Philippine E-Journals

ADVANCING LIBRARY PROFESSION THROUGH REGIONAL COOPERATION: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN THE 2015 ASEAN INTEGRATION

Sharon Maria S. Esposo-Betan | Jonathan F. Santos | Audrey G. Anday

 

Abstract:

Being one of the three key pillars of the ASEAN Integration, the ASEAN Economic Community aims to have a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and freer flow of capital by the end of December 2015.Among its eight areas of cooperation, two are likely to affect the practice of librarianship in the region: first, human resource development and capacity building; and second, recognition of professional qualifications. The Philippine government has instituted some changes in the educational landscape in order to adapt to the Integration although many things are still needed to be done. This study aims to provide the librarians’ point-of-view on how the ASEAN Economic Community may affect the practice of librarianship in the Philippines. Target population was pre-selected, having considered factors such as experience in regional library cooperation and exposure to the issue at hand. Majority of the survey questions inquire about the respondent’s understanding and views regarding certain topics and issues about the ASEAN Integration. Through this, various prospects and opportunities for Filipino librarians were determined, together with the respondent’s perceived fears and concerns. Prospects and opportunities identified include resource sharing through regional library networks, improvements in library and information science education and training, research collaboration, development of competencies, and mobility of Filipino librarians. On the other hand, respondents’ perceived fears and challenges include rigid competition and job security, shortage of librarians and mutual recognition agreements, cross border mobility and legal provisions on reciprocity, and serious lack of information. Two important factors that Filipino librarians must pursue in line with regional cooperation are the advancement of research in the field of library and information science, as well as the development of librarians’ professional competencies.