University Library

The University Library, UP Diliman

The University Library of UP Diliman encompasses one Main Library and 36 College or Unit Libraries. It envisions global information exchange throughout the UP Library System. It is mandated to be the information resource center of excellence in the social sciences, humanities and basic sciences. It strives for full automation, a world-class collection and a staff of thoroughly modern information professionals.

The University Library was officially established by the Board of Regents in 1922, fourteen years after the founding of the University of the Philippines in 1908. The University Library, which was at the same time designated as the Department of Library Science was placed on equal level with other departments of instruction for the services of all colleges of the university.

Between the years 1908 to 1922 University constituents made use of small libraries in the various units and colleges of the university and government libraries in Manila for their research and information needs.

The UP Diliman Library Collections have been developed in aid of teaching, research and extension work in the disciplines designated to Diliman. Topping the list of choice collections in UP Diliman are the Filipiniana Collections, which come in print, non-print and digital forms.

The Main Library

The Main Library, which is the seat of library administration, is situated at Gonzalez Hall in the middle of the academic oval. It is organized into three major divisions which covers the various functional sections: (a) Technical Services Division which formulates and adopts standard acquisition, cataloging and indexing policies and procedures; (b) Administrative Services which provides support to the functional sections/units of the Library; and, (c) User Education and Services Division which lends books and provides reference, research and bibliographic services; maintains and preserve books, documents and archival materials; undertakes user education programs; and maintains computerized database applications.

It consists of eight (8) readers services sections (Filipiniana Book, Filipiniana Serials, Special Collections, Media Services, General Reference and Electronic Resources, Social Sciences, Foreign Serials, and the University Archives and Records Depository); four (4) technical sections (Acquisitions, Bibliography and Indexing / R & D, Cataloging and Computer Services); and the Administrative Services Department. Bulk of the library collection in the social sciences, general reference, foreign serials, UPiana and other special collections are found in the Main Library.

The Library’s print and non-book collection is complemented and updated by an extensive and multidisciplinary state-of-the-art electronic (CD-ROMs and online) databases which are accessible throughout the UP system. In the Main Library alone, there are 30 OPAC terminals in the first floor lobby and 24 CD-ROM/Internet browsers in the General Reference and Electronic Resources Section, made available to library users from 8:00 AM to 12 midnight on weekdays and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays. Several computers are also provided in the other sections for library clients and staff use as well. To safeguard and at the same time facilitate the circulation of library materials, a library security system with its prerequisite barcodes, barcode reader, magnetic strips, sensitizer-desensitizers and a closed circuit television were installed in the Main Library and other college/unit libraries.

College/Unit Libraries

• Archaeological Studies
• Arts and Letters (CAL)
• Architecture
• Asian Center
• Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT)
• Business Administration
• Center for Nationalist Studies (CNS)
• Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS)
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering I
• Engineering II
• Film Center
• Fine Arts
• Home Economics
• Human Kinetics
• Integrated School
• Islamic Studies
• Institute for Small-Scale Industries (ISSI)
• Labor & Industrial Relations (SOLAIR)
• Law
• Library & Information Studies
• Marine Science
• Mass Communication
• Music
• National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS)
• National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED)
• Pampanga
• Population Institute
• Public Administration
• Science
• Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD)
• Statistics
• Technology Management
• Third World Studies
• Urban & Regional Planning

History

The first librarian of U.P. was Miss Mary Polk, an American Assistant Professor of Library Science. She initiated the foundation of a modern library in the university with her 10-year library development program which focused on adequate book fund, permanent library building, and sufficiently trained, experienced and organized staff.

Every University Librarian since the University Library was established in 1922 has grappled with four basic concerns: the book fund, staff development, library services and information technology.

Gabriel A. Bernardo (1924-1957) built the Library in Padre Faura, giving it the reputation of being the best in Asia before the War. He rehabilitated and rebuilt the Library in Diliman after the War.

Marina G. Dayrit (1963-1981) systematized library services and the staff training, beefed up the library collection through Ford Foundation grants, developed the Filipiniana Special Collections and Archives, initiated microfilming and computerization. Atty. Myrna S. Feliciano, College of Law Librarian, was officer-in-charge from 1981 until 1984.

Filomena M. Tann (1984-1986) decentralized acquisition and cataloging processes in accordance with revised policies and reorganization of the University Library System as approved by the Board of Regents.

