HASSLED BY the need for multiple logins when doing a paper?
Thomasians may start accessing all e-learning materials on Canvas next academic year as part of the University’s effort to encourage research and support a digitally inclined academic setting.
UST e-learning specialist Lejempf Flores said the Miguel de Benavides Library would implement Ex Libris, a software that streamlines print and digital resources within a single system, on the University’s official learning management platform starting August this year.
“All electronic resources subscribed to and perpetually owned by the UST [Miguel de Benavides Library]—including e-books, e-journals, and e-databases—will be accessible to Thomasians through Canvas. This integration ensures seamless access to a wide range of academic resources essential for research and coursework,” Flores told The Flame in an interview.
The initiative to make e-resources directly accessible through Canvas seeks to eliminate the need for multiple logins and minimize the “complex” navigation of external platforms, Flores said. He added that the integration would also address concerns about limited library hours on campus.
At present, the University’s e-resources are accessible through the library’s official website. Students are required to log in to their registered library accounts for access.
Flores said the new system would allow users to enjoy key features, including keyword searches, annotations and offline access to make the library more responsive to “tech-savvy” students and teachers.
“By equipping students and faculty with high-quality academic materials, the library plays a vital role in developing well-informed, competitive graduates prepared for the demands of the global academic and professional landscape,” the e-learning specialist added.
Data obtained by The Flame showed that 22,776 physical books were borrowed last academic year, lower by 68.3% than the 71,856 checked-out books in academic year 2018-2019.
Excluding the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when book-borrowing peaked at a measly 5,724, circulation statistics in UST reflected a successive decline throughout the years.
Meanwhile, the number of e-resources used by Thomasians hit 16.78 million in academic year 2023-2024, an upsurge from the 10.65 million digital materials used five years ago.
UST Student Welfare and Services Committee head Lady Catherine De Leon said the integration of the library’s e-resources in Canvas poses a two-fold effect on the library.
“Positive because e-resources are being maximized. Negative because the usage of printed books is not maximized, they are not being borrowed… It would be better if it is balanced,” De Leon said.
Ex Libris will enhance three platforms to which the UST library has subscribed, namely Alma, which unifies the management of all print and electronic materials; Primo VE, a search tool for locating resources; and Leganto, which enables faculty members, librarians and students to create and view online course readings.
Other features eyed
According to Flores, the University also plans to adopt a mobile app integration so that access to library resources would be more attuned to a remote learning environment.
“It would make it easier for students and faculty to access library resources on smartphones and tablets. This would allow users to access e-books, journals, databases, and other materials on-the-go, which is especially beneficial for remote learning and research,” he said.
Other improvements being planned include incorporating the library system into additional university platforms to enable automatic updates to users’ profiles and allow them to easily access materials related to their academic needs.
“Additionally, Alma, the library’s integrated management system, supports resource-sharing features, making it easier for the library to share resources with other institutions or provide interlibrary loan services. This enhances access to a wider range of materials, supporting students and faculty in their research and learning activities,” Flores said.
Steps on how to access e-resources through Canvas are being finalized ahead of a university-wide orientation to ensure that all Thomasians users will be guided on how to navigate the system.
UST, along with seven other Dominican-run schools, started using Canvas in AY 2023-2024 after its two-decade partnership with Blackboard. F
