University of Santo Tomas Miguel de Benavides Library
Encyclopedia
The UST Miguel de Benavides Library (formerly the UST Central Library) is the university library of the University of Santo Tomas
. The Library has been in continuous service since the first opening of the "Colegio de Santo Tomas" centuries ago. Even wars did not interrupt this service and it has adapted over time.
, Theology
or Law
.
The University Library can be considered as the oldest in the country. The first seeds were planted when in the early 17th century "the founders," Fr. Miguel de Benavides
and Fr. Diego Soria , donated their private collections for a future college. Through the history of the University other Dominicans contributed books indispensable in the education for the priesthood.
This explains why the oldest books in the collection are related to Philosophy, Theology or Law. As new faculties were opened in the University the collections widened to form a precious collection of rare books unique in the Philippines. This library was located in the old city of Intramuros for three hundred years. When the University expanded its campus outside the walls, some collections were also transferred to its new campus. The library occupied a room at the ground floor of the new Main Building. As the University grew with the opening of new courses, the library expanded and the collection increased in volume.
The long awaited dream of an exclusive building for the library finally materialized on October 29, 1989 when the UST Central Library building was inaugurated.
The books were originally classified according to the old method of classification called the Fixed System. In 1927, the University Library adapted the Dewey Decimal System
. This was further replaced by the present Library of Congress Classification System
.
The Benavides Library contains a rich collection of books and periodicals, listing more than 300,000 volumes in its catalogue, with hundreds of new materials added regularly.
The Library has been in continuous service since the first opening of the "Colegio de Santo Tomas" centuries ago. Even wars did not interrupt this service and it has adapted to the needs of every generation.
The University Library takes pride as it contributes to the fulfillment of the University's mission in its continued commitment to serve its clientele beyond its four hundred year anniversary.
Section
(3rd floor)
Filipiniana Section
(4th floor)
Antonio V. del Rosario Heritage Library
(5th floor)
Humanities Section
(5th floor)
Map Room
(5th floor)
Music Section
(Ground floor)
Old Books Section
(6th floor)
General Reference and Information Section
(Ground floor)
Religion Section
(5th floor)
Science and Technology Section
(2nd floor)
Supports the teaching and research need of the Faculty of Engineering, College of Science, Faculty of Pharmacy and other departments that need materials on Physical Sciences and technology.
Serials Section
(6th floor)
Social Sciences Section
(3rd floor)
Spanish Section
(4th floor)
Thesis Room
(3rd floor)
Technical Section
(2nd floor)
Discussion Rooms
Drafting Area
Exhibit Area
Faculty Area
Individual Study Rooms
Internet
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
Package Counter
Readers' Café
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
. The Library has been in continuous service since the first opening of the "Colegio de Santo Tomas" centuries ago. Even wars did not interrupt this service and it has adapted over time.
History
The oldest books in the collection are related to PhilosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
or Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
.
The University Library can be considered as the oldest in the country. The first seeds were planted when in the early 17th century "the founders," Fr. Miguel de Benavides
Miguel de Benavides
Miguel de Benavides y Añoza was a Spanish clergyman and sinologist, the third Archbishop of Manila, and founder of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.-Biography:...
and Fr. Diego Soria , donated their private collections for a future college. Through the history of the University other Dominicans contributed books indispensable in the education for the priesthood.
This explains why the oldest books in the collection are related to Philosophy, Theology or Law. As new faculties were opened in the University the collections widened to form a precious collection of rare books unique in the Philippines. This library was located in the old city of Intramuros for three hundred years. When the University expanded its campus outside the walls, some collections were also transferred to its new campus. The library occupied a room at the ground floor of the new Main Building. As the University grew with the opening of new courses, the library expanded and the collection increased in volume.
The long awaited dream of an exclusive building for the library finally materialized on October 29, 1989 when the UST Central Library building was inaugurated.
The books were originally classified according to the old method of classification called the Fixed System. In 1927, the University Library adapted the Dewey Decimal System
Dewey Decimal Classification
Dewey Decimal Classification, is a proprietary system of library classification developed by Melvil Dewey in 1876.It has been greatly modified and expanded through 23 major revisions, the most recent in 2011...
. This was further replaced by the present Library of Congress Classification System
Library of Congress Classification
The Library of Congress Classification is a system of library classification developed by the Library of Congress. It is used by most research and academic libraries in the U.S. and several other countries; for example, Australia and Taiwan, R.O.C. It is not to be confused with the Library of...
.
The Benavides Library contains a rich collection of books and periodicals, listing more than 300,000 volumes in its catalogue, with hundreds of new materials added regularly.
The Library has been in continuous service since the first opening of the "Colegio de Santo Tomas" centuries ago. Even wars did not interrupt this service and it has adapted to the needs of every generation.
The University Library takes pride as it contributes to the fulfillment of the University's mission in its continued commitment to serve its clientele beyond its four hundred year anniversary.
Spanish Collections
Dr. Jose Rizal's books namely, "El Filibusterismo" and "Noli Me Tangere", are included in this collection.Library Sections
Civil LawCivil law (legal system)
Civil law is a legal system inspired by Roman law and whose primary feature is that laws are codified into collections, as compared to common law systems that gives great precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different...
Section
(3rd floor)
Filipiniana Section
(4th floor)
Antonio V. del Rosario Heritage Library
(5th floor)
- Rare Books from 1492 through 1900
- Filipiniana rare
- Periodicals
- Legal collections
- Medical books
- Books on Pharmacy
Humanities Section
(5th floor)
Map Room
(5th floor)
Music Section
(Ground floor)
Old Books Section
(6th floor)
General Reference and Information Section
(Ground floor)
Religion Section
(5th floor)
Science and Technology Section
(2nd floor)
Supports the teaching and research need of the Faculty of Engineering, College of Science, Faculty of Pharmacy and other departments that need materials on Physical Sciences and technology.
Serials Section
(6th floor)
Social Sciences Section
(3rd floor)
Spanish Section
(4th floor)
Thesis Room
(3rd floor)
Technical Section
(2nd floor)
Facilities
Conference HallDiscussion Rooms
Drafting Area
Exhibit Area
Faculty Area
Individual Study Rooms
Internet
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
Package Counter
Readers' Café