Reflection on IRRI Library Visit

IRRI Library Visit: A Reflection

The second venue of our one day tour last October 4 was the IRRI Library in Los Banos, Laguna. The IRRI or International Rice Research Institute was established in 1960. IRRI is one of the largest agricultural research institutes in Asia. Supported by donor and partners, they are known as the Green Revolution in Asia. Almost half of the world’s population relies on rice but nowadays the production is not sustaining the need of people. Their number one goal is to eradicate extreme poverty by helping farmers not only in Laguna but around the globe. They continue to research for new rice varieties which are pest- resistant and can resist extreme weather conditions by using biotechnology.

The IRRI Library was established in 1961. They have four (4) fulltime librarians and 7 support staff; quiet big manpower for a special library like IRRI. This special library caters rice related materials and references. From the anatomy of rice and its varieties up to the different cook book / recipes using rice can be found in this library. Their clients are students, professors, scientists not only in the Philippines but also abroad, and also farmers.  IRRI Library and Documentation Service has also Website powered by Millennium. Some documents can be accessed by the users worldwide through on-line but most of their full text electronic resources are not accessible and not downloadable in their website. What the researchers need to do is to e-mail the head librarian for the documents that they need and the librarian will quickly respond to researcher’s request by emailing the requested materials.

   

The Electronic Resources Section Head explained to us the features of their website hosted by Millennium on how to search for a certain documents and also their online resources. Also their Millennium shows how many times the book was renewed by a certain borrower. Unlike Lopez Museum and Library, we didn’t have a chance to experience and try their Millennium Database. This is because during the discussion, their website didn’t cooperate and resulted to malfunctioning.

The Head Librarian also toured us where printed collection such as books and magazines can be found. The bookshelves were made up of steels enough to hold many books as possible. As estimated, they have more or less 30 bookshelves.

Digitization on their collection has not started yet but they are planning to start it next year.

All in all, the two (2) Libraries that we visited were great and unique on their own ways. But if I will evaluate the two libraries and compare IRRI Library to Lopez Library and Museum, I can say that the Lopez Museum and Library has higher precision and lower recall than the IRRI Library. So in terms of digitization, the Lopez Museum and Library is more advance than the IRRI Library.  

In closing, I would like to add that I have really enjoyed the experience in this class. This subject has helped me to know myself better. It has taught me skills I will take with me to my future jobs. It has been good for me to learn first-hand what this LIS 260 learning is all about. I have enjoyed because it opened my eyes to who I really am as a person. Because of bonding moments that I shared with my classmates, I won’t forget this class. Thank you for Prof. Sharon’s help and to all my classmates for the moments and laughters we shared.

Reflection on Lopez Museum & Library Visit

Lopez Museum & Library Visit: A Reflection

At the beginning of the LIS 260 class, the Professor, Sharon Ma. Esposo-Betan explained to us the Course Syllabus. One of her requirements was 2 fieldtrips that should be visited by all of us. Knowing that there will be fieldtrips, I feel excited.  Because this will give us the opportunity to learn the practical side and the real world of what we are going to learn inside the four (4) nooks of the classroom. 

On September 20, our LIS 260 class took a field trip to the Lopez Museum & Library in Pasig City, to evaluate their “Digitization and Information Retrieval System (IRS)." I arrived at Lopez Museum and Library together with my two other classmates at 1:00p.m. This is my first time to visit this library. When I entered the door, it gave me the impression of a library that preserves the culture, arts, legacies of the Filipino people and its history. And as we explore the library, I have proven that my impression was really true.

The head librarian of this library is Ms. Mercy Fervida. She has served the library for more than a decade. She gave us a short talk and discussion on how they run their library and the information retrieval system of their own database. First, the Librarian has shown to us the on-the-spot tasks of her staff. I have observed that there are people who do the scanning while other do the microfilming. According to the head librarian, they are just outsourcing these people together with their database developer. So there is greater number of outsourced people called contractuals than the regular employees. After scanning and microfilming, the scanned and microfilmed documents were transferred to the server that can now be searchable through their computers. We also had a chance to use and try their database that holds many photographs than books. This is because photographs are their core collection. Photographs are visual materials of enduring value. They are also important as historical and cultural documents, requiring expert attention because of their physical and chemical complexities.  

