After the 2 years halt of full face-to-face classes, VSU Library now continues the implementation of locker policy for library users to put their bags and other belongings before entering the library, starting January 9.
The said policy was originally practiced in 2018 in accordance with the Food and Drink Policy of the VSU library, “In order to protect the library's collections, equipment, furniture, and to maintain a clean and healthy environment for all our patrons. Food is Not Permitted in the Library”.
“During meeting, ni suggest ang uban librarian nga mas risk daw if e padala ang bag, since ang uban estudyante inig sud, magdala ug bag and magdala ug softdrinks. And, what if magbasa diha, mag inom-inom niya mayabo ang softdrinks sa libro, so usa na siya na risk. Inig gawas sad sa estudyante inig dala sa iyang bag, kung taas na ang queue, inig mag inspect naay makalusot na uban library resources,” said Mr. Vicente A. Gilos, the Chief Librarian, narrating the main purpose of the policy reimplementation.
[During the meeting, other librarians suggested that there is more risk if they let library users bring their bags. Since other students bring their bags with soft drinks inside. And, when they are reading, they drink soft drinks and might spill the drink into the books, which is one risk. When they also exit the library, they bring their bags, and if the queue is long, during inspection others might slip other library resources.]
The security of library resources is another factor for the locker policy implementation. The lack of CCTV cameras inside the library pushes the need for implementation.
“Pero ang atu man gud gisiguro kay ang security sa library resources, especially that now, wala pa tay CCTV ari sa ubos, ang atung CCTV tua ra man sa second floor, sa ground floor wa pa ta, so mao nang usa na sa rason nganung gi implement na, nganung ni decide ang library management nga e-implement na siya.” added by Mr. Gilos emphasizing the purpose of the implementation is also to secure library resources.
[But what we ensure is the security of library resources, especially now that we don’t have CCTV on the ground floor, since our CCTV is installed only on the second floor, so this is one of the reasons why we implement this, and why the library management decided to implement this policy.]
Time-in and bag checks are the ways in and out of the library when the policy was on halt for academic year 2022.
Students should now undergo a longer process before they can fully enter the facility. First, upon entering the facility, students should wait for their turn in line to face the front desk staff. When it’s their turn, they should submit their ID or COR in exchange for a key with a corresponding locker number. Second, proceed to the locker area and find the assigned locker, matching the number from the given key, and open it so that they can put all their bags/laptop bags and other belongings, except for the things that they need for their task inside the library. Third, they should go back to the front desk and give back the key to the staff in exchange for a keycard to wear inside the library. Once they have it, they can now proceed in entering the facility. Only students who have the keycard advisably worn around their necks can stay inside. They must keep it intact, to easily access their belongings anytime. For exit, the same keycard will be submitted in exchange for the locker key to retrieve bags and belongings. The locker key should be returned to the front desk in exchange for their ID.
Approximately 1000 students who enter and exit the library per day undergo the said process and are only accommodated by a total of 250 lockers. This causes long queues at the front desk, causing hesitance for students to enter the library.
“Ka bati ko sa new process inig enter sa library from other students, so wala sa ko nisud sa library kay hasol ang process” said a first-year student who shared the same reason with other students why they don’t proceed inside the library since the implementation.”
[I’ve heard about the new process upon entering the library from other students, so I still did not enter the library since the implementation.]
While some students understand the need and purpose of the policy they expressed that they support the policy that protects and secures the books and other resources in the library, but commented that the process was inconvenient.
“Kanang dili ba tanan gamit nimo nadala or nalimtan lang nimo ug dala. Tas for example naa kay gamiton, mo balik na sad ka unya mag kuha ug susi, tas mauwaw na kay mag balik-balik, mas maayo ug diritso na lang kay igo ra nimo makuha sa bag. Pero agree ra sad ko sa policy para sa security, kay basin diay naay nag sud ug libro unya dili baya jud tanan makita inig check-pagawas, kay naa bayay daghan butanganan sa bag,” expressed by a student who requested anonymity.
[Not all your things are brought or you forgot to bring. Then, for example, if you want to use it, you have to go again and get the key, and you get ashamed for going back again, it’s better to have your bag with you to get things easily from your bag. But I agree with the policy since it’s for security, because if there is someone who put books in their bags and not everything can be seen during checking, since there are other compartments in bags.]
Others are also not tolerant of library violators concerning the Food and Drink Policy. A student expressed her support for the policy to solve violation acts committed by other students.
“Okay ra man, but usahay inconvenient siya mag naog-naog ba magkuhag gamit pero okay ra man sad, kay naa bayay uban student nga mo sneak ug foods diria,” shared by a student who also supports the policy because of noticing some violators of the Food and Drink Policy in the library.
