SPT 102: Special and Public Librarianship

Second Semester SY 2019-2020

The Public Library: Its Objectives and Mission

The public library, the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for
lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the
individual and social groups.” (UNESCO Public Library Manifesto). Public library service
shall aim to:

 Facilitate informal education

 Support and complement research in all fields of endeavors
 Provide bibliographic access to country’s information resources
 Provide wholesome recreational and beneficial use of leisure time.

The UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, first issued in 1949, revised in cooperation
with the IFLA and adopted in November 1994 has the following key missions of the
public library. These missions relate to information, literacy, education and culture and
should be the core of public library services:

a. Creating and strengthening reading habits in children from an

early age;
b. Supporting both individual and self-conducted education as well
as formal education at all levels;
c. Providing opportunities for personal creative development;
d. Stimulating the imagination and creativity of children and young
people;
e. Promoting awareness of cultural heritage appreciation of the arts,
scientific achievements and innovations;
f. Providing access to cultural expressions of all performing arts;
g. Fostering inter-cultural dialogue and favoring cultural diversity;
h. Supporting the oral tradition;
i. Ensuring access for citizens to all sorts of community information;
j. Providing adequate information services to local enterprises,
associations, and interest groups;
k. Facilitating the development of information and computer literacy
skills;
l. Supporting and participating in literacy activities and programs for
all age groups, and initiating such activities if necessary.

The Manifesto proclaims UNESCO’s belief in the public library as a living force for
education, culture and information, and as an essential agent for the fostering of peace
and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women. The UNESCO therefore
encourages national and local governments to support and actively engage in the
development of public libraries.
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The public library is the local centre of 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 age, race, sex, religion, nationality,
language or social status. Specific services and materials must be provided for those
users who cannot, for whatever reason, use the regular services and materials, for
example linguistic minorities, people with disabilities or people in hospital or prison.

All age groups must find material 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.
Material 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.

This Manifesto, include in the Guidelines for Public Libraries published in1986 by the
International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA). The Guidelines
replaced the Standards for Public Libraries (1977). The Manifesto is a broad charter
of public library goals. It does not cover the full variety of purposes and activities that a
public library can serve, but it does identify the most fundamental and common. These
are:

1.) To contribute to lifelong universal education;

2.) To facilitate appreciation of the achievement of human knowledge and
culture;
3.) To be the principal means whereby the record of man’s thought and
ideas, and the expression of his creative imagination, are made freely
available to all;
4.) To refresh the human spirit by the provision of books and other media
for relaxation and pleasure;
5.) To assist students;
6.) To provide technical, scientific, and sociological information.

The Public Research Group of the London and Home Countries Branch of the Library
Association of United Kingdom set out in 1971 the following objectives for the public
library services in that country:
a. 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;
b. Information: To bring to the individual/group accurate information quickly
and in-depth particularly on topics of current concern;
c. Culture: To be one of the principal centers of cultural life and promote a
keener participation, enjoyment and appreciation of all the arts;
d. Leisure: To play a part in encouraging a positive use of leisure and
providing materials for change and relaxation.
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Second Semester SY 2019-2020

In 1977 the Public Library Association of the American Library Association issued
the Mission Statements of Public Libraries. In 1987, ALA published Planning and
Role Setting in Public Libraries a manual devised by the Public Library Association to
help public libraries identify their priority roles and plan, measure, and evaluate services
to suit these roles. These Community Activities Center; Formal Education Support
Center; Independent Learning Center; Popular Materials Library; Preschoolers’ Door to
Learning; Reference Library, and Research Center.

IFLA Publications No. 97 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 come 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
which was established on March 9, 1900 by Mrs. Charles Greenleaf with Miss Nellie
Young Egbert as its first librarian was turned over the Insular Government through Act
No. 96 on March 5, 1901. It was placed under the Board of Trustees. Through Act No.
222 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 of 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. No provision was given for the
implementation of the Act, thus the library did not materialize. It was only in 1955 when
the Albay Provincial Library was organized. Then Iloilo Provincial Library was organized
on October 29, 1916. This library earned the distinction of being the first regular
provincial library established in the Philippines.

