UP Main Library

UP Main Library at night

The University Library of UP Diliman encompasses one Main Library and twenty-six 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 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 University of the Philippines Main Library is the heart of the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus. It was the first building to be erected after the University transferred from Manila to the Diliman campus. It is more popularly called “MainLib” than Gonzales Hall, its designated name. The Main Library is named after former U.P. President Bienvenido M. Gonzales. The Main Library is the library for the College of Arts and Sciences which has a numerous number of enrollees back then.

History

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.

May Polk (1922-1924) from Indiana, USA, was the teacher of several heads of Philippine government libraries.

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.

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; adopted the policy of access versus holdings; promoted the welfare of the Research, Extension and Professional Staff; and is exploring alternative information technologies.

The UP Main Library Building

The building is designed by University Architect Cesar Homero Rosales Concio. The construction of the University Main Library started in May 1949, four months after the transfer, and was finished in June 1950. This colonial building stands in the very amidst of the campus making it accessible to the densely-populated colleges around the Academic Oval such as Malcolm Hall, Melchor Hall, Palma Hall and Benitez Hall.

The building is rectangular which is 102.75 meters long and 20.55 meters wide with four floors including the basement having a total floor area of 14,613 square meters. It also has a stacks unit extending to the rear from the center, measuring 27.4 meters long and 20.55 meters wide. The building faces east, exposing readers inside to the rays of the sun whole day. The building is modular in design and function having 6.85 by 6.85 meters of structural bay. Inside the building, its fixed structures consist only of the stairs, elevator and booklift, and toilets. Due to this functional design of the building, librarians are able to transfer or change the location and organization of the various library functions as needed. The roof deck was added in 1960 which is now used for Archives Section.

Since 1960’s to the early 1990’s, the Main Library is bonded with learning because it is also shared by the College of Architecture and Fine Arts on the building’s third floor. The south wing is assigned for fine arts majors while the north wing is assigned for the architecture majors. By 1970, the two academic authorities became two separate colleges. The College of Fine Arts remained at the Gonzales Hall while the College of Architecture moved near Melchor Hall. In 1991, the College of Fine Arts finally found an independent home at Bartlett Hall.

Today, there have been reports that the 50-year old structure has sunk a few inches together with the Sunken Garden because it is in the path of the dreaded Marikina Fault but the campus are undisturbed.

University Heritage Museum

University Heritage Museum, known as the Bulwagan ng Dangal, is opened by the UP Diliman and inaugurated on 18 June 2009, to celebrate the foundation day of the University of the Philippines. This museum is placed at the Gonzales Hall together with the library. Chancellor Sergio S. Cao notes about the “UP’s legacy of being a trailblazer in national academia for pioneering the concept of having a library and a museum together-two distinct institutions with a united effort of fostering thirst of knowledge and love of country.”

The proposal submitted by Professor Ruben D.F. Defeo was the keystone of the Bulwagan ng Dangal. Prof. Defeo said about the name of the museum-Bulwagan ng Dangal, “Honors the importance of the university assigns to the role of arts and culture in the molding of lives and minds in the academe.” The museum, Bulwagan ng Dangal, is an expression of integrity. Dr. Gerald Rey A. Lico, from the Office of the Campus Architect, supervised the tasked to draw out the plan about museum and its site. After a year, the basement of the Gonzales Hall was selected and converted from a Filipiniana Reading Room into a sleek exhibition space.

President Emerlinda Roman calls over the Bulwagan as a commitment of the University in “affirming and intensifying UP as an art crucible, bringing to fore the creativity and ingenuity of the Filipino artists. As the university art space it provides our students, staff, faculty, alumni and our publics the facility to view great works of art, not only found in our campuses, but also those coming from other institutional and private collections. The University recognizes the compelling role of art in shaping a civilized world. Through the Bulwagan, the University can partner with other institutions here and abroad and bring about a sustained season of cultural exchanges and programmed exhibitions.”

The Bulwagan ng Dangal is expected “to foreground the vast intellectual and aesthetic resources of the University”.

Pag-asa ng Bayan is an art collection that is presented inside the Bulwagan. Featured are paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs and video art. There are 11 headed national artists. They are Fernando Amorsolo, Leandro Locsin, Arturo Luz, Juam Nakpil, Guillermo Tolentino, Vicente Manansala, Abdulmari Asia Imao, Napoleon Abueva, Ben Cabrera, Hernando Ocampo and Jose Joya. Also included are the works of eminent artists Onib Olmedo, Santiago Bose, Dominador Castañeda, Ofelia Gelvezon Tequi, Neil Doloricon and Rock Drilon, among others.

The Pagasa ng Bayan runs until December 31 and is jointly curated by Prof. Ruben D.F. Defeo and Dr. Patrick D. Flores of the department of Art Studies of the College of Arts and Letters.

There are three sections found inside the Bulwagan. The name of the museum and the names of the different sections are taken from the University Hymn.

The opening of the Bulwagan promises a platform to showcase the works of up and coming artists; it is also hoped that this venture will encourage more artists to donate some of their works, and for donors to bequeath their collection to further enrich the cultural and artistic landscape of the university.

Services

The Main Library serves primarily the students, faculty members and staff of the College of Arts and Letters, and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and also caters to all university constituents and outside researchers.

It is organized into three major divisions which covers the various functional sections:

• Technical Services Division which formulates and adopts standard acquisition, cataloging and indexing policies and procedures;

• Administrative Services which provides support to the functional sections/units of the Library; and

• 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.

References

• General Information Guide 2009