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.
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
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
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.
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
Vision for the Network
As an integral component of the DOSTESEP 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
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
other’s catalogs
Objectives
2. 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
Objectives
3. To provide member libraries with access
to the Internet and all its services
4. To provide non-member libraries access
to the network library catalogs via the
public telephone system and/or any
Internet service provider
Objectives
5. 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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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 reenergized specifically in terms of
consortium arrangements re acquisition,
cataloging, access and use.
Let us thank God for giving us another day
to show we care for one another!
Lourdes T. David