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

1. Archaeological Studies 2. Arts and Letters (CAL) 3. Architecture 4. Asian Center 5. Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT) 6. Business Administration 7. Center for Nationalist Studies (CNS) 8. Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS) 9. Economics 10. Education 11. Engineering I 12. Engineering II 13. Film Center 14. Fine Arts 15. Home Economics 16. Human Kinetics 17. Integrated School 18. Islamic Studies 19. Institute for Small-Scale Industries (ISSI) 20. Labor & Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) 21. Law 22. Library & Information Studies 23. Marine Science 24. Mass Communication 25. Music 26. National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) 27. National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED) 28. Pampanga 29. Population Institute 30. Public Administration 31. Science 32. Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) 33. Statistics 34. Technology Management 35. Third World Studies 36. 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.

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. 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

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

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.