Far Eastern University (FEU) Library replaced its outdated computer units and added new wireless peripherals this month, marking the start of the second semester of academic year (A.Y.) 2022-2023.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEU Librarian of the Electronic Library (E-Library) Giem Nobernaio stated that the current Dell computer models feature a 12th generation i5 quad-core processor, replacing the previous HP make that has an i3 central processing unit.

According to Nobernaio, the upgrade of the E-Library equipment was originally scheduled for December 2022 but was pushed to January due to billing issues.

“‘Na-receive namin ‘yung units noong November, ‘di lang namin siya nalagay noong December kasi nagkaroon ng issue sa billing so ngayon okay na siya (We received the units in November, we just didn't put it up in December because there was an issue with the billing but now it’s okay),” he  said.

Nobenario also explained that after hearing the demands from students using wireless headphones, the Bluetooth function of the computers is now enabled. 

“i5 siya, faster processor, enabled na rin ‘yung–wireless siya…before naka-disable ‘yung bluetooth pero ngayon ina-allow na namin kasi maraming naka-wireless na headphones ‘yung students (It’s i5, faster processor, enabled well–it’s wireless…before the bluetooth was disabled  but now we are allowing because there are many students with wireless headphones),” he shared. 

Regarding the main reasons for the recent changes, the University Librarian Coordinator Maria Gia Guinoo-Gamolo highlighted that the primary causes of the Library’s upgrade are the advancement in technology and the students’ library fees.

“It’s part of our ano naman target goal, it’s because mas mabilis magpalit ‘di ba ng technology ngayon. Second is, dahil naniningil ang Library for the library fee so we need naman to get back to the students kung ano talaga naman dapat kanilang ma-receive (It's part of our goal because technology is quick to change. Second is, because the Library charges for the library fee so we need to get back to the students what they really should receive),” she said. 

Furthermore, Guinoo-Gamolo shared that another reason for the improved facilities was the implementation of full face-to-face classes in the University this year.
“Kasinag-full face-to-face na tayo…so ‘yung last two years na tayo naka-pandemic so nagi-stop ‘yung pag procure [library equipment]…kaya pag-pasok ngayong 2022 ‘yan prine-pare namin ‘yung budget (Because we've gone full face to face... so the last two years that we were in a

pandemic we stopped procuring [library equipment]... So, in 2022, we prepared the budget),” she said. 

Guinoo-Gamolo also mentioned that one of the future modernization plans for the library includes retrofitting it with makerspaces.

“Ang plan ko for the library is, is to modernize the library, not only for the equipment, but also the facilities, ‘pag sinabing facilities kasi, ang library ngayon is more on the learning commons, open na for everything,...wherein the students can independently do their assignments, meron ‘yung for individual, for group, pwede sila wherever it is kasi makerspaces na (My plan for the library is, is to modernize the library, not only the equipment but also the facilities. When it comes to facilities, the library is now more on the learning commons, open for everything,... wherein the students can independently do their assignments, individually, group, wherever because it’s makerspaces),” she explained. 

Apart from the recently-upgraded computers, the Library also aims to procure more units and improve the Wi-Fi connection in the facility. 

Based on FEU Library’s record, approximately 3,000 to 8,000 students used the facility daily last semester.

FEU Library replaces its electronics every five to 10 years depending on the University’s budget. 

-Randy Espares Jr. 

(Photo by Zedrich Madrid/FEU Advocate)