nostalgic at the uplb main library

Pegaraw, that magical winged carabao, guards the University of the Philippines Los Baños Main Library and whatever majesty left of that building. What makes this library so special aside from its rich repository of agricultural resources? Memories, of course.

From freshman years to one’s final hours at the University, the library is a “must-visit” because of Eng 2 (College Writing in English) and thesis or manuscript. We may include leisure reading, writing, and e-browsing, too. Nocturnal meetings are held around this library as well. And with Maria Makiling’s breath of fresh air, one can easily find a reason to just sit outside, by the huge glass windows, and meditate. Other than these scholarly and extra-curricular activities, a lot of happenings surround this magisterial block, but I’m not going to tell. You share.

But before you, I found something mortifying about the elbi’s main lib lately: according to the University Librarian, they are vacating the third floor for the Chancellor to occupy it. Therefore, the serials section (periodicals and archives) has to be transferred to the second floor.

Therefore, the whole circulation section (yes, all those shelves that spread from end to end of the second floor) has to be moved to what used to be spacious and cozy first floor.

Therefore, squeezed in the first floor now are thousands of books plus the general references and the ones in reserve section.

Therefore, the computer section, which used to be in this floor, was brought down (along with the thesis and dissertation section) to the basement now painted white.

As a bibliophile, a claustrophobic, a researcher, a UPLB alumnae and an Eng 2 teacher, I’m not happy about these sudden changes, though I know, any iskolar ng bayan can survive insufficient resources and ineffectual space (but not insufficient education budget and ineffectual administrative plans).