The Reference and Information Services (RIS) Division is like the face of our library, providing all the main services that users directly interact with. It includes things like helping people find books, giving instruction on how to use the library, and managing online resources. The division has different units, each focusing on specific tasks, such as handling magazines, managing book circulation, and assisting with specialized topics.
Reference Service is when librarians help people find information. Librarians from different units can provide this service to anyone who needs information. It includes giving direct answers, guiding people on how and where to find information using various tools, and having a conversation (interview) between the librarian and the person seeking information to make sure they get what they need.
Library Orientation is when the library organizes sessions to introduce new students (freshmen and transferees) to the library. These sessions, done in collaboration with specific departments, include an overview of the library and end with a tour to familiarize the students with the library's layout and resources.
Online Reference Service is about guiding patrons on how to navigate, find, retrieve, and evaluate references available on different databases and/or the Internet. The aim is to help individuals effectively use online resources to locate and assess the information they are looking for.
Bibliographic Service involves creating and providing updated lists of references or bibliographies for departments or individuals who request them. The goal is to offer current and relevant lists of materials that align with the specific needs or interests of the requesting departments or parties.
Book Circulation Service handles the efficient checking in and out of library resources for patrons. It ensures a smooth process for borrowing and returning books and other materials from the library.
Selective Dissemination of Information is a service that notifies library patrons about new and relevant resources in the library that match their academic or curricular needs. It's a way of keeping individuals informed about materials that specifically align with their interests or studies.
Reservation and Recall Services allow patrons to ask library staff to find books they couldn't locate and have those books reserved for them. Additionally, the library sends notices to patrons reminding them about books that are overdue.
Book Display involves showcasing newly acquired books prominently in various units of the library. It's a way of drawing attention to and highlighting recently added books for library patrons to explore.
Discussion Rooms offer private spaces with internet facilities that can be reserved for group discussions and study purposes. It provides library patrons with a designated area where they can engage in collaborative work or focused study sessions.
A Chill Area is a designated space in the library that offers patrons a comfortable and relaxed environment for relaxation and leisure. It's an area where individuals can unwind and take a break.
The Audio-Visual Room is a space in the library where you can use audio and visual resources. It's designed for activities such as watching videos, listening to audio materials, or engaging with multimedia content.
In this unit, you'll find a diverse collection of resources, including print and online journals, magazines, local and national newspapers, as well as pamphlets covering various subjects. Additionally, government publications are included in this section. The organization of bound volumes follows an alphabetical arrangement by title and further categorization by volume or date. Furthermore, you can access the Vertical File, which contains articles clipped from local and national newspapers, offering information on a range of current subjects.
The resources in this unit are designated for library use only. The Serials librarian continually updates an index or bibliography containing articles relevant to the courses currently offered. Additionally, there are other indexes to serial articles available for use. (For further review)
This is the primary unit within the Reference and Information Services in the library. It serves as the main repository for a significant portion of the collection. The assortment encompasses books spanning social sciences, applied and pure sciences, arts and literature, history, fiction, biography, and languages. These books are conveniently placed on open stacks for straightforward access, and patrons can check them out for home use.
Reserve books are those specifically set aside based on the request of the faculty in charge. This practice is in place to guarantee that all students have fair and equal access to the books assigned for class readings.
Various services are offered, including the circulation of books, addressing reference queries, reserving facilities, and assisting in locating answers to reference questions and specific books.
Reserve books can be borrowed at the Circulation Counter for one hour, with the option to renew for an additional hour if there is no standing request for that specific book. Overnight borrowing is also permitted, following the outlined Terms of Use and Borrowing.
The Filipiniana Collection comprises books related to the Philippines, authored by Filipinos or foreigners, whether published in the Philippines or abroad. It also encompasses resources provided by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Within this unit, there are two types of collections: the Filipiniana-Circulation and Filipiniana-Reference collections.
Filipiniana-Reference books are exclusively for use within the library premises. On the other hand, Filipiniana-Circulation books follow the same borrowing rules as regular Circulation books, allowing patrons to check them out for home use.
The ViSCAiana Collection is a distinctive non-circulating compilation of materials specifically related to the university. This collection encompasses items authored by or about the university, including clippings from various sources like journals, pamphlets, newsletters, terminal reports issued by colleges and departments, as well as programs and other memorabilia associated with the university.
The Theses Collection consists of both unpublished undergraduate theses, located at the ViSCAiana Unit, and graduate theses/dissertations, housed in the Graduate Studies Reading Room. This collection includes works from faculty and staff, encompassing theses and dissertations written during their academic pursuits at various colleges and universities.
The services related to the Thesis Collection are restricted to library use only, and photocopying is limited to the Abstract of a thesis.
Computer-Based Literature Searches unit provides access to CDs & DVDs; subscribed databases, e-Book format of graduate and undergraduate theses, and open access full-text electronic resources.
This unit offers a range of computer-based services to support patrons, including assistance in conducting online literature searches, guidance on proper source citation, tutorials for utilizing various research tools, CD and online database searching, scanning services, printing facilities, and photocopying services. These services are designed to enhance the efficiency of literature exploration, ensure accurate source referencing, provide education on research tools, and facilitate access to digital and printed materials.
Selective Dissemination of Information is a service that notifies library patrons about new and relevant resources in the library that match their academic or curricular needs. It's a way of keeping individuals informed about materials that specifically align with their interests or studies.
Reservation and Recall Services allow patrons to ask library staff to find books they couldn't locate and have those books reserved for them. Additionally, the library sends notices to patrons reminding them about books that are overdue.
Book Display involves showcasing newly acquired books prominently in various units of the library. It's a way of drawing attention to and highlighting recently added books for library patrons to explore.
Discussion Rooms offer private spaces with internet facilities that can be reserved for group discussions and study purposes. It provides library patrons with a designated area where they can engage in collaborative work or focused study sessions.
A Chill Area is a designated space in the library that offers patrons a comfortable and relaxed environment for relaxation and leisure. It's an area where individuals can unwind and take a break.
The Audio-Visual Room is a space in the library where you can use audio and visual resources. It's designed for activities such as watching videos, listening to audio materials, or engaging with multimedia content.