strategy for culture, information provision,
literacy, and education.
The public library must be provided with adequate and
reasonable budgetary appropriations to carry out effectively its
plans and programs. Aside from national government support,
the local government units also provide for budget for library
purchases.
Collection
Collection development in public libraries, which is mainly
selection and acquisition of books and other library materials,
is rested on the librarian with the assistance of professional
staff. The clientele can also recommend materials that can be
considered. The collection must reflect the library's objectives
and the needs of the community served. The collection must
include books, ephemeral materials, non-print material in
various formats like electronic databases and computer
software application, audiovisual materials and the like, and
non-book materials like periodicals, maps, pamphlets, etc. It is
also their responsibility to have collection of materials on local
history.
Physical Facilities
Public libraries must be centrally located within the community
they serve. The library must be accessible to all users by all
means of transportation. The library building must provide
access to physically disabled individuals. They must have
provisions for future growth and expansion. The library must
be a component of an integrated cultural complex in the
development plan of the local government unit.
The size of any public library building must consider the
following:
➢ community population
➢ growing library collection
➢ size of staff
➢ services to be offered
Public libraries must provide adequate space for reading areas,
stack areas, work rooms, multimedia rooms, storage rooms,
staff lounges, toilets for the library staff and the public, and for
other facilities. A minimum seating capacity of 48-60 people at
anyone time is recommended for regional, congressional
district, provincial, city, and first-class municipality libraries; at
least 36-48 for lower class municipalities; and 12-24 for
barangay reading centers. Functional equipment and furniture
must be adequate to generate an environment conducive for
pleasant and effective use of materials and services, and help
in the efficient operation of the library to keep abreast with the
time. Layout of equipment and furniture must permit smooth
mobility of users, library personnel, and the materials.
Library Services
Library services must be provided with the highest degree of
efficiency and integrity, keeping in mind that the public library
is a service agency of the government. The library must reflect
and answer the information needs of the community. Library
hours must be for the maximum benefit of the community it
serves. The library's collection must be classified and cataloged
and must be organized according to internationally accepted
standards for easy access and retrieval. Open shelves system
must be promoted to give users free access to library materials.
The library should provide materials for the wholesome
development of the community regardless of age, creed,
religion, and cultural affiliations. Materials on local history and
culture must be maintained, preserved, and conserved. Public
libraries may consider the following services to promote the
library to the general public:
➢ reference and research services
➢ circulation of books for home use
➢ organization and maintenance of a children's section
➢ reading guidance for children and out-of-school youth
➢ outreach programs and services especially to
depressed areas of the community
➢ organization of Friends' Group to act as a support to
the library
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE PHILIPPINES
http://web.nlp.gov.ph/nlp/
The National Library of the Philippines (NLP) is one of the
cultural agencies of the government. At present through
Executive Order No. 8, issued on March 1999 and for purposes
of program and policy coordination, it is under the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). It has two
functions - as a national library and as a public library. As a
national library, it is the repository of the written and printed
cultural heritage of the country, and has continuously directed
its efforts towards the development and preservation of its
library resources. As a public library, it acts as the central node
of the public library system in the country. This function is
discharged by the Public Libraries Division. Headed by a
director and an assistant director who are appointed by the
President of the Republic of the Philippines, it has a staff
complement of a little less than 200. It aims to:
➢ acquire and preserve all Filipino materials
➢ provide national bibliographic services
➢ develop, in cooperation with local government units,
a system of public libraries and information centers
throughout the country
➢ provide information, reference, and research
resources to the public
➢ to promote, establish, and maintain national and
international standards in library and information
services
As a service-oriented institution, NLP performs dual functions
- that of a national library and that of a public library.
When Dr. Robertson resigned in 1915, his successors in the
position were either Filipino scholars or trained librarians. Dr.
Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera was the director when the
Philippine Library Association was organized in October 1923,
and eventually became the president of the association. Since
then, The National Library already had fifteen (15) directors,
among of them were Teodoro M. Kalaw, Epifanio de los Santos,
Luis Montilla, and Eulogio B. Rodriguez, the first professionally
trained library director. The present director is Cesar Gilbert Q.
Adriano.
After transferring from one location to another, The National
library found its permanent home at T. M. Kalaw Street in
Manila. The National Library building was constructed out of
public contributions during the centennial celebration of Dr.
Jose P. Rizal's birth in 1961. The National library has eleven (11)
divisions at present. These are:
➢ Filipiniana
➢ Government Publications
➢ Reference
➢ Asia and Oceana
➢ Library for the Blind
➢ Bibliographic Services
➢ Collection Development and Catalog
➢ Public libraries
➢ Publication and Special Services
➢ Administrative
➢ Support Services
ISSUES, TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
PHILIN
The Philippine Library Information Network (PHILIN) is the fill
implementation of the Integrated Library Computerization
project of National Library of the Philippines. The Information
Technology Center of The National Library of the Philippines
handles all activities related to library automation. Online
Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is currently installed at the
Filipiniana Division, hopefully will also be available in the
Reference Division and Asia and Oceania Division soon.
National Library of the Philippines deems the necessity of
issuing bar-coded readers identification cards.
The Philippine e-Library Project
The Philippine e-Library Project is a collaborative project of the
national library and four other institutions - Department of
Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture
(DA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the
University of the Philippines System (UP System). This was
approved by the Commission on Information and
Communications Technology (CICT) under Chairperson
Virgilio Peria.
The project was officially launched on April 19, 2005. Access
points or kiosks were put up in public libraries, zonal research
centers, regional government offices, and research institutes of
participating agencies all over the country. Users can access
through the link.

The Data Center of this project is at National Library of the

Philippines, while the mirror site is at the University of the
Philippines Main Library.

The National Library of the Philippines launched the Library for

the Blind Division which aims to cater to special clientele who
are blind or visually handicapped. The collections contained in
this division are Braille materials, large print materials, and
talking books (audio books). With support from Resources for
the Blind Foundation, a complete set of computers equipped
with necessary software and accessories for visually-impaired
and blind individuals, like synthesizer and machine for
enlarging fine printed materials.