Visiting the new and old Rizal Library of ADMU

Fountain at the Rizal Library of Ateneo de Manila University

     Another Saturday found me on a library tour at the Rizal Library of the Ateneo de Manila University. It boggles the mind how I could have failed to visit this wonderful library which is but a stone's throw away from my place. Anyhow, I thank the LIS 260 class of our wonderful professor Prof Sharon Esposo-Betan for opening opportunities to visit these libraries of the digital age.
   
     I knew I was able to visit the Ateneo Library back then but it has been recreated since. The new library has a pond of clear water running inside which goes on to the back of the building, of which the picture above portrays. Its space is well-designed and it does not have the claustrophobic feel. At the entrance, one is greeted by the library staff manning the reference desk. That is a welcome sight--one need feel lost and be lost when one enters the library.

     At various areas and floors of the library is distributed the different collection and services of the library. The print collection, the digital collection and their AV materials (which include board games!) are housed in different areas in the library.

      A plus for me was the visit to the renovated old library where the other services of the library can be availed. A major attraction for me there was their AV library and their photo-duplication facilities. The ingenuity and dedication of the men behind the hidden staircase of the building is inspiring.

     However, aside from the technologies, the space, and the collection, I am amazed by the dedication and loyalty as well as the quality of service of the library's manpower. Every interview with the different people of the library was a showcase of their pride for their work as well as of the loyalty to the institution they are serving in. That is one huge asset that that Rizal Library has. Thank you Rizal Library for the wonderful experience!

Visiting the FEU and the DLSU "libraries"

   

    After a cup of brewed coffee and a new book, I love the smell of a library--be it an old, musty and dark library or a new, crispy and clean learning space. The morning of August 31 found me with a cup of black coffee and two new libraries to explore. The former I was unable to drink (pregnancy prohibition...arrgghh) but the latter I was able to indulge in (thanks, God, I had the hindsight to put on flat shoes).

 

     First stop, the Far Eastern University Library. Our class' visit being the first library tour that the new FEU Library entertained, we were given warmly welcomed and given an informational walk-about. Questions were asked to our guide and he was able to graciously and knowledgeably answer our queries (he did prepare for this tour!).

     The FEU library being a newly-opened one, the tour highlighted the efforts to integrate the technological advancements of today. No one could miss the bank of computers filling an entire section of the 2nd floor of the building. Desktop computers on a circular-type of table setting as well as desktop computers one after another on top of tables lined like men in a platoon. There was also an effort to make available to the library users OPAC terminals on stilts. However, at the time of our visit, these were still unoperational.

The FEU Library

     The library is housed in several floors. Different collections are sectioned off in different parts of the library. However, all through out, one would feel a certain kind of claustrophobia. Maybe it is just me. But the print collection, the furniture, the circulation and reference areas seemed to be cramped in a space smaller than what it requires.

     Anyhow, the security system is in place though still to be fully operational. A commercial integrated library system is in place. The reference section is using a commercial software to ensure better service to its library client. The periodicals section has its own electronic database as well as subscription to print journals.

     The FEU library tour ended with a largely welcomed merienda (since we were all a bit tired from all the walking and being amazed). Thank you, FEU Library! I hope that as you have started to recreate a learning space, you will move forward with success as you envision to be the "Library aspires to be a leading academic information resource center and to be a dynamic partner in the University’s vision to develop responsible and well informed professionals who can contribute to the advancement of the global society."

DLSU Learning Commons

     For the second stop, we went to the new DLSU Learning Commons. The library building is so amazing! I fell in love with it just gazing up at it from the front view and even when I was underneath it. Yeah! Pretty cool for a building design--to have an open space at the ground floor and have the library housed on the top floors. So, we went up in an impressive bank of elevators with equally impressive number of security  people, security desks and security cameras. The view of the Manila Bay was pretty impressive at that height--which made me wonder what an impressive sunset view the library users would have.

     Anyway, the library seems to be a mixture of museum, library, your own living room, and a bookstore. There were designated quiet areas, discussion rooms, a chill out lounge, a cafe, and everywhere at strategic areas are scattered sofas, tables, chairs with maximum wi-fi connectivity. The library has integrated different technologies to cater to its clientele--an integrated library system, augmented reality technology, chat capabilities and others. Their collection is impressive--both print and digital.

     One gets the impression that the library, since it has a good number of students as well as a tuition fee per student that could finance one small college for a month (my opinion), is very much well-funded and is able to purchase anything that it needs in order to facilitate access and retrieval to information as their clients need.

     My feet were already tired by then and I was getting thirsty. But the sofas and the water fountain were very helpful. And the librarians and the staff were generous in providing information. Thank you, Laurence!