Mary Polk and the Library Science Class of 1917
Although the foundation of Philippine librarianship was forged by American pioneers Lois Osborn, Mary Polk, and James Robertson in 1914 (Hernandez, 1999), it was the five pensionados (Gabriel Bernardo, Eulogio Rodriguez, Cirilo Perez, Ismael V. Mallari and Jose Munda) who, after their studies at the University of Wisconsin started the first libraries in the Philippines (Shenk, 1964).
Below are the university librarians who have served the University and have embodied change and innovation that make our libraries an immense treasure house of human knowledge.
MARY POLK, University Librarian 1922 - 1924
She is considered today as the "Mother of Philippine Library Science." In 1922, with the official establishment of a University Library of University of the Philippines, Polk served as both University Librarian and Professor of Library Science (Brazzeal, 2021, p. 12)
Source: Brazzeal, Bradley. "Science Librarianship in Colonial Philippines: Mary Polk and the Philippine Bureau of Science Library, 1903-1924" (2021). University Libraries Publications and Scholarship. 27. https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/ul-publications/27
GABRIEL A. BERNARDO, University Librarian 1924 - 1957
He succeeded as the University Librarian and head of the Department of Library Science. Also, a bibliographer and scholar, Gabriel A. Bernardo is a visionary, an intellectual giant among his peers and contemporaries.
He is recognized as the "Doyen of Philippine Librarianship" because of his dedication to the profession.
Source: Vallejo, R.M. (2007). Looking back while traveling into the future: The legacy of Gabriel A. Bernardo: A man for all time. Journal of Philippine Librarianship, 27 (1&2), 1-42.
NATIVIDAD P. VERZOSA, Acting University Librarian 1957 - 1959
There was a steady increase in the use of library resources of the University Library during that time. Aside from serving its constituents, it also accommodates visiting scholars, students of private universities, government officials and agencies doing research.
A project called "The Listening Center" which received an aid from the Rockefeller Foundation became the nucleus of an audio-visual service provided by university libraries.
Source: UP President Annual Report 1957 - 1958, p. 7, 50 ; UP President Annual Report 1958 - 1959, p. 49.
JUANITO G. MAQUISO, Acting University Librarian 1959 - 1960
The University Library, under Mr. Maquiso's term has improved despite of inadequate funds. At that time, it served 15,000 students through its Main Library and 21 unit libraries.
Source: UP President Annual Report 1959-60, p. 15
MARINA G. DAYRIT, University Librarian 1963 - 1981
Ms. Dayrit systematized library services and the staff training, beefed up the library collection through Ford Foundation grants, developed the Filipiniana Special Collections & Archives, and initiated microfilming and computerization.
During this period, she also oversees the library operations at the UP Manila Libraries.
Source: University Library, UP Diliman [2022]. Brief History. Retrieved 14 May 2022 from https://mainlib.upd.edu.ph/brief-history/
CLARISSA DIMALANTA, University Librarian 1981 - 1984
She was appointed as Associate Medical Librarian in 1961 prior to becoming the University Librarian. This gave her the opportunity to prepare a workable development plan for the Medical Library with full support from the Administration. She conscientiously continued the compilation of the Philippine Index Medicus and, have contributed to various SEAMIC (Southeast Asian Medical Information Center) publications.
Source: UPM College of Medicine [2020]. The Medical Library Through the Years by Adawey Racal. Retrieved 14 May 2022 from https://cm.upm.edu.ph/p/library/
ROSVIDA R. ROSAL, University Librarian 1984 - 2001
The Library made tremendous progress as computerization, networking, research publication, collection development and physical facility improvements were initiated during her term.
Source: Rosal, R. (2001). Governance and Administration in University Library 1984 - 2001: The Growing Years, p. 4.
UPM College of Medicine [2020]. The Medical Library Through the Years by Adawey Racal. Retrieved 14 May 2022 from https://cm.upm.edu.ph/p/library/
THERESA P. DUGENIA, University Librarian 2003 - 2012
The compilation and publication of the Philippine Medicus Index continued under Ms. Dugenia. The Library management system was implemented. Initially, the Library.Solution, for the online functionality of the cataloging and circulation modules and, later on migrated to the iLib system which is an in-house library management system developed by the UP Diliman University Library. The University Library logo was also approved on May 29, 2009 by the Board of Trustees at their 1243rd meeting.
