Becoming a global library at the local: internationalization activities and practices of Philippine academic libraries

PurposeThis study aims to examine the perceived role of libraries and contributions to the internationalization of higher education and identify the available library services for international students and faculty.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive research used a survey method to study the different activities and practices of the internationalization of academic libraries.FindingsThe results of this study reveal that academic libraries support the teaching, learning and research needs of international students and faculty members, provide library instruction for international students to acquire information literacy skills and promote the rationale and goals of the institution's internationalization activities. Many respondents are engaged in staff development with internationalization dimensions and international library benchmarking and research paper presentation at international conferences with institutional support.Practical implicationsThe results of this study could benefit the profession and library managers by deepening the managers' understanding of the role of libraries in the internationalization of Philippine higher education.Originality/valueThis study will be of interest and value to library and school administrators interested in developing or expanding internationalization activities that positively respond to the redefinition of the role of libraries and librarians in globalization.