QUALITY ASSURANCE OF HYFLEX LIBRARY SERVICES AMONG ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN THE CALABARZON REGION: BASIS FOR A QA FRAMEWORK

The study examined the range of quality assurance of the HyFlex library services among academic libraries in CALABARZON. It specifically assessed the HyFlex library services, the strategies/practices employed, and the challenges encountered in support of the HyFlex teaching-learning modalities. The HyFlex library services were assessed based on CMO No. 22, series of 2021 which focused on the evaluation of collection, service delivery, skills mix and staff, and infrastructure and facilities and quality indicators for academic libraries. This descriptive-evaluative research used survey and interview to gather quantitative and qualitative data, respectively, to assess the range of quality assurance of the HyFlex library services among academic libraries. Survey was conducted among 66 academic librarians who were chosen purposively while an interview was done among the chief librarians/director or assistant head librarian. Frequency, weighted mean, and standard deviation were used in the quantitative analysis while thematic coding and narrative analysis were done to interpret qualitative data. Results showed that the academic libraries are fully implementing HyFlex library services. They are fully implementing the strategies/practices in support of the HyFlex teachinglearning modalities in terms of regular assessment of the service delivery, staff training and development, clear communication with library users, use of technology to enhance the service delivery, and collaboration with other academic libraries. Moreover, the academic libraries are fully compliant with CMO No. 22, series of 2021, which is the Minimum Requirements for Libraries of Higher Education Institutions Common to all Programs. The academic libraries are fully compliant with the attributes of quality indicators and the different functions of the libraries to assure the quality of HyFlex library services. However, technical issues are the most common challenge faced in the implementation and maintenance of HyFlex library services. It is recommended that academic libraries should continue to enhance and improve the implementation of HyFlex library services and continuously monitor and address the challenges encountered.