March 9, 2000 therefore, marked the centennial celebration of the country’s public
library system. A Search for Outstanding Public Libraries in the different regions of the
country was conducted. Fifteen public libraries, (three provincial libraries, six city
libraries and five municipal and one regional) were awarded Plaque of Recognition on
that day.

The National Library through its Public Libraries Division performs the public library
function by technically supervising affiliated public libraries; annually allocating them
with books and other library materials and conducting training to the public librarians.
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Public Libraries Categorized

Public Libraries are categorized as follows: a regional library in the ARMM out of the
sixteen regions in the country; a congressional district library in Mandaluyong City (the
only one so far since enactment of R.A. 7743, there are 209 congressional districts); 49
provincial libraries of the 79 provinces; 79 city libraries of the 99 cities; over five hundred
municipal libraries of the 1510 municipalities; and over three hundred barangay reading
centers of the more than 41 thousand barangays. Also, there are 13 bookmobile units
which are under the supervision of selected provincial or city libraries.

Each public library is headed by a chief librarian with the salary grade depending on
the class of he province, city or municipality. Most of the provincial and city librarians
are given a salary grade of 22 although a few of them have a demoralizing salary grade
of 10 (Librarian 1).

The National Library allocates every year, books and other forms of library materials
to affiliated and operational public libraries. To become affiliated with The National
Library, the local government unit has to signify through official communication its
intention to affiliate its public library. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to be
executed by the heads of the above mentioned offices serves as the binding document
which defines their responsibilities / obligations.

Public libraries are administratively under their respective local government units
(LGUs). Even before the enactment of the Local Government Code or R.A. 7160, the
law which called for the devolution of powers, duties and responsibilities from national to
local government, appointment of public librarians already was the responsibility of local
officials. Appointment of public librarians by local officials started when Decentralization
Law took effect in the early 1960s. most of the public libraries, at present, are under the
legislative branch of the local government which is the Sanggunians. Majority of the
provincial and city librarians are professional librarians and are license holders.

There are more than 900 public libraries affiliated with The National Library. Of this
number, we consider only 60% of them as operational. To monitor the activities of the
affiliated public libraries, the Public Libraries Division requires them to submit a monthly
report of activities and accomplishments. Also expected of them by The National Library
are: Annual Inventory Report of collections and annual report of activities. These are
required because of Property Accountability set by the government.

To effectively maximize the services of public libraries to their clientele, public

librarians are encouraged to organize the Friends Group. This is an organization of
volunteer workers in the community whose activities and projects supplement and
augment the library’s activities. They also raise funds for the public library. Membership
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comes from retired professionals and also from other community members who love to
assist library work including those from civic organizations.

NO. OF
LIBRARY TYPE ACTIVE INACTIVE CLOSE
LIBRARIES
PROVINCIAL 55 47 3 5
CONGRESSIONAL
6 5 1 0
I
REGIONAL 1 1 0 0
CITY 112 98 9 5
MUNICIPAL 595 3025 256 37
BARANGAY 686 134 330 222
TOTAL 1455 587 599 269

Legislations Relevant to Public Librarianship

Republic Act 411 enacted in 1949 and authored by the Senator Geroniima Pecson
was considered the first legislation supporting the public library movement of the
country. It called for the establishment of 1000 municipal libraries in the country for a
five year period. The law was not implemented due to lack of provision for funding.

Republic Act 7743. Another important legislation which was recently (June 17,
1994) enacted into law is R.A. 7743, An Act establishing Congressional District, City
and Municipal Libraries and Barangay reading Centers throughout the Country. Similar
to R.A. 411, R.A. 7743 also has no provision for funding source. Although the Law lack
this very vital provision, through information dissemination done by the National Library,
SPT 102: Special and Public Librarianship
Second Semester SY 2019-2020

evidently, there has been a growing interest among local officials to establish public
libraries.

Act No. 1849. Provided for the establishment of a public library to be known as “The
Philippine Public Library”, making suitable appropriations, therefore and for other
purposes. Passed on June 3, 1908.

