LAOAG CITY, Jan. 9–The recently launched library digitization can be a solution to local government unit’s (LGUs) poor budgetary allocation.
This has been said by Edgardo B. Quiros, chief of Information Technology Division in the Philippine National Library, during the launching program of the system hosted by the Ilocos Norte Provincial Library called I-Hub and the municipal libraries of Ilocos Norte.
Aside from accessibility, the library digitization program will be a good earning avenue to the local government bodies and this will enhance their versatility to adopt local cost, Quiros said.
The idea is to sell the information particularly the local ones. One example cited by Quiros was through the library digitization, people from other provinces or cities in the country can access the native resources of the province and can request an authentic copy of it.
The Local government will provide the materials to clients for a corresponding cost. However this will be a discretion on the part of the local government as explained by Quiros.
“In this information age, the world is living through selling of information, it is also time that the local government will set a mechanism for this kind of business” Quiros said.
Quiros also cleared that while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) encourages LGUs to earn money, this will provide more and better services without distracting budgetary allocation provided by the national government.
The library digitization composed of a built-in program that will enhance the library system among local governments and will make the process more accessible.
These include cataloging, information gathering, bar coding, digitization of local materials, material updating, cashiering and faster/ easier access to all local libraries.
The automated system is capable of deployment system. The server will bridge the gap of telecommunication and will enhance a good internet connection.
The group of Quiros came to Ilocos Norte recently to train the provincial library personnel under Provincial Librarian Matilde Nery and the different municipal librarians in the province. The training was for the familiarization of the Integrated Library Management System (ILMS).
The provincial government of Ilocos Norte under Gov. Imee R. Marcos is now on the process of encoding local materials in the system to be integrated in the ILMS of the library digitization. (PIA-1/ Ilocos Norte)
