UPSLIS

Happy International Archives Week!

UP SLIS joins the celebrations with a workshop on IoT-Driven Applications for Libraries and Archives. Bringing together participants from human rights organisations such as the Bantayog ng mga Bayani and the Philippine Labor Movement Archive, alongside other instituitons with cultural heritage collections such as the Bulwagan ng Dangal, the House of Representatives Library, Archive, and Museum; UP Center for Ethnomusicology, Parola - College of Fine Arts Galleries, the University Library, the University Archives; the From Stacks to Sensor Workshop taught participants the basics of collections care and created active monitoring solutions that track and alert on identified hazards.

This year’s IAW theme, Archives for Justice: Rights, Memory & Futures, reminds us that archives are more than repositories of information. They are foundations for accountability, evidence, transparency, and the protection of rights. As we explore IoT technologies, we may not immediately think of justice. Yet the sensors, monitoring systems, and automation tools we deploy play an important role in protecting the records entrusted to our care. By monitoring environmental conditions, securing storage spaces, and supporting preservation workflows, these technologies help ensure that archival records remain authentic, accessible, and available as evidence for future generations. In this way, technology becomes a tool not only for preservation, but also for justice.

Thank you to our participants and volunteers for joining us in the two-day workshop. May this workshop inspire you to harness innovation in service of our profession’s enduring mission: preserving rights, memory, and the documentary heritage upon which justice depends.

The UP School of Library and Information Studies proudly congratulates Assoc. Prof. Benedict “Bono” S. Olgado and Prof. Iyra S. Buenrostro-Cabbab on their appointment as UP Social Scientists under the UP Social Sciences and Philosophy Productivity System.

The title is a distinguished University recognition conferred on faculty whose scholarly work, public service, and professional leadership have created significant societal impact. It affirms contributions that carry forward the finest traditions of research and public service for nation-building and the public good.

Their recognition affirms the interdisciplinary nature of LIS while being grounded strongly in the social sciences, especially in demonstrating how archives, information systems, and documentary practices shape public life. In deeply resonant ways, Dr. Olgado and Dr. Buenrostro-Cabbab have advanced work that connects scholarship with public service and professional leadership as they pursue the urgent, intersecting social questions of memory, accountability, collective knowledge, and human rights.

Their achievement also reflects the culture of UP SLIS, where scholarship engages directly with contemporary social challenges and contributes to the public good. Through initiatives such as the Publics, Archives, and Data (PANDA) Laboratory, UP SLIS continues to advance research on archives, information access, and documentary heritage, fostering knowledge that supports communities, institutions, and society. We celebrate Dr. Olgado and Dr. Buenrostro-Cabbab's recognition as a testament to the enduring role of UP SLIS scholarship in shaping a more informed, accountable, and equitable future.

This Pride Month, SLIS proudly features Michael "Kuya Mike" Amandy, Administrative Aide at the SLIS Library and member of the SLIS Gender and Development Committee.

His research, “Rainbow Reads: The Representation of LGBTQ+ Literature in the University Library Collection,” found that LGBTQ+ literature in the UP Library System has grown significantly, with 328 resources identified. However, the study also notes that incomplete metadata, missing authors and abstracts, and inconsistent subject headings continue to limit the discoverability and accessibility of these materials. It also found that LGBTQ+ resources are mostly concentrated in the social sciences and humanities.

The study recommends improving metadata and cataloging practices, using inclusive LGBTQ+ terminology, expanding LGBTQ+ collections, and strengthening policies that support accessibility, representation, and discoverability.

Through this work, Kuya Mike reminds us that libraries are spaces for recognition, inclusion, and belonging.

Happy Pride!

Congratulations to all the presenters of the SLIS Graduate Research Colloquium 2026 and thanks to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to the discussions throughout the day.

