USER EDUCATION AND SERVICES
One of the main objectives of the Library is to support the academic and research needs of the University. It is the Library’s responsibility to ensure that the use of its resources and services are maximized for the benefit of its users.
The University Library provides different programs and services to its clients to enable them to make use of the resources and services more effectively, efficiently, and independently. The following are the user education programs and services offered by the Library:
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Circulation Services
Circulation is one of the most important and visible services of the library. It involves the following activities:
- Registration for library privileges;
- Checking out of library materials to library users;
- Checking in of the materials returned;
- Renewing the borrowed items;
- Checking the materials for possible damage at the time of return;
- Assessing fees/fines for lost/damaged or overdue materials and other charges;
- Maintaining order in the stacks;
- Shelving of the library materials by call numbers;
- Signing of clearances;
- Photocopying (Miagao Campus Only);
- Providing basic search and reference services;
- Bag deposit counter.
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Reference and Information Services
The reference and information services of the library address all aspects of reference work. It includes instruction in the use of bibliographic sources, assistance in locating complex data, retrieval of data through electronic means, answering simple to in-depth reference queries, etc. Usually, simple or basic information services can be provided by any member of the library staff; however, in-depth queries or reference services are usually referred to College Librarians.
The University Library offers reference service to its clients either in person, over the phone, email, text messaging, or other information delivery options. The library strives to promptly provide quality information through personalized service to its users.
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Document Delivery
Document delivery is a type of service that allows library users to request copies of literature including book chapters, journal articles, images, maps, reports and other library materials that are available only in the University Library, either in soft or hard copy.
Request for material may be sent through email or via online by filling in the UP Visayas Library Document Request Form in the link provided below:
LIBRARY WEBSITE:
Link: https://library.upv.edu.ph/index.php/services/document-delivery. or via butto below:
Direct Google Form Link:
Link: Google Link Here
The requestor shall provide specific information such as title, source, date of publication, page number and other important details. The document will be sent to the user either via email, courier or to be “picked-up” in person.
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Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan is a collaborative service of the University Library whereby its resources are shared to other users outside of the UPV community, subject to a special agreement. This service aims to give library users access to books, journal articles, newspaper articles, archival documents, theses, dissertations and other resources that are not attainable in their own library’s collection but are available in the University Library.
To expand the range of materials available beyond its physical and electronic collections, the University Library strengthened its linkages with other libraries. The UPV library is an active member of local and international consortia.
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Library Orientation
Library orientation is a planned program of instruction of the University Library to its users. It is intended to promote the resources and services of the library and to ensure its effective and efficient use.
A library orientation is conducted by the Library at the start of the first semester of each school year to all first year students and new members of the University. This activity is done to help them identify, locate and access information resources, or find their way in the library. It also serves as a means to create a friendly atmosphere and promote the library to the users.
Library orientation can also be availed anytime as needed or when a client requests for it.
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Reader’s Advisory
The University Library provides assistance to its clients in their search for information, may it be a simple reference query or an advanced bibliographic search through its reader’s advisory service.
The reader’s advisory service involves suggesting titles of materials to a reader through direct or indirect means. It matches readers with books, articles, eBooks, videos and other library materials that address the reader’s information needs.
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Current Awareness
The University Library keeps its users well informed and up-to-date with its new acquisitions through its display or bulletin boards, routing of lists, informal conversation, via telephone, electronically by emails, notification, social media or posting in the library’s website. This service enables individual users to keep abreast of the information available in the library that may be of interest or relevant to them.
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OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog)
An OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) is an online database of all the resources or materials of the library. It is a catalog that is accessed via computer or other electronic device and internet connection. It replaces the traditional card catalog as a means for locating library resources. It provides a quick and more thorough means of access to library resources.
The UPV Library uses an in-house program known as the Integrated Library (iLib 1.0) System designed by UP System (Diliman) for its OPAC. Each unit or section of the Library is provided with its own OPAC station. Library users may utilize these OPAC stations in searching for library holdings.
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Media and Electronic Services
The advent of information and communication technology has led to the use of electronic resources in libraries. Libraries and users' expectation for these kinds of resources, particularly e-journals and e-books, have grown exponentially. To cope with the escalating demands for this type of service, the UPV University Library offers its clients the media and electronic services.
The media and electronic services of the University Library support the different instructional programs of UPV by providing a variety of learning and teaching resources that aid in the academic and research needs of its community.
The University Library provides access to the audio-visual room, equipment, internet and online resources.
Multimedia Services
The Library strives to improve its resources and services so that its clients will not be limited in their choices of information sources. Despite limited funding and logistics, the Library manages to expand its acquisition of audio-visual materials and equipment that support the curricular and research needs of the University. These resources complement the print collection of the Library.
The Library’s Multimedia Section is furnished with different media equipment such as, computers with CD-ROM players, printer, multimedia projector, LED Television, and others. It has a collection of audio-visual materials, computerized databases, CDs and DVDs. With these resources, library orientation sessions, classroom multimedia presentations and other instruction-related activities are done in the Multimedia Section.
Internet Services
The emergence of computer and telecommunication technologies has made the Internet an integral part of a library. Many of the library operations such as acquisition, cataloging, circulation and reference services have been integrated with the internet. Information nowadays is mostly stored in electronic format and can be accessed easily through the internet.
The UPV University Library relies heavily on the internet in providing information services to its clients promptly in a timely manner. It provides internet access either through wireless fidelity (WiFi) connection or through the use of iMac computers. Easy access to the services and information resources are provided to the clients because of the library’s various electronic equipment or resources.
Virtual Reference Services
Virtual Reference Service aids client’s reference questions regarding library resources/services (i.e. electronic resources, online services, etc.) through the use of an online platform. Library clients will be able to avail themselves of information that will supplement their reference needs for their academics and research.
The following are the virtual reference services offered by the Library:
Chat Bisay (Chat Service via Messenger):
m.me/UPVUniversityLibrary; andEmail Bisay (Email Service via email):
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Maintenance Services
Binding and Repair of Library Materials
Binding and repair of library materials and preserving them for longer use are just one of the essential functions of libraries.
The wear and tear of books and documents are prominent in libraries. This is due to several factors that affect their physical condition. Heat, light, humidity, pests, mishandling, and shelving of these materials are just some of the culprit in causing their damage.
The University Library protects and preserves its books and other print materials by doing in-house book repair for collections not needing complete rebinding by a commercial binder. Simple repair techniques like using adhesive tape, glue, etc. are done to maintain the physical make-up of print materials. The process is more economical and advantageous since damaged materials that are highly used or in-demand can be returned immediately to the stack for circulation.
Stacking
One of the most basic functions of the University Library is to maintain its stacks or storage areas. Stacks refer to the book shelves that hold the collection of print materials of the library. These print materials in the stacks area are arranged by call numbers and are classified using the Library of Congress Classification System.
The University Library ensures that its stacks or storage areas are properly maintained by keeping it neat and clean. It sees to it that the collections are properly cared for and in the right order when shelved so that it would be easy for the client to access the materials. Re-shelving of borrowed materials are done immediately and properly so as to facilitate its circulation.
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Computer Operations and Maintenance
The University Library provides computing facilities, online resources and other information technology services to support the academic and research needs of its clients. It upgrades and maintains its online databases, as well as continuously monitors its computers and their peripherals on a regular basis to ensure that its information systems and network infrastructures are secure and operating effectively and efficiently.
