LRC expands services, boosts digitalization
After the series of optimizing the services and restructuring the physical aspect of the Learning Resource Center (LRC) of Naga College Foundation, Inc., the LRC will now work on long-term improvements to respond to the needs and demands of educators and learners for the next succeeding years.
From February 2022 until April 2022, LRC underwent remodeling and renovation to adhere to the recommendation of the Philippine Association of College and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA), as well as to prepare for the upsurge of its clients following the implementation of face-to-face classes.
LRC Chief Librarian Emma S. Moran, RL, MSLS, said that in terms of physical aspect, LRC has targeted to be a “conducive learning environment for reading and research and make LRC appears more exciting and appealing to the clients”.
With the immediate response and immense support of the NCF Administration, LRC is now with newly painted walls and ceilings, sufficient lighting, and diverse materials were re-arranged, as additional bookshelves were installed and old ones were repaired.
To reach the widest capabilities beyond physical improvements, LRC together with the NCF administration designed a five-year strategic plan to target abled learning resource center responsive to the needs and demands of its clients and adaptive to the challenges of time.
Distance services
“We promote and will improve LRC e-services,” Chief Librarian Emma S. Moran said.
Presently, LRC has active subscriptions to databases such as Philippine E-Journals (PEJ) and Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO). PEJ is an expanding online collection of academic publications of academies and professionals which primarily promotes local academic papers. EBSCO, on the other hand, is an academic resource covering a wide array of subject areas and multidisciplinary research and publications. Students, faculty members, and administrative personnel are given optimal and maximum access to EBSCO and PEJ.
The chief librarian unveiled that LRC planned to subscribe to two additional databases and is now collaborating with the College of Engineering on what database suits best in their field and profession.
Digitalization of services
In the recent PACUCOA visit to the Learning Resource Center (LRC), accreditors recommend LRC improve its collection – this not only focuses on the acquisition of print materials.
In response and as part of the five-year strategic plan, LRC will change its system – from Libro System to Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). This will make LRC accessible beyond and amidst the constrained physical environment. Through OPAC, clients can search and access books available in LRC. OPAC offers holistic benefits to LRC, particularly in its Technical Section, as it will help personnel manage the selection, collection, maintenance, and inventory of materials available in LRC in an efficient manner. OPAC also offers help in borrowing services and can determine the statistics of users of books and the statistics of use of books.
The chief librarian said that the NCF administration and the LRC staff will work hand-in-hand to make the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) be implemented this academic year.
LRC as a nursery of research
One of the main objectives of the five-year strategic plan is to transform LRC into a research support unit where learners and educators can cultivate and reap data and information related to their studies.
LRC planned to realize this transformation by providing clients with the latest and sufficient information found in expanding databases, conducting regular seminar pieces of training and activities related to research, and collaborating with departments, colleges, and research office.
Moreover, LRC targets its staff to partake in institutional research, establish closer collaboration with teaching personnel of each department and college, and digitalize the processes of basic services to reach the highest possible efficiency and effectiveness of services.
LRC envisioned its office to become the hall of excellence and breakthroughs.
LRC is hoping for the continuous support of the NCF administration and that students appreciate the efforts to innovate and maximize the services offered by the LRC.
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