The Lopez Museum & Library is in the process of digitization. They started this already by scanning and microfilming volumes of document including the rare book collection. Microfilming is one of the best methods for the preservation of endangered materials of high research value. The process of digitizing the fragile research materials is now in progress. The printed rare collections are kept inside a much protected vault. While for electronic copies, they have two (2) back-up files of the documents. One is inside their building premises, while the other one is kept at ABS –CBN Library.

The scanned and microfilmed documents are searchable through an established and user friendly “Alchemy”. But this cannot be accessed through the internet. And according to the Library personnel, accessing their full documents on-line is what they really dreamed of. Because they believe that true essence of being a librarian is to make the collection readily available to the user. But as early as this year, they had encountered problem with their Alchemy. Having a large collection, Alchemy cannot hold documents anymore. So, they come up with the new database which is Docu1. This Docu1 will be their permanent database because it can hold documents that were stored in the Alchemy and more free space for future library holdings. Now, they are in the process of transferring documents stored in Alchemy to Docu1.

Evaluating their database based on the different criteria such as recall and precision, I can say that they have high recall and low precision. One example that the Library personnel told us was try to search for the famous national hero “Dr. Jose Rizal”. The system will give searches even the street in Manila which is the “Rizal Avenue”. So it’s not limited or not filtered to the words or phrases that you mean. Even words that are not related to the researcher’s queries will be searched. So in this case, I conclude that their database Alchemy has high recall and low precision. 

Open Publishing

Title: Open Access Publishing : An Initial Discussion of Income Source, Scholarly Journals, and Publishers

Source: Panayiota Polydoratou,et al. Retrieved from http://www.springerlink.com/content/627663m2g8320282/

Abstract:

The advance of technology and the development of the World Wide Web created immense opportunities for people to communicate and exchange information in new ways. This has also been a fact for scholars and the way they communicate their research findings like the SOAP. The Study for Open Access Publishing (SOAP) project is one of the initiatives undertaken to explore the risks and opportunities of the transition to open access publishing. Some of the early analyses of open access journals listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) show that more than half of the open access publishing initiatives were undertaken by smaller publishers, learned societies and few publishing houses that own a large number of journal titles. Regarding income sources as means for sustaining a journal’s functions, “article processing charges", "membership fee" and "advertisement" are the predominant options for the publishing houses; "subscription to the print version of the journal", "sponsorship" and somewhat less the "article processing charges" have the highest incidences for all other publishers.

Things I Learned:

1. The use of open access becomes more and more prevalent nowadays. From this reading, I learned that income sources, scholars, and publishers study the risks and opportunities of open access publishing. This includes cost. Open access publishing saves money by removing the costs of print reproduction. However, there are significant costs associated with the creation of an online platform that will provide the level of service expected by users such as skilled IT staff, an enhanced sales function, and customer service that supports 24/7 delivery.

2. Another issue that I learned in the open access publishing is the journal pricing. With online publishing has come a reduced emphasis on the journal title and on particular issues, and a greater concentration on the article.

3. I also learned that if all publishers are to meet the challenge of open access, they need to recognize that some issues are no longer of the same importance. Retention of copyright is one example: a licence from the author should be sufficient to meet the needs of the publisher. Publishers need to concentrate on how they can add extra value to their content beyond what can be provided by self-publication or an institutional repository.

Implications:

As an educator, I really believe that Open Access Publishing contributes a lot in the world of Open Access Literature. As a proof, this study showed that more than half of the open access publishing initiatives were undertaken by academic institutions. After reading this article, I had one conclusion in mind that is to support the open access publishing in many ways.

Greening the Library

Title: The Green Library Movement: An Overview and Beyond

Source: Antonelli, M., (2008). The Green Library Movement: An Overview and Beyond. USA: Minnesota State University – Mankato

Abstract:

This article discusses what green libraries are. The creation of libraries is approaching a tipping point, generating a Green Library Movement which is comprised of librarians, libraries, cities, towns, college and university campuses committed to greening libraries are reducing their environmental impact. Constructing a green library building using a performance standard like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a way some librarians are choosing to become green and sustainable. Environmental challenges like energy depletion and climate change will influence the type of information resources and programs librarians will provide to their clients.

