Readiness evaluation of Philippine school/academic libraries in K-12 implementation: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Globalizing education is now the common phenomena that call for reform in educational system that meets the international educational standard keeping in mind the quality of graduates who possesses the expected competencies of the 21st century learner and are globally comtetitive. With the current changes Philippine educational landscape particularly in the implementation K-12 programs, school libraries in particular must get ready in this. The shifts in educational have caused libraries to organize resources and design services that meet and anticipate the new needs of study and teaching. However, in Philippine context, despite the potential and promise of K-12 to meet the rising global demand for education, the role of libraries is often neglected and not given such importance. Education per se cannot sustain without the presence of the library - they are inseperable or co-existent with each other. Are Philippine school and academic libraries ready for the K-12 implementation? This study is conducted to: 1) measure the readiness of Philippines school/academic libraries in southern Tagalog Region in terms of provision of collection, facilities, services, human resources, information technology infrastracture and budget; and 2) identify the gap based on the level of complience vis-a-vis with the Philippine school library standards. Rediness of Philippine school/academic libraries is measured quantitatively/qualitatively and compared with the global trends based on the current practices and standrs. The findings of this study would help in crafting some strategies/programs to make in the Southern Tagalog region highly coplient or tranformed into a 21st century learning hub through networking and collaboration among libraries for sustainability and development.