The Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center (NALLRC) is the library system of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines composed of libraries providing services to the PUP System. Its headquarters is in the building of the same name, located in Manila, Philippines. NALLRC offers various services and development of programs to its clientele.
The NALLRC Main Library is regarded as one of the largest libraries in Southeast Asia. The building is also home to the university's College of Law and Open University System.
History The university library and learning resource center had its share in the nomadic history of PUP. Like the university, it had no home of its own until after the Second World War.
Early years
In 1933, it shared a space with the Philippine Normal School. In 1947, the Philippine Congress allotted the amount of P120, 000.00 for the construction of the Philippine School of Commerce library and social hall buildings. Then PSC President, Luis F. Reyes, acted as Administrator of Libraries. The library had an initial collection of twelve (12) volumes as the library collection started to grow during the period 1952-1961 under Ms. Dolores A. Teotico, Library Administrator who was appointed Supervising Librarian in 1962. During this period, the library adopted an open-shelf system. Room I of the Library Annex in Lepanto, Sampaloc was converted as reading room for male students and an additional librarian was assigned at the High School reading room.
1960s
During the school year 1964-1965, more books were acquired through purchase and donation. The Library Board was created to act as formulating body of the library. It was during this period when the policy of suspending the lending of books during the examination period was lifted. In 1966, library exchanges were practiced. This enabled the library to maximize its services to its clientele despite the difficulty of purchasing books due to very strict government rules and regulations.
In 1967, the college was given an allocation of P50, 000.00 for the purchase of library books. Thus, more books were purchased. Text and reference books which were not available in local bookstores were ordered direct from foreign publishers. During the school year 1968–1969, the Graduate School Library was established. To improve the collection in the College Library and to support the Graduate School Library, the Board of Trustees allocated an additional amount of P100, 000.00 to the library.
1970s
During the fiscal year 1970–1971, the Main Library transferred 1,461 and 51 volumes of books to the Sta. Mesa and high school libraries, respectively. It was also during this period that the Graduate School Library started its operation with Mr. Bonifacio C. Macanas as the Supervising Librarian. Within the period 1971–1972, the College Library had units in all campuses with a collection of 14,748 volumes.
From 1972 to 1973, the College Library operated five library units, as follows: one unit serving the graduate students; three units catering to the undergraduate students; and one unit servicing the library needs of the high school students. On December 15, 1973, upon the representation of Dr. Narciso Albarracin, who was then serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the PCC, Asia Foundation donated 800 books and 100 assorted cliff notes (a paperbound compilation of short stories and other articles) to the PCC library.
During the academic year 1973–1974, the PCC library was centralized at the newly renovated Loyola Annex. As in the past, an open-shelf system was adopted during this period. During the academic year 1974–1975, the College Library reduced its units into three, confining them in its two campuses: the Annex campus in Lepanto and the Mabini Campus in Sta. Mesa. The Annex library served both the graduate and undergraduate students while the two units in the Sta. Mesa campus served the undergraduate and the high school students.
In 1977, a library consultant was appointed to assist in updating and enriching the learning resources of the school. The library continued to increase its collection in terms of books and periodicals. Likewise, during this year, a new library building known as the Bagong Lipunan Library was inaugurated, with Dona Josefa Edralin Marcos, mother of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, as guest speaker. Mrs. Estrella V. Manuel was designated Coordinator of Libraries. In 1978, the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) was converted into a university and was consequently named Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). The library was renamed Department of Library and Related Services. Between the periods 1979 and 1980, another wing of the library building was completed. The name of the library was changed to Learning Resource Center and Dr. Estrella V. Manuel was designated as Director of Libraries. Mr. Bonifacio C. Macanas remained as Chief Librarian. Since the university started offering a program in Library Science, the library also served as a practicum site for students in library science.
As part of the program of the Library Director, library personnel were given professional trainings, were sent to book fairs and were given the chance to participate in National Book Week celebrations. Book exhibits were held. It was also during this year that the A-V (Audio-Visual) Center was established. The Library acquired 2,227 volumes of books through purchase and 706 volumes through donation from Dr. Juan L. Manuel, Sr., former Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports. Likewise, the library secured 147 pamphlets and brochures mostly for its Filipiniana collection, from various government agencies, embassies, faculty, PUP officials and others. PUP President Pablo T. Mateo and Office of Media Affairs Minister Gregorio Cendaña signed the PUP-NMPC agreement on audio-visual linkage. The two branches of the university, PUP-BEPZ in Bataan and PUP-Lopez in Quezon established their libraries during this period.
1980s
In 1981, the library continued to acquire the latest books in all areas of study to add to the increasing accessions of four libraries located in the following campuses: Sta. Mesa; Lepanto; PUP-BEPZ in Bataan; and PUP-Lopez in Quezon. In addition, the CPA Review Center Library was opened as an additional unit of the library system. In order to draw attention to the resources available in the university's libraries, the Director of Learning Resource Center mounted a program to celebrate National Book Week, where the importance of books and the use of the same for intellectual and social development were emphasized by Dr. Serafin Quiason, who served as guest speaker of the program. The university continued to maintain its Book Bank to help the students in their book requirements.
In 1987, the name of the Library was changed from Learning Resource Center to Library and Book Exchange Center. Mrs. Mona Lisa P. Leguiab was designated Chief Librarian. A University Library Advisory Board was constituted with the PUP Executive Vice President as Presiding Officer, Vice President for Student Services and External Affairs as Vice Chairman, Chief Librarian as Secretary, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans and Directors of Colleges and Institutes, and Director, CPA Review Center as members.
In 1988, the construction of a four-storey library building at the Mabini Campus started. Because of the demand for adequate and conducive space in 1989, the Graduate School Library was transferred to Hasmin Hostel building at the M. H. del Pilar Campus. However, it coincided with the closure of the CPA Review Center Library, causing the CPA Review Center Library to cease operation. The intent to meet the thrust of the university drove the Library to continue to transform through active participation of staff by attending seminars, fora and series of training related to the field. Library personnel were encouraged to enroll in Library and Information Science course and training on computer literacy program. At that time, there was an increase in acquisition of books and professional journals. Linkages with other libraries and development and improvement of facilities and services were also strengthened.
A remarkable increase in collection was realized from 1987 to 1990 with 22,161 volumes of books acquired, and 4,476 volumes received from donations. Almost 100 titles of professional journals were added to its collection through purchase and donations.
On the same year, with strong determination to support the noble vision of the university, and through the initiative of Mrs. Leguiab, automation of the library system was conceptualized. Mrs. Leguiab sought the assistance of Prof. Teresita Geronimo, then Head of the EDP Section of the university. Meeting with the demand of trends in information technology, the program for the computerization was designed and data were encoded. The computerization was already on the dry-run for implementation.
To top it all, from 1987 to 1990, true to its vision, the administration of the university fully supported the objectives of the library through notable acquisition of books and other library materials which totaled to 22,161 volumes of books and 4,476 volumes from donations and almost 100 titles of professional journals through purchase and donations.
1990s
On September 4, 1991, a four-storey library edifice was inaugurated with Dr. Guillermo N. Carague, Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, as Guest Speaker. Dr. Irene D. Amores was designated Director of the Library. She served as such from October 1, 1991, to June 2, 1992. During the school year 1992–1993, the PUP Hostel and the PUP College of Engineering and Architecture Libraries were established. The library continued to build its books and audio-visual materials collections. The university function rooms became venues for many cultural activities like film showing, stage plays and painting exhibits. The library collections were converted into the Library of Congress Classification System.
In 1994, Dr. Estrella V. Manuel was again designated Director of Libraries. The University Library keenly aligned itself to the forward-looking thrust of the academe as it continued updating materials for the research needs of both faculty and students. Dr. Estrella V. Manuel retired in 1996 and Mrs. Mona Lisa P. Leguiab was designated Director of Libraries. In 1997, the “Alay-Aklat Project” was initiated. This project contributed an additional 611 volumes to the library collection. Library staff joined library associations and continued their professional growth through in-house trainings.
In 1998, the in-house On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC) was launched for implementation. The system was facilitated with catalog card and book label productions and inventory procedures, which improved the library services. In 1999, Dr. Irene D. Amores was again designated as Director of Libraries and served as such until her retirement in October 2004. The name of the library was changed to Ninoy Aquino Learning Resources Center. The University Library Advisory Board was also renamed as Learning Resources Center Advisory Board. Processing of student IDs was entrusted to the library.
2000s
In 2002, the Ninoy Aquino Center for Human Rights was launched and the Archives Section was opened to the public as part of the university's centennial activities.