THE UST Miguel de Benavides Library is reopening its doors to walk-ins for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic as more students are expected to be on campus for face-to-face classes in the second term of Academic Year (AY) 2022-2023, which opened on Jan. 16.
Library resources and services at the library were made available again to all enrolled Thomasians beginning Jan. 16 as it scrapped its “reserve-a-seat” system.
Thomasians were previously required to reserve a seat in their preferred library location (except high school libraries) through an online portal at least a day before their intended visit during the first term of AY 2022-2023. Only those with limited face-to-face classes were allowed to reserve seats.
Chief Librarian Maria Cecilia Lobo said the library decided to lift the reservation system due to numerous requests from students.
“Nung first term pa, we received numerous requests na maka-access sa library ‘yung ibang mga programs. Kaya lang, ang ina-allow lang that time, is yung mga programs na-approve lang ng Commission for Higher Education for limited face-to-face classes,” Lobo told the Varsitarian.
“Napag-usapan namin ng mga administrators at ibang mga librarians, especially the General Reference and Information, dahil sila yung nakaharap doon sa mga students, na subukan muna na walang reservations,” she added.
With the policy change, students who intend to visit the library only need to be enrolled and have completed the health declaration form through the Thomasian Online Medical Support and Services (ThOMedSS) portal.
“We still have to strictly follow the health and safety protocols, like physical distancing and also the wearing of face masks,” said Lobo.
Thomasians may still avail themselves of the library’s online services, such as the Library Virtual Office, Circulation Services, Document Delivery, Online Library User-Education, Suggest a Purchase, and the Turnitin Service.
“Siguro, we just encourage the students to really use the library not only physically kasi we still have other online services. Yung online services namin, still in effect lahat,” Lobo said.
The library is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Outside researchers are allowed in the library if they secure permission from the prefect of libraries or the chief librarian. Joanne Christine Ramos with reports from Nill Bautista
