Effectiveness of Current Awareness Services of the
University of the Cordilleras Libraries
*Yvonnie Canol-Guzman, Beverly B. Chapichap, Ronda P. Bastian, Rodora D. Las Marias, Helen M. Somerbang, Lucyliza T. Umaking, Gloria D. Pacio, Joven D. Dongga-as, Raymond A. Diamnuan, Judith Sabiano-Allan
Libraries, University of the Cordilleras
Baguio City, Philippines
*Corresponding author:
INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The library has been known for its vital role in the storage, dissemination and diffusion of knowledge and information. The utilization of the library is the reason why libraries update collections to support information needs of users. This learning resource service, especially in higher education institutions (HEI), exists to help provide the information needs of all students, teachers, managers, and support staff. Additionally, it also provides resources and support relating to the users’ need to plan, locate, retrieve, select, appraise, organize record and communicate information (Eynon, 2005).
With the extensive information surrounding us, users attempt to keep themselves updated with new publications in their respective disciplines thus; academic librarians are expected to play a role in preventing researchers from being drowned in information floods through effective information management (Mu, 2011). However, this is a huge task because of the variety of information sources and massive volumes of new researches and one way to sort this is through Current Awareness Services (CAS) that could help researchers and students to match recent news and information to their needs thus saving their effort of scanning and browsing journals, bulletins, newsletters, and websites (Ali, 2006).
With the volume of information disposed in the library, it is essential that librarians should alert their users with the different information that exists (Dangawen, 2000). The primary job of information professionals is to link the user with appropriate information and service in relation to user’s demands and need, regardless of its complexity or time requirements (Chowdhury & Chowdhury, 2001). One way of alerting users is through CAS by helping researchers to keep track of developments in their fields of interest by providing news alerts based on particular interests (Hugo, 2002).
To keep academics updated with relevant literature, institutions implement CAS based on the availability of resources and effectiveness of strategies. Some usually utilize the traditional way while the technologically advanced institutions utilize the online system. Traditional CAS methods include distribution of photocopied content pages of all newly acquired materials such as journals as well as the simple browsing of professional publications in the library (Johnson, Osmond Holz, 2009; Chowdhury & Chowdhury, 2001).
On the other hand, an online-based dissemination of well-written and up-to-date books available for use is another CAS offered by institutions (Johnson et al., 2009; Chowdhury & Chowdhury, 2001; Cornell University Library, 2013). CAS methods being done in different institutions include various techniques in conducting saved searches in preferred databases, creating and sending alerts on table of contents and new acquisitions through email, publishing relevant information on the web pages (Chowdhury & Chowdhury, 2001; Johnson et al., 2009). More recently, the Cornell University Library (2013) in New York have been utilizing various media such as blogs, Facebook & Twitter, table of contents (TOC) alerts, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, citation alerts, subject alerts, web page alerts, and conferences as part of their CAS. These methods correspond with the recent information explosion through the Web 2.0, which requires libraries to be able to filter information loaded into the internet as part of CAS.
Some institutions, such as the Fiji National University, use a combination of both techniques. Specifically, they display new arrivals, distribute library bulletins and newsletters, and route periodicals, while simultaneously disseminating the lists of their latest additions, periodicals, on-demand topical bibliographies, and contents page services through e-mail (Naqvi, 2013). This mechanism maximizes the effectiveness of both traditional and online CAS, and as an effect, the students and staff in the university were seen to have developed high awareness level about the library’s website, e-mail, tour schedules, and new acquisitions.
Proper implementation of online and traditional CAS also showed some benefits in other institutions. For example, faculty members in Nigerian universities have developed a high awareness in relation to the available information about the library’s products and services. The faculty members are more informed about the products and services of the libraries when they are presented in bulletins/newsletters, user education programs, meetings/social interactions, and public relations (Popoola, 2008). The same effect was also seen by Diaron (2009), wherein bulletin boards are seen to play an important role in extending the implementation of CAS. However, time commitment and management also contribute to low awareness level and follow-through among students. This is also related to the study of Nabusan (2013) wherein students are seen to be familiar with the various CAS offered by their library but it does not spread to the other potential library customers.
The University of the Cordilleras (UC) Libraries has been implementing CAS for a few years now. However, no study has been conducted in relation to the effectiveness of the CAS techniques being done. The UC Libraries is composed of various sections that utilize CAS in spreading information to different users. The sections include Technical Services Section, Filipiniana & Special Collections Section, Media Center, Reference & Periodical Library, Theses & Dissertation Sections, and the various libraries specifically catering the different colleges or academic departments.
The library has a total collection of about 71,000 materials, with an average of 500-600 books acquired annually for the whole university. In relation, the place has an annual visitation of 300,000-450,000 students and university employees. These figures illustrating the libraries’ acquisition and users definitely warrant effective CAS techniques to ensure better service delivery to the university. With this, different forms of CAS are used by the UC Libraries including bulletin boards, Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) with TOC and research abstracts, display of current periodicals, etc. Moreover, newly purchased library collections and other relevant information are sent through e-mail. However, no definite study has been done to measure and understand the awareness of library users on these services as well as its effectiveness.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study measured the effectiveness of the CAS offered by the UC Libraries to address the demands and information needs among library users. Specifically, the study measured the awareness of the library users regarding CAS and availment of these services. These factors then lead to their perception on the effectiveness of the CAS. This study would also help the UC Libraries in developing its services. With this research, the faculty members, non-teaching staff (NTS) and students will acknowledge and realize the real essence of the CAS and its relation to the true essence of the library as information provider. This study presents a new way of assessing CAS through the levels of awareness, availment and effectiveness of the services as perceived by students, faculty and NTS, which was not used by previous researchers.
