Philippine E-Journals

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EMRC WEB-BASED PORTAL

Geraldine G. Mallo-Eustaquio

 

Abstract:

Purpose/Objectives. The library’s primary purpose is to address the needs and demands of its patrons. With the sprout of information and communication technology (ICT), the demands and needs of library patrons have inflated along with the change and innovation brought by ICT. Library patron’s inclination to use web search engines cannot be taken for granted by libraries as this becomes the trend in the search for knowledge. As one of the goals of a library is to provide the best library services, it is also its responsibility to take effort to handle and document data accurately for the purpose of retrieving precise information. To be able to give the best library service to the users, libraries as a repository of information must provide ways and methods on the delivery of information accurately, precisely, and effectively. In support of the objectives, the researcher designed and implemented an EMRC webbased portal which innovates the current manual system of the EMRC. The following are the specific objectives of the project: (1) to provide a user-friendly, manageable and efficient platform for the online availment and reservation system and communication medium capacitated for the delivery/access of/to accurate information and other library services; (2) identify and realize user experience in utilizing a web-based portal; (3) obtain concrete/factual data of the processes/procedures of designing and implementation of the EMRC web-based portal. Significance of the study. This research supports the use of web portal in libraries for access and retrieval of information. It specifically provides MSEUF University libraries a web portal addressing the needs of the library staff and patrons at the Educational Media Resource Center (EMRC). This also reinforces collaboration among the librarians and IT personnel with regards to the designing and implementation of the proposed web-based portal. The findings of the research can also be a basis for future developments and improvements in the library services of MSEUF. Design, methodology, approach. This research is a case study which used Rapid Application Development for the design and implementation of the EMRC Webbased Portal. RAD is a team-based technique that speeds up information systems development and produces a functioning information system. RAD was the methodology used to describe the systematic approach of the development. The web portal was developed using programming platforms such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP for the frontend of the system and MySQL was used for its database. The model of the web portal was designed using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) which includes use-case diagram and activity diagram. The EMRC web-based portal was tested and evaluated through a checklist type questionnaire based on the criteria of ISO 25010:2011. Purposive sampling technique was used to access a particular population who evaluated the EMRC web-based portal. Data were interpreted using the percentage analysis and weighted mean to indicate whether the proposed system complies with the software characteristic standard of ISO 25010:2011. Findings. The design of the EMRC web-based portal addressed the needs of the Educational Media Resource Center as it produced a functional, capable, and effective portal promoting accurate storage, access, and retrieval of information. With the use of ISO standard 25010:2011, the result of the evaluation clearly revealed areas for improvement of the EMRC web-based portal. The result of the testing and evaluation of the system revealed the prominent category of the EMRC web-based portal was the security of the system with the weighted mean of 4.83, followed by the functional suitability with the weighted mean of 4.79, maintainability and portability with the weighted mean of 4.78, usability with the weighted mean of 4.77, reliability ranked sixth with the weighted mean of 4.75, performance efficiency ranked seventh with the weighted mean of 4.74 and the least was the system’s compatibility with the weighted mean of 4.67. Findings predicted future development and improvements of the portal necessary in upgrading and advancement of the services of the EMRC. Originality of the paper: This research work is a product of the author’s ideas and concepts with the help and inputs of a programmer. All references were properly cited. Methods were properly documented and had not manipulated any data.