Belen B. Angeles (1987-1999) obtained a Ford-Mellon grant to develop the humanities, social sciences and general science collections and to purchase license to use CDS/ISIS. She opened Media Services, converted the Filipiniana Collection to machine-readable form, opened the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), CD-ROM and INTERNET services.

Salvacion M. Arlante (1999-Present) launched the University Library Web site; purchased the integrated library system MAELISA; pursued and implemented the in-house developed Integrated Library System (iLib); adopted the policy of access versus holdings; promoted the welfare of the Research, Extension and Professional Staff; and is exploring alternative information technologies.

Mission

To provide library users:

• the best access to the information that they need in support of instruction, research and extension
• the best information services through the use of the new information and communication technologies (ICTs) as applied in libraries

Location

You can visit us at the Gonzalez Hall Apacible St., University of the Philippines Diliman. We are located in between the Sunken Garden and UP Lagoon.

The Main Library Building (Gonzalez Hall)

Named after former U.P. President Bienvenido M. Gonzalez (1939-1951), the Main Library Building was the first building to be constructed after the University transferred from its original site in Manila to the Diliman campus. Construction of the building was started in May 1949, four months after the transfer, and finished in June 1950, with completed by January 1951.

The Main Library Building stands in the very midst of the academic buildings in Diliman. It is rectangular, measuring 102.75 meters long and 20.55 meters wide, with four floors including the basement. It has a stacks unit jutting to the rear from the center, measuring 27.40 meters long and 30.55 meter wide, with provisions for 8 decks of which only five are complete to date.

The decision to construct the Main Library at the center of the academic square accounts for its poor geographical orientation. In order to align it with the other buildings, its entire length runs from north to south, so that the building faces east and west, exposing readers inside to the glare of the sun the whole day.

The exterior of the building has a touch of the classic by the presence of columns along the frontage. There are four massive columns extending upward to the fourth floor line the porch facing the main entrance, with an additional four columns each on both sides of the porch reaching up to the third floor. Access to the main entrance is provided by an 18-step stairway.

The building is modular in design and function. The structural bay measures 6.85 meters. Internally its fixed commitments consist only of the stairs, elevator and toilets. Maximum flexibility of physical lay-out is provided by the absence of load-bearing partitions, the continuous ceiling, and modular lighting.

Services and Facilities

• Bibliography & indexing
• Ask-a-Librarian (virtual reference)
• Database searching
• Current awareness services
• Document delivery
• Interlibrary loan
• Referrals to other libraries
• Interactive Virtual Tour Emulation (INVITE)
• Research Made Easy @ Your Library (information literacy program)
• Listen and Learn @ Your Library (Online library instruction)
• Extended reading (at the General Reference and Electronic Resources Section)
• Extended check in/out (Filipiniana Books, Social Sciences and SLIS library collections)
• Learning Commons (at the Engineering Library II)
• Dubbing service
• Reader’s advisory
• Internet access
• Wi-Fi® (Wireless Fidelity) network
• Microfilm reading and scanning
• WebOPAC
• Photocopying
• Preservation
• Printing
• Digitization
• Audiovisual rooms
• Discussion rooms
• Reading zone
• Bindery
• Microfilm laboratory
• Barcode and library security machines
• CDS/ISIS & iLib software

Service Hours

• Administrative Services -- M-F 8-12; 1-5
• Filipiniana Books -- M-S 8-5
• Filipiniana Serials -- M-S 8-5
• Filipiniana Special Collections -- M-F 8-12; 1-5
• Foreign Serials -- M-F 8-5; S 8-12
• General Reference & Electronic Resources -- M-F 8-12MN; S 8-5
• Media Services -- M-F 8-5; S 8-12
• Social Sciences -- M-S 8-5
• University Archives -- M-F 8-5; S 8-12
• College/unit libraries have varying service hours. Please visit our website for more information.

Collections

Current collections include 1,095,354 volumes of books and non-books; 16,698 titles of serials; 234 electronic books; and subscription to 25 major online databases including the Philippine eLib.

General Reference includes e-books, online subscriptions, CD/DVD-ROMs, foreign and Filipiniana reference books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, directories, almanacs, yearbooks, etc. Room-use only.

Social Sciences compose of foreign books in the fields of philosophy, religion, history, geography, anthropology, population, linguistics, sociology, and political science.