3 Things I Learned:

1. I learned things on how to be a librarian that is environment- friendly.  Like being environmentally supportive to our own home and libraries. That as librarian, we should treat the library as our second home.

2. I also learned that as librarians, we should support the green library movement worldwide because of the advantages that can be reflected to our own libraries.

3.In the simplest way, I learned what green libraries are. After reading this article, I learned that Green Library is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or re-used in an ecological and resource – efficient manner for the library.

Implications:

The time is right for librarians to step – up and help communities become green and sustainable. The role of the library is to serve its community. Communities need libraries and librarians to act as role models for sustainability by providing accurate information on all manner of green topics, from alternative building practices to renewable energy options. The time is also right for librarians to support and continue to grow the Green Library Movement.   

Health concerns of computer use

Title: Internet Addiction : Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, and Self Helf

Retrieved from : http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm

Abstract:

We all enjoy the benefits of the Internet, and for many of us it is also an indispensable tool for work, education, and communication. While time spent on the Internet can be hugely productive, for some people compulsive. Internet use can interfere with daily life work, and relationships.

This article talks about Internet addiction, how do people become addicted, signs and symptoms of internet addiction, internet gambling addiction, cyber relationship, treatment and support for breaking Internet addiction.

3 Things I Learned:

1.  I learned that internet addiction is a serious problem yet the society takes it for granted. In lieu with this, the government must have something to do to regulate the use of internet in our country. Because if there is no law or regulation on the use of internet more and more people will suffer from internet addiction which in turn can cause different crimes such as rape, kidnapping, and killing.

2. Internet has many advantages to our work, relationships, and daily lives. But still, we cannot ignore the disadvantages of using the internet. From the article that I’ve read, to prevent internet addiction is just a matter of internet right education.

3. Because internet addiction is a serious problem, people suffering from this should undergo serious therapy and counselling. These could be avoided if there is only a right education for internet use.

Implications:

The increased use of computer has brought about by the development of a number of health concerns. As a librarian, I also use computers always. From the article I’ve read, it is important to consider first our health. Like the adage saying “Health is wealth”. Even we’re not rich with money but if we have a good health, it can be said that we are wealthy because we are healthy. And just a friendly reminder, internet must not absorb much of our time. Because if we consume longer time in the internet unreasonably than spending time with our families, it’s already internet addiction and should be treat as early as possible.

Open Source Software

Title: Transforming High School Classrooms with Free/Open Source Software: It's Time for an Open Source Software Revolution

Source: Pfaffman, Jay (2008).  Transforming High School Classrooms with Free/Open Source Software: It's Time for an Open Source Software Revolution. USA: The University of North Carolina Press. Retrieved from http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/high_school_journal/v091/91.3pfaffman.pdf

Abstract:

This article discusses the similarity of Free / Open Source Software (FOSS) in science. Both FOSS and scientific knowledge are built in the concept of creating shared knowledge and the desire to have one’s work adapted by the scientific or computer using commonly. Thus, it is perfect to use FOSS for science classrooms already with subject matter like molecules, periodic table, astronomy (such as the stars, galaxies, and a realistic 3-D sky).

3 Things I Learned:

1.  I learned the practical applications of FOSS in teaching in the classroom specifically for science related subjects.

2. I became aware of the uses and applications of FOSS tools that can support education in high schools in general science education in particular continues to grow. Using FOSS offers a practical means to give teachers and students the tools they need in the classroom.

3. Finally, I learned that FOSS itself models the way that science is developed and propagated. Because there is much similarity between FOSS and science giving students a better understanding for how science works.

Implications:

As a science teacher, this article is very helpful to me. I could apply the different things I learned in teaching science. And these are all for free. In this way, students will hundred (100 %) understand and retain to their memories the different lessons using FOSS. They see objects that behave as exactly as the original objects do. These are through the application of realistic 3-D. Thus it is essential and there is really a need to integrate FOSS into science classrooms.