This year’s presentations showcased the diversity of Library and Information Science and Archival Studies research, covering information behaviour and sense-making, misinformation and social media, artificial intelligence in library practice, records management and community archives, information literacy, knowledge organisation, library outreach, data security, public engagement, and community-centred information services.

The poster session further highlighted innovative projects on digital exhibits, mobile libraries, classification systems, collection representation, and librarian well-being, demonstrating the creativity and commitment of our students to addressing contemporary information challenges.

The colloquium also featured thesis and capstone presentations that explored cultural competence in academic libraries, archival legislation and values across Southeast Asia, community-driven digital archives, and institutional history through archival research.

Together, these studies reflect the evolving role of librarians, archivists, and information professionals as researchers, advocates, educators, and stewards of knowledge.

Save the date for the Graduate Research Colloquium 2026!

The UP School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) Graduate Research Colloquium 2026 will feature presentations from graduating MARM, MLIS, and MSLIS students as well as showcase output from various graduate classes.

The event is open to the public and will be held on 30 May 2026, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Room 10, UP SOLAIR. Register at https://bit.ly/SLISGRC2026

Don’t miss the chance to connect with our talented students and faculty, gain insights from their research, and participate in the lively exchange of ideas. We look forward to seeing you there!

UP SLIS Return from LOA and Readmission from AWOL Process
First Semester AY 2026-2027

Students who intend to return from LOA or be readmitted from AWOL for First Semester AY 2026-2027 may process their return/readmission appeal until Sunday, 28 June 2026.

Detailed instructions regarding the return/readmission process are available at https://bit.ly/SLISReadmissionandReturn

Other inquiries about the process and/or the program must be directed to:
Asst. Prof. Mark Anthony A. Santos
College Secretary, UP SLIS
e-mail: colsec [DOT] slis [DOT] updiliman [AT] up [DOT] edu [DOT] ph

The UP School of Library and Information Studies announces the Search for our new Dean.

Members of the SLIS community and concerned stakeholders are invited to participate in the search process following the Schedule of Activities.
A Public Forum will be held as a hybrid event on 25 May 2026, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Onsite participation is at SOLAIR Room 28 while online participants should pre-register through bit.ly/SLISDeanForum until 12:00 PM on 23 May 2026. Online participation will be limited to the first 100 registrants due to platform limits.

Stakeholder interviews will be held on 25–26 May 2026 at SOLAIR Room 30. Interested faculty, staff, students, and alumni may pre-register through bit.ly/SLISDeanInterview

The SLIS community is strongly encouraged to participate in these consultations and activities for a transparent and democratic search process.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗨𝗣 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗤𝗔𝗢 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗨𝗣 𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗦

The UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO) visited the UP School of Library and Information Studies (UP SLIS) on May 20, 2026 as part of its ongoing QA Caravan.

Held in the spirit of aligning the quality assurance agenda of UP Diliman with the QA strategic plan of the UP System, the meeting covered key QA matters, including Internal Quality Assurance activities, External Quality Assurance initiatives, the Performance Budget Monitoring System (PBMS), and preparations for ISO 21001. In attendance from UP SLIS were Dean Rhea Rowena U. Apolinario, SLIS Quality Assurance Officer Asst. Prof. Yhna Therese P. Santos, QA Staff Ferlito G. Arceo, and College Secretary Asst. Prof. Mark Anthony A. Santos. UPD QAO was represented by Director Dr. Evangeline C. Amor, IQA Lead Kelvin Mendoza, EQA Lead Charles Ramos, and KMT Lead Arlyh Hirao.

UP SLIS appreciates the continued support of UPD QAO in strengthening quality assurance systems and practices in the School.

This visit comes at a meaningful time for UP SLIS, following recent quality assurance milestones such as the
AUN-QA Programme Certification of the BLIS program and the School’s placement within the Top 100 globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Library and Information Management.

As the School continues to strengthen its academic programs, quality assurance systems, and institutional presence, the highly anticipated completion of its new building will also support its continued growth, visibility, and service to the University, the community, and the profession.