More About Us

History and Milestones of the UP SLIS

The UP School of Library and Information Studies is the pioneer library school in the Philippines with programs for the graduate and undergraduate levels. In 1914, under the College of Liberal Arts, the first courses in library economy were offered but on July 1, 1961, the UP Institute of Library Science became a separate degree granting unit. Since its establishment, it has consistently contributed to the development of librarianship and information science education and profession. It continues to produce top ranking graduates who are sought after in the field of LIS, archives and records management, information systems management, knowledge management, and the like.

The UPSLIS is the Center of Excellence in Library and Information Science as recognized by the Commission on Higher Education because of its faculty and student profile, research productivity, and contribution to the field. Alongside this recognition is its membership in 2016 to the iSchools Consortium whose objective is to advance the information field and bridge information, people and technology.

1961

The Institute of Library Science (ILS) was established

The Institute of Library Science (ILS) was established as a separate degree granting unit in the University of the Philippines offering Bachelor of Library Science (BLS) and later on in 1962 the Master of Library Science was instituted.

1966

UP ILS released the first issue of the Newsletter

UP ILS released the first issue of the Newsletter which was the quarterly information sheet of the Institute.

1968

The first issue of the Journal of Philippine Librarianship was published

The first issue of the Journal of Philippine Librarianship was published. This is a semi-annual publication of the ILS and is now the longest running journal in librarianship.

1971

Dr. Ursula G. Picache, then director of the ILS, was made Dean

Dr. Ursula G. Picache, then director of the ILS, was made Dean by virtue of the Board of Regents resolution to give the title of Dean to all heads of degree granting units. This makes Dr. Picache the first Dean of the ILS

1974

The first Gabriel A. Bernardo Memorial Lecture Series was held on March 16, 1974

The first Gabriel A. Bernardo Memorial Lecture Series was held on March 16, 1974 in honor and in recognition of his contribution to library education. This is an annual event held by the UPSLIS.

1975

UP ILS offered the first Summer Institute on Information Science

UP ILS offered the first Summer Institute on Information Science which is part of the Institute’s extension program that served as a venue for updating skills, techniques, and knowledge on varied topics in LIS. This was offered every year and in cooperation with various organizations.

1978

The Institute served as host institution for the Post Graduate Training Course for Science Information Specialists in Southeast Asia (PGTCSIS)

The Institute served as host institution for the Post Graduate Training Course for Science Information Specialists in Southeast Asia (PGTCSIS). This was a Unesco project which aimed to develop capabilities of library and information manpower in the Southeast Asian region among others. Soon thereafter, the UPILS became the venue for training and fellowships as Unesco made available funds for selected students from the region.

1979

ILS offered the first Regional Training Course in Computerized Documentation System/Integrated Set of Information Systems (CDS/ISIS)

In partnership with Unesco, the ILS offered the first Regional Training Course in Computerized Documentation System/Integrated Set of Information Systems (CDS/ISIS).

1980

ILS provided administrative support to the Unesco/IFLA pre-conference

ILS provided administrative support to the Unesco/IFLA pre-conference on library education on August 11-18, 1980 becoming one of the many international events to be held and hosted.

1987

UPILS was designated by Unesco as the Philippine distribution center of the Micro-CDS/ISIS

The UPILS was designated by Unesco as the Philippine distribution center of the Micro-CDS/ISIS <link: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/information-society/open-source-and-low-cost-technologies/information-processing-tools/cdsisis-database-software/>

Several training courses were offered to institutions availing of the software for their library databases.

1990

ILS offered the Diploma in Health Sciences Librarianship and the Diploma in Law Librarianship

ILS offered the Diploma in Health Sciences Librarianship and the Diploma in Law Librarianship as post baccalaureate programs to provide the requisite skills to those working in health sciences and law libraries.

1991

30th Founding Anniversary

ILS celebrated its 30th founding anniversary with a series of programs and activities to include professorial lectures, symposia, outreach programs, and the Gabriel A. Bernardo Memorial Lecture.

1993

UP ILS graduates and students have performed excellently in the first licensure examinations

UP ILS graduates and students have performed excellently in the first licensure examinations for librarians with eight of them in the top ranking examinees and have continued to do so till now.

1994

UP ILS moved to the South Wing of the 3rd Flr of the Gonzales Hall

The UP ILS moved from its original location to the South Wing of the 3rd Flr of the Gonzales Hall, where it stayed for more than two decades, to make way for what is now the UP Archives

2001

UPILS celebrated its 40th founding anniversary

UPILS started to have the sablay as the official academic costume which the University officially adopted in 2000.

UPILS celebrated its 40th founding anniversary with an Exhibit, Open House, book fair, and career talk. The Gabriel A. Bernardo Memorial Lecture series was also held and the ILS IT Applications Lab was inaugurated.

2007

The Journal of Philippine Librarianship was published online

The Journal of Philippine Librarianship was published online along with other UP Diliman Journals via the UP OVCRD’s free online journal system powered by Open Journal Systems. JPL was one of the earlier UPD journals to transition to an online and open access platform for wider dissemination and more convenient submission, review, and access.

The ILIS was changed to School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) where information studies reflects a more accurate depiction of the research and teaching which the faculty and students engage in.

2011

UPSLIS launched its Trivia Book on May 13

UPSLIS launched its Trivia Book on May 13 which commenced the 50 day countdown to its 50th founding anniversary on July 1. The Golden Jubilee Celebration was attended by guests from the University and the LIS profession. Former deans, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of UPSLIS also graced the event.

The Institute of Biology building was assigned as the new location for UPSLIS once vacated.

2014

100 years of LIS Education in the Philippines

March 18, 2014 marked the 100 years of LIS Education in the Philippines when was offered under the College of Liberal Arts of the University of the Philippines. To commemorate, alumni, students, faculty and staff came together for a short program and get together.

2015

UPSLIS hosted the 6th Asia Pacific Library and Information Education and Practice Conference

The UPSLIS hosted the 6th Asia Pacific Library and Information Education and Practice Conference with funding support from the University. The keynote speakers were UP President Alfredo E. Pascual and CHED TCLIS Chairperson Hon. Elizabeth E. Peralejo. It was attended by LIS Educators, researchers, and students from Asia and the Pacific.

2017

UPSLIS formalized its membership and partnership with the Southeast Asia-Pacific Audio Visual Archives Association (SEAPAAVA)

UPSLIS formalized its membership and partnership with the Southeast Asia-Pacific Audio Visual Archives Association (SEAPAAVA) and co-hosted the conference in Manila.

2020