Republic Act No. 3873. Passed on June 18, 1964 which effected the change of the
name Bureau of Public Libraries to the National Library.

Republic Act No. 8407 otherwise called the Book Publishing Act. Passed in
1996, the Act resulted to a considerable increase in the total book production in the
country from 1500 titles only in 1995 to 5,083 in year 2000. In relation to passage of this
Act, Executive Order 119 known as the adoption of the National Book Policy was
signed on July 4, 1999.

Republic Act 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/ Panlusnsod/ or
Bayan.

Republic Act 7356 enacted in April 1992, established the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA) which is mandated to develop, promote and preserve
Filipino culture and arts through the formulation of policies in coordination with affiliated
private and public cultural agencies.

Other relevant laws such as R.A. 8392, Intellectual Property Code, Book IV of the
Code is on Copyright and Neighboring Rights which is implemented by the
National Library.

Civil Service Office Memorandum No. 99, s. 2001 issued on July 18, 2001 strictly
implements the provisions of R. A. 6966 specifically Section 11 & 12 about Inhibition
against the practice of Librarianship. This Memorandum signed by CSC Chairman
Karina Constantino-David said “appointees therefore to a librarian position must
possess the R.A. 1080 (Librarian) eligibility in addition to the meeting the other
requirements of the positions in terms of education, training and experience.”

Public libraries in this country are social institutions set up to develop effective and
mature individuals. Their main function is to cater to people of all ages, and from all
walks of life. This function makes public libraries totally different from other types of
libraries.
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In 1988, the Philippine Library Association published the Minimum Standards for
Public Libraries which was formulated by the Public Libraries Association of the
Philippines. The Standards have gone revisions to make them relevant with the time. At
present, The Board for Librarians has formed a Committee coming from the different
types of libraries to formulate minimum standards for each type of library. (Standards
will be discussed.)

The National Library of the Philippines

An Overview of National Libraries

History of national libraries dates back as early as the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Biblioteca Marciana in Venice (1468) and the Bibliotheque Nationale of France
(1537) have been recognized as pioneers of this type of library. Bibliotheque Nationale
was established in 1480, and was first named the Royal Library and was declared by
the national convention as the national library.

During the 19th century, there were twenty national libraries in the world.
Though access to collections was limited at first, the situation changed drastically in the
1950s. missions of national libraries were associated with social needs. Presently, the
two biggest national libraries are the Library of Congress and the Russian State Library.

DEFINITION:

National Library – a library is called a national library when it is “the official

depository of printed works; a general access library; an information-bibliographical
center; a center of coordination, planning, and stimulation of the entire library system of
the nations.”

FUNCTIONS:

In 1955, Library Trends issued a special topic “Current Trends in National

Libraries,” 23 national library directors participated in the survey which evaluated the
functions and activities of national libraries. The following functions are viewed as
characteristics of national libraries:

1. National libraries are designated as legal depositories of their country’s records;

2. The collections of national libraries are encyclopedic in scope. They should
acquire substantial portions of national and international literature and records
thru legal deposits and international exchanges;
3. National libraries produce card catalogs and make them available to the whole
country’s libraries. They also construct union catalogs and current bibliographies;
4. National libraries act ad clearing houses for interlibrary loans;
5. A national library is libraries’ library which provides technical standards,
establishes professional code of practice, etc.;
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6. National libraries shall be kept with up to date innovative techniques, such as

microfilming, photo duplication;
7. Some national libraries have “no longer seen publicity nor disdain popularity,”
they are increasing in public awareness by sponsoring exhibits, lectures,
seminars; and,
8. Some national libraries conduct schools of library science and provide quarters
and secretarial assistance for the professional associations.

Historical Background of the National Library of the Philippines

The National Library of the Philippines is one of the cultural agencies of the
government. At present, through Executive Order No. 08 issued in March 1999 and for
purposes of programs 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 Divisions; Headed by a Director who is appointed by the President
of the Philippines, an Assistant Director, also a presidential appointee is the next
highest official.