Filipiniana Books include printed books in the Philippines; books about the Philippines regardless of author, language and publisher’s imprint; and books published by Filipinos in any subject.

Serials include Filipiniana and foreign scholarly journals, magazines and newspapers. Filipiniana Special Collections include rare books, books in personal papers of Filipiniana and Archives Sections, microforms, tapes diskettes, government documents, maps, speeches, seminar papers, vertical file, artworks and other rare collections. Room-use only.

Microforms are produced microfilm copies of personal papers and records at the UARD, rare Filipiniana books and periodicals. Room-use only.

Audio-visual Materials include videotapes, computer discs, audio cassettes, slides and kits . Room-use only.

University Archives contains university records,personal papers of University administrators, faculty & University Student Council officers, theses and dissertations, and UP official publications. Room-use only.

Library Users

Use of Libraries by Members. The following members of the UP System may use the library resources subject to the rules and regulations governing their use:

• All bona fide students, faculty and employees members of the Board of Regents and officials of the University
• Retired faculty members specifically granted off-campus-reading privileges by the Board of Regents
• Visiting scholars with university appointments
• Cross registrants from other colleges and universities, and special students

Use of Libraries by Non-members. The following non-members of the University may use the library resources within library premises subject to the rules and regulations governing their use:

• Alumni, former faculty members and students honorably discharged from the University
• Graduate students from other schools
• Government and private researchers

Requirements for Library Access

Students who are currently enrolled, regular faculty and staff of UP may use the library upon presentation of a valid ID. UP Webmail account is required for iLib transactions e.g. viewing of e-Library Card, book reservation, etc.

Alumni and former faculty and staff may use the library upon presentation of a valid ID and proof of former UP status. They are issued a special library card which entitles them to free use of the library for five (5) days per semester or summer; after which they pay a research fee of Php20.00/day or Php450.00/year.

Government researchers may use the library upon presentation of a valid office ID and referral letter from the office’s Head or Librarian. They are issued a special library card which entitles them to free use of the library for five (5) days per semester or summer, after which they pay a research fee of Php20.00/day; Php450.00/semester; or Php300.00/summer.

Private researchers and graduate students from other schools may use the library on Wednesdays only, upon presentation of a valid office or school ID and referral letter from the office’s or school’s head librarian. They will be issued a special library card upon payment of a research fee of PHP50.00/day; PHP450.00/semester; or PHP300.00/summer.

The Main Library is not accepting high school and undergraduate students from other schools. However, some college/unit libraries do accept e.g. Engineering Libraries, Science Library, etc. For more information, please visit our website [1].  

Privileges

• Undergraduate students
• 5 circulation books for 2 weeks
• 2 reserve books for overnight
• Graduate students
• 10 circulation books for 2 week
• 2 reserve books for overnight
• Faculty
• 10 circulation books for 1 month
• Serials (non-current) for 1 week
• Said materials are renewal only once
• Research, Extension and Professional Staff (REPS)
• 10 circulation books for 2 weeks
• Administrative Staff
• 5 circulation books for 2 weeks
• Non-UP clients
• Room-use only

Library Fines

• Circulation Book: Php2.00/day exclusive of Sundays and Holidays

• Reserve Book: Php1.00 for first hour; Php5.00 for succeeding hours; Php50.00 for one full day inclusive of Sundays and Holidays

• Lost Book: Replacement or good photocopy of same title. Replacement of another title to be approved by the faculty/librarian or payment of its current value plus 50% of the cost of the book or photocopy cost.

If lost book is found, a fine of Php2.00/day is computed from the due date until date of return, but not to exceed the current cost of the book. If current cost cannot be assessed for certain materials, e.g. Filipiniana materials, 50% will be added to the acquisition cost.

Contact Us

The University Library University of the Philippines Diliman Gonzalez Hall Apacible St., Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines

Tel. Nos. (632) 981-8500 Local 2852 Telefax : (632) 981-8500 Local 2851

Chat with a reference librarian, click this [3]

Make a reference inquiry, email the Reference Librarian: upd_genref@up.edu.ph

Email the University Librarian: smarlante@up.edu.ph

For technical support and inquiries, email the Webmaster: cnangeles@up.edu.ph

References

• Dayrit, Marina G. The University of the Philippines Main Library building. LG981 A3 D38