Academic library consortia in the Philippines: hanging in the balance
| Published date | 07 January 2014 |
| Date | 07 January 2014 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2013-0028 |
| Pages | 15-36 |
| Author | Ana Maria Balenbin Fresnido,Joseph Marmol Yap |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries |
Academic library consortia in the
Philippines: hanging in the
balance
Ana Maria Balenbin Fresnido and Joseph Marmol Yap
University Library, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines
Abstract
Purpose – The concept of academic library consortium emerged in the Philippines in the 1970s
evidenced by the successive establishment of three consortia namely, the Academic Libraries Book
Acquisition Services Association (ALBASA) in 1973, the Inter-Institutional Consortium (IIC) (now
South Manila Inter-Institutional Consortium) in 1974, and the Mendiola Consortium (MC) in 1975. This
paper aims to find out the experiences and status of selected academic library consortia in the
Philippines, namely, the Academic Libraries Book Acquisitions Systems Association, Inc. (ALBASA),
the American Corners (also known as American Studies Resource Center (ASRC) in some areas), the
Aurora Boulevard Consortium Libraries, Inc. (ABC), the Davao Colleges and University Network
(DACUN), the Inter University Consortium (IUC), the Intramuros Library Consortium (ILC), the
Mendiola Consortium (MC), the Ortigas Center Library Consortium (OCLC), and the South Manila Inter
institutional Consortium (SMI-IC) specifically in terms of the objectives of the different consortia, the
activities they undertake and how such relate to the set objectives, the benefits they have enjoyed or
continue to enjoy, the issues they have encountered as well as success/failure factors experienced by
libraries in joining the different consortia.
Design/methodology/approach – The sample was derived from the review of literature, which
also served as basis to come up with the list of existing academic library consortia. The respondents
were selected based on the Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL)
directory. Communication was sent via email, telephone, scheduled personal interview and social
networking sites (e.g. Facebook). A total of 13 out of 23 (56.52 percent) respondents accomplished the
survey questionnaires which were distributed online and manually. Descriptive statistics was used to
analyze the results.
Findings – Results of the study revealed that the role academic library consortia play in the
development of academic libraries is crucial particularly in the promotion of professional development
and resource sharing. As technology greatly influences the way libraries do things, the varying level of
technological development among consortium member libraries confirmed to be a major challenge
being faced by them today. While majority of the surveyed consortia assessed themselves to be
successful, it is evident that there is lack of congruence between the consortia’s objectives and
undertakings.
Originality/value – The paper is a modest contribution to the dearth of literature in Philippine
academic library consortia. It also is the first study conducted measuring the success of selected
academic consortia and identifying the factors contributing to their success/failure.
Keywords Philippines,Networking, Academic library consortia, Library cooperation
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The concept of academic library consortium emerged in the Philippines in the 1970s
evidenced by the successive establishment of three consortia namely, the Academic
Libraries Book Acquisition Services Association (ALBASA) in 1973, the
Inter-Institutional Consortium (IIC) (now South Manila Inter-Institutional
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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Academic library
consortia
15
Received 5 April 2013
Accepted 13 May 2013
Library Management
Vol. 35 No. 1/2, 2014
pp. 15-36
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-04-2013-0028
Consortium) in 1974, and the Mendiola Consortium (MC) in 1975. Although the
Philippines,compared to other countries likethe US with over a hundred years historyof
library consortium (Brooks, 2002), has been quite behind as far as the establishment of
academic library consortia is concerned, the recent years saw the rise to popularity of
different typesof library consortia in the country specifically academic library consortia.
The official launching of the DOST-ESEP Library network (the first computerized
library network in the Philippines), for example, was instrumental in paving the way to
the automation of its member libraries in particular, and Philippine libraries in general.
The creationof the biggest and widest nationalacademic and research librariesconsortia
in the country, the PAARLNET, with more than 150 members scattered all over the
country, confirmedthe growing desire of librariesto engage in cooperation and link with
other libraries. The increasing number of academic library consortia from the 1990s up
to the present has also been remarkable signifying Philippine librarians’ enthusiasm
towards collaboration and demonstrating their recognition of the value of cooperation.
While there have been a number of academic library consortia formed in the last 42
years, the following have so far been the strongest and the most active, hence are also
the most eminent ones.
Academic Libraries Book Acquisitions Systems Association, Inc. (ALBASA)
Originally conceived as a library cooperative, ALBASA started its operation in 1973
with the primary function of acquiring books for its member libraries in view of
minimizing expense and maximizing results.
With an initial member of 12 libraries (namely, Ateneo de Davao, Central Philippine
University, Holy Cross College of Digos, Notre Dame of Jolo College, Notre Dame
University, St Paul College of Dumaguete, St Theresa’s College of Cebu, San Nicolas
College, Silliman University, University of San Agustin, University of San Carlos and
Xavier University), its membership has now grown to about a hundred all located in
the Visayas and Mindanao.
In keeping pace with the demands of the time, its mission has likewise evolved to be
as follows:
(1) To engage in a joint, coordinated program of library book purchasing both
locally and abroad to avail of volume discounts and other technical advantages.
(2) To provide a clearinghouse for various cooperative activities among member
libraries.
(3) To conduct workshops and seminars for professional growth of librarians.
American Corners (also known as American Studies Resource Center (ASRC) in some
areas)
The American Corners in the Philippines are maintained and coordinated by the
Thomas Jefferson Information Center (TJIC) of the US Embassy. To date, a total 14
Corners (Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Central Philippine
University, De La Salle University in Manila, Mariano Marcos State University,
Mindanao State University – Marawi City, Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi,
Notre Dame University in Cotabato City, Notre Dame of Jolo College, Saint Louis
University in Baguio City, Silliman University in Dumaguete City, University of Saint
La Salle – Bacolod, University of San Carlos, and Xavier University), all based in
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