The nucleus of The National Library is the Museo biblioteca de Filipinas established in
August 12, 1887 with Don Pedro A. Paterno as the first Director. It has a measly
collection of books. Don Paterno was also responsible in publishing the first periodical in
the Philippines, Boletin del Museo Biblioteca de Filipinas.

During the American period, the American Circulating Library was established by Mrs.
Charles O. Greenleaf on March 9, 1900 in memory of the American soldiers who died in
the Philippines. Ms. Nellie Young Egbert was the first librarian. This was turned over to
the Insular government in 1901 under Public Act No.96. In 1909 it was made a division
of the Philippine Library under Public Act 1935 with Dr. James Robertson as its first
director, a bibliographer and a well-known historian. He co-edited with Emma Helen
Blair the 55-volume “The Philippine Islands.” The Philippine Library was later called
the National Library. It was organized to unify all activities of government libraries.

In 1916, The Philippine Library, Division of Archives, Patents, Copyrights and

Trademarks of the Executive Bureau and the Law Library of the Philippine assembly
were merged into one entity, called the Philippine Library and Museum.

When Dr. Robertson resigned in 1915, his successors to the position of Director were
either Filipino scholars or trained librarians. Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera was the
Library Director when the Philippine Library Association was organized in October 1923.
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He also became the first president of the Association. Since then, The National Library
had already 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 16th director was Mrs. Prudenciana Cruz.

Twelve years later, the Philippine Legislature separated the museum from the library.
Public Law No. 3477 (1928) established the National Museum under the Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources and changed the name of the Philippine Library and
Museum to The National Library.

The President of the Philippines changed the name of The National Library to Bureau of
Public Libraries in accordance with Executive Order No. 94, series 1947 (Manuel Roxas
as president). R.A. No. 411 (1949 Pecson Bill, Sen. Geronima T. Pecson) called for the
creation of 1,000 public libraries in 5 years. The law was not implemented due to lack of
provision for funding. Proclamation 563, March 9, 1959, declared as Public Library Day.

After transferring from one location to another, finally the Library found its permanent
home at T. M. Kalaw Street, Manila, a building constructed out of public contributions
during the birth centenary anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in 1961.

Presently, The National Library has 11 divisions. These are: Filipiniana; Government
Publications; Reference; Asia and Oceania and the Library for the Blind – the five
frontline services; while the technical services are the Bibliographic Services; Collection
Development and Catalog Division; then the Public Libraries, Publications and Special
Services and the Administrative and Support Services Divisions.

The Library has aggregate collections of more than one million volumes excluding the
non-book materials and rare books and manuscripts.

In 1964, RA 3873 – brought back to the Bureau of Public Libraries its old name, “The
National Library”.

In 1991, The National Library with the support of the National Commission for Culture
and the Arts was able to work for the passage of Proclamation No. 837 signed by
President Corazon C. Aquino declaring November 1991 and every November thereafter
as Library and Information Services Month.

The National Library and the Philippine Library Association worked out for the issuance
of Proclamation No. 109 designating November 24-30 each year as National Book
Week. It was signed by President Manuel L. Quezon on November 19, 1936.
International and regional conferences held in the Philippines were co-sponsored by the
National Library and the Philippine Library Association too. These are some
achievements related to cultural concerns of The National Library.
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A cultural agency that had experienced a series of name changing. Currently, the library
is known as the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) pursuant to Republic Act No.
10087 enacted in May 13, 2010. The NLP is located at T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission statement: The National Library of the Philippines as the repository of the
printed and recorded cultural heritage of the country and other intellectual, literary and
information sources shall provide access and services to these resources for the
people’s intellectual growth, citizenship building, lifelong learning and enlightenment,
and shall ensure the preservation and conservation of these materials for the future
generations of Filipinos.

Vision: Fulfillment of its leadership role among the nation’s libraries by continuously
spearheading projects and programs directed to the development of library and
information services in the country.

Objectives:

1. To acquire and preserve all FIlipiniana materials;

2. To provide national bibliographic services;
3. To develop, in cooperation with local government units, a system of public
libraries and information centers throughout the country;
4. To provide information, reference and research resources to the public;
5. To promote, establish and maintain national and international standards in
library and information services.