The role of a library in an academic institution is indispensable. Being a support to the curriculum and in the research of both faculty and students, the library is one of the vital offices in every university.
The Iloilo Science and Technology Dumangas Campus Library started a little more than fifty years ago in 1969-1970, when then the Lublub Barangay High School (it is from this high school that the present ISAT U DC evolved) was created. It was located in one of the rooms in the Gabaldon Building of Lublub-Guinsampanan Central Elementary School and shared some of the resources of the school. It must be noted that the Lublub Barangay High School was first administered by the elementary school principal and located in the premises of the said elementary school.
When the school became PD Monfort National High School, it transferred to its present site and the library was organized in the small room in the second floor of the main building along with the administrative offices.
The legitimacy of the library was strengthened by the hiring of a School Librarian. The library collections back then were mainly textbooks provided by the Department of Education. However, the school never forget to include the library needs in its budget. Even with its meager financial capability, the school was able to acquire basic library materials such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, card catalog shelf and bookshelves among others.
In 1992, when the then PD Monfort National High School was converted to PD Monfort College, a branch of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology ( known as PDMC-WVCST Branch), the necessity of acquiring library materials to support the courses offered is imperative. With the support of the schools benefactor, Congressman Narciso Monfort, the school acquire new structures to house the growing student population, faculty and staff.
Upon the completion of the new administrative building, the library was transferred to its second floor. The new location is more accessible, well ventilated and has adequate space. Slowly, the library collection increased. Aside from the reference books, periodicals and magazines were subscribed.
Congressman Monfort was planned and initiated the construction of a Congressional Library in the premises of PDMC – WVCST Branch. The two-storey building planned and constructed to house a library stands as one of major structures in PDMC. The building was complete with shelves, tables, cabinets, carrels and comfort rooms. The building was entrusted to the college to operate and to serve as the school library as well. The library was transferred to the Congressional Library Building. It occupied the ground floor, while the second floor was reserved for the collection of the congressman.
Now as a branch of WVCST and with the kind support of Congressman Monfort slowly the library collections increased to support new program offerings.
Though there is a yearly acquisition of books, still the library holdings are inadequate. The administration launched a book donation drive to increase the needed materials. Willingly, the faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community donated a number of books. The librarian also initiated to write to some book donors here and abroad. Mrs. Jenia Dormitorio Tierney, whose father came from Lublub, a retired librarian in the U.S. sent some boxes of used books, magazines and even book cards, book stickers and plastic cover. Benevolent families in the community who migrated decided to donate the books of their children to the school. Some of the faculty who have connections with other schools was also able to ask excess materials from their collections. Notably the school was benefactor to book donations from Philippine Science High School Western Visayas and U.P. in the Visayas Library.
Sapao Elementary School in Dumangas who is recipient of book donations from the U.S. gave to the school the collegiate books they received.
When the WVCST was converted to Iloilo Science and Technology University, there was pressing need to improve the library collection and services. In response, the administration first, hired an Instructor who is a registered librarian to head the library since the school librarian is not licensed. Given an equivalent teaching load to run the library, the Instructor slowly improved the library. The holdings increased every semester, subscriptions were increased, and the system was put in place. From the library budget, computer units were purchased and internet connections were installed as a way to augment the lacking collections. With internet connections, students can access to e-books and other sources on line.
The restructuring of the library was also initiated. Currently, the library has its cubicle for the librarian and a processing room. There were furniture purchased to make the library more conducive and air conditioning units were installed in the research area. The second floor is now Congressman Monfort Memorabilia Museum and a part of it houses some ethnological artifacts collection of the university.
The ISAT U DC Library has still much to be improved in terms of holdings and collections, structures and facilities. However, with the support of the administration and the stakeholders, it is not a distant dream to be realized – a library at par with other libraries that truly supports the curricular programs, provides for the research needs of both students, faculty and the community it serves.