Philippine E-Journals

ABOVE AND BEYOND: A LOOK AT LIBRARY CLIENTS PAST REGULAR HOURS

Arthur Bryan C. Mariano | Rizalyn V. Janio

 

Abstract:

Extending library service hours has been implemented to respond to the changing needs of library clients. This goes in line with the libraries obligation to provide educational, recreational, economic, and informational needs of their users. Extended library hours were originally started in the 1970s by an Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member library while the rest adopted the practice from 1996 to 2001. Unfortunately, there is little information about extended library service hours in the Philippines. The study seeks to understand the importance of extended library hours to library clients and the dynamics of extending library service hours. The study seeks to justify the current extended library service and improve on this by gauging the preferences, habits, and perception of library clients by surveying clients who regularly use the midnight service; by looking at historical data; and observations made by librarians who have been assigned to extended library service hours. The study has found that the primary reason for being at the library during extended library hours is related to the clients’ lack of time during the day. Night time is their most convenient time for research work. The study found that most library clients prefer to do their research work at night; perceived efficiency and conduciveness of night-time atmosphere are common among respondents. An overwhelming majority of the library clients indicated that the extended library service hours are significantly important to them and not one respondent indicated that it is not important. The study was not able to substantiate the repeated requests for 24-7 service. This study provides a reliable point of reference for possible improvement and/ or expansion of extended library hours services providing insight on various aspects of extended library service hours which in turn may be used in the planning and implementation of similar services to other libraries.