IN ANTICIPATION of the term of incoming University Librarian Joenabie E. Arevalo in 2026, the Rizal Library (RL) administration has been undergoing internal developments to improve its system operations for technological advancements and overall staff welfare.

Due to the Ateneo’s organizational restructure, Arevalo said that the RL Executive Team has been focusing on integrating procedures and database systems that will prioritize the convenience of the Ateneo community. In line with this, the team will continue to increase its resources and expand the University’s learning spaces.

Prior to Arevalo’s appointment, former University Librarian Vernon Totanes, PhD had served as the RL Director for a decade until he stepped down in March 2024 to assist in the setup of a modern library in Quezon City.

Upon the search for a new University Librarian, Chair of the Search Committee for the University Librarian Jonathan Chua shared that the committee was looking for an applicant to improve the condition of the library and preserve the “culture of the University.” As such, Arevalo was selected given her prior experience as the Deputy University Librarian for Reader Services in the Loyola Heights campus.

Until Arevalo officially assumes her post in 2026, the RL administration is in a rotating deputyship, with Ma. Theresa B. Villanueva serving as the Acting University Librarian from January 1 to December 31 this year.

Road to change

With the RL Executive Team assuming their positions in September 2024, Arevalo mentioned that the team is in constant communication with each other to push forward its shared goals, such as revising internal policies on the integration of deputies and other administrative services.

Arevalo further specified that the RL Executive Team has been working on the database integration of book resources from all three libraries under Higher Education (HE)—Rizal Library Loyola Heights, Rockwell, and Ortigas. Besides this, the executive team has also been conducting seminars and arranging town halls to prepare its internal constituents for the upcoming changes of the University library.

Moreover, Arevalo said that the team has been in contact with the Digital Information and Technology Services (DITS) cluster to create a central system that improves user ease for the three libraries.

“[We’re focusing on enhancing] technology and systems [since] we’re merging the libraries from three campuses. […] So, if you’re a student [from Loyola Heights], you can enter Rockwell or Ortigas, no need for other permissions,” Arevalo shared.

Arevalo also stressed that the RL aims to remain as the University’s “center” of knowledge by expanding the library’s current collection and boosting constituent accessibility through coordination with library associations and publishers.

Transitioning systems

With the internal changes, Arevalo mentioned that the RL Executive Team found it challenging to balance the integration of the libraries across the HE. According to her, some of these setbacks included the larger scope of constituents and the lack of a leading figure to consult.

In terms of resource accessibility, Arevalo noted that students would often run into bugs in the library’s e-resource services. To mitigate this, she and the rest of the RL Executive Team have been regularly consulting with the DITS to maximize efficiency in its online services.

With her initial concerns on juggling the responsibility with her post-doctoral studies, Arevalo expressed her full commitment to the role, adding that she was also reassured by the support from her team. She stressed her hopes for her plans and efforts to benefit the RL community and contribute to the needs and mission of the University.

Preserving the works

Currently heading the student organization closely collaborating with the RL, Rizal Library Ambassadors (RLA) Outgoing President Julius Asilum stated that he looks forward to strengthening their shared projects—such as the Freshie Library Tours and the Book Drive—with the new administration.

Asilum noted that RL’s consideration of RLA as its student arm in the restructuring of internal processes has assured him of the administration’s respect for the organization. Following this, he expressed his gratitude for the RL administration’s regular communication with the RLA, as well as its moderation and guidance to them.

Moving forward, Asilum expects a stable approval process for RLA initiatives once Arevalo takes office. Despite changing leadership perspectives, he is confident that the incoming RL administration will support the student arm in furthering the library’s reach.

“Learning is really the influence of the library […], it’s not just catered inside of the campus; it really goes beyond that. [T]he influence of the library is a powerful institution, not just in [the] Ateneo, but also outside,” Asilum explained.

With this, Asilum aspires to have a more collaborative approach with the RL administration to further expand both their advocacies—facilitating and making learning accessible within and beyond the Ateneo.