Librarianship as a Profession: Trends and Issues

Mrs. Susima L. Gonzales

President, PLAI

Introduction

• Definition• Profession - a calling requiring

specialize knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation;

- a type of occupation that meet certain criteria that raised it to the level above that of an occupation ;

- a complex organized occupation requiring a longtime training program.

Criteria of a profession

• A Profession utilizes in its practice a well-defined and well organized body of specialized knowledge which is on intellectual level of learning;

• A Profession constantly enlarges the body of knowledge by the use of scientific method;

• A Profession entrusts the education of its practitioner to institutions of higher learning;

• A Profession applies its body of knowledge in practical services, which is vital to human and social functions.

• A Profession functions autonomously (with authority) in the formulation of professional policy; and in the control of professional activity thereby monitoring its practice and practitioners;

Criteria of a Profession

• A Profession is guided by a code of ethics that regulates the relationship between professional and the client;

• A Profession is distinguished by the presence of specific cultures, norms and values;

• A Profession has a clear standard of education preparation for entry into a profession;

• A Profession attracts individuals of intellectual and personal qualities who exact services above personal gains and who recognize their chosen profession as a life’s work.

• A Profession strives to compensate its practitioners by providing for action and opportunity for continuous professional growth and economic security.

Attributes of a Profession

• Possession of skill based or theoretical knowledge;

• Provisions of training education;

• Testing and competence of its members;

• Formation of an organization;

• Adherence to a code of ethics;

• Provision of altruistic service.

Issues and Trends

• Continuing professional development;• Code of Ethics• Membership to Professional Association• Status and Image• Gender Issues• Lack of Licensed Librarian• Property accountability• Exodus of Librarians

Continuing professional development

• Programs & providers not accredited• Overlapping schedule of activities

• Legal Basis• Executive Order No. 220 – Declaring the adoption

of the Code of Good Governance for the profession in the Philippines.

• P.R.C. Res. No. 2004 – 179. Standardized guidelines and procedures for the implementation of CPE for all Professions – Voluntary compliance

• Sec. 9 of R.A.8981 – Power, functions and responsibilities of the various PRC’s

Continuing professional development

• Senate Deliberation of the Committee on Civil Service & Good Reorganization on Senate Bill 2579 May 5, 2003

• Sec. 9 of R.A. 9246 – Powers, Functions and duties of the Board

• PRB for Librarians. Res. 08, sec. 2006 – Creating CPE Council for Librarians

• Draft Guidelines of Council submitted to the Board• PLAI to adopt measure similar to NAEB

Code of Ethics

• Art.4.2 of BFL Res. No. 6 series of 2006.

• Librarians shall keep in confidence, information acquired in the course of professional service

Membership to Professional Organization Benefits

– Up-to-date information about the profession by way of journal, publications and newsletter.

– Educational programs through conferences, workshops, special lectures – continued educational offering.

– An avenue for having a voice by way of policy checking.

– Agenda setting for the future of librarianship education, practice and research.

– Standards of excellence for librarianship education practice and research.

Status and Image

– Low salary – causes low status– Poor image – a female image has a negative effect on the

status of an occupation – Dull image – characteristics of a librarian, dull, strict– Low Expectations – users of libraries have low expectations

from the quality service of a librarian– Invisibility – librarians position is largely invisible. Public has

no idea of what a librarian actually does. – Economics – libraries contribute little if any to the economic

growth of the country– Quality of the service – users generally have almost had no

idea about the kind of services that the librarian provide nor about the quality of service they render.

Gender Issues

– Expanding number of male entering the profession

– Increase in the enrollment, results of the Board exams, top level executive positions in government remain dominantly male.

Lack of Licensed Librarian

– Registration without examination – a number of incumbent librarian failed to avail Sec. 19 of R.A. 9246 – set the time limit within which to apply Grand Father Clause

– BFL Res. 07 s. 1999– BFL Res. 03 s. 2003

Property Accountability

• Sec.112 – Two levels of Responsibility.• Primary – Head of the agency immediately

responsible for all government funds & property.• Secondary – persons entrusted with the

possession or custody of funds property under the agency.

• COA Circular 77-42 B- Chief Librarians is accountable for all library books and materials.

• A burden to government librarians

Property Accountability

• P.D. 1445- Sec.2 – Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.

• Sec. 2 – It is the policy of state that all resources of the government shall be managed, expanded and utilized in accordance with laws and regulation and safeguarded against loss and wastage through illegal or improper disposition.

• Responsibility to take care of such property rests directly on the head of the agency

Aspects of work relative to Property Accountability.

• Recording – Librarian prepares requisition and purchase order, memo

receipts and donations.• Inventory –

Vol. II Sec. 511 – National Accounting and Auditing manual (NAAM)

Frequency – every six months or annually transfer, promotion /

retirement.• Inventory Committee – • Retirement

Composition – one representative from each office,accounting, supply, COA and the representative from the library preferably the one who will assume the

accountability.• Regular – to determine losses

Aspects of work relative to Property Accountability

• Insurance – COA Circular 77-42BBasis for premiumGSIS – Property Insurance Dept. Coverage

• Retirement and sale of books• Relief from accountability• Filing of bill

Exodus of Librarians

• Lower salary/benefits

• Sec. 28 of R.A. 9246 – Foreign Reciprocity

• Measures/Options to be taken to lessen