Revitalizing the NEUST Library: A Response to the Academically-Demanding Pandemic
ROZETTE COHLEEN D. PARUNGAO
We are all in a mad rat race in search of information in this day and age. With that, the University unceasingly prioritizes the improvement of its services to better serve its clienteles. The automation of the University Library is one among the many of these improvements. Since 2002, the NEUST library has been using an automated database or Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) in encoding the library holdings. This technology eliminates the need for manual performance of library tasks such as Circulation, Inventory, Library Statistics and the like which are tedious and time consuming.
At present, the NEUST Library uses Follett’s Destiny Library Manager for its OPAC which was formally granted in 2011. From 2012, the library staff were continuously training and updating their knowledge and skills on operating the new, web-based library software. Since 2018, the libraries in the Gen.Tinio and Sumacab Campuses began using the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) security gate by the American Technologies Inc. It is a wireless non-contact use of radio frequency magnetic fields to transfer data to identify and track tags attached to an object automatically. All campus libraries are also equipped with CCTV cameras as a security measure.
Amidst the dreadful pandemic that brought panic to the world, the demands of the academe remain non-stop. As much as the educational stakeholders view that a face-to-face interaction is still the best method to get things done, the present situation does not permit such comfort and ease to personally visit and enjoy the physical facilities of the University, such as the library. To help patrons particularly the students in accomplishing their online and modular academic requirements, the University Library acquired the following new subscriptions:
Gale Academic One File
In December 2019, The University officially subscribed to Gale Academic One File. It is a resource for academic research which integrates the full text of publications from across disciplines such as art, literature, economics, sciences and other disciplines as well as vocational and/or technical titles. Its index contains more than 5,000 periodicals with 2,800 in full text. Other e-learning materials such as e-magazines, videos, and podcasts are also readily available in this platform.
Grammarly
It is considered as the world’s leading automated proofreader. It checks one’s work for more than 250 types of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Similarly, it enhances vocabulary usage and suggests citations. To gain full access to this subscription, patrons must provide their e-mail addresses and let the librarian assist them for account creation. Grammarly can be downloaded as an application and a web browser tool bar plug-in.
PlagScan
Access to information without proper utilization can be both boon and bane. One may have the tendency to simply copy and paste answers for essays, narratives, and research papers without properly crediting its source. To solve this problem, the University acquired this subscription to help verify authenticity of outputs especially research papers. This plagiarism detector software compares the document with other online internal documents for the sake of plagiarism awareness and academic integrity. Similar to Grammarly, an e-mail address is required to create an account and gain full access to this program.
Pursuant to its vision to become one of the best academic libraries in Central Luzon and its mission to provide quality and up-to-date resources and user-centered services, the NEUST University Library continues to respond actively to the challenges and opportunities of the changing world particularly in instruction, curriculum development, and educational technology. In addition to the new subscriptions, the University Library also launched its revamped website with the following new features and options to serve better the students and the entire NEUST community:
Campus Tour
The video of the NEUST Sumacab Campus is added to library’s official website to give an overview to the location and physical facilities of NEUST, especially at this time that students have limited access to the school vicinity.
Library Information Literacy Module
This guide is a downloadable document from the website which allows the students to know more about information literacy thus guiding them into browsing and using the available printed and online materials from the library.
Library Guide to New Normal
During the face-to-face class set up, a library tour and orientation was given to new students at the beginning of the academic year. In lieu of this university tradition, a library guide in accordance with the new normal was devised by the library personnel.
Ask A Librarian
Despite of the availability of online resources, there are still pieces of information that need to be counterchecked in books and printed materials. Library patrons do not have to worry about the lack of access to printed materials due to health restrictions in the different campus libraries. They may request access to printed materials from the library and have the hard copy of the reading material they need for pick up. Patrons may contact the library personnel via phone, e-mail, chat, text message, and online or personal appointment through the contact information posted on the website.
NEUST Library Activities and More
Keeping the clienteles posted about the activities of the library is one of its functions. To respond with this need, the annual activities of the NEUST Library can now be accessed from the website. Other features in the newly-refurbished library website include respective tabs for the library operation hours, list of references, and library personnel.
With all the improvements of the library facilities and services, the dedicated University Librarian Dr. Consuelo J. Estigoy proudly exclaimed, “The NEUST Library will never stop its development to adapt to the latest technologies. This is for the benefit of our patrons and in support of the vision of our beloved NEUST. All of these projects for improvement will not be possible without the full support of the NEUST Administration, particularly our dynamic University President, Engr. Dr. Feliciana P. Jacoba and our active Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Rhodora R. Jugo.” Dr. Estigoy emphasized the unity of the University towards achieving a continuous improvement of the library facilities and services.
For more information, please visit library.neust.edu.ph. or book a personal appointment from Mondays to Fridays at 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except Sundays and holidays.