The University Library website was developed to promote the library and its services. Wireless Internet access has also been put in place in all unit libraries. This was also the time that the UP Manila Archives and Records Depository was established.
Furthermore, UP Manila library participated in networking and consortium to share resources with academic research institutions like the NUTRINET (Nutrition Research Information Network) and SMEC (South Manila Educational Consortium).
Source: UP Manila University Library Manual, September 6, 2021.
GINA G. CANCERAN, University Librarian 2012 - 2017
Modern facilities became the focus of the next University Librarian, Ms. Gina G. Canceran. Remote access to online resources was made possible using the VPN. It was during her term when RFID was installed in the libraries of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Dentistry.
The UP Manila Learning Commons was also launched, on March 24, 2014. In addition, the University Library website was further enhanced to be able to reach out to the UP Manila community. The UL Emergency Response Team was also created as a sub-committee of UP Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee.
Source: UP Manila University Library Manual, September 6, 2021.
MARIA NIMFA V. CASTRO, University Librarian 2018 - 2024
As the current University Librarian, Ms. Castro's governance is a targeted implementation of responsibility and authority that streamlines service delivery and realistically responds to a variety of library concerns promptly. Thus, highlighting the milestones in each of the following areas:
Administration & Management. One notable accomplishment is the approval of the University Library's Vision, Mission and Goals. She is also in the command of the fulfillment of various requirements leading to ISO certification for the unit. In addition, Library Committees in each college were reactivated, wherein the College Librarian forms part of it. Numerous committees were also established to carry out library programs and activities, i.e. Team Building, Library Planning and Development, Information and Communications, Cataloging Technical Working Group, Information Literacy Program, and Institutional Repository Program.
The University Library is also represented in the University Health and Safety Committte and conducted trainings and promotion of occupational health and safety wellness in collaboration with the Healthy University Office. While two (2) library staff are active representatives in the Gender and Development related activities.
She led the librarians in the UP Manila Heritage Collection Project, who collected institutional documents as references for the creation of publications about UP Manila and its respective colleges.
Collection Development. Ms. Castro initiated DigiLib in 2019, a library materials acquisitions fair that provided a venue for faculty and students to become aware of available resources in the market that they could recommend for their teaching, learning and research endeavors. A material tracking system was created to monitor the progress and timely delivery of the acquisitions. Marketing and Promotion. The Library reached out to its constituents by conducting orientations and lectures for some classes. Took advantage of the media including library website, email, and a strong online presence in social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Information Technology. Spearheaded the creation of online mechanisms in the delivery of library services. Scan & Deliver, remote access to Electronic Theses & Dissertations (ETDs), online reservation/scheduling for borrowing and book returns were introduced alongside the continuous reconstruction and update on the University Library website. The one-stop clearance signing took effect to save patrons' time and effort in securing library clearance. Records of staff were encoded in Globodox for easy access and retrieval.
Furthermore, the Philippine Index Medicus database was recovered, went online and was put into service. She also initiated the creation of the University Library's Institutional Repository (IR), a digital platform that collects, centralizes, and preserves scholarly materials to make them accessible to UP Manila constituents.
Ms. Castro initiated the Book Digitization Project that promotes online access to even to print materials.
Staff Development. Organized in-house seminars covering topics on both personal and professional advancement of all UL staff. Annual capacity-building activities were conducted and involved all staff in the assessment of library services and operations and in planning future activities. Promotion of librarians, honorarium and recognition of deserving UL employees were also given. Recommended the promotion of the one-man librarian in the School of Health Sciences from Librarian 1 to College Librarian I. Endorsed staff attendance to seminars, workshops and conference for professional and personal growth. Vehemently insisted that the University Library staff be included in the Central Administration’s staff development activities since the UL is legitimately under the CAD. More than that this initiative promotes camaraderie with other CAD offices’ staff which facilitates the processing of documents.
Outreach Program. Before the pandemic, an "Information Literacy Session and Outreach Program" was held for young cancer patients in PGH.
In December 2020, we extended support to UP-PGH Bayanihan Na! Operations, and creation of an online poster with the message of gratitude to boost the morale of all frontliners. The UL staff are active in the annual Adopt-a-Ward activity of the university since 2018.
Source: UP Manila University Library, Highlights of Accomplishments 2018 - 2024.
Updated: 11 July 2025 by MBPatron
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