Library services of Baptist Theological Libraries in Myitkyina, Myanmar : A comparative analysis

Abstract

This study delves into the library services offered by Baptist theological institutions in Myitkyina, Myanmar, focusing on comparative analysis. The demographic profiles of library staff were examined, revealing insights into the composition of participants within the study. The research explored factors like the libraries' years of existence, staffing numbers, collection sizes, and budgets. Additionally, the study investigated the available services and facilities and examined staff support for library services in Myitkyina. Finally, a comparative analysis highlighted similarities and differences within library services, aligning them with the established ATS standards. The findings unveiled significant diversity among the theological libraries in Myitkyina regarding their operational history, staff capacity, collection volume, and financial resources. Libraries demonstrate a fundamental commitment to serving their users, providing core services, thoughtfully designed spaces, and specialized support. However, a gap exists in full compliance with ATS standards, specifically regarding the diversity of library resources and their technological integration. The recommendations put forth in this study underscore the practical steps that can be taken to enhance user awareness of library resources. These steps include promotion, training, and the expansion of digital offerings. The study also advises libraries, students, researchers, administrators, and librarians to actively work towards bridging the identified gaps in ATS compliance. This can be achieved through the use of diverse resources, fostering collaboration, providing feedback, and reviewing policies for alignment with standards. These collective efforts aim to significantly improve and strengthen the library services offered by Baptist theological libraries in Myitkyina.