METHODOLOGY
The study used the descriptive method of research. Convenience sampling was used in selecting student respondents. Nonetheless, the student samples are ensured to be distributed among first year to fourth year students enrolled in 2013-2014. Similarly, faculty members and NTS respondents were randomly selected from the whole UC population.
Table 1. Respondent Distribution
Respondents / PopulationStudents / 532
Faculty / 44
Non-Teaching Staff / 35
Total / 611
A self-constructed questionnaire that contains the CAS offered by UC Libraries was used in this study. For validity test, the questionnaire was administered to university library student assistants for clarity of the questionnaire items. It was further validated by the librarians, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and the Research and Development Center (R&DC) personnel, which yielded a positive approval.
After seeking appropriate permissions from concerned authorities, the researchers proceeded by approaching some readers in the library and asked for few minutes to answer the questionnaire. The objective and purpose of the study was explained and their consent was taken. Confidentiality and anonymity were emphasized as well as the fact that their participation is voluntary and they can decline if they desire so. Similar protocol was made for the faculty and NTS. Questionnaires were given to the faculty members and NTS through their office secretaries.
Data were tallied, classified and tabulated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 15). Mean was used in terms of the awareness, availment and effectiveness of the Current Awareness Services of UC Libraries with the interpretations as follows:
Table 2. Interpretation of CAS Awareness
Scale / Mean Ranges / CAS Awareness / Interpretation4 / 3.25-4.0 / Highly Aware / 94-100%. I know most, if not all, the items or information under the current awareness services offered by the UC Libraries
3 / 2.50-3.24 / Aware / 88-93%. I know most of the items or information under the current awareness services offered by the UC Libraries
2 / 1.50-2.49 / Slightly Aware / 80-87%. I know some of the items or information under the current awareness services offered by the UC Libraries
1 / 1.00-1.74 / Not Aware / No or very minimal. I know least or nothing of the items or information under the current awareness services offered by the UC Libraries
Table 3. Interpretation of CAS Availment
Scale / Mean Ranges / Availment of CAS / Interpretation4 / 3.25-4.0 / Always / Everyday
3 / 2.50-3.24 / Often / 3x or 4x a week
2 / 1.50-2.49 / Sometimes / once or 2x a week
1 / 1.00-1.74 / Never / not at all
Table 4. Interpretation of CAS Effectiveness
Scale / Mean Ranges / Effectiveness of CAS / Interpretation4 / 3.25-4.0 / Highly Effective / 94-100%. Most, if not all, the items or information under the current awareness
services offered are useful or adequate for my needs
3 / 2.50-3.24 / Effective / 88-93%. Most of the items or information under the current awareness services offered are useful or adequate for my needs
2 / 1.50-2.49 / Slightly Effective / 80-87%. Some of the items or information under the current awareness services offered are useful or adequate for my needs
1 / 1.00-1.74 / Never Effective / No or very minimal. Items or information under the current awareness services offered are least or not useful or adequate for my needs
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Awareness of CAS in UC
With an overall mean of 2.45, the respondents in general are slightly aware of the UC Libraries’ CAS (Table 5). Findings and implications specific to each group of respondents are presented below.
Table 5
Means for the Awareness of the CAS of the UC Libraries
Components / Students / Faculty / NTS / OverallMean / QI / Mean / QI / Mean / QI / Mean / QI
a. Information/List of titles of newly processed library materials posted on the bulletin boards / 2.71 / A / 2.83 / A / 2.14 / SA / 2.56 / A
b. Relevant online databases posted on the bulletin boards / 2.57 / A / 2.51 / A / 2.00 / SA / 2.36 / SA
c. Relevant and updated articles from the newspapers cut and posted on the bulletin boards / 2.67 / A / 2.72 / A / 2.06 / SA / 2.48 / SA
d. Table of contents of library materials posted in the OPAC / 2.72 / A / 2.70 / A / 1.68 / SA / 2.37 / SA
e. Current periodicals displayed in the periodicals section / 2.53 / A / 2.84 / A / 2.11 / SA / 2.49 / SA
Area Mean / 2.64 / A / 2.72 / A / 2.00 / SA / 2.45 / SA
Note. 3.25-4.0-Highly Aware (HA); 2.50-3.24-Aware (A); 1.50-2.49-Slightly Aware (SA); 1.00-1.74-Not Aware (NA)
F(2,605)=13.77, p-value=0.000; Significant at 0.001 level
Students’ Awareness of CAS. Students are aware (2.64) of the CAS of the UC Libraries showing that the students know most of the items or information on the services offered. This could be due to the fact that students are considered as the main customers and a lot of relevant information has been widely disseminated to them through the CAS.
Among the CAS, the first two leading as perceived by the students are the table of contents (TOC) of library materials in OPAC (2.72, aware) and information/list of titles of newly processed library materials in bulletin boards (2.71, aware). Posting of TOC is part of the library service for easy searching and locating of library materials and this is made available through the OPAC. The OPAC stations are also strategically located in the library where students can freely search library items. These factors contribute to the awareness of the students as seen from the data. The regular updating and posting of newly processed library materials, also known as the ‘bookwatch,’ in bulletin boards also contributes to the awareness level result.
On the contrary, the students are least aware of the CAS relating to current periodicals display (2.53, aware) and relevant online databases posted on the bulletin boards (2.57, aware). The awareness of students on the relevant online databases posted on the bulletin boards could be attributed to students’ limited means in accessing provided information as it requires computer workstations and internet connection that may not always be available for students. This contributes to their low interest on the posted information making them less aware of the aforementioned CAS.