[It’s okay, but sometimes it’s inconvenient to go up and down to get things, but it’s okay since there are other students that sneak food, here.]
The library management assures to hear the complaints of students and even encourages students to give their suggestions and feedback about the current policy, said Mr. Gilos, explaining that they are aware of the inconvenience and are ready to collaborate with the students to improve service.
“Tanan man gud procedure, nay advantage ug disadvantages. Now, if kanang inconvenient na siya sa part sa studyante, aw pwede mohatag ang studyante ug suggestion to improve the service. Pwede mo mohatag ug feedback. So, mao na amo gi expect sa students after sa implementation. Kay kung unsa man gani after sa feedback, amo mana e-adjust ang amoang process, pangitaan natug pa-agi nga mapaspas ang process, since I know pag-ka karon naka create pag inconvenience,” Gilos said.
[All procedure have advantage and disadvantages. Now, if it’s inconvenient to the part of the students, students can give suggestions to improve the service. They can also give feedback. So, that’s what we expect from the students after implementation. If whatever the feedbacks are, we will adjust our process, and we will find a way to make the process fast since I know that right now, it creates inconvenience.]
Mr. Gilos also refutes the claims that he believes came from the students regarding the locker policy: such as the lack of trust in the students, the process of checking bags, and leaving bags in lockers– that can all lead to the idea of theft branded to the students. He emphasizes that the locker policy implementation is not to brand students as thieves but to provide security to the library resources.
“Dili mana ingon nga kung mo sud na jud ka sa library, nag-da kag bag, suspect na jud ka nga mangawat. No dili na siya mao, mao manay kuan sa uban. ‘Nganu ekspeksiyonon pa man, nganung ibilin pa man nga de man mi mangawat ug libro’. Wa man ta mag-ingon nga mangawat mog libro, ang atu lang pud ba secure tanan kay what if wala mo kahibaw nga naa diay tay policy nga no bringing of foods and drinks inside the library, niya nagdala mo. Kung pananglitan nagbasa ka diha, nag-inom kag imohang kape, niya nayabo. So wala na, daot gihapon atung library resources ana. So dili na ingon nga mangawat. Ang uban man gud kay ma mis-interpret nila kay mura kunog way salig sa mga students,” said Mr. Gilos.
[It’s not like if you enter the library, you bring your bags, you are suspected of stealing. No, it’s not like that, this is how others think. ‘Why is there a need for inspection, why do they have to leave their bags, they won’t even steal books’. We don’t say that you will steal books, what we want is the security of everything because what if, you don’t know that there is a policy of no bringing of food and drinks inside the library, then you bring it. So, that destroys library resources. So, it’s not about stealing. Others misinterpret it because it seems like there is no trust in the students.]
Future changes are expected by the time the Library’s RFID is ready to be used and implemented. But for now, students must undergo the locker policy of the library.
“While, wala pa ang RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), kanang RFID gate. Naa man mi RFID gate, kanang mo tingog na siya if naay wala ma check-out na libro. But, ang problem sa amoa RFID gate kay under maintenance, guba. As of now, wala pa siya na repair. So pwede na siya ma stop ang pag-gamit sa locker pag okay na ang RFID,” said Mrs. Shiera May T. Camacho, Head of Reader’s Services.
[While, the RFID is not yet available, the RFID gate. We have an RFID gate, the one that makes a sound if there are books that are not checked out. But the problem with our RFID gate is it’s under maintenance, it’s damaged. As of now, it is still not repaired. So, the use of locker can be stopped if the RFID is fixed.]
Mrs. Camacho also added that the problem with the policy is the number of students going in and out of the library with only 250 lockers to use. But she also emphasizes that the library lockers so far are able to accommodate the number of students, but if a shortage comes, there is an alternative.
“Ang problema lang namo karon kay ang number of students, pero as of now, okay pa man siya, na-accommodate pa man. So if ever naay makuwangan, so nag decide mi nga naay gagmay nga bags and grupo ang mo sulod, pwede ra e-usa ug locker, ing-kaso mag kuwang.”
[Our problem is the number of students, but as of now, it’s okay, we can accommodate. So, if ever there is a shortage, we decided if there are small bags and a group who enters, they can use one locker, if there is a shortage.]
The management then continuously emphasizes that VSU Library is a patron-oriented facility that thrives to offer the best services to its patrons and prioritizes their needs.
“Ang process man gud sa library, kay dapat always gyud ta patron-oriented. Kinsa manang patrons, estudyante, faculty, and staff nga mo sud sa library. Kung naa moy request, storya lang and mo explain pud mi.”
[The process of the library is that we should always be patron-oriented. These patrons are the students, faculty, and staff who enter the library. If you have a request, speak, and we will explain.]
While other library users that are not from VSU can also enter and use the library in the same process as Viscans; however, they are required to pay a library fee.