The overcrowding dilemma of the university libraries

Joseph Carlo
Sep 3, 2018 · 3 min read

The new wave of freshmen from the K-12 program has finally entered the premises of Tarlac State University, expanding its population by over 10,000 students. The adjustment made by the university from the population decline after the K-12 implementation two years ago is as inconvenient as the adjustment that is being made today, both by the student body and the faculty.

Usual scenarios seen in a state-funded school are now manifesting in the university that had its chance to decongest for two years — hallways you pass through every day are obstructed by students waiting for their late instructors; canteens are jam-packed; lines to fall into are a fundamental struggle; and especially, libraries that are supposed to be quiet and spacious function otherwise.

The university has five operating libraries located on its three campuses. The College of Engineering Library is among the smallest ones. Being a college that requires a solid technical foundation, students need to depend on more reliable and wider resource other than the internet. The college provides piles of books for the students and faculty members to use inside the library or they may also bring them home for a short period of time. Since textbooks are quite expensive, most rely on the books available in the college’s library. This causes inconvenience because the library is not able to supply the high demand.

Another pressing issue is the lack of space and available seating. The library becomes the most preferred study area of the students since it provides comfortable furniture and air-conditioned environment. It also serves as a hang-out place for some, making the surrounding filled with noise. And now that the university welcomed more students, library overcrowding is even a bigger setback which needs to be resolved.

Five-step solution

There are many possible steps that the university administration may take to mitigate the overcrowding problem of the libraries. But the fact that there is not much priority given to our library facilities is already a hindrance to improve them. The key elements to make such plans possible include a strong financial resource and a full support from the administration.

The first and most significant step is the expansion of the libraries. A library must have an ample space proportioned to the intended number of students it will accommodate. In the case of our college’s library, an extension room must be used and more seats must be provided.

Second, more books. Additional books are of great importance to meet the demand of the growing population of the university. Most textbooks found in the library are old, sometimes with missing pages and almost useless. There are also certain books that many students look for, but the library has only a few copies of it. One way to acquire these books is through requesting donations.

Third, stricter policies. The implementation of rules in the library, as observed, is inconsistent and insufficient. Students who do not follow the rules are not at all times warned or punished. The “observe silence” is the most basic rule, yet is the first one being violated. Another is the nonexistent rule regarding the reserving of seats which must be strictly prohibited. These are only some of the loopholes in the library system of the university which must be reassessed.

Fourth, photocopying services. The library should have photocopying services so there will be no need to go outside for the sole purpose of getting a copy of a book’s pages and to borrow it for a longer time.

Lastly, broader online database. Although the references are already on the tip of our fingers with the online resource the university has launched, the uploaded content is very limited. Theses and dissertations, like in other universities, should also be in the database so the students can access them for reference purposes.

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These steps may not be a permanent solution but they can certainly relieve our overcrowded libraries. However, everything starts with small steps — steps taken together by the administration and the students. As we reach the step of giving more importance to our libraries, we make them a firmer foundation of knowledge that will soon bear quality education, therefore benefiting the students and the whole university.

Joseph Carlo

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