Heavy rains and three storm systems could not deter some 200 library professionals from all over the UP System from coming together for Dalub-Aklat: The 2025 UP Librarians Conference.
The conference, themed Transformative Education Through Smart and Innovative Libraries, aimed to highlight “the critical role of libraries in designing impactful programs which transcends any perceived limit in support of higher education.”
The first part of the conference, State of the University Libraries, featured situation reports from head librarians from every UP constituent unit, with an open forum held in between. The rest of the conference consisted of five sessions led by resource speakers from both within and outside the University, discussing the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in university librarianship.
Among the experts were International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions President Vicki McDonald; UP Vice President for Digital Transformation Peter A. Sy; UP Diliman School of Library and Information Studies Dean Rhea Rowena C. Apolinario; Singapore Management University Librarian Shameem Nilofar Maideen; UP Los Baños University Librarian Mary Ann M. Ingua; and UP Diliman (UPD) College of Engineering Libraries Head Librarian Sharon Maria S. Esposo-Betan.
Conference Chair and UPD University Librarian Elvira Lapuz expressed hope that participants would leave the conference not only new knowledge, but also with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging in their roles as librarians.
“I hope that our participants will be empowered with the knowledge that we play a crucial and pivotal role in the lives of our students. The libraries are there not just to provide sources of information but actually provide support academically. We’re here to give our students the spaces, the resources and the support they’ll be needing when they deal with their academic requirements and the rigor of their stay in UP,” Lapuz said.
Coinciding with Dalub-Aklat and held just outside the main auditorium was SAGWANAN: The University Library E-Fair 2025, the UPD University Library Information Services and Instruction Section’s annual e-fair showcasing the various online database partners to which the UPD University Library subscribes.
The conference was held on July 24 at the UPD Institute of Biology Auditorium.