University of the Philippines School of Library and Information Studies 3.58

The School of Library and Information Studies of the University of the Philippines or UP-SLIS is the oldest library school in the Philippines. Formally established in March 1961 as the Institute of Library Science, it can trace it roots to 1914, making it one of the first library schools in Asia. It is an independent degree-granting unit of the University of the Philippines Diliman, and offers programs in the field of Library and Information Science.Gonzalez HallConstructed in the 1950s almost simultaneously with the arts and sciences, administration and engineering buildings, the Main Library was one of the first structures in the Diliman campus, designed by Juan Nakpil, the campus architect of that time.The campus’ main library was later named Gonzalez Hall, in homage of the former UP President Bienvenido M. Gonzalez. It was purposely fashioned after the administration building, now known as Quezon Hall, just like how the arts and letters and engineering buildings were mirror images of each other. The UP-SLIS is situated at the South Wing, 3rd Floor, of the Gonzalez Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. When all colleges and units of the National Science Complex (NSC) would have already transferred to the NSC's buildings, UP-SLIS shall move into and occupy the Institute of Biology Zoology Building which shall become its permanent home.AcademicsStarting in 1995, the School offered the Bachelor of Library and Information Science. The program aims to prepare students for career opportunities in professional librarianship, publishing and book trade, and information-related business. This program replaced the Bachelor of Library Science. A new curriculum introduced in 2002 integrated the University's Revised General Education Program and offered several specialization tracks, including archives and records management, health and medical librarianship, information systems, and law librarianship. Since 1962, the then Institute offered a Master of Library Science Program, the first in the country, and has since been updated as Master of Library and Information Science.