Enhancing the Value of Library through Facilities Management Understanding

Abstract

Leading libraries been impacted by a number of significant technological developments and trends, as well as by the difficulties presented by outside forces like the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia has received less money from the government since 2016. Fund allocation for libraries has also decreased concurrently. The reduction on government’s funding allocation has made it difficult for the libraries in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia particularly to manage its operations and facilities, placing restrictions on book purchases and reducing its online database. In managing every facility in the libraries such Perpustakaan Sultanah Zanariah (PSZ), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Perpustakaan Raja Zarith Sofea (PRZS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, the facility manager must use the available financial resources wisely. The goal of this study is to identify libraries facilities management expenses that the library’s management team can reduce. Content analysis and thematic analysis applied in this study in analysing the data gathered from interviews with 5 library staff. According to the findings of this study, both libraries provide a variety of facilities, including a lobby, room, discussion room, showroom, seminar room, meeting room, foyer, 24-hour study room, information search laboratory, database reference room, exhibition space, and audio visual room. Both libraries management expenses, which include library system maintenance, book repair, reference book purchases, database subscriptions, and expenses for purchasing and repairing computers and printers, have been identified and can be reduced accordingly by the management team. Overall, both libraries have to adapt to changing technological, social, and economic conditions while remaining committed to their mission of providing access to information, promoting lifelong learning, and